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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
3.5 rounded up because of the audio.
I didn't love this as much as the first one but it was still sweet and sexy.
I didn't love this as much as the first one but it was still sweet and sexy.
Absolutely LOVED Maverick and Clover's story.
We first meet Maverick in Little Lies (Kodiak and Lavender's story). Mav is Lavender's older brother and Kodiak's best friend. In Little Lies, we saw glimpses of Maverick being checked out and not around as much and this story will explain why.
Towards the end of summer, Clover and Maverick meet and hook up at a party. It ends great, but they never expect to see each other again. And they don't, until Maverick walks into his class and his new professor is Clover. The attraction is still there for both of them, but they decide that they won't act on it until Clover is no longer Mav's professor at the end of the semester.
Both Clover and Maverick are dealing with some heavy stuff. Clover is dealing with her husband, who she has been separated from for over a year, who just won't go away and sign the divorce papers. Maverick is dealing with guilt and past trauma regarding his family - both Lavender's kidnapping and his fear of living in his fathers shadow. I love how all of their issues were dealt with and handled.
Maverick was such a heavy character, what I wasn't expecting. He had the weight of the world on his shoulders and was always there for everyone in his life.
As always with these books, I loved seeing past characters! Especially Alex and Violet. I really loved how we got to see more of Alex as a father in this book, which we only saw a little of in Lavender's book.
I absolutely cannot wait for the next installment in this series!! BJ is my favorite side character thus far and I can't wait to see him get his HEA and also his parents (Randy and Lily) as they are my favorites from the Pucked series.
We first meet Maverick in Little Lies (Kodiak and Lavender's story). Mav is Lavender's older brother and Kodiak's best friend. In Little Lies, we saw glimpses of Maverick being checked out and not around as much and this story will explain why.
Towards the end of summer, Clover and Maverick meet and hook up at a party. It ends great, but they never expect to see each other again. And they don't, until Maverick walks into his class and his new professor is Clover. The attraction is still there for both of them, but they decide that they won't act on it until Clover is no longer Mav's professor at the end of the semester.
Both Clover and Maverick are dealing with some heavy stuff. Clover is dealing with her husband, who she has been separated from for over a year, who just won't go away and sign the divorce papers. Maverick is dealing with guilt and past trauma regarding his family - both Lavender's kidnapping and his fear of living in his fathers shadow. I love how all of their issues were dealt with and handled.
Maverick was such a heavy character, what I wasn't expecting. He had the weight of the world on his shoulders and was always there for everyone in his life.
As always with these books, I loved seeing past characters! Especially Alex and Violet. I really loved how we got to see more of Alex as a father in this book, which we only saw a little of in Lavender's book.
I absolutely cannot wait for the next installment in this series!! BJ is my favorite side character thus far and I can't wait to see him get his HEA and also his parents (Randy and Lily) as they are my favorites from the Pucked series.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am almost always an age gap fan, and this is one to add to the pile. Maverick was a wonderful character- kind & always thinking of others. It made total sense he ended up with someone older. I did enjoy several of the twists and turns, and I look forward to the other characters stories!
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Bitter Sweet Heart by H Hunting is the second book in the Lies, Hearts & Truths series. Maverick Waters comes from hockey royalty and his future’s path has been set since childhood. He is entering his senior year and is shocked to find his summer hookup is now his creative writing professor. Clover Sweet never expects Maverick to walk into her classroom after their steamy night together. She tries to set boundaries between but the chemistry between the two ignites anytime they are alone together. Clover and Maverick try to put their feelings to the side but their emotions continue to get in the way as their lives continue to be complicated. With intense feelings and the future unknown Clover and Maverick must decide if their connection is worth pursuing.
Maverick Waters has always been weighed down by his famous father’s legacy and the trauma of the past. He has struggled and instead of voicing his concerns, he has always put everyone else first. Clover is the first person he feels is in his life just for him and he clings to the strong bond they have. He understands Clover’s concerns about her career given their positions as student and professor but wants to protect her even if they can only be just friends. With his future in hockey approaching quickly, Maverick finds himself questioning what he truly wants and Clover proves to be the sounding board he never knew he needed. With intense chemistry in the bedroom and being able to provide emotional support in private Maverick finds himself unable to walk away from Clover without a fight.
“Maverick.” It’s not just his name, but I feel the weight of it in my heart. Because it’s not a plea or an admonishment, it’s filled with longing and desire. With need.
Clover Sweet is trying to build her life back up after a shotgun wedding and even quicker divorce. She is excited to teach at the university but is thrown off immediately when Maverick walks through the door. She decides to put up as many boundaries as possible to keep things professional but Maverick’s unexpected protective nature and sweet gestures continue to break down the walls. Clover is the first person in Maverick’s life to see him as the individual he is rather than Alex Waters’ son and future NHL player. This provides a stronger basis for Clover and Maverick to build their relationship. But their relationship is hard from the start as not only her ex stands in the way of them working towards something permanent.
We already know we have chemistry. I feel it every time I look at you. And there’s this pull. It’s different. Not like anything I’ve experienced before.
The next generation of Pucked children are finding their partners but not without a battle. Maverick and Clover are fighting an uphill battle with their age difference and Clover’s position on power as Maverick’s professor. Their romance goes through rocky moments and is filled with angst and drama.
4 stars for Maverick and Clover battling the odds towards a future together.
Bitter Sweet Heart by H Hunting is the second book in the Lies, Hearts & Truths series. Maverick Waters comes from hockey royalty and his future’s path has been set since childhood. He is entering his senior year and is shocked to find his summer hookup is now his creative writing professor. Clover Sweet never expects Maverick to walk into her classroom after their steamy night together. She tries to set boundaries between but the chemistry between the two ignites anytime they are alone together. Clover and Maverick try to put their feelings to the side but their emotions continue to get in the way as their lives continue to be complicated. With intense feelings and the future unknown Clover and Maverick must decide if their connection is worth pursuing.
Maverick Waters has always been weighed down by his famous father’s legacy and the trauma of the past. He has struggled and instead of voicing his concerns, he has always put everyone else first. Clover is the first person he feels is in his life just for him and he clings to the strong bond they have. He understands Clover’s concerns about her career given their positions as student and professor but wants to protect her even if they can only be just friends. With his future in hockey approaching quickly, Maverick finds himself questioning what he truly wants and Clover proves to be the sounding board he never knew he needed. With intense chemistry in the bedroom and being able to provide emotional support in private Maverick finds himself unable to walk away from Clover without a fight.
“Maverick.” It’s not just his name, but I feel the weight of it in my heart. Because it’s not a plea or an admonishment, it’s filled with longing and desire. With need.
Clover Sweet is trying to build her life back up after a shotgun wedding and even quicker divorce. She is excited to teach at the university but is thrown off immediately when Maverick walks through the door. She decides to put up as many boundaries as possible to keep things professional but Maverick’s unexpected protective nature and sweet gestures continue to break down the walls. Clover is the first person in Maverick’s life to see him as the individual he is rather than Alex Waters’ son and future NHL player. This provides a stronger basis for Clover and Maverick to build their relationship. But their relationship is hard from the start as not only her ex stands in the way of them working towards something permanent.
We already know we have chemistry. I feel it every time I look at you. And there’s this pull. It’s different. Not like anything I’ve experienced before.
The next generation of Pucked children are finding their partners but not without a battle. Maverick and Clover are fighting an uphill battle with their age difference and Clover’s position on power as Maverick’s professor. Their romance goes through rocky moments and is filled with angst and drama.
4 stars for Maverick and Clover battling the odds towards a future together.
More reviews posted at Tales of Love, Life, and Murder
I was excited for Maverick’s story because the Pucked series is one of my absolute favorites and this book delivered. It’s not really set in the same world because the kids are all grown and away at college so it’s new and different, but the original characters play important roles, which I love. Maverick’s story is shaped by his childhood and family: how he was raised, things that happened and how they still affect him now. He struggles at times but he’s too busy taking care of everyone around him to ever admit it and he certainly never lets anyone see it, until Clover.
Everything was innocent enough when they met, but that changed a few weeks later and there’s nothing they can do about it. She’s his professor so nothing can happen between them, but it’s not like they can just turn off their feelings. Clover is strong and independent but she has a real weak spot for Maverick, despite the danger to her career. Maverick feels guilty because he knows Clover has far more to lose, but he can’t stay away from her.
Clover is great and I liked everything about her but Maverick Waters is next level awesome. He’s definitely higher on the book boyfriend list than Alex because Maverick is everything. There’s a lot of angst here beyond the forbidden attraction. He has a traumatic past he’s never really come to terms with and struggles with his place in the world. Sure, he’s good at hockey but is he really good enough to get drafted? Or are teams knocking on his door because his dad is Alex Waters? She has a psycho ex who did a number on her psyche but they’re both grounded and open enough to help each other overcome. I loved everything about Maverick and Clover’s story and couldn’t get enough of it.
4.5/5 - Oh Maverick, you sweet, caring man. How can you not love him? He carries the weight of the world, blaming himself for Lavender's kidnapping years ago, and any time other people get hurt.
This book is the second book in the Lies, Hearts and Truth series, and features Maverick, who is the son of Violet and Alex from the Pucked series. You don't have to have read any previous books in various series, but to get the full story of who these characters I recommend reading the Pucked and All In series, as well as the first book in this series.
This is a forbidden, age gap romances and it was wonderful. I think that Maverick was exactly who Clover needed in this scenario, but Clover was exactly who Maverick needed as well. This was a a typical sexy professor, younger student romance, but Helena Hunting made it more. She added the abusive ex of Clover's, the guilt Maverick carries and a lot of responsibilities for both.
I loved that we got a HEA for this book, but what I loved more is that we got two people that were struggling, figuring out that they are not responsible for everything and every one.
This book is the second book in the Lies, Hearts and Truth series, and features Maverick, who is the son of Violet and Alex from the Pucked series. You don't have to have read any previous books in various series, but to get the full story of who these characters I recommend reading the Pucked and All In series, as well as the first book in this series.
This is a forbidden, age gap romances and it was wonderful. I think that Maverick was exactly who Clover needed in this scenario, but Clover was exactly who Maverick needed as well. This was a a typical sexy professor, younger student romance, but Helena Hunting made it more. She added the abusive ex of Clover's, the guilt Maverick carries and a lot of responsibilities for both.
I loved that we got a HEA for this book, but what I loved more is that we got two people that were struggling, figuring out that they are not responsible for everything and every one.
You Will Adore Bitter Sweet Heart
Read “Bitter Sweet Heart” if you like:
✔ M/F contemporary romance
✔ Sports Romance (hockey)
✔ Student - Teacher
✔ Children of [b:Pucked|24504274|Pucked (Pucked, #1)|Helena Hunting|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1429896314l/24504274._SY75_.jpg|44100912] and All In [b:A Lie for a Lie|44776456|A Lie for a Lie (All In, #1)|Helena Hunting|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560473460l/44776456._SY75_.jpg|69415755] series
✔ Age-gap (Older woman - younger man)
✔ Angst
✔ Mental Health rep
✔ Dual Points of View
Note: Can be read as complete standalone but I highly recommend reading the previous book in the series before this book (which is Little Lies) for full enjoyment
[a:Helena Hunting|7226675|Helena Hunting|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1554517037p2/7226675.jpg] (H. Hunting) is a one-click author for me. I love her Pucked and All In series and these characters have a special place in my heart. The first book in this series, Little Lies, is a beautiful and angsty book and Bitter Sweet Heart is a wonderful follow-up to that book. Bitter Sweet Heart gave me a huge book hangover and it took me a few days to get over it.
CW: sexual harassment, emotional abuse, gaslighting, anxiety and panic attacks, past kidnapping discussed in detail
Maverick Waters is hanging out with his friends Kodiak and BJ at the lake house before beginning his senior year of college. When Kody and BJ leave, Mav is left alone on Pearl Lake, soaking up the sun and contemplating his future. A woman floating on a paddle board drifts over to his dock and they have a very adorable meet-cute. She introduces herself as Clover and they flirt a little. They later meet up at a beach party and have a very memorable night at her cottage. I just want to point out that Maverick is described as his father, Alex Water’s, clone. In every way. Iykyk. Maverick slips out and leaves Clover a note while she’s sleeping the next morning.
Five weeks later, Maverick walks into Clover’s creative writing seminar at his college where she’s just taken over for the previous professor. Yes, Clover is now Maverick’s professor. Uh-oh.
A few weeks after that Maverick is not doing well in the class. He makes things even more awkward than they already are when he tries to talk to Clover about his grades. He’s “kind of a hot mess”. Mav is persistent and keeps trying to connect with Clover despite the danger to them both if someone finds out about their burgeoning friendship.
In this follow-up to Little Lies we see where Maverick’s head was during that story and we get to know him on a much deeper level. The scary circumstances that drove Little Lies had a significant impact on Maverick and we get into how it affected him in Bitter Sweet Heart.
What happened to his sister, Lavender, traumatized the whole family in different ways although Maverick reveals that they’ve never really talked about what happened either individually or as a family. Clover and Maverick start to connect when he opens up to her about Lavender’s abduction and his role in it and the guilt he still feels.
“The weight of it still cloaks Maverick in sadness…he wears the guilt like a crown of thorns.”
We also get to experience Maverick’s relationships with Lavender, Kody, BJ and his Mom (Violet) and Dad (Alex). It was so rewarding to observe these relationships and the conversations he has with the important people in his life. These conversations allow us to know Maverick and his friends and family and to see how they all begin to transform themselves and their relationships with one another by having them.
Maverick is a person who is very protective of the people he loves. He’s always putting others first. We get to see him develop and evolve as a person as he faces his demons. We also experience the progress of the beautiful relationship he has with Clover. I don’t want to talk too much about Clover as I think it’s best to read about her blind.
Bitter Sweet Heart is a heart-wrenching and angsty romance filled with moments of light and love that you will adore.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Read “Bitter Sweet Heart” if you like:
✔ M/F contemporary romance
✔ Sports Romance (hockey)
✔ Student - Teacher
✔ Children of [b:Pucked|24504274|Pucked (Pucked, #1)|Helena Hunting|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1429896314l/24504274._SY75_.jpg|44100912] and All In [b:A Lie for a Lie|44776456|A Lie for a Lie (All In, #1)|Helena Hunting|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560473460l/44776456._SY75_.jpg|69415755] series
✔ Age-gap (Older woman - younger man)
✔ Angst
✔ Mental Health rep
✔ Dual Points of View
Note: Can be read as complete standalone but I highly recommend reading the previous book in the series before this book (which is Little Lies) for full enjoyment
[a:Helena Hunting|7226675|Helena Hunting|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1554517037p2/7226675.jpg] (H. Hunting) is a one-click author for me. I love her Pucked and All In series and these characters have a special place in my heart. The first book in this series, Little Lies, is a beautiful and angsty book and Bitter Sweet Heart is a wonderful follow-up to that book. Bitter Sweet Heart gave me a huge book hangover and it took me a few days to get over it.
CW: sexual harassment, emotional abuse, gaslighting, anxiety and panic attacks, past kidnapping discussed in detail
Maverick Waters is hanging out with his friends Kodiak and BJ at the lake house before beginning his senior year of college. When Kody and BJ leave, Mav is left alone on Pearl Lake, soaking up the sun and contemplating his future. A woman floating on a paddle board drifts over to his dock and they have a very adorable meet-cute. She introduces herself as Clover and they flirt a little. They later meet up at a beach party and have a very memorable night at her cottage. I just want to point out that Maverick is described as his father, Alex Water’s, clone. In every way. Iykyk. Maverick slips out and leaves Clover a note while she’s sleeping the next morning.
Five weeks later, Maverick walks into Clover’s creative writing seminar at his college where she’s just taken over for the previous professor. Yes, Clover is now Maverick’s professor. Uh-oh.
A few weeks after that Maverick is not doing well in the class. He makes things even more awkward than they already are when he tries to talk to Clover about his grades. He’s “kind of a hot mess”. Mav is persistent and keeps trying to connect with Clover despite the danger to them both if someone finds out about their burgeoning friendship.
In this follow-up to Little Lies we see where Maverick’s head was during that story and we get to know him on a much deeper level. The scary circumstances that drove Little Lies had a significant impact on Maverick and we get into how it affected him in Bitter Sweet Heart.
What happened to his sister, Lavender, traumatized the whole family in different ways although Maverick reveals that they’ve never really talked about what happened either individually or as a family. Clover and Maverick start to connect when he opens up to her about Lavender’s abduction and his role in it and the guilt he still feels.
“The weight of it still cloaks Maverick in sadness…he wears the guilt like a crown of thorns.”
We also get to experience Maverick’s relationships with Lavender, Kody, BJ and his Mom (Violet) and Dad (Alex). It was so rewarding to observe these relationships and the conversations he has with the important people in his life. These conversations allow us to know Maverick and his friends and family and to see how they all begin to transform themselves and their relationships with one another by having them.
Maverick is a person who is very protective of the people he loves. He’s always putting others first. We get to see him develop and evolve as a person as he faces his demons. We also experience the progress of the beautiful relationship he has with Clover. I don’t want to talk too much about Clover as I think it’s best to read about her blind.
Bitter Sweet Heart is a heart-wrenching and angsty romance filled with moments of light and love that you will adore.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Sometimes a book is so anticipated that once you get your hands on it, the book just doesn’t measure up. Well, friends. That is NOT the case with Bitter Sweet Heart. If you consider Alex Waters a book boyfriend of yours, his son, Maverick might bump him from the spot. Maverick Waters has the kindest old soul and is in the body of a college hockey star. He has the ability to read people, pick up on their emotions and he feels with every fiber of his body. Maverick takes on the role of caretaker with so many in his life, and the others he lets them see what they need to see. Clover starting a new life and new career finds the one man she shouldn’t be attracted to in her class. She is fresh off a toxic relationship and is finding her independence. She is so emotionally strong, very intelligent and independent. But when she and Maverick are together she shines so bright. They each bring out each other's best qualities and she has such a quiet gentle presence that brings a peace to Mavericks inner chaos. While he provides her the protection and encouragement to be her. Maverick and Clover have a magnetic connection that we feel as readers. They just get each other on a level that people dream of having with their partners. There is a fair amount of angst and barriers in this pair's way, and it was such a joy watching them fall in love. While the secretiveness of the relationship always adds an added layer of taboo I feel like it allowed these two to build a deeper bond therefore allowing them the foundation to move forward when others had their doubts.
While Maverick and Clover are definitely the stars of this book, I truly adored being able to see Violet and Alex through their children's eyes. Alex completely melted my heart, and at one point I had to put the book down so I could ugly cry. I love how Helena highlighted that parenting is hard, and just because children grow doesn’t mean they need their parents' love and support any less. Violet is a fierce protector of her babies, but still balances open communication, humor, and all the classic embarrassing moments that are so Violet. This is one book that you will want to read or listen to over and over. I will never ever hesitate to recommend this book….also, be prepared to reread the whole PUCKED series. If you are an audiobook fan, Zachary Webber & Andi Arndt are PHENOMENAL (as always) the emotion that Helena wrote poured out of this duo and it was so beautifully done.
While Maverick and Clover are definitely the stars of this book, I truly adored being able to see Violet and Alex through their children's eyes. Alex completely melted my heart, and at one point I had to put the book down so I could ugly cry. I love how Helena highlighted that parenting is hard, and just because children grow doesn’t mean they need their parents' love and support any less. Violet is a fierce protector of her babies, but still balances open communication, humor, and all the classic embarrassing moments that are so Violet. This is one book that you will want to read or listen to over and over. I will never ever hesitate to recommend this book….also, be prepared to reread the whole PUCKED series. If you are an audiobook fan, Zachary Webber & Andi Arndt are PHENOMENAL (as always) the emotion that Helena wrote poured out of this duo and it was so beautifully done.
From the blurb you can get a good idea of the set up with Maverick and Clover. They meet during the summer, have explosive chemistry and a one night stand. As fall approaches and school resumes, they discover that Maverick is a student of visiting Professor Sweet. The attraction is still there but they both understand that the situation has to be handled carefully. As Maverick and Clover deal with their own traumas they find support in each other and their relationship grows.
This book’s timeline overlaps with the timeline of Little Lies and gives explanation to Maverick’s absence in Lavender and Kody’s book. Maverick is selfless to the point of hurting himself and he is only beginning to understand that. When he finds the one woman he wants to spend time with, it is complicated by their roles and her past. The books in this series really center around how a shared trauma shaped the lives of so many people. Maverick has never really dealt with his feelings concerning the events of the past and Clover gives him the space to do so safely.
I loved this book for multiple reasons, probably the most because it is such a great second generation book. Although, you do not have to have read the Pucked series for understanding. If you have, you know Maverick’s parents Alex and Violet Waters and have a love for them. However, parenting is hard and the Waters are not immune to making mistakes. The transformations that their relationships undergo are encouraging to those of us parenting or being parented. I like that Clover was very concise of how her role and gender could be viewed if she was to have an open relationship with Maverick. They both acknowledge the double standards placed on women in roles of power. Maverick is an old soul and protector, looking for peace and he finally finds it in a life with Clover. There are a lot of feelings, some sweetness, and a bit of drama in this book, making it well rounded and a worthwhile read.
This book’s timeline overlaps with the timeline of Little Lies and gives explanation to Maverick’s absence in Lavender and Kody’s book. Maverick is selfless to the point of hurting himself and he is only beginning to understand that. When he finds the one woman he wants to spend time with, it is complicated by their roles and her past. The books in this series really center around how a shared trauma shaped the lives of so many people. Maverick has never really dealt with his feelings concerning the events of the past and Clover gives him the space to do so safely.
I loved this book for multiple reasons, probably the most because it is such a great second generation book. Although, you do not have to have read the Pucked series for understanding. If you have, you know Maverick’s parents Alex and Violet Waters and have a love for them. However, parenting is hard and the Waters are not immune to making mistakes. The transformations that their relationships undergo are encouraging to those of us parenting or being parented. I like that Clover was very concise of how her role and gender could be viewed if she was to have an open relationship with Maverick. They both acknowledge the double standards placed on women in roles of power. Maverick is an old soul and protector, looking for peace and he finally finds it in a life with Clover. There are a lot of feelings, some sweetness, and a bit of drama in this book, making it well rounded and a worthwhile read.