Book: Holding You by J.J. Hart
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 3.5/5
📚✨ ARC REVIEW ✨📚
Holding You by J.J. Hart
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (3.5/5)
Thank you, @jjhartauthor and @meetcutemarketing, for providing an ARC!
Ava never stays in one place—or with one person—so her quick stop in Saxville should’ve been easy to leave behind… until she meets Kai. Kai loves his quiet life of home renovations, barbecues, and zero chaos, but the moment Ava blows in like a gorgeous whirlwind, everything feels brighter. As nights spent talking and slow-building chemistry pull them closer, Ava has to decide whether she’s finally ready to stop running and fall for the one man who feels like home.
When I say this book is a slow burn, I mean it is a SLOW burn. Prepare to spend a lot of time with Kai and Ava building their connection long before they make it to the bedroom.
One of my favorite things is how Ava’s nomadic wanderlust isn’t portrayed as her being flighty or irresponsible, as is often the case in other books. She owns a bookstore/coffee shop van (objectively the coolest business model ever), and has been running it successfully for years. I really liked that her decision to stay in Saxville or keep traveling isn’t solely tied to Kai. She has roots growing: her sister, her niece, and the opportunity to take over a brick-and-mortar space.
And Kai? The most green-flag man to ever live. Truly. I have no idea why his ex left or how another woman hasn’t scooped him up, but I’m glad she didn’t because it clears the path for his sweet, steady, slow-burning romance with Ava. Also, his polo obsession? Absolutely giving 2005 in the best way—and I loved every second.
For fans of: 🌾 Small-town romance | 🔥 Slow burn | 🥐 Cinnamon roll MMC | 🌬️ Free-spirit FMC | 💛 Mutual healing
HoldingYou #JJHart #SaxvilleSweethearts #ARCReview #RomanceBooks #SmallTownRomance #SlowBurn #Bookstagram