210 reviews for:

Rustic Hearts

Amber Kelly

3.92 AVERAGE


I - am trying to piece the feelings I am feeling. I know brax and sophie — fills my heart up.

The story… is captivating and the wow factor, I think I knew what was going to happen the more I read. But?? I didn’t expect to be right lmao

Brax is the staple of a man
emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
dstone31's profile picture

dstone31's review

2.75
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Release Date: September 16, 2019
Actual Rating: 5 stars

Small Town | Enemies-to-Lovers | Sweet Romance

Have you ever read a book that made you fall so hopelessly in love that you wanted to live in it's world? THIS is THAT book for me. Amber Kelly is a new to me author and I am so thankful to have found this gem of a book. It's a sweet story, one that delivers in small town charm, with an exceptional set of character (including the secondary characters), and I just want to read it all over again. Rustic Hearts is a book about love. It's a book about going back to your roots, learning to forgive, and finding the blessings that surround you. Amber Kelly made me FEEL like I was living deep in Rustic Falls, and ever since I finished I feel like I'm missing some of my best friends. I adored this book so much and I really cannot recommend it enough. I wish Poplar Falls was a real place because I would be packing up my bags and moving there if it was.

As I mentioned, this book is one that dives deep into the family bond. The heroine of the story hasn't communicated with her father in over 20 years but has no choice to face him when her dear gram dies. Going back to Poplar Falls won't be easy, especially because Sophia feels like her father abandoned her for a new life, but it's necessary for healing. One she get's there though, she doesn't realize just how close these people will become to her. Especially Brax, the man she loves to hate.

This book is targeted to those who enjoy small town, enemies-to-lovers romances. However, I never really felt like they HATED each other. It was more like disdain and a little bit of curiosity mixed together. They never REALLY had fights and didn't scoff every time they were near each other, but they certainly didn't like one another off the bat either. Don't go into Rustic Hearts thinking that there will be a ton of bickering and back and forth between Brax and Sophia because that's not going to happen. I feel it's better targeted to those who love small town romances and books that surround family.

Obviously, this is a 5 star read for me. I fell in love from the beginning and had a VERY hard time putting the book down until I got to the end. I think many readers will be swept away with Rustic Hearts and I highly recommend it to all romance readers. Not only that, Dallas has the next book and I am so dang excited for it that I could BURST!

“Love is defined by choice. If there were only one option, then you are just that—the only option. Choosing to love another person in spite of all the other options available … that’s the part that makes it special. That’s the part that makes it all worth it. I chose her, but she didn’t choose me. That’s our love story in a nutshell.”

What a surprise this book was! I started it because I just wanted a light read since I was such in a dark place and even in a darker mood - I thought I would read such a fluffy and sweet read when I found myself crying my eyes out at the end.

I truly loved Sophia’s story and everything about her journey. Watching falling in love again with her previous home was such a delight - and that was my favorite part of this book by far!! The way she started to reconnect with the people that once were her family and how she truly finds out that belongs there warmed my heart.

It’s a romance story, but I truly was there for Sophia - that’s how good she was. One of my favorite scenes ever will always be her conversation with her father and everything he said.

Please, please read this book!! I am truly excited to continue this series.

I loved this book. I didn’t know if I was going to love it at the beginning but guys...... I was sobbing at the end! It was so so good! So my rating is 4.5 star but it’s very close to a 5 and it may end up being changed.

This was compared to “the simple wild” and though I can see where they get that. And in the beginning I would agree but it became its own story and was able to stand on its own two legs and I loved it. The hero and heroine were so cute together!!! They were adorable and I wish there was more about them!

One of the best parts for me was the family aspect though. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times I LOVE books where there is a huge family and they love each other and are in each other’s business and everything. I also love a book that can get me in my feels and my emotion of some family heartbreak and fixing said heartbreak and man did this book have that! Loved it!
ruth_reads1's profile picture

ruth_reads1's review

4.0
lighthearted medium-paced

This is a feel-good, easy read that blends small-town nostalgia with a strong found-family vibe. While the romance is technically open-door, don’t expect a lot of spice, but I wasn't mad about it.

The side characters are well-drawn and bring real depth to the town of Poplar Falls, giving that comforting, close-knit community feel. 

Sophia's rapid forgiveness of her mother’s long-held dishonesty felt a bit too easy. Given the weight of that betrayal, a slower, more emotionally complex reconciliation would’ve added more realism and depth.

Look forward to reading more from this author. 

The slow burn in this small town romance builds to a very satisfying finish. Returning to poplar falls after 20 years, Sophia discovers that things weren't as she was lead to believe when her mother moved her away. The journey is a little rocky, but Sophia finds true friendship, happiness, family and the man meant to be hers.

simple, sweet story! mix of love, spicy, and family. all comes together perfectly!
emotional fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes