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Operation Woo Daisy Ellis
Daisy Ellis isn’t the girl she used to be. After a traumatic event when she was a teenager, she packed up and left her home in Texas, opting to move to a small island town in the Pacific Northwest. Gone is the fun, perky southern belle from high school. Left behind is a shell of her former self, struggling with mental illness and a fear of letting anyone get too close.
River Hayes is the closest thing to a celebrity Heather Island will ever get. Former high school football quarterback, he now owns his own construction company. He knows he’s handsome and is no stranger to female attention. So why is it that Daisy Ellis refuses to give him the time of day?
Desperate to get closer to the mysterious blonde bombshell with haunted eyes, Hayes proposes a summer bucket list for the both of them. He never expected her to say yes. Adamant that her past has left her too broken for love and relationships, Daisy is convinced she must keep up a wall between her and the sweet, rugged man who never fails to have a smile on his face. Will Hayes be able to convince her to give them a chance? Or will her demons prove to be too much for the both of them?
Operation Woo Daisy Ellis is a standalone contemporary romance featuring a happy-go-lucky, himbo male lead and a wounded heroine who is trying to move on from her traumatic past. Happily-ever-after guaranteed.
River Hayes is the closest thing to a celebrity Heather Island will ever get. Former high school football quarterback, he now owns his own construction company. He knows he’s handsome and is no stranger to female attention. So why is it that Daisy Ellis refuses to give him the time of day?
Desperate to get closer to the mysterious blonde bombshell with haunted eyes, Hayes proposes a summer bucket list for the both of them. He never expected her to say yes. Adamant that her past has left her too broken for love and relationships, Daisy is convinced she must keep up a wall between her and the sweet, rugged man who never fails to have a smile on his face. Will Hayes be able to convince her to give them a chance? Or will her demons prove to be too much for the both of them?
Operation Woo Daisy Ellis is a standalone contemporary romance featuring a happy-go-lucky, himbo male lead and a wounded heroine who is trying to move on from her traumatic past. Happily-ever-after guaranteed.
298 pages, ebook
First published November 15, 2022
23 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 31, 2022
Genuinely so good!! Loved daisy and river together, such good pacing and so many cute scenes
October 26, 2022
5/5 ⭐️
This lovely author sent me and ARC of this book to review. When I tell you I fell in love with this book, IM NOT LYING! I loved the way both Daisy and River were portrayed in this, they have such a cute and playful dynamic with each other ♥️. So many cute scenes built up their relationship and nothing ever felt rushed. The background plot was well built up and I never felt like I was missing out on details. Overall I thought it was a developed book with a unique sort of vibe. I couldn’t get enough of it and loved every page! 😍🥰
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Recommend?- YES!!
Age rating- 18+ 🌶🌶
CW- Mentions of past assault, mental health issues
Tropes- Small town romance, Golden retriever boy, Wounded bird
This lovely author sent me and ARC of this book to review. When I tell you I fell in love with this book, IM NOT LYING! I loved the way both Daisy and River were portrayed in this, they have such a cute and playful dynamic with each other ♥️. So many cute scenes built up their relationship and nothing ever felt rushed. The background plot was well built up and I never felt like I was missing out on details. Overall I thought it was a developed book with a unique sort of vibe. I couldn’t get enough of it and loved every page! 😍🥰
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Recommend?- YES!!
Age rating- 18+ 🌶🌶
CW- Mentions of past assault, mental health issues
Tropes- Small town romance, Golden retriever boy, Wounded bird
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July 20, 2025DNF@ 50%
This was going nowhere, and I got really bored. The beginning was pretty great, but I lost interest.
This was going nowhere, and I got really bored. The beginning was pretty great, but I lost interest.
December 19, 2022
Absolutely loved this. The story was so cute and I saw so much of myself and my friends in Daisy. My absolute favorite is when the man falls first. Such good character development and growth. Literally hate her parents.
January 5, 2026
Started out strong and then flat-lined. It was just awful towards the end. So boring…forced.
DNF. I stopped at 78%.
DNF. I stopped at 78%.
July 7, 2023
This book was both very cute and also dealt with heavy topics.
Definitely trigger warning of sexual assault and depression.
The MMC Hayes is happy go lucky, flirty and is gone for Daisy.
My only complaint is that I always hate a experienced guy/inexperienced girl trope and especially because she’s raped and had strong religious guilt, she’s never had a good experience. I will say Hayes doesn’t waver and is always simping for Daisy and trying to make her comfortable, I just could’ve done without that reminder. (The only active OW Drama is a girl they hang out with being mean to Daisy and we found out Hayes took her virginity when they were younger - that part wasn’t necessary to me and she could’ve just been jealous and left it at that? But I’m sensitive lol)
Anyway. Hayes was patient and kind with her. I actually wished we knew a little bit more about him and think it could’ve went a bit deeper into his family or job.
But I really liked them together, and appreciated how Daisy’s trauma didn’t disappear when she liked Hayes and it was a back and forth, realistic struggle for her.
I’m not saying I wanted a third act breakup or anything but this book is kind of steady, action wise, and is more about their relationship and trust than anything. So if you’re into slow burn like me, I think you’d like it!
Definitely trigger warning of sexual assault and depression.
The MMC Hayes is happy go lucky, flirty and is gone for Daisy.
My only complaint is that I always hate a experienced guy/inexperienced girl trope and especially because she’s raped and had strong religious guilt, she’s never had a good experience. I will say Hayes doesn’t waver and is always simping for Daisy and trying to make her comfortable, I just could’ve done without that reminder. (The only active OW Drama is a girl they hang out with being mean to Daisy and we found out Hayes took her virginity when they were younger - that part wasn’t necessary to me and she could’ve just been jealous and left it at that? But I’m sensitive lol)
Anyway. Hayes was patient and kind with her. I actually wished we knew a little bit more about him and think it could’ve went a bit deeper into his family or job.
But I really liked them together, and appreciated how Daisy’s trauma didn’t disappear when she liked Hayes and it was a back and forth, realistic struggle for her.
I’m not saying I wanted a third act breakup or anything but this book is kind of steady, action wise, and is more about their relationship and trust than anything. So if you’re into slow burn like me, I think you’d like it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2022
Literally amazing…
The story is so creative and all the characters are likeable, not only that but the pacing is perfect and I never once got bored (and my attention span is like 2 seconds) Daisy and River work so well together! Could not have been written better, one of my favorite books of all time!!
Spice levels are perfect 🤭🤭
Showstoping amazing perfect 11/10
The story is so creative and all the characters are likeable, not only that but the pacing is perfect and I never once got bored (and my attention span is like 2 seconds) Daisy and River work so well together! Could not have been written better, one of my favorite books of all time!!
Spice levels are perfect 🤭🤭
Showstoping amazing perfect 11/10
July 20, 2023
This book was so good! I read it pretty quick because i couldn’t put it down! Daisy is such a sweet character and I loved the building of her relationship with river. I loved that it was based in the PNW because it feels more connecting to me. The development, feelings and art of this book was all phenomenal.
November 15, 2023
When I told you I LOVED this book! It was so fun and cutesy I loved every second of it. Small town, golden retriever mmc, wounded bird fmc and romance 😍😍 such an amazing novel by such an amazing author!! 💖 very excited for her next one to come out!!!! Up and coming author 4REAL!
April 27, 2023
I loved this book!!! He has to break through her walls made of lots of hurt and damage in order to love her to the fullest!!! A Slow Burn that is worth the wait to experience their love and passion!!!
June 22, 2023
such a cute book! in my opinion very well written and tugged on so many heartstrings!
January 17, 2024
A beautiful new adult contemporary romance.
A story of over coming horrific trauma (check the TWs), and learning that you are worthy.
A “he falls first”, head over heels, River is so in love that he’ll do anything to make Daisy happy, even if that means just staying friends.
A story of over coming horrific trauma (check the TWs), and learning that you are worthy.
A “he falls first”, head over heels, River is so in love that he’ll do anything to make Daisy happy, even if that means just staying friends.
November 28, 2022
I thought this was a really good book. I loved all of the cute little moment between River and Daisy. It made me feel single af which I think is partly what makes it a great romance book. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a cute, short, small town summer romance. Because Operation Woo Daisy Ellis is that and more!
December 7, 2022
THIS BOOK. So good. It’s the perfect feel-good summer-esque romance with just enough angst and just enough romance (and smut). It’s so well-written, and the characters are relatable (and hot). Good pacing, good writing, good story— five stars, 10/10 would recommend.
July 3, 2023
This book is a must read it got me out of my reading slump if you want a quick romance read this is the book for you. You will fall in love with the main characters.
May 21, 2024
”You never have to give more than you want to with me. I’ll take whatever you'll give me, baby. You want to be friends? Alright, bet. You want me to love you like youve never been loved before? I’ll do that happily. You want someone to fist fight your demons? Okay, I'll throw down as fuck.”
3 ⭐️ cute small town romance that could have been… so much better…
so i was super excited for this book. for months i’ve been trying to get my hands on this one. i’ve read some things about the plot and especially about the MMC that made me instantly want to buy this book. and so…I DID!!!
the plot starts off really well: we meet Daisy who is clearly suffering from depression over leaving her home town due to a SA and the town people + her family not being on her side. she hints this a couple of times throughout the book and it is revealed at the end. but honestly 0 suspense here, it was obvious from the very first chapter.
then we meet our MMC, River Hayes , the small town’s golden boy/golden retriever guy who could have any girl he wanted, but OF COURSE, he is completely obsessed with the FMC. he was the only good part of this book. although, in my opinion, his fixation with Daisy lacked depth and seemed solely physical to me… but anyways.
the book, honestly, in general, doesn’t have a plot. there is literally NONE: River wants Daisy. Daisy gives him a chance. the end. that’s the summary.
i think i can fairly say the writing got worse and worse at the story progressed. i am really sad to say this, but i was left disappointed.
Daisy was a very annoying character to begin with. at first i was comprehensive with her, she had depression and she wasn’t gonna get cured by the magic of love. but her entire personality consisted on southern stereotypes. i don’t know if all texans are like her, and if they are i am sorry because i am not american, but damn she was CRINGE. she sounded ridiculous all the time, i don’t know what River saw on her. but considering that 1/3 of this book is pure spice, he didnt see much past that LMAO.
the characters didn’t evolve, didn’t have much purpose, the ending was loose and the romance lacked depth. there was also no mention of her mental health after the first chapters, it is as if she was suddenly healed. the inner monologues were super repetitive too, so many paragraphs to say nothing new. there also were mention of characters that could have been more relevant or added more drama to the plot but were never mentioned again.
what i can say is that it was entertaining. i liked seeing Daisy slowly opening up (even if as soon as she did with River she was a changed person from the depressed and traumatised woman from the start). the spice scenes were pretty good the first half. i think they got worse toward the end… overall it was a fast and fun read, very easy to get through and not dull at all.
i really loved the MMC too, i wish we got more of him. he is a golden retriever, so he had no issues, his life was happy as it could get. his chapters were purely about Daisy, which was great, but i felt like i didn’t know much about him by the end. but there were some instances, such his childhood and his father issues, that you could tell there was something there unexplored, some darkness in his golden life that could have gotten some depth too.
3 ⭐️ cute small town romance that could have been… so much better…
so i was super excited for this book. for months i’ve been trying to get my hands on this one. i’ve read some things about the plot and especially about the MMC that made me instantly want to buy this book. and so…I DID!!!
the plot starts off really well: we meet Daisy who is clearly suffering from depression over leaving her home town due to a SA and the town people + her family not being on her side. she hints this a couple of times throughout the book and it is revealed at the end. but honestly 0 suspense here, it was obvious from the very first chapter.
then we meet our MMC, River Hayes , the small town’s golden boy/golden retriever guy who could have any girl he wanted, but OF COURSE, he is completely obsessed with the FMC. he was the only good part of this book. although, in my opinion, his fixation with Daisy lacked depth and seemed solely physical to me… but anyways.
the book, honestly, in general, doesn’t have a plot. there is literally NONE: River wants Daisy. Daisy gives him a chance. the end. that’s the summary.
i think i can fairly say the writing got worse and worse at the story progressed. i am really sad to say this, but i was left disappointed.
Daisy was a very annoying character to begin with. at first i was comprehensive with her, she had depression and she wasn’t gonna get cured by the magic of love. but her entire personality consisted on southern stereotypes. i don’t know if all texans are like her, and if they are i am sorry because i am not american, but damn she was CRINGE. she sounded ridiculous all the time, i don’t know what River saw on her. but considering that 1/3 of this book is pure spice, he didnt see much past that LMAO.
the characters didn’t evolve, didn’t have much purpose, the ending was loose and the romance lacked depth. there was also no mention of her mental health after the first chapters, it is as if she was suddenly healed. the inner monologues were super repetitive too, so many paragraphs to say nothing new. there also were mention of characters that could have been more relevant or added more drama to the plot but were never mentioned again.
what i can say is that it was entertaining. i liked seeing Daisy slowly opening up (even if as soon as she did with River she was a changed person from the depressed and traumatised woman from the start). the spice scenes were pretty good the first half. i think they got worse toward the end… overall it was a fast and fun read, very easy to get through and not dull at all.
i really loved the MMC too, i wish we got more of him. he is a golden retriever, so he had no issues, his life was happy as it could get. his chapters were purely about Daisy, which was great, but i felt like i didn’t know much about him by the end. but there were some instances, such his childhood and his father issues, that you could tell there was something there unexplored, some darkness in his golden life that could have gotten some depth too.
August 31, 2023
Such a sweet wholesome book and characters 🥰 . I liked River so much . He was not pushy and always behaved exactly how he was supposed to, like he knew deep down exactly what she needed.
Her parents - major a-holes . I figured that they were not supportive with the situation but I did not expect that bullcrap from them .
Lovely story . I enjoyed it 🥰
Her parents - major a-holes . I figured that they were not supportive with the situation but I did not expect that bullcrap from them .
Lovely story . I enjoyed it 🥰
Want to read
July 29, 2023KU
July 8, 2025
Adore! I love how... realistic the storyline felt. Like, yeah, i could totally see these things happening. River and Daisy were perfect for each other! I love a "he falls first" novel always.
November 22, 2022
so slay!!!! I absolutely loved this book!! I typically don’t read a ton of contemporary romance books, so you know it must be extra good for me to finish it so fast and love it so much. The pacing was great, the budding friendship to romance between daisy and river was so sweet, and daisy’s character development was beautifully done. this book does discuss some heavier topics, but personally I found it healing (and those parts were very well written). this does get steamyyyy so be prepared for that deliciousness. 100% recommend- adorable, romantic, spicy, healing, juicy fast read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews