All it took was a blizzard and a pair of sky-blue eyes to break me.
I had one rule when I decided to rent out the ground level of my house – keep it professional. So I have no idea why I told the hospital to call my new tenant, Logan Hawkins, when I ended up unconscious in the snow. It was impossible to keep my distance from the brooding single dad after he came to my rescue.
My past is tragic with a capital T so I decide to keep it to myself for as long as I can. That way maybe Logan won’t run, like everyone else. I want his touch… his love. Not his sympathy.
But he’s been keeping secrets of his own. The more time we spend together the more I want to confess, and I want to know what has been turning those sky-blue eyes stormy when he thinks I’m not looking.
They say the truth will set you free, but in this case, it might shatter what’s left of my fragile heart.
The Winter We Collided, book 2 in the Ocean Pines series, is a sexy, single dad romance featuring a brooding, buff paramedic and the shy, secretive new girl in town.
Victoria Denault loves ocean air, seventies music, strong heroines and flawed heroes. She is a former journalist, stand-up comic and corporate marketing minion. Victoria is a Canadian and former Californian who currently lives in a 225 year-old house with her husband, their Chihuahua Maximus and more spiders than she cares to think about.
Holy moly, Victoria Denault just took my heart on quite a ride! And frankly, I loved every minute of it.
GAH! I just freaking loved Logan and Chloe so much! I loved their chemistry and their whole vibe. I loved how sweet they were, and how organic their relationship felt – even though it moved quickly. I am a sucker for single dad romances and possibly an even bigger sucker for grump/sunshine romance and The Winter We Collided delivered on both fronts. It delivered all the butterflies and swoons that I ever could have asked for.
It also dealt with some pretty serious, emotional stuff. There were some powerful punches packed into this story. There was a fair amount of drama, and just a smidge of angst. There were times I was afraid it was going to be too much - but honestly, it never felt that way for me. It worked. I was hopelessly addicted to the story and so in love with how it all played out.
And now? Now I am desperate to know what happens next. There is definitely a bit of a soapy vibe going on in this series and the teaser that the author left us with in this one makes me think there’s a lot more drama ahead. I’m all-in for the Hawkins family, at this point – so I’m buckled up and ready for whatever Ms. Denault wants to dish up next. ~ Shelly, 4.5 Stars
Logan was so sweet in this, I loved it! After being introduced to him, I was expecting a grumpy Logan but he was actually the opposite. Him and Chloe were both dealing with tragedy from their past and it was really cute how they leaned on each other and learned to be happy again. They were like 2 teenagers learning to date for the first time, it was really sweet. The conflict was handled maturely and I'm glad things were communicated right away with this couple. Love this entire family
The Winter We Collided is the second book in Victoria Denault’s brand Ocean Pines series, and it can be read as a standalone. The series started with The Fall We Fell, and even though you don’t need to read it first, I highly recommend it.
The Winter We Collided is Logan and Chloe’s story. It’s a small town, single dad love story that gave me all the feels. It is wonderfully written, and it is heartfelt, heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. It is emotional and steamy and really fun. I loved everything about it.
Logan Hawkins is a paramedic and single dad who’s determined to make up for his past mistakes and be a good father to River, his five year old son. He wants to change the custody agreement so he can stay with him overnight. To do that he needs to find a suitable apartment he can afford. But he never saw Chloe coming.
Chloe Hale is a web and graphic designer who inherited a big house in Ocean Pines and decided to stay in Maine. She’s working as a freelance designer and has remodeled a part of the house to rent. She’s been hired by Terra Hawkins for a secret job for her family’s restaurant. When she meets Logan, she lets it slip that she has an apartment to rent, instantly becoming his landlord.
I love Ocean Pines’ Maine small coastal town vibe. You can feel its atmosphere and charm, and its sense of community. I also love the Hawkins family dynamic. They are adorable and a bit of a complicated mess, and I just want more of them! I love how we get to know more about Finn and Declan in this book, and even Terra. I really cannot wait for their stories!
I loved how Chloe and Logan’s relationship starts, and how it develops. They have so much chemistry, and they are really wonderful people who you want to hang out with and with whom you can relate to. But in order to have a future together they have to deal with their present issues, and more importantly deal with their pasts. They are both hiding secrets from each other that could keep them apart.
This story is very emotional and deals with sensitive issues in a very organic and respectful way, like alcoholism and the death of a loved one. It’s a story about family, love, loss, second chances, trust, and forgiveness. It is truly an outstanding novel and really worth reading. I can’t wait for more books in this series.
5 PULLED HEARTSTRINGS STARS!! This one pulled on all my heartstrings. Logan and Chloe's story was beautifully written with all the feels by this magnificent author. If you are looking for a book to escape in, here you go.
Things I Liked: -single dad trope -River (he is adorable and it’s clear how much he loves his dad) -that Chloe’s limp was mentioned but not portrayed as a personality trait (wasn’t brought up too often) -the chemistry between Chloe and Logan (and that they couldn’t fight their feelings for each other despite constantly saying a relationship wasn’t a good idea) -that Chloe recognized the crash wasn’t Logan’s fault and didn’t blame him (she just needed time to process the new information) -that River’s mom wasn’t a completely awful person (yes she took Logan to court, however this seemed like it was more her parents doing than her own) -the comedy of the twin confusion scenes
Things I Didn’t Like: -all the added drama of Logan being in the car that injured Chloe and killed her husband (I would have preferred more drama around the difficulty of staying sober) -the entire “we paid the family $200,000 and we still haven’t recovered from this” storyline simply because it didn’t make sense. There are 4 kids to help pay off the re-mortgaging of the restaurant and Declan has (what seemed to be) a nice house. Yet we are expected to believe the family is struggling? -that it seems like nobody (except for Aspen) had ever heard of Chloe before she was hired at the restaurant despite her living in the town for 5 years. Again, this just made no sense considering Ocean pines is considered a small town with lots of gossip
Things I Would’ve Liked To See: -more friendships with characters outside of the Hawkins family (including Jake) -an epilogue further into the future (a couple years later) -seeing Chloe and River’s relationship develop (although I did love their first meeting)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The Winter We Collided was one of those books that I think will stay with me for some time. I had a feeling that this book would be a bit heavier than the first one in the series given the main character was Logan, who I knew had some baggage, and while it was in places, it also showed how if you persevere, you can overcome so much in life.
Chloe has decided to rent out the bottom floor apartment in her home and when she decided to do it, she was going to be the landlord and that was it. No other attachments allowed. When she meets single dad and paramedic, Logan, she immediately agrees to rent him the space, but there is also another pull between the two of them that is impossible to deny.
Both Chloe and Logan have their share of baggage. They've both been through traumatic events and being in a relationship is new for both of them since it's been so long. The question is, can their new and burgeoning connection survive when things from their past threaten to upend everything in their present and their future?
I enjoyed this book so much. The Hawkins family is one that I've enjoyed getting to know so far through these two books and I'm looking forward to learning more as we go on. If the author's note at the end is anything to go by, the third book in this series is going to be epic! I certainly didn't see what Victoria Denault has planned coming!!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
This is the second book in the Ocean Pines series but can definitely be read as a standalone. In fact, I couldn't remember what we'd learned about Logan's past in the first book so when it was fully revealed it was a real penny drop moment for me and not remembering didn't spoil anything. But do read the first book too after this if you haven't already!
Once again this was an emotional read. I really liked Logan and Chloe and their backgrounds and relationship issues were dealt with sensitively. The setting is great with really interesting supporting characters. The family dynamics are big and complicated and I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series. The author's note at the end was a definite REALLY?!?! moment and I can't wait.
If you're looking for a well written and character driven story that deals with complicated relationships and issues then this should tick all the boxes. A definite recommend from me. The only reason it's not a 5 star for me is I didn't love this pair as much as I loved Terra and Jake so wasn't quite as invested in them. But TBH that might just be because I got crazy busy at work so had to pause reading for a few days and lost a bit of impetus. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love when I read a book and get a glimpse of a character but not a true picture until I read their story. The Winter We Collided is Logan's story and it is powerful. I can't say I didn't see the situation between Logan and Chloe developing because I could feel it as I read. The anxiety, the pain, the confusion of feeling - they were all feeling I experienced while reading their story. Ms. Denault has a unique gift of making her readers feel what the character's feel. We first met Logan in the first book in this series - The Fall We Fell. As the older brother and best friend of the book's hero and heroine, we met Logan and were introduced to a moody, grumpy single father trying to better himself for his son. In this book we learned all about him and his personal struggles with substance abuse and guilt. Chloe is a strong, single women recovering from a severe car crash and the death of her husband. The two come together like puzzle pieces. Like all her books, this one is very well written, keeps you engaged and has an emotional but true HEA. I am lucky enough to be a part of Victoria Denault's ARC team.
5 years ago, Logan hit rock bottom. And when he did, his family was able to get him help and send him to rehab to deal with alcoholism. Now, he is better than he has been. He has been sober since then, has done whatever he can to be there for his kid, and has dedicated his career as a paramedic at the firehouse. Despite the ups, he still struggles with feeling guilty of that terrible day that changed his life. It not only harmed others but his family as well. His focus on his own happiness hasn't been a thing until he meets her. Chloe. Chloe runs into Logan when she is hired by Logan's sister, Terra, to create a website and app for their family business. In doing so, she soon finds herself with a tenant to live in the apartment attached to her home. Chloe has had a rough five years herself when she not only had a rough recovery from a car accident but lost her husband in that crash as well. So what is about Logan that makes her want to try and fall in love again? At first they keep their distance, but when an accident lands Chloe with a bad concussion, Logan is the one to help her through it. Both have their secrets and little do they know how close those secrets are to one another. Loved their story! But boy, was I on the edge of my seat wondering if what I thought happened, happened, and how would that play out for them. Really enjoying this series so far! Looking forward to the next one.
Oh my goodness. This book just ripped my heart out. Logan and Chloe had me feeling everything!! The good and the bad.
Logan is a recovering alcoholic who is harder on himself than anyone ever should be. Chloe, his new landlady, is a widow who hasn't really opened herself up to love since her husbands death.
They are both broken, vulnerable, and kind. They are both keeping secrets. And they have a chemistry and connection that they can't ignore.
I was right there with these characters. I could so easily feel all the emotions they went thru. The writing in this book just spoke to me so loudly and so deeply that it felt like I was going thru it all. I loved every bit of this story.
Victoria Denault is quickly becoming a favorite author for me and I cannot wait for the next Ocean Pines book.
Logan and Chloe were a slow build romance but not one knew how much their lives were intertwined in the past. She was recovering from trauma and so was he but much more severe in the sense that he felt he always had to do good to make up for it. Once they crossed the line it was easy to see the chemistry but they still had a long way to go. Especially with Logan having baggage. Chloe had an ex brother in law that was a nightmare and had another one that was a total sweetheart and was always there for her. When secrets were revealed that showed how they were intertwined it was heartbreaking but they had their own cheerleaders that wanted to see them together regardless. Chloe even came to Logan’s rescue when he needed it the most and that’s where his love for her deepened. It was a beautiful love story with great secondary characters and also not so great secondary characters.
This started out SO good, but somehow somwhere around the midway point things went downhill and just kept on going down for the rest of the book.
I guess at the beginning everything is a mystery and every character had potential but when I got to the midway point - especially with that twist on the horizon - everything fell flat. The characters became one dimensional, good or bad. 🤷♀️
Chloe and Logan's relationship started out beautiful and then disintegrated into cliches and constant eye rolls from yours Truly 🙋♀️ honestly the last 80 pages took me 2 days, they were that painful to read and not in a good way.
2.5 ✴️✴️〽️ Okay story, okay conclusion, will probably forget this tomorrow.
Oh the feels!!! Yes yes yes!!! I was so excited for Logan's story.... and Victoria did NOT disappoint me at all! Chloe and Logan are freaking phenomenal! Their story gave me chills and heart break! There was a scene with a panic attack involved and I was feeling my own panic attack coming on! And there were some times when I shed some very real tears!
Victoria has a way of just pulling me into this small town as if I was one of the residents and I am being as nosey as the Mrs. Green of the town. The way that Chloe works through to make her decisions was so heart warming! Logan had me swooning on so many occasions! And then there is the dogs! And can't forget the absolutely adorable River! He was quite amusing..... then there was a hint into the next book and who the next couple of Ocean Pines will be.... I was shocked but I AM SO FREAKING HERE FOR IT!!!! I CAN NOT WAIT!
This is totally a 5 star read! The feels were all there..... and the HEA made me feel like I was being wrapped up in a nice warm hug! Story 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Spice 🌶🌶🌶 Swoon 😍😍😍😍 Angst 💔💔💔💔
Wow! When The Winter We Collided is the second book in the Ocean Pines series. And wow! Let me tell you, I’m in love with this story! Logan and Chloe’s story is one that I didn’t see coming. Each have endured such a heartbreaking past. Their are both carrying around these scars inside and it’s so sad to see. Both are lonely and it shows. After an accidental meeting, Logan moves in to the little apartment she built connecting to her house. But when they are thrown together due to an trip to the ER, they spend more time together. Before they know it, they’ve both developed feelings. Past hurts and secrets kept make it a bumpy road but the destination is well worth it.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Wow! Another fabulous read from Victoria Denault. As a fan from her first book to this one, it's been fun to watch her writing evolve. Each new book explores deeper and more complex parts of human emotion and relationships. Chloe and Logan were no exception.
*Spoiler* I will admit that I saw the "twist" coming early on, but I'm not really sure that Denault was even trying to hide it. I loved the depth that both Chloe and Logan showed. This is definitely another must read for fans of this author.
This is Logan’s book and in this book we see his continued struggle and growth. He meets Chloe at the Shack and finds out she has an apartment for rent and convinces her to let him and Chewey move in as he is trying to get more time with River.
Not only does a bromance between Chewey and the Boss (Chloe’s dog) begin - one between Logan Chloe does too. But once both of their secrets emerge can they find their way back to a happily ever after?
As much as I enjoyed the first book in this series, I absolutely loved this one! Can’t wait for book 3!
This was just OK. It could just be me but it just didn't click for me. Nothing wrong with it but nothing that made it stand out either. it's good writing and a decent but predictable story.
I guess it comes down to not being invested in these characters and not really seeing any chemistry. I found them underwhelming.
The one thing that perked my interest was the last two sentences of the author note saying who would be featured in the next book. Now that sounds interesting but this one was just meh.
I don't even know where to begin with this book. Every Logan I've ever read I end up falling in love with... Logan Hawkins was no different! My interest with Logan developed during book 1 and I can't get over his story. I wasn't expecting the story to go how it was, but I wasn't disappointed. My heart was so excited for Logan, I hurt for him, I loved him and I feel like he healed. I can't wait for book 3 in this series!
I love the depth of the characters,the twists and turns. This series has a wonderful cast if characters- a messy,loving,supporting family dealing with difficult issues. It makes the romance all the sweeter for the things that they have to overcome to be together. Loved her hockey stories but I really love the depth, small town feel and the relationships of this series.
So dang good! Logan and Chloe’s story has some deep lessons and difficult storylines but is by no means a dark story. It is a bit of a tearjerker in parts but the HEA is so, so worth it! It is part of a series but you could definitely start here and then go back and read “The Fall We Fell”. And the next one, well, I can’t wait for that preorder button cause I think it’s going to be epic!
Chloe and Logan almost instant attraction and they get along, so compatible. But Chloe has a tragic backstory she's reluctant to divulge. Logan has a tragic backstory he is reluctant to divulge. The good thing and the bad thing is it all comes out eventually. Love the support from Logans family. Sweet continuation of the Hawkins family stories. Loved this couple so much! Worth reading!
Logan & Chloe’s story has all that and so much more. It’s heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time. It shows us that people can change and shouldn’t be defined by past actions.
Another hit from Victoria Denault! This book combined angst and humor perfectly! The pace was great and the characters were well developed. I enjoyed seeing more of the Hawkins clan and I can’t wait for the next in the series when we return to Ocean Pines. Logan and Chloe are a perfect pair! 👍🏼
This story was awesome. I was able to figure out what was going to happen early on but that did not stop me from finishing. I love a good feel good romance.