Scan barcode
A review by the_librarians_daughter
Hearts Don't Lie by Sutton Bishop
5.0
My own personal warning label - Bring tissues. Expect your heart to break more than a few times. Trust Ms. Bishop - she fixes everything.
This book is just absolutely stunningly, beautifully, written.
This is a second chance romance, but it’s also a coming home novel, and the faith in true binding love no matter the odds.
The story kicks off in present day Colorado. We’re introduced to a woman named Kenna, with a chapter heading of “Mac”. It threw me as first as well. All is revealed somewhat shortly.
Set in a small tight knit town in Colorado, Kenna owns her own wilderness adventures company with her best friend Cori and has an 11 year old son named Stowe.
Let me pause here to say, outside of the plot which will rightfully pull you in, this story is also a silent testament to utter kick ass, take charge, fearless women. It’s written in such a way that it’s only after you digest everything else that you realize how many female characters there are and how many of them are in somewhat untraditional roles. They are all strong independent women who support each other unconditionally. (Huge hugs and claps for this Ms. Bishop!)
Back to the actual stuff. Kenna is discussing her latest, unplanned, and surprise long weekend trek..when Cori drops the real bomb on Kenna. The customer is Hardin Ambrose.
Kenna faints and the world goes black. No. Actually.
From this point on Hardin and Kenna (Mac) become one couple working at opposite ends to find their middle.
We learn that while Hardin is now a MEFL player (I think of this as Europe’s version of Premiere League - soccer) he and Kenna, formerly Mac, were teenage lovers. Their back story is tragic.
They attended rival schools in high school. Hardin saw Mac as a cheerleader at one of his matches against her school. He later tracks her down in town and charms her into a date.
Mac and Hardin have everything going against them. Mac is smart. Like SMART. This has her a grade above her age in school, but still a minor by Illinois law. Hardin is smart as well, but just a normal 18 year old senior. In most cases, not unusual or upsetting.
Except Mac is dirt poor, living with an abusive mother who could care less about her child, and Hardin is from a wealthy family so wrapped up in appearances and net worth that they have apparently lost their souls. As well as their ability to be actual humans.
The couple are counting down the days till Mac graduates and can join Hardin in North Carolina and college. Unfortunately, one random slip on the young couple’s part leads them down a MUCH darker and more twisted path. Not noticing the passage of time or impending weather, the lovers are interrupted by the local cops worried about their safety while out on a date in a field. The cops learn that they are both there willingly, and neither drunk or stoned. They warn Hardin that he is an adult and can’t be out with Mac, a minor. Trying to help the couple out, the cops offer to drop Mac at home and allow Hardin to leave.
This is where our lovers part. 12 years pass. Mac is a figment on pieces of paper that disappeared once graduation came. Hardin had been unable to reach or see Mac after their last date (reasons for which are covered in the plot). All he knows is she’s gone.
Once a professional and out of his parent’s control Hardin begins a ten year search that leads him to a mysterious Kenna Eliot in Colorado.
Hardin and Mac (Kenna) spend a long weekend punishing their bodies with hard hikes through altitude changes during the day, and unburdening their souls at night. We hear Hardin’s side of events post last date on night one and Mac’s on night two.
The former lovers exit the wilderness slightly more understanding of events that lead to their current lives, but still somewhat adrift on the “what next?”.
Hardin makes the choice to knowingly blow off contractual obligations to his team in Spain in order to uncover more of Mac’s life. He decides to extend his stay in Mac’s town.
He quickly learns that while their love is very much still alive for each other, there is more than just the two of them in this plot. Mac has a son. One that Hardin believes to be from a marriage that he thinks she had. Hardin never really pushes this theory for confirmation though.
Shortly, he learns that Stowe is very much not a child from a prior marriage. Hardin then puts plans into play to remove himself from the professional sports world entirely and enter into a new life in Colorado with Mac and Stowe.
Ms. Bishop adds in some testing of Hardin’s character by Mac’s adopted family and her friends. He drives his friend and manager to fear due to his ghosting of not only his club, but calls from his agent. Finally there is one last encounter with Hardin and his parents. This encounter leaves things in destructive panic and dangerous consequences.
It does lead Mac and Hardin to their final and very well deserved happy ever after.
There is so very very much that I’m skimming over not trying to drop spoilers or plot ruin. I need you all to read this book so I can openly book club it. So so much to unpack.
Mac is an utterly, heart grippingly, strong female who endures so much in her life. This is a person who deserves good things, all the time.
Hardin is that unicorn of a guy. He’s from a wealthy family, but he’s seen as a pawn or bargaining chip. His parents use him as a status symbol. Hardin has a heart of gold and a wealth of love that is just there. He loves hard when people look past all the wrapping and see HIM.
Ms. Bishop compares Hardin to Messi. A very successful, very famous, Argentinian soccer player who plays for Barcelona at club level. I’m not a Messi fan. Personal reasons. Not sure I like the guy as a person. To me, Hardin is Christian Pulisic....but with searing blue eyes instead of brown. And playing for a Premiere League team. (I’m a Pulisic fan
This book is just absolutely stunningly, beautifully, written.
This is a second chance romance, but it’s also a coming home novel, and the faith in true binding love no matter the odds.
The story kicks off in present day Colorado. We’re introduced to a woman named Kenna, with a chapter heading of “Mac”. It threw me as first as well. All is revealed somewhat shortly.
Set in a small tight knit town in Colorado, Kenna owns her own wilderness adventures company with her best friend Cori and has an 11 year old son named Stowe.
Let me pause here to say, outside of the plot which will rightfully pull you in, this story is also a silent testament to utter kick ass, take charge, fearless women. It’s written in such a way that it’s only after you digest everything else that you realize how many female characters there are and how many of them are in somewhat untraditional roles. They are all strong independent women who support each other unconditionally. (Huge hugs and claps for this Ms. Bishop!)
Back to the actual stuff. Kenna is discussing her latest, unplanned, and surprise long weekend trek..when Cori drops the real bomb on Kenna. The customer is Hardin Ambrose.
Kenna faints and the world goes black. No. Actually.
From this point on Hardin and Kenna (Mac) become one couple working at opposite ends to find their middle.
We learn that while Hardin is now a MEFL player (I think of this as Europe’s version of Premiere League - soccer) he and Kenna, formerly Mac, were teenage lovers. Their back story is tragic.
They attended rival schools in high school. Hardin saw Mac as a cheerleader at one of his matches against her school. He later tracks her down in town and charms her into a date.
Mac and Hardin have everything going against them. Mac is smart. Like SMART. This has her a grade above her age in school, but still a minor by Illinois law. Hardin is smart as well, but just a normal 18 year old senior. In most cases, not unusual or upsetting.
Except Mac is dirt poor, living with an abusive mother who could care less about her child, and Hardin is from a wealthy family so wrapped up in appearances and net worth that they have apparently lost their souls. As well as their ability to be actual humans.
The couple are counting down the days till Mac graduates and can join Hardin in North Carolina and college. Unfortunately, one random slip on the young couple’s part leads them down a MUCH darker and more twisted path. Not noticing the passage of time or impending weather, the lovers are interrupted by the local cops worried about their safety while out on a date in a field. The cops learn that they are both there willingly, and neither drunk or stoned. They warn Hardin that he is an adult and can’t be out with Mac, a minor. Trying to help the couple out, the cops offer to drop Mac at home and allow Hardin to leave.
This is where our lovers part. 12 years pass. Mac is a figment on pieces of paper that disappeared once graduation came. Hardin had been unable to reach or see Mac after their last date (reasons for which are covered in the plot). All he knows is she’s gone.
Once a professional and out of his parent’s control Hardin begins a ten year search that leads him to a mysterious Kenna Eliot in Colorado.
Hardin and Mac (Kenna) spend a long weekend punishing their bodies with hard hikes through altitude changes during the day, and unburdening their souls at night. We hear Hardin’s side of events post last date on night one and Mac’s on night two.
The former lovers exit the wilderness slightly more understanding of events that lead to their current lives, but still somewhat adrift on the “what next?”.
Hardin makes the choice to knowingly blow off contractual obligations to his team in Spain in order to uncover more of Mac’s life. He decides to extend his stay in Mac’s town.
He quickly learns that while their love is very much still alive for each other, there is more than just the two of them in this plot. Mac has a son. One that Hardin believes to be from a marriage that he thinks she had. Hardin never really pushes this theory for confirmation though.
Shortly, he learns that Stowe is very much not a child from a prior marriage. Hardin then puts plans into play to remove himself from the professional sports world entirely and enter into a new life in Colorado with Mac and Stowe.
Ms. Bishop adds in some testing of Hardin’s character by Mac’s adopted family and her friends. He drives his friend and manager to fear due to his ghosting of not only his club, but calls from his agent. Finally there is one last encounter with Hardin and his parents. This encounter leaves things in destructive panic and dangerous consequences.
It does lead Mac and Hardin to their final and very well deserved happy ever after.
There is so very very much that I’m skimming over not trying to drop spoilers or plot ruin. I need you all to read this book so I can openly book club it. So so much to unpack.
Mac is an utterly, heart grippingly, strong female who endures so much in her life. This is a person who deserves good things, all the time.
Hardin is that unicorn of a guy. He’s from a wealthy family, but he’s seen as a pawn or bargaining chip. His parents use him as a status symbol. Hardin has a heart of gold and a wealth of love that is just there. He loves hard when people look past all the wrapping and see HIM.
Ms. Bishop compares Hardin to Messi. A very successful, very famous, Argentinian soccer player who plays for Barcelona at club level. I’m not a Messi fan. Personal reasons. Not sure I like the guy as a person. To me, Hardin is Christian Pulisic....but with searing blue eyes instead of brown. And playing for a Premiere League team. (I’m a Pulisic fan