Belly Strings

by Drea Rhodes

“Tell me, Maxwell—you ever kiss my brother the way you kiss me?"

Fresh out of college and working in her dream role as a graphic designer at one of the most prestigious fashion companies, Maxwell Scott feels that her life is finally on track, if only she could figure out where she wants to live. When the news of her oldest friend (and ex-boyfriend) Finn's wedding brings her back to her parent's vineyard, she assumes 'grooms woman' duties to the man she chose to leave behind all those years ago.

Luca Wyatt is a self-made billionaire, who prefers to keep everyone at arm’s length, his mother and brother included. Until he sees the girl who has been at the center of their lives since the Scotts employed his mother and she’s no longer a girl, but the most beautiful and infuriating woman he’s ever seen.

The two struggle with their undeniable attraction and sexual tension, fueling Finn’s growing irritation. The consequences cause Maxwell to question if her happiness and desires are worth ripping apart their families and changing the course of their lives forever.

Genres: Romance

Unknown Binding

First published January 19, 2024

About the author

Let's be friends! https://www.instagram.com/drearhodesw...


Drea Rhodes is a hopeless romantic braving the Pacific Northwest storms with her golden shepherd, Emi. Her desires lie with men who would burn the world for their woman and the color morally gray. Throw in some sarcasm, witty banter and a sprinkle (or cup) of spice and you've got a delicious combo. When she's not reading or living in her own little movie reels, she enjoys traveling all around the world, learning about astrology (Pisces here) and driving way too fast.

Reviews

[Lia Tinoco · Rating 5 out of 5]

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!


4 years after she broke his heart, Maxwell goes home to be in the wedding of her bestfriend (who is also her ex-boyfriend).
Being a groomswoman, one of the groomsmen, she is forced to spend more time with Luca, who also comes back home to be his little brother's best man, than she ever has before - since he left town as soon as he turned 18 (and she was 8). And in him, she finds what she always dreamed of for herself - the kind of love that she grew up witnessing in her own home through her parents, the only kind of love she'd give herself to.
But their brief happiness and all dreams of the future soon go up in flames, leaving behind a trail of broken strings and the sweetest complication, that one invisible string stronger than anything else.

Belly Strings is a beautiful story of all kinds of loves - romantic, platonic, familiar, and even pet love!
We navigate the story through Maxwell's single POV, witnessing how she grows in life and grows life and getting to know a strong and fierce protagonist who feels real and is both someone we can see ourselves in and someone we aim to be.

tropes:
🌸 bestfriend/ex’s older brother
🌸 age gap
🌸 billionaire
🌸 accidental pregnancy
🌸 forced proximity

thank you drea rhodes for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Tsyhanchuk Anastasiia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Мені сподобалось 😊
Головні герої ну булочки 🥹
Батьків їх я обожнюю
Ще Олівія капець подобається😍
Ну про Фіна одні матюки були в голові..

Але те як вони обирали не себе, не своє кохання, а якогось чувака, навіть якщо він їх брат чи найкращий друг, він не повинен лізти у ваші стосунки, шліть куди подалі і всееее
Оце мені не сподобалось дуже, хоча розумію нащо воно там треба

Дуже рада була в кінці книги😍
4,5/5

[Uliana♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Історія гарна, але трохи забагато "Санта-Барбари" та лишньої драми, як на мене

Проте, якщо це перша книга авторки, то взагалі супер)

[Mahou · Rating 5 out of 5]

The paperback is beautiful ! (I finally got it 🥰)
————————
I have known about Belly Strings since Drea Rhodes wrote it on wattpad. I can still recall loving this book so much that I read it in one sitting years ago. Since then, it has been one of my comfort readings, and I can't say how much I am happy that it has finally been published and will hopefully be recognized by many more.

Belly strings is a story that makes you swoon (be prepared to feel the butterflies 🦋) with some spices (🌶️) and where it’s impossible to not get attached emotionally to the characters and their personal stories. Drea Rhodes, the author, has a unique way of making you feel connected and immersed in the story!

I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review (thank you so much, Drea Rhodes!) and was able to read it once more. I still love this story so much and can’t recommend it enough! If you like the tropes of best friend's brother / accidental pregnancy / forced proximity, you'll not be disappointed.

I am looking forward to reading more books of this author (congratulations on your official debut novel) and obtaining a copy of Belly Strings.

[Vlada · Rating 4 out of 5]

«З тобою я відчуваю себе сильною, ніби можу пробігти через палаючу будівлю, якби захотіла».

Мені сподобалась ця пара і те, як вони відкрились одне одному. Їхня історія важка, але така щира та справжня. Я прям відчувала їхнє кохання, біль та розгубленість. В кінці посміхалась, як навіжена, бо ж нарешті всі щасливі і я разом з ними 🥹🤗

Дуже гарно прописано сімійні відносини, батьківську любов та підтримку родини. Дуже тішусь від цього)

Про Фіна нічого казати не буду, бо він того не вартий.

Це була гарна книга як для дебюту, але трішки забагато драми і мені чогось не вистачило, тому ставлю 4/5.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

ця книга однозначно буде в моєму топі🥹🥰

[Haru_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️

× Minor spoilers ahead ×

Belly Strings was truly a book where the accidental pregnancy trope was done really well. The story starts slow, but allows you to fully immerse in the character, Maxwell, and the sweet family they had around not to mention, Drea really put her sweet time in allowing the characters to explore their messy feelings and attach themselves even if it was a bumy road they still made it through. The yearning and undeniably attraction led them into having something so beautiful, I devoured Maxwell and Luca, I love how supportive the families were, I absolutely love how Luca, the cold Billionaire, was shown being vulnerable about his mistakes and feelings. I love how everything that happened has a sliver linning. Truly, nothing is quite perfect in life.

I was so happy when the wedding was off, Isobel deserved so much better, and I still despise finn for what he did, but more then that I could never see myself be that selfless ( Sorry, Max. I can not relate)
The epligoue turned out so different than I expected from the norm. It was a delight to read it (I still hate, finn). It was so SO cute the way she kept calling her son, peach. I find it hilarious and absolutely adorable.

After Out on a limb, I genuinely lost hope with reading a book that had given justice to this trope. Seems I finally found one. ♡

[𝓨𝓪𝓼 ౨ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the opportunity to have an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review and here we go! Belly Strings is the debut novel of Drea Rhodes who kindly sent me a copy and it’s been my first book of 2024 and let me tell you that this book is like FINE WINE!! It’s a well deserved 5 stars for me!

The story follows Maxwell Scott a graphic designer that goes home to be the groomswoman of her best friend Finn, who also happens to be her ex boyfriend whose heart she broke four years ago. Maxwell is forced to spend time with Luca the billionaire brother that came to town for his little brother’s wedding and he seems to be everything Maxwell has been looking for a man.

In the story there will be a few plot twist that cannot make you stop reading. This debut novel is a love story about all kinds of love and this book is a home run I did not expect to be so invested and attached to the characters from the first pages. I loved the story of Maxwell and Luca and I’m a bit sad that the story is finished.

I can’t wait for this book being published on January 19th (mark it on your calendars) and owning a copy because I’ll definitely reread this book!!

🪐tropes:

•ex’s brother / best friend
•billionaire
•age gap
•forced proximity
•witty banter
•accidental pregnancy

[ess · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

I truly enjoyed this book, in this story we met Maxwell Scott and Luca Wyatt. The headstrong digital content creator and cocky billionaire. Their relationship was a very unlikely one as the common denominator for the two was Finn, Luca's younger brother and Max's ex-boyfriend.

This book was a beautiful debut novel, it was thought through and executed in a manner that didn't feel like anything dragged on or was unnecessary. As a fan of the pregnancy trope, I did enjoy our main characters becoming parents granted their relationship was anything but an easy road. I will say my least favorite character 80% of the book was Finn because of how he treated those around him, but he redeemed himself and showed growth which is great.

I would love to read a book that includes Luca and Max as side characters just because they were so likable. I loved being in their world and their family.

Also let me say, Luca is a MAN. not even because of his money, but because of who he is and how he carries himself as a person. he also loved Max and their kids with his whole heart.

⭐️ 4.5

tropes
☁️ ex's brother
☁️ forced proximity
☁️ billionaire
☁️ age gap
☁️ accidental pregnancy

[Bianca Valiente · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maxwell and Luca are that forbidden couple in this story as they're families are like one big one.(no they are not related).

This first started as a bit of a slow burn for me but also this is well detailed and written. The way the characters have known each other from young; how they find love and lose it when they get older.

Maxwell is someone who will protect her loved ones. She'll be at their back when needed.

Luca, a rich man who has his struggles and deep past but is willing to try and make his future right.

I was WAITING for the accidental pregnancy because I was like, "y'all keep having TOO much fun and BAM"!! When I tell you I was yelling at Luca...there was a reason he deserved it!!!🤔🤫

But overall, this story was exhilarating and Drea, for this to be your first novel, it was amazing!! I cannot wait to read more from you!!

Tropes:
💐 Age Gap
💐 Best friend/Ex's brother
💐 Accidental Pregnancy
💐 Forced Proximity

4.2/5 ⭐
3.8/5 🌶️

[Anh Duong · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5 🌟; 3/5 🥵

Belly Strings Tell me is a love story between Maxwell Scott and Luca Wyatt full of many tension and undeniable desire. If I’m being honest here, accidentally pregnant is my most less favorite trope. But under Drea pen, somehow this trope suddenly become one of my favorite factors making me rate this amazing 5 stars.

The way Drea drafting and creating intriguing storyline with interesting main characters cast make me question is it really is her debut because this is totally enchanting.

Belly Strings follow Maxwell story, the journey that Maxwell has going through is really magnificent and I can really feel all her struggle, her emotional like I’m her and living her life which not many books can do that.

To sum up, this is amazing debut work and I can’t wait to read more from her!!!

[Bookreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maxwell used to date her childhood best friend Finn but chose to end it. She comes back to her hometown for his wedding. Finn is not entirely over Maxwell and is very possessive of her. Maxwell interacts with Luca, Finn's older brother, who she also grew up with, and begins to develop feelings for him. They hit it off after a few days of ignoring their feelings but were warned by Finn to not get with each other. Finn is pretty much an asshole the entire book until the epilogue. Luca is forced to break it off with Maxwell to save his relationship with Finn and Finn's wedding is broken off. Maxwell figures out she is pregnant and Luca does not answer her message and finds out when she is six months along. Luca grovels a bit and Maxwell and Luca eventually get an HEA.

[Yana Cortlund · Rating 1 out of 5]

One star for the attempt at writing a book. But this is an affront to those of us who work hard at our craft. No understanding of sentence structure, lack of agreement, improper dialog attribution, shifting tense. Unrealistic, cliche-based dialog. Too much focus on non-essential details. Many words that were just plain wrong — “predominant eyebrows” — you meant prominent. Confusion between peeked, peaked, and piqued. Please take a writing class, Drea. Learn the rules of grammar. Increase your vocabulary -- or at least double check your usage. Block out your scenes -- seriously, walk them through - so that what you’re describing is actually something that is possible. As it stands, this book is a confusing mess. A very rough first draft at best.

[Alexia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t my favorite. It’s marketed as an accidental pregnancy romance, but that doesn’t happen until nearly 70% in and felt very rushed. There’s a lot of editing errors with this as well - grammatical errors as well as missing/incorrect words that made it difficult sometimes to understand what was being said/going on. I would say this book was more of an age gap, billionaire, best friend/ex’s older brother romance than anything. I think it also could’ve been shorter, and I almost stopped reading a few times as I kept getting bored.

⭐️: 2.5/5
🌶️: 1.5/5

🩷 age gap
🩷 best friend/ex’s older brother
🩷 billionaire
🩷 accidental pregnancy (not til the last part of the book)
🩷 secret relationship

[Aryreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly endearing considering the fact that there are some tropes I normally wouldn't like in other books. Maxwell is such an interesting character to follow. Drea Rhodes crafted a beautifully complicated story with characters that feel very real. I like that the characters are not without faults and that sometimes I couldn't believe the choices they were making but in the end all I felt was happiness for Max and Luca. I truly loved Max's family and Marianne. A family like Max's is all I hope for every girl out there.

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay but honestly Max started to annoy me so much. After Finn sexually assaulted her at his bachelor party and she kept forgiving and telling everyone else to forgive. It made me so mad. And then of course at the end they all forgive him for that like both their family’s. And honestly Lucas and Maxs love story was just kinda boring and I didn’t really enjoy this book. I am glad that Isobel and Finn didn’t end up getting back together after he cheated on her and she ended up finding someone else and was happy at the end of the book. But this was not a good read.

[De’Ahvion · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMGGGGGGG LUCA AND MAXELL they are absolute perfection! They chemistry the banter omg I seriously cannot get enough of these two . Dhrea wrote them so well sometime I forgot I was reading, everything played out just like a movie right before my eyes I absolutely adored it!

So lucky to have received this an An ARC, I was in reading slump prior to this and dhrea snatched me right out of it! I can’t wait to see what she does next 🫶🏽

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book when it first started coming out on Wattpad and let me tell you, I still love it so much! This book introduced me to the accidental pregnancy trope and let me tell ya it created a monster 😂! If you love to read about being in love with your best friends grumpy, billionaire older brother then this book is definitely for you!!

[Juli C · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW

I have not been able to pick up a decent book in for so long. I could not help but fall in love and cry happily through this entire love story. Beyond the best book I have read thus far. Drea Rhodes please publish more. I am hooked.

[Megan Mangiafico · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very cute and a good plot.but it seemed like the timeline was odd? Like a ton of chapters for two weeks and then an entire pregnancy in like the last third of the book. Not a deal breaker though!

[Kaitlynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book!! I first read it years ago when it was on wattpad. I think I’ve gotten attached to all the characters lol. I can’t wait to have an actual copy of this book.

[Marshay Smith (Mommywhatchureading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It dragged in some places.

- brothers ex
- surprise baby
- wedding setting
- billionaire hero

[ksenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

i didn't expect it, but i really love this book!!

[Nikeeeee · Rating 3 out of 5]

solid

[Danielle]

DNF @ 13%- writing is too stiff and formal. Needs more editing as well

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHHHH I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK ON WATTPAD AND NOW ITS HERE

[nini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone was forgiving

[lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

wasn't written well and honestly kinda boring!

[Mitch Verati · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8 stars*

[Thoughtbubble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it.