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Whitlock Family #1

Forbidden Hearts

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First rule of being a nanny? Don’t fall for the single dad, even if he is smoking hot.

But that’s exactly what happens when grumpy small-town sheriff Asher Whitlock reluctantly hires me to take care of his daughter for the summer. Neither of us is thrilled with the arrangement, but he’s desperate for help, and I need the money for grad school this fall.

All we need to do is keep our distance and remain professional . . . turns out, that’s easier said than done.

Instead of focusing on my future, all I see is the strong jawline, crystal-blue eyes, and rock hard body right in front of me. We try to resist each other, but we end up crossing every line until I’m in his bed.

I tell myself it’s just this once.
Okay, twice.
All right, every night.

But it’s got to end–he’s fourteen years older than me, with a kid and a stressful job. Have I mentioned my dad is his boss? Then there’s the past I’m trying to forget. Secrets aren’t easy to keep and mine are getting too big to hide.

Walking away is never simple but when I do, I can’t look back.

Even if it means leaving behind the man I was never meant to love.

398 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 5, 2023

6353 people are currently reading
23777 people want to read

About the author

Corinne Michaels

70 books15.1k followers
Corinne Michaels is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of romance novels. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love, and she enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak before finding a way to heal them through their struggles.

Corinne is a former Navy wife and happily married to the man of her dreams. She began her writing career after spending months away from her husband while he was deployed—reading and writing were her escapes from the loneliness. Corinne now lives in Virginia with her husband and is the emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children.


Connect with her here:

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Website: http://www.corinnemichaels.com

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5 stars
9,581 (34%)
4 stars
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3 stars
5,992 (21%)
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1 star
442 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,654 reviews
Profile Image for aleksandra.
783 reviews3,738 followers
June 7, 2024
dnf 40%

I can't do this anymore, so time of death forty percent of the book. I was almost halfway through the story, but I don't think I'm strong enough to continue.


Forbidden Hearts was supposed to be a really cute, small town, nanny, single dad, grumpy/ sunshine, age-gap, forbidden romance, but instead everything about this book annoyed me. Let’s start from the "forbidden" trope. Being a nanny and your boss daughter doesn’t make you forbidden. Your boss is not gonna kill you if you decide to be with his daughter. Just talk with him and that’s it. You are living in a small town and he likes you. He is not a mafia boss, so chill.

The next is trope is grumpy/ sunshine — our heroine Phoebe was not a sunshine character. She was just irresponsible and clumsy, which doesn't make her a sunshine character. And, most importantly, she was just plain stupid. Imagine staying overnight at your employer's on your first day at work because you're his daughter's new nanny, and you decide to wear skimpy pajamas and sing loud enough for your "boss" to hear you.

"Seriously, what the hell is that sound? A cat dying? No, cats don’t say words or try to sing them."


And you can't even sing. I'd be as quiet as I can, especially when your boss already has a bad opinion of you after you failed to take care of his kid once.

The second situation — still about our heroine, unfortunately — the father of the girl you are nannying gives you his credit card to buy something for his daughter, and you put it right in front of him in your bra. Are you not embarrassed? I don't know if it is me, but I could never. This is the last thing, there's probably more but I couldn't read any further.


Moving on to the romance part — it was just boring, probably because I didn't feel any tension and chemistry between the two main characters. The hero was even okay, but the heroine annoyed me, so that's probably why.


Corinne Michaels was a new author for me, so I didn't know exactly what to expect, but after reading this book I think that unfortunately her stories are probably not for me.
Profile Image for Natasha Niezgoda.
938 reviews248 followers
January 1, 2024
Ughhhhh. The first 70% was hot, tense, fun, flirty. Like it was riding a solid 4-star level. And that’s even with me excusing some rather cheesy dialogue and kinda side-eye-y moments.

But then the PLOT TWIST. The freaking plot twist happened and it changed EVERYTHING. The entire dynamic of the book shifted!! And not for the better!! Gawddddd, it felt so forced! I was immediately disinterested. Nope. That was wholeheartedly unnecessary.

description

So basically I skim-read the last 30%. I am grumpy. And disappointed. And who approved this?! 😑😑😑

2 stars. Merp merp merpppp.
Profile Image for Jessica .
2,651 reviews16k followers
May 29, 2023
I have been loving all of the single dad romances and this one is honestly one of my favorites I've read recently! This is such fun single dad romance where the dynamic between Asher and his daughter's mother was so refreshing because they were friends and never really anything more, so there was no jealousy and such a healthy relationship. When Asher's daughter's mom has to leave for a month of work, he's desperate for a nanny that knows ASL so that they can communicate with his daughter, who is hearing impaired. I loved how Phoebe is the only option he has and he absolutely hates her. She is 14 years younger and had babysat Asher's daughter when she was a teenager and things didn't go well. Now she's a grad student and in her 20s and determined to show him she can be taken seriously. I really loved Phoebe's own backstory and what she was trying to overcome while figuring out her own future. Her connection with Asher's daughter was just so special and I really loved how she was passionate about audiology. I love when the child in a book plays more of a purpose than just being there, and Olivia was definitely a character in herself and important for Asher falling for Phoebe. And Asher becomes so protective of Phoebe near the end of the book and I was just obsessed. Obviously they have a huge age gap and are at very different points in their lives, but nothing can stop them from knowing they really can't live without each other. This was just so sweet and I loved the small town setting as well! Definitely pick this one up for the single dad, age gap, swoony hero vibes!
Profile Image for ApoorvaReads.
647 reviews427 followers
June 9, 2023
the way this was going to be a 4 star read until the fucking plot twist….
Profile Image for Corinne Michaels.
Author 70 books15.1k followers
Read
June 7, 2023
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐲? 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐝, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐭.

✓ Age Gap
✓ Grumpy/Sunshine
✓ Nanny
✓ Secret Romance
✓ Single Dad
✓ Small Town
✓ Spicy

Get your copy here:
🗝 Ebook: https://geni.us/FH_Amazon
🗝 Paperback: https://geni.us/FH_PB
🗝 Audio: https://geni.us/FHAudible











Profile Image for Fiza · ia.
103 reviews408 followers
April 9, 2025
Fiza has been diagnosed with a never-seen-before type-69 diabetes. ~ Fiza's doctor

If marshmallow was a guy, it'd be Asher !!

💒💒💒💒💒💒💒💒💒💒💒💒💒
💒💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💒
💒💝💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💝💒
💒💝💐🔐🔐🔐🔐🔐🔐🔐💐💝💒
💒💝💐🔐-「 𝙰𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚛 」-🔐💐💝💒
💒💝💐🔐🔐🔐🔐🔐🔐🔐💐💝💒
💒💝💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💝💒
💒💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💒
💒💒💒💒💒💒💒💒💒💒💒💒💒

Tropes:

⤷Nanny x single dad
⤷SWAT commander mmc
⤷Boss' daughter
⤷Forbidden
⤷Age gap (h 24, H 38)
⤷Deaf representation (mmc's daughter)
⤷Small town
⤷Cute and steamy

One of my fav scene:

She had to join grad school and she just went to check the apartment there on weekend (like she was gonna comeback after a few days for a month before her classes start) but he still got on plane and -



I was literally sobbing at this mwah mwah mwah

Sorry, I cry at cute things 😔🎀

Now, ngl that plot twist made me a little mad (minus 1 star, like naurr what was the reason?!? it was gonna be perfect even without that) but still i cried again cuz Asher - ❤️‍🩹



"I was just like that old sign with only the lock, stuck in the closed position. It turned out I just needed the key and the sunshine to show me what was there. You are both of those. You are what unlocked my heart, and then your light makes everything brighter."

<3
Profile Image for Christy.
4,567 reviews35.9k followers
June 26, 2023
5 stars
“You are going to wreck my world, and I’m going to let you.”

Forbidden Hearts is the first book in Corinne Michaels new ‘Whitlock Family’ series and I loved it! Single dad, age-gap, forbidden small town romance- I was so here for it!

Phoebe is back in her home town of Sugarloaf for the summer during grad school while she tries to figure out her life after a hard year. Asher is with his daughter and in need of a nanny. Phoebe is just the person for the job. Asher is particular with who stays with his daughter, Olivia, as she’s deaf.

He’s not thrilled with Phoebe being the nanny, but as she’s fluent with ASL and his nanny quit last minute he has no choice. Asher and Phoebe don’t get along well, but Phoebe wins him over after he sees how much Olivia loves her.

Not only is Phoebe his daughter’s nanny, and 24 (14 years his junior) but her dad is the Sherif and his boss. It’s complicated, forbidden, but as feelings grow between them they can’t stay away from each other.

I adored Asher so much as a father, and as a man in general. He was the perfect guy for Phoebe and there for her in ways he didn’t have to be. I was obsessed with them together and even though this was lighter than Corinne’s books usually are, I teared up at the end.

I loved the writing, the characters, and of course the romance. I’m so excited Asher’s siblings are going to be getting books and I can’t wait to read them!
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 5 stars
Narrators: Zachary Webber & Desiree Ketchum
Narration Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 9h 23m
Profile Image for Madison.
454 reviews5,946 followers
March 9, 2023
SMALLTOWN AGE GAP NANNY ROMANCE?!
OBSESSED WITH THESE TWO
It is a new fave 💖 (and spicyyy)

She is the nanny for his Deaf daughter, is 14 years younger than him, AND his boss’ daughter…he shouldn’t want her but damn he does 🔥

Corinne Michaels does it again with her smalltown romance magic. This will have you swooning, sighing, and smiling. It is the perfect blend of spicy steam, hilarious banter, and emotional moments.
I can’t wait for everyone to love Asher & Phoebe (and Olivia!!). Corinne is the queen of single parent small town romance.

I also just adored being back in Sugarloaf!


*Alpha reader*
Profile Image for Maren’s Reads.
1,214 reviews2,273 followers
June 5, 2023
4.5⭐️ Corinne Michaels and her exceptionally written small town romance series’ are fairly new to me, but I have been quickly working my way through them one by one. As soon as I saw she had a new series releasing, I jumped at the chance to read it. And of course, it did not disappoint.

Right off the bat, Forbidden Hearts features quite a few of my favorite tropes including age gap, forbidden love and forced proximity. Although there is a pretty significant age gap, the maturity level of our MCs is perfectly matched. And while I am not always a fan of nanny/boss storylines, Michaels’ executes Asher and Phoebe’s storyline with so much heart, humor and heat, you cannot help but love them.

What impressed me most, however, is the phenomenal ASL rep in this story. At no point was Olivia’s hearing impairment presented as a weakness or handicap, but rather something that made her an incredibly unique little girl. The amazing relationship that develops between Phoebe and Olivia in part because of that ASL connection they share make this an incredibly unique read and one I would very highly recommend.

Read if you like:
•single dad
•nanny x boss
•forced proximity
•sunshine/grump
•age gap
•forbidden love
•small town romance
•ASL rep

Thank you {partners} Valentine PR and Corinne Michaels for my advanced E-book and Audiobook copies.
Profile Image for ohmynameiskaylee.
170 reviews199 followers
September 26, 2024
Wow. I’ve just got so many thoughts.

My expectations may’ve been slightly ambitious. I just want to preface this by saying that, while this may not be my cup of tea, I respect the amount of time and effort that goes into writing and editing a book. Just because I don’t like a book, doesn’t mean others are “wrong” for liking it and vice versa.

Now, that being said…

With all of my favorite tropes- single dad + nanny, grumpy + sunshine, forbidden romance, and an age gap- I thought Forbidden Hearts was going to be at least a four star read. Maybe even one of my favorite reads of the year! I couldn’t have been more wrong...

It’s 2023. We need to stop with the copaganda. It’s beyond tone deaf at this point. There are so many choices career wise, yet you choose the most problematic one. He couldn’t have been a firefighter? A paramedic? Literally anything else! I couldn’t even look past it if I wanted to because the author is oddly defensive over them…

“Especially a cop. I know. You are aware that you’re a cop and a really good man, right?”

In this scene, our female protagonist’s father, also the love interest’s boss, is telling her that he doesn’t think she should date anyone because, and I quote, “no one is good enough for you.” Now being as he is the police Chief, he doesn’t want his daughter dating any of his employees.

Some people may be able to look past it. That’s their prerogative, not mine.

˚₊ · »-♡→ writing

The writing style just wasn’t for me either. The author uses elongated versions of words as opposed to contractions (i.e. cannot instead of can’t) that makes the writing a lot more professional than it needed to be. It made me feel out of touch with the characters. I just kept thinking, no one talks like that.

˚₊ · »-♡→ plot

Also, that third act conflict? Absolutely unnecessary. It felt so cheap. Somehow, it made me root for the characters to be together even less. Asher was so pushy after it was revealed. He kept trying to push Phoebe into taking their relationship further than she was prepared for.

Don’t even get me started on the town name being Sugarloaf. Be so serious with me right now…

˚₊ · »-♡→ characters

There were a lot of names similar to one another being thrown around and as someone that’s never read any of the author’s previous books, it became difficult to follow.

I will say, the aspect I enjoyed most was the healthy co-parenting dynamic between Asher and Sara. I almost wish we saw more of her.

Phoebe’s passion for audiology was a very unique plot line that I actually enjoyed amidst the chaos that was, well…everything else. I very much appreciated the deaf representation and the awareness it brought to the barriers it can create in everyday life.

The smut was hit or miss for me, although I’m very much a person that can’t enjoy reading about it if I’m not emotionally connected to the characters. I didn’t get any butterflies. It got to be very monotonous and was used as a way to drive the story as a substitute for proper character development.

˚₊ · »-♡→ ending notes

I’m still undecided as to whether or not I want to continue this series. I was manifesting Rowan’s book next, but since it isn’t, I may just say goodbye to Sugarloaf.

Thank you to Corinne Michaels for providing me with this ARC. As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced by early access to this title.
Profile Image for Em (semi-hiatus).
750 reviews279 followers
June 10, 2023
*BARFS* 🤢

There’s nothing closely forbidden or hearty heart in this book. It was a snooze fest, and the book only won in that department. The romance and the chemistry? To be found. MCs with some personality? Nowhere in sight. Plot twist? Shouldn’t even be there.

But, with or without it, this book was shit anyway. I had my time wasted as I didn’t like/enjoy one single thing.
Profile Image for Sara .
275 reviews40 followers
December 17, 2023
1.5 ⭐

It was so annoying and boring.
Profile Image for Missy.
1,116 reviews
January 6, 2024
Are there men like Asher in real life? If there are, I want one! Gosh, he was so sweet and supportive and protective. He was a bit of a grump at first but it didn’t take long for him to show his soft side. He says the sweetest, romantic things to bring tears of joy to my and Phoebe’s eyes. 🥹🥹🥹

I initially skimmed the book to see how spicy it gets but along the way, I wanted to learn about the characters and their lives, and decided to read the book from start to finish. This is probably my first contemporary romance where the setting is in a small town, the hero isn’t a billionaire or involved in the mafia, and the heroine is more mature than most heroines I’ve read about. I found it refreshing and the characters more relatable. The hero has a healthy relationship with his baby mama—also refreshing to see. I think those things may have contributed a lot to my reading experience.

The Whitlocks are a loving and close family, each with their own backstory (three brothers and a sister, two of the brothers have a child). Asher is a 38-year-old cop/leader of SWAT. His 9-year-old daughter, Olivia, is Deaf and needs a nanny who knows American Sign Language. That’s where Phoebe comes in. She’s a 24-year-old grad student, 14 years his junior. She attended grad school in Iowa but decided to leave the program early due to a scandal. I won’t spoil it here. She returns home to Pennsylvania and her dad, the Chief of Police, volunteers her to be Olivia’s nanny. There’s a little bit of animosity between the H/h at the beginning but their attraction gradually takes over. There’s the back and forth with the desire to kiss each other and knowing that their attraction is forbidden. Since she will transfer to a new college after summer, they decide to have a fling. They fall in love along the way with a bit of angst, drama, and plot twist tossed in in the last couple of chapters, and that's where Asher's love, support, and romantic side truly shine. 💖💞💝

What a pleasant surprise to have found this book! 🥰

Oh, and the steam? 🔥🔥🔥 out of 5 😁

Content Warning: Unfortunately, this book isn’t all rainbows 🌈 and sunshine ☀️. These are some of the things that I picked up on. There could be more.

Profile Image for Christi (christireadsalot).
2,829 reviews1,464 followers
May 23, 2023
4.5 stars! Forbidden Hearts is the first book in a new contemporary romance series from Corinne Michaels! This is small town, age gap (he’s 14 years older), grumpy hero/sunshine heroine, single dad/nanny heroine romance!

I adored Asher, Phoebe, and his daughter Olivia! Asher coparents Olivia with his ex and I liked seeing their healthy coparent relationship. With his ex going overseas for work for months, Asher will be on full time duty and finds himself needing a nanny. He’s the sheriff in Sugarloaf and when he finds out the hired nanny is no longer available, his boss tells him that his daughter Phoebe is back home from grad school, knows ASL (Asher’s daughter Olivia is Deaf), and could help out. Phoebe ends up moving in with Asher and Olivia and instantly becomes a part of their life.

I loved seeing Phoebe’s easy relationship with Olivia and how she comes to care for and protect her. Phoebe and Asher both dance around their feelings for one another at first too, he doesn’t want to cross the line with her not only his nanny and 14 years younger (he’s 38, she’s 24), but also his boss’s daughter! Phoebe and Asher together were so good and I loved how sweet they were! I also liked the little crossover moment with Melanie Harlow’s Cloverleigh Farms series, we get a little trip there and Phoebe’s best friend is Emmeline from that series. Asher is the ultimate protective hero, the way he is with his daughter and Phoebe too, so sweet! The ending of the book took a turn I was not expecting but really liked, but I won’t say more on that. Oh and just know there is no 3rd act breakup! 🙌🏼

The audiobook was so good and narrated by Zachary Webber and Desiree Ketchum! This was the first book in the Whitlock Family series and I am excited to see what else comes. Thank you so much to the author for an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own. Forbidden Hearts has a pub date of June 5, 2023!
4 reviews
June 14, 2023
plot twist from hell

At 79% of the book, I realized I still didn’t really know the characters. There was no background as to why they were the way they were, and whatever explanation was given was shallow at best. Phoebe is annoying as hell, she comes off pretty dumb and I felt I saw no growth in her character. Everything is “poor me, I got played by my older professor, and he was married”. It gets annoying after awhile when it gets brought up for the 20th time.

Spoiler alert****

Her finding out she was 11 weeks pregnant with her ex’s baby, was a plot twist that I think didn’t need to happen. It’s like the author needed her to have a baby with someone other than the main character to even out the stakes, as he has a daughter from a previous relationship. It completely turned me off and I didn’t finish reading the book because I was that put off. Completely wasted my time reading this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kate.
2,286 reviews357 followers
June 11, 2023
Alright then where to start?

Age gap
Grumpy/sunshine
Single dad/nanny
Boss's daughter.

Maybe too many tropes?

I adored Olivia. Everything else was pretty meh and that twist, what in the actual muck? Ok, I rolled with it but seriously I know it's a small world and all but what are the odds of that happening. 0.

Moving on.
Profile Image for Ashley.
671 reviews2,850 followers
September 6, 2023
The plot twist hade me 🤯

I really enjoyed this. I loved how grumpy Asher was and Phoebes smart mouth. I also absolutely adore Liv. The relationship between Phoebe and Liv was beautiful 💗


Once I hit 75% I honestly got real mad for a second and then the next chapter I was crying my eyes out. The ending was an emotional rollercoaster 😭😭

Single dad
Nanny
Age gap
Small town
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Vanessa Booked Up.
1,088 reviews477 followers
May 31, 2023
***4.5 Stars!***

825164

“This isn’t happening, Phoebe. This, right now? Me touching you and kissing your perfect skin? We aren’t doing it, do you understand?”

Yes, this is a dream anyway, one that I hope I won’t wake from. “What is happening then?”

“I’m not sure because I am trying not to name it, but I can’t make myself stop.”

Ahh! This was small town romance magic!!

Last time Asher saw Phoebe, she was an irresponsible teenager who accidentally let his daughter butcher her own hair. But when he's in a bind for childcare and she's the only qualified person to handle his daughter's needs, they are catapulted into each other's lives once again.

Phoebe is unexpectedly back in town from grad school and has made some mistakes. So all she's really wanting to do is keep her head down until she can get accepted into another grad program.

The first half of this book was a pretty standard nanny/single dad romance. All the temptation, forced proximity, and a hot, grumpy, single-dad hero. Pretty much what you'd expect when you pick up a book with these tropes. However, it was the second half that set this book apart for me. There is a twist at about the 75% that this author totally rocked and executed in such a unique way. I loved it. I love how Asher showed up for Phoebe and was her hero.

"I may not be able to give you forever, but I can give you right now. I can show you what a real man does for a woman he wants."


I also loved that there was no baby mama/ OW drama in this story...something I have almost zero tolerance for.

Asher was extremely bossy and sexy when these two finally gave in to things. I do wish there would've been some handcuff play or something like that...since he is a cop and all!

I would highly recommend this book to lovers of swoony and sexy small town romance. I do wish that Asher's role as a police officer would've played more into the story. But this is more of a me thing because I am a TOTAL SUCKER for police officer heroes.

I'm also super intrigued to read more about these Whitlock brothers. Hello Grady, tell me more!!

What to expect:

✻ Single dad
✻ Age-gap
✻ Grumpy/sunshine
✻ Nanny trope
✻ Small town
✻ Forced proximity

26477701

Also, I listened to an Audio ARC of this book and loved the job that Zachary Webber and Desiree Ketchum did. They captured Asher and Phoebe beautifully.

"I knew you'd destroy me. I just didn't know it would feel so good."


I received an e-ARC and and Audio ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Anna.
912 reviews643 followers
May 24, 2023
Oh my god my first Corinne Michael’s book! AND IT WAS SO GOOD!!!???

Also, 20/10 recommend the audiobook. Zachary Webber & Desiree Ketchum crushed it so hard.

Phoebe & Asher forever. All I know is, if he isn’t willing to drive 13 hours to punch someone in the face for me, I don’t want him. Especially when he’s a hot single dad who happens to be like 14 years older than her & the best daddy ever :’) what started out as enemies turned into quite the passionate romance & I was ALL about it. Asher had one dirty mouth & I loved all his dirty little thoughts… THANK GOD FOR DUAL POV. She was his nanny & that sort of made it forbidden. But her dad was also his boss, SO EVEN MORE FORBIDDEN!! The chemistry between these two was smoking hot & I loved it. and no freaking third act break up!!! Thank goodness. There was still some drama tho and my lord the plot twist WAS SO UNEXPECTED! Also love seeing the overlap with Cloverleigh farms ahhhh!

The relationship between Phoebe & Olivia melted my heart. Especially because Phoebe loved Olivia right off the bat & did whatever she needed to protect her little heart! Their bond was next level. And I really enjoyed seeing them grow to love each other. And the ASL rep here made my heart happy!!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

Tropes:
•Single dad x nanny
•Grumpy x sunshine
•Enemies to Lovers
•Age Gap
•Forced Proximity
•Small Town
Profile Image for Jen ♥.
1,768 reviews1,011 followers
not-for-me
July 25, 2023
Self note:

At the 75% of the book, the plot twist is that she got pregnant by her ex (who's married btw) and she decides to keep the baby. The H is willing to take the baby as his. I've read a book like this before and it didn't feel so good after I finished it. So I'll skip this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Just A Girl With Spirit.
1,405 reviews13.3k followers
June 17, 2023
Did I just read my first Corrine Michaels book?! Yes and boy did I pick the right one to start with!! This audio was perfection. As always Zach Webber NEVER disappoints. I loved everything about this book.

Age gap — 14 years
Boss’s daughter
Daughter’s nanny
Small town. Cops.
Hero is good with praise kink/talk.
Hero also melted me with — “Who humiliated you?” Had the same effect as “who hurt you” imo.

Also, Asher was a bossy one, especially bed room wise and I loved it! When he said “Get in the truck” 🙌🏽

There were a few times that I had to pause and fan myself. Certain scenes and phrases were just so vivid to me.

From the moment Asher said, “You’re sin Phoebe, and I am
Going to hell.” “Take me with you.” I was ALL in!!

This had an unpredictable element that I loved. Just when I thought I’d figured out something, I was wrong and I was so happy to be!!

Just gonna leave this here:

“Grab the headboard and sit on my face” “That’s it good girl now don’t just sit, suffocate me.”

😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨
Profile Image for fran.
287 reviews65 followers
June 10, 2023
3.5 🌟 i think i mentally checked out when she found out she was pregnant with her ex and what followed ? damn
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for MELISSA *Mel Reader*.
1,398 reviews1,508 followers
June 7, 2023
5 Stars!
(ARC provided by Valentine PR)

Phoebe Bettencourt is a grad student that returns home for the summer to escape the drama that has consumed her life lately. After making one bad choice after another, she wants to put the past behind her and move forward. She's charting out her next step when a job practically falls in her lap. Asher Whitlock is the sheriff in their small town, and he's in a bind, and desperate for a nanny to take care of his daughter while he works. He remembers Phoebe as an immature, irresponsible teenager, and she still thinks he's nice to look at, but a big, annoying, grumpy jerk. He needs help and she needs money, so they reluctantly strike up an arrangement. The situation is temporary, and they just need to keep their distance, and be professional. The problem is she can't ignore how gorgeous he is when he's so close. He's her boss, and works for her dad. He's strictly off limits, but a temptation that's becoming hard to resist. One touch and she craves more. They bring new meaning to the word complicated. Despite all the reasons they should be wrong together, it feels right between them. Will she soon leave Sugarloaf behind, or find a new reason to stay?

Forbidden Hearts by Corinne Michaels is the first book in the Whitlock Family series, and it was fantastic! It's about Asher, the oldest of the Whitlock siblings, and Phoebe, the police chief's daughter. I couldn't get enough of this couple, and loved we are taken back to Sugarloaf. This was a small town, age gap, grumpy/sunshine, boss/employee, enemies to lovers, single dad, nanny, forbidden secret romance full of emotion, humor, passion, fabulous banter and major swoon. I can't wait to return to this world, and get more of the Whitlock family! <333

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***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRK5PT3G
Profile Image for Amy .
3,138 reviews
June 5, 2023
“You are going to wreck my world, and I’m going to let you.”

I’ve been on a single dad’s romance kick lately and Forbidden Hearts is the chef’s kiss!

To everyone, Phoebe seems reckless and doesn’t always make the best decisions, but when you really get to know Phoebe, there’s more to her than meets the eye. And when her life takes an unexpected turn, she finds herself back home, running from her past. The last thing she expected was to find herself being a nanny to the sexy, yet broody, Asher’s daughter, Olivia.

From the moment I picked up this book, I was hooked and desperate to know more about Phoebe and Asher. Phoebe and Asher rocked the enemies-to-lovers vibe like no other. The tension and banter were off the charts. Phoebe was the sunshine to Asher’s grumpiness. And let me tell you, the chemistry just oozed off of the pages. I LOVED all of the will they/won’t they moments, and let me tell you, these two desperately tried to ignore the pull between them.

The road to happily ever after wasn’t an easy one for Asher and Phoebe. For Asher, being a single dad has challenges all of its own and for Phoebe, she’s lost and desperate to forget her past. Together, these two have quite the road ahead of them, but let me tell you, it is worth every single angsty moment.

Forbidden Hearts was everything I was hoping for and then some. If you’re a fan of single dad, grumpy sunshine, enemies to lovers, age gap, or forbidden romances, you won’t want to miss this latest release from author Corinne Michaels.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Jenn (The Book Refuge).
2,687 reviews4,511 followers
August 1, 2023
This was so charming and full of tropes I adore. Glad to meet this family and I can't wait for more.

I haven't read a Corinne Michaels in quite awhile and this is going to be the perfect series to draw me back in. I feel like all of Sugarloaf, not just this family, has been well established and I can't wait to see what family member is coming next. I also loved the little crossover to Cloverleigh.

This couple was so sweet even if they started really sassy. I got a bit annoyed by how certain they were that they just HAD to end at the end of the summer, but when it really counted... they dropped that and made it work to support each other.

Well done. Nice and spicy. But still the right amount of sweet.

5 stars
3 on the spice scale
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,745 reviews1,045 followers
February 6, 2024
Forbidden Hearts started good. I was so intrigue with Phoebe and Asher.The banter is cute, fun and light. When the relationship touched down on the romantic feeling, I lost my interest. The drama, the banter, the characters become way too cheese.
I am disappointed.

On the top of that, Miss Michaells putting so many unnecessary plot on the top of the drama. I honestly skimming the book toward the end. Some parts are so cheesy that I cringe. I expected more from Miss Michaels.

3 stars
Profile Image for m.
499 reviews1,078 followers
June 7, 2023
single dad x nanny you will always be famous!!
Profile Image for nikki.
771 reviews721 followers
May 25, 2023
If you're looking for a small town, single dad x nanny, grumpy x sunshine romance with all the feels, then look no further! I adored Phoebe and Asher right from the first page and the chemistry and tension between them was unreal - probably the reason why I love single dad x nanny romance so much hehe. Also, the ASL rep? I LOVED IT. Olivia was the sweetest kid ever and I loved seeing her form a strong bond with Phoebe. Also all those little Easter eggs from Melanie Harlow books made me love Corinne even more and made my small town romance lovin' heart so happy! I can't wait to devour the next books in this series😍🥰

P.S. Petition to get Emmeline's book now that we've gotten to see her all grown up in Forbidden Hearts🙈

*Thank you to Corinne Michaels and Valentine PR for providing me with an ARC🤎
Profile Image for María.
858 reviews119 followers
November 9, 2023
Esto fue una GRAN SORPRESA. No le tenía ninguna expectativa más allá de que fuera una lectura ligera, y lo fue, pero me cerró la boca por completo. El romance tiene un buen desarrollo y es ROMÁNTICO, la trama es entretenida, los personajes son entrañables y tienen una HISTORIA. El final fue hermoso. Literalmente no puedo pedir más. Me encantó.

(4.25 ⭐️)
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