Head Over Heels by Serena Bell

3 Stars

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group, Loveswept

Date of publication: June 5th, 2018

Genre: Romance

Where you can find Head Over Heels: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

They thought they were wrong for each other. That was before she moved in. . . .

Chase: Take it from me, never hire your best friend to be your live-in nanny. Because it’s a lot easier to be friends with a woman who isn’t prancing around your house in yoga pants. As a newly full-time dad, I needed help fast. I knew she was good with kids. And I thought things between us were strictly platonic. Now, with Olivia Stratten crashing in my guest room and steaming up the bathroom with the scent of her shampoo, it’s getting harder and harder—no pun intended—to remember all the reasons we’re supposed to be incompatible.

Liv: When Chase Crayton asked me to watch his five-year-old daughter until he could find someone full-time, I was afraid we’d drive each other nuts. But with Chase’s job on the line, I couldn’t say no. What I didn’t anticipate was how combustible our chemistry would be in close quarters. Neither of us did. After all, we first met on a blind date, and by the end of it, we were laughing about how terrible we’d be as a couple. In the two years since, nothing ever happened between us, not even a kiss—not until last night. . . .

Head Over Heels is a standalone novel with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a satisfying happily ever after. 

My review:

I have read and reviewed books for Serena Bell before. She writes uncomplicated romance novels that resonate with her readers. Head Over Heels is not any different. This book was a quick read with a hot romance and memorable characters. But, for some reason, I didn’t get as into this book as I should have. It was because of the opposite attracts angle. I also couldn’t connect with Liv. Her commitment issues bothered me.

I liked that this book was a quick read. I have read a lot of books with heavier subjects, so to pick this one up and get lost in a romance was fantastic. I didn’t have to think too much when reading it. Again, another plus. That is also the main reason I read romances. Because they are usually lighter in subject and I don’t have to waste too much brain space on them.

The chemistry between Chase and Liv was hot. Which is why I was confused when it was made clear that they were incompatible. I mean, their chemistry was off the pages hot. I didn’t get it. Maybe it’s me (thinking that it is me….lol). Their sex scenes were on the same page too. Unbelievably hot. I got all flustered reading them. Like I have stated in other reviews, if my Kindle could have steamed up, it would have.

Like I mentioned above, the characters were memorable. Their backstories got to me. Chase being a manly outdoorsman with a 5-year old that he didn’t know about until almost a year after she was born. Liv, a nanny, being in foster care and having issues putting down roots because of that. The author did a great job of taking their backgrounds and creating characters that stood out in your minds.

Unfortunately, I could not connect with Liv. Her issues with commitment were awful and put a huge damper on her relationship with Chase. I started to get irritated with her when she couldn’t give Chase the commitment he wanted because they were different. It made me groan and think to myself “Should I skip to the ending. Because we know how it’s going to end“.

I did like Chase’s daughter. She reminded me of my 4-year-old. My 4-year-old doesn’t have a Frozen obsession, though. She has a Coco obsession. Her nightmares and meltdowns over her mother were heartbreaking. I wanted to cuddle her.

The end of Head Over Heels was cute. I loved that it ended well for everyone in the book.

What I liked about Head Over Heels:

A) Hot romance

B) Quick read

C) Memorable characters

What I disliked about Head Over Heels:

A) The opposites attract angle. Should have stayed with the besties become lovers

B) Liv. She had huge commitment issues and I couldn’t connect with her

C) Couldn’t get into the book

I would give Head Over Heels an Adult rating. There is explicit sex. There is language. There is no violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

There are no trigger warnings in Head Over Heels.

I am on the fence about rereading Head Over Heels. I am also on the fence about recommending it to friends and family. I would be open to reading other books by this author in the future.

I would live to thank Random House Publishing Group, Loveswept, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Head Over Heels.

All opinions stated in Head Over Heels are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**