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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
Finding Hayes by Laura Pavlov
Book 5 in Magnolia Falls series
When Savannah Abbott returns to her hometown of Magnolia Hills for her surrogate grandfather Abe’s funeral, she’s surprised to learn that he left his (dilapidated) mansion (to fix up), millions of dollars, and all his land to her. But there’s a catch: she must be married within 30 days (and stay married for at least 3 months) or she forfeits it all. Savannah really needs that money but isn’t dating anyone and has no marital prospects. Plus, who could she suddenly marry that wouldn’t raise all the red flags indicating this marriage is clearly fake?
When Hayes Woodson, the town’s hottie firefighter and Savannah’s childhood best friend, hears that she’s in town, he jumps at the first opportunity to run into her. They haven’t seen or spoken to each other in 10 years, and he’d love to know why. While there’s definite hurt and animosity from that fact, he can’t help but want to be around her. When he learns of Savannah’s predicament, he volunteers himself as her temporary husband. He knows she needs the money, and having a doting wife could be beneficial toward winning the soon-to-be open Chief position at his firehouse, plus he’s hoping this money and house project might get her to stick around for good.
But there’s a reason Savannah left Magnolia Falls 10 years ago and never looked back. And a large part of it has to do with Hayes…
Will Savannah’s decade-long journey bring her all the way back to her best friend next door and a Happily Ever After?
It’s such a shame a miscommunication lost them 10 years. And, frustratingly, they were still miscommunicating in the present. But that boy was DOWN BAD for her, and I loved it.
I love a friends to lovers and a marriage of convenience story, and this didn’t disappoint on either front.
The first kiss moment was
Book 5 in Magnolia Falls series
When Savannah Abbott returns to her hometown of Magnolia Hills for her surrogate grandfather Abe’s funeral, she’s surprised to learn that he left his (dilapidated) mansion (to fix up), millions of dollars, and all his land to her. But there’s a catch: she must be married within 30 days (and stay married for at least 3 months) or she forfeits it all. Savannah really needs that money but isn’t dating anyone and has no marital prospects. Plus, who could she suddenly marry that wouldn’t raise all the red flags indicating this marriage is clearly fake?
When Hayes Woodson, the town’s hottie firefighter and Savannah’s childhood best friend, hears that she’s in town, he jumps at the first opportunity to run into her. They haven’t seen or spoken to each other in 10 years, and he’d love to know why. While there’s definite hurt and animosity from that fact, he can’t help but want to be around her. When he learns of Savannah’s predicament, he volunteers himself as her temporary husband. He knows she needs the money, and having a doting wife could be beneficial toward winning the soon-to-be open Chief position at his firehouse, plus he’s hoping this money and house project might get her to stick around for good.
But there’s a reason Savannah left Magnolia Falls 10 years ago and never looked back. And a large part of it has to do with Hayes…
Will Savannah’s decade-long journey bring her all the way back to her best friend next door and a Happily Ever After?
It’s such a shame a miscommunication lost them 10 years. And, frustratingly, they were still miscommunicating in the present. But that boy was DOWN BAD for her, and I loved it.
I love a friends to lovers and a marriage of convenience story, and this didn’t disappoint on either front.
The first kiss moment was
Peas & Carrots.
4.25⭐️ These two have loved each other for a long time. For a while there I was worried about how long the miscommunication was going to go on because these two had such a deep connection from the get go. It was hard to see them both hurting. But when they do come together it is beautiful thing and the feelings they had for each other all along come out quickly.
“I’m not doing this because I’m afraid we’ll lose touch. I’m doing this because I can’t live without you.”
This series is special to me. I was a sappy mess seeing grumpy Hayes get his happy ending and wrapping up with the whole Magnolia Falls gang. I guess I’ll be heading to Rosewood River next.
Thank you Valentine PR & Laura Pavlov for the ARC, all my opinions are my own.
4.25⭐️ These two have loved each other for a long time. For a while there I was worried about how long the miscommunication was going to go on because these two had such a deep connection from the get go. It was hard to see them both hurting. But when they do come together it is beautiful thing and the feelings they had for each other all along come out quickly.
“I’m not doing this because I’m afraid we’ll lose touch. I’m doing this because I can’t live without you.”
This series is special to me. I was a sappy mess seeing grumpy Hayes get his happy ending and wrapping up with the whole Magnolia Falls gang. I guess I’ll be heading to Rosewood River next.
Thank you Valentine PR & Laura Pavlov for the ARC, all my opinions are my own.
Laura Pavlov's books are just so slick and binge-able - I zipped through Finding Hayes in record time as it was such an enjoyable easy read with great likeable characters and a plot that will make you smile without hurting your head.
The plot revolves around that fantastic old romance chestnut of needing to be married to secure an inheritance. But Savannah is lucky - her best friend from childhood, Hayes, is on hand to step up, albeit they've been estranged because of a huge misunderstanding (and some terrible parental behaviour) for a decade. But the interest here really comes from their second chance - though they were friends before, never romantically involved - this is their opportunity to repair their relationship and rebuild the trust and love that was lost all those years ago. Both characters are eminently likeable people and I was rooting for their happy ending, though I wished it hadn't turned out quite how it did because Hayes had some quite entrenched beliefs and somehow they all got easily swept away, I hoped we might have a more unique ending giving voice to some underrepresented groups but that didn't happen.
I read this as a standalone and it did work, though I definitely missed out on a lot of the relationship-building and bonding, especially between the guys, and was often a bit confused about which person was part of which couple. However, that wasn't important for this story and was just a minor niggle. So better to read the series if you can, but if this one particularly appeals to you it will work as a standalone.
This is probably somewhere between 3.5 - 4 stars for me as it's really well-written and enjoyable but doesn't break any new ground (though thanks for the rarely seen 69!) so I've rounded up.
Thanks to NetGalley, HQStories and Laura Pavlov for the ARC, this is my honest opinion.
The plot revolves around that fantastic old romance chestnut of needing to be married to secure an inheritance. But Savannah is lucky - her best friend from childhood, Hayes, is on hand to step up, albeit they've been estranged because of a huge misunderstanding (and some terrible parental behaviour) for a decade. But the interest here really comes from their second chance - though they were friends before, never romantically involved - this is their opportunity to repair their relationship and rebuild the trust and love that was lost all those years ago. Both characters are eminently likeable people and I was rooting for their happy ending, though I wished it hadn't turned out quite how it did because Hayes had some quite entrenched beliefs and somehow they all got easily swept away, I hoped we might have a more unique ending giving voice to some underrepresented groups but that didn't happen.
I read this as a standalone and it did work, though I definitely missed out on a lot of the relationship-building and bonding, especially between the guys, and was often a bit confused about which person was part of which couple. However, that wasn't important for this story and was just a minor niggle. So better to read the series if you can, but if this one particularly appeals to you it will work as a standalone.
This is probably somewhere between 3.5 - 4 stars for me as it's really well-written and enjoyable but doesn't break any new ground (though thanks for the rarely seen 69!) so I've rounded up.
Thanks to NetGalley, HQStories and Laura Pavlov for the ARC, this is my honest opinion.
Andddd bringing up the rear is Finding Hayes, which was the 5th and final book in the ~Magnolia Falls~ series (although any of these books you can read as a stand alone.) This series for me is like a train wreck you can’t look away from. There’s a ton of cringe ooey gooey romance with lots of pet names and sappy dialogue. BUT I still found myself anticipating the next drop of each book and couldn’t put it down. This book (and series) is the perfect thing to read after reading a thriller or something deep and dark. There’s little plot (so low stress,) lots of smut, and of course a happy epilogue. With a friends to lovers and fake marriage trope- you really can’t go wrong with this one!
Hayes is a firefighter hoping to become captain. He’s broody and grumpy and wants nothing to do with marriage or being a dad after his traumatic childhood. Savannah was the one person he could depend on during that time, until she up and left one day and never came back. Ten years later she’s back in Magnolia Falls and he agree to a fake marriage with so she can keep an inheritance left to her and he can hopefully secure the captain position. With 10 years of built up resentment, there’s only one way to get out some of that frustration
Hayes is a firefighter hoping to become captain. He’s broody and grumpy and wants nothing to do with marriage or being a dad after his traumatic childhood. Savannah was the one person he could depend on during that time, until she up and left one day and never came back. Ten years later she’s back in Magnolia Falls and he agree to a fake marriage with so she can keep an inheritance left to her and he can hopefully secure the captain position. With 10 years of built up resentment, there’s only one way to get out some of that frustration
Couldn't get into the characters or plot
Hayes Woodson & Savannah Abbott were best friends growing up. There was nothing they couldn't talk to each other about. They both had challenging lives growing up with at least one parent failing at that job. Then when Savannah thought the worst had happened in her life, Hayes wasn't there for her. She believed the lies she was told and left town with her dad to start a new life in the city, and tried to forget about Hayes. The death of a very old friend brings her back to town, and the will surprises her, and brings her a very challenging situation.
As Hayes tries to find out why Sav blocked him for the last decade, they figure out that they can help one another achieve certain goals - if they marry for 3 months. As they navigate the ins and outs of their not-so-fake relationship, they realize they were never "just friends". Is it predictable? Sure, a little bit. Is it sweet and wonderful and swoony? Yes, yes it absolutely is.
There's very little drama in this story. The bad guys make brief appearances and the good guys and the women who love them - and Cutler of course - keep the witty texts going to make us laugh or smile. And there are a couple of poignant moments that might bring a tear to your eye if you're an emotional sap like me (haha).
I loved this last book - who am I kidding? I loved all of the Magnolia Falls books and now I'm excited to start on Easton Chadwick's story :)
As Hayes tries to find out why Sav blocked him for the last decade, they figure out that they can help one another achieve certain goals - if they marry for 3 months. As they navigate the ins and outs of their not-so-fake relationship, they realize they were never "just friends". Is it predictable? Sure, a little bit. Is it sweet and wonderful and swoony? Yes, yes it absolutely is.
There's very little drama in this story. The bad guys make brief appearances and the good guys and the women who love them - and Cutler of course - keep the witty texts going to make us laugh or smile. And there are a couple of poignant moments that might bring a tear to your eye if you're an emotional sap like me (haha).
I loved this last book - who am I kidding? I loved all of the Magnolia Falls books and now I'm excited to start on Easton Chadwick's story :)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Finding Hayes was the perfect conclusion to the Magnolia Falls series. I honestly only read the previous one, but I feel like I know this friend group, and this series definitely serves the found family vibes. This book was such a sweet childhood friends to lover's romance.
Hayes and Savannah were childhood best friends, but she left town with her dad when she was 16, and she cut off all contact with him. She has returned home for Abe's funeral, and she is surprised to learn he left his house and a lot of money to her in his will. Unfortunately, he had a crazy stipulation stating she had to get married in 30 days to get the inheritance.
Hayes was so excited to see Savannah, but she is acting cold to him, and he has no idea why. There are hurt feelings on both sides due to a miscommunication that led to Savannah blocking him from her life. Hayes agrees to a short-term marriage of convenience, but they soon acknowledge their deeper feelings once they finally clear up the past. These two always had deeper feelings for each other, and they felt like true soulmates.
Beefcake is still stealing the scenes in this book. We absolutely need his romance once he grows up. He schools the adults and gets them to actually work through their issues in the most adorable way.
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
Andi Arndt and Lee Samuels did a fantastic job narrating this audiobook. Andi is one of my favorite female narrators, and she brought so much depth and vulnerability to Savannah. Lee Samuels was perfect as the sexy, grumpy firefighter. I highly recommend this audiobook!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Finding Hayes was the perfect conclusion to the Magnolia Falls series. I honestly only read the previous one, but I feel like I know this friend group, and this series definitely serves the found family vibes. This book was such a sweet childhood friends to lover's romance.
Hayes and Savannah were childhood best friends, but she left town with her dad when she was 16, and she cut off all contact with him. She has returned home for Abe's funeral, and she is surprised to learn he left his house and a lot of money to her in his will. Unfortunately, he had a crazy stipulation stating she had to get married in 30 days to get the inheritance.
Hayes was so excited to see Savannah, but she is acting cold to him, and he has no idea why. There are hurt feelings on both sides due to a miscommunication that led to Savannah blocking him from her life. Hayes agrees to a short-term marriage of convenience, but they soon acknowledge their deeper feelings once they finally clear up the past. These two always had deeper feelings for each other, and they felt like true soulmates.
Beefcake is still stealing the scenes in this book. We absolutely need his romance once he grows up. He schools the adults and gets them to actually work through their issues in the most adorable way.
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
Andi Arndt and Lee Samuels did a fantastic job narrating this audiobook. Andi is one of my favorite female narrators, and she brought so much depth and vulnerability to Savannah. Lee Samuels was perfect as the sexy, grumpy firefighter. I highly recommend this audiobook!
happy release day to the caboose of the Ride or Die gang, era!
childhood BFFs
nicknames
marriage- will
firefighter
steam
KU
nicknames
marriage- will
firefighter
steam
KU
Marriage of convenience might be my new favorite trope!! Savannah and Hayes were best friends growing up. Savannah had the perfect family (according to Hayes) until one day she didn’t.
They were inseparable growing up together in Magnolia Falls and always had a special connection. I was definitely not ready for this series to be over, but this book might have been my favorite. The hurt and deception that Sav felt from Hayes was so real. His persistence in starting up their friendship again is what reminded Sav of their great relationship they once had.
Marriage of convenience (or is it?!) was the perfect turning point to get their friendship back on track. The spice in this book was HOT.
The ROD text threads were SO freaking funny. I love that part of the books. Getting to hear all about the Ride or Die crew,their growing families, and continued friendships make these series so relatable! Highly recommend this one!!
They were inseparable growing up together in Magnolia Falls and always had a special connection. I was definitely not ready for this series to be over, but this book might have been my favorite. The hurt and deception that Sav felt from Hayes was so real. His persistence in starting up their friendship again is what reminded Sav of their great relationship they once had.
Marriage of convenience (or is it?!) was the perfect turning point to get their friendship back on track. The spice in this book was HOT.
The ROD text threads were SO freaking funny. I love that part of the books. Getting to hear all about the Ride or Die crew,their growing families, and continued friendships make these series so relatable! Highly recommend this one!!