Thrifted Hearts: A Romantic Comedy

by T. Atkins

Learning that letting go might be the first step to finding herself—and falling in love.

Anna Davenport has always lived her life according to a plan—her parents’ plan, to be exact. But when that world began to feel more like a cage than a dream, Anna made a bold decision; she walked away from the life everyone else had chosen for her and set out to build something real, something entirely her own.

What she didn’t expect to find was Noah Whitmore.

Noah Whitmore has spent his life trying to prove he’s more than just a last name. He’s done with his mother trying to set him up and is tired of superficial relationships. He’s now focused on doing something different. He just didn’t know what that something was until he ran into Anna.

But when Anna allows herself to reconnect with the past she left behind, all the secrets she has been avoiding begin to surface. And now Noah is left wondering whether the future he started to envision with Anna was based on truth or illusion.

Can love survive the weight of the past, or will the truth undo it all before it even begins?

Genres: Romance, Short Stories

94 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2025

About the author

T. Atkins' born in Charlotte, NC, began writing in the 3rd grade. Through her love of poetry and of all genres, ranging from horror, to drama, to romance, her passion for storytelling has led her to create her own stories. T. Atkins returned to school in October of 2016 and received a BA in Creative Writing and English in March of 2020. She has several works in progress, including poems, short stories, a memoir, and, of course, her duology Discontented Housewives series. T. Atkins still resides in her hometown of Charlotte, NC, with her boyfriend, two sons, and her 3-month-old Cavapoo, France. She now spends her time doing what she loves, giving voice to the characters of her supernatural and realistic fiction novels.

Reviews

[Leticia🌻 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5

Short and sweet, dual POV romance story featuring Anna and Noah. Anna is a volunteer at a thrift store where he meets Noah who is looking for an antique that was donated by mistake.
Both characters are working through their own struggles (expectations from family, toxic relationships, etc), makes it difficult to realize the feelings they have for each other.

Overall, the story is well-written and the secondary characters are funny. Will definitely be reading from T. Atkins.

Thank you Victoria Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[linda hole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a salute to new love, secind chances and new beginnings.. so cute. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

[Dhara ⁠✿⁠ ⁠♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a swoonworthy, light hearted read to make you believe in new beginnings and second chances 🫠🧡🦚

[Barbara Behring · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was an enjoyable short novella. I liked the main characters, Anna and Noah and their best friends also. there was a lot of insta love happening though, which is not one of my favorite tropes.

[toastie ʚ:ɞ · Rating 3 out of 5]

୨୧ Thrifted Hearts ୨୧
╰┈➤ [3.5 out of 5 ☆’s.]

❝𝐍𝐨𝐚𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫. 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐇𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚.❞

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review! :)

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝

This was so cute! I love a good little romance novella that gets straight to the heart of the story. I’m not a fan of drama being dragged on for an unnecessary amount of time — so novellas are perfect for me. I hope to read more of them soon!

Noah + Anna charmed me! Their relationship was so sweet & I loved watching it blossom while they were being the most authentic versions of themselves. I also enjoyed the thrift shop setting! Nicky made an impression on me even though we weren’t able to spend much time with her character.

I don’t want to spoil anything — so I’ll keep this bit brief — but I also enjoyed the side character romance that we received! I would love to read more about them!

The only moment that I wasn’t the biggest fan of was Noah + Carter being soo surprised that Anna invited Noah to a burger restaurant. That felt a little absurd to me? I’m not close with any extremely wealthy individuals, though, so it’s possible that that’s what they’re really like (and I’m just unaware).

I’m glad that there were no loose ends with this one! The threads were all pulled through and completed in a way that felt satisfying. If we get a sequel novella in the future, then I will absolutely be present for it! <3

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝

This was my first T. Atkins book, but I’m excited to read more of their work! This was a great introduction! :)

[Lizzie Marsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little cosy romance that will make you realise why you love romance books.

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for letting me read this book before publication!

Anna and Noah meet at a thrift store after Noah had found his Grandmother’s clock, donated to the thrift store Anna works at. The two develop a connection and realise that there is something more to it.


Quick little read. Fast paced.

✨ Wealthy families
✨ Meet-cute
✨ Romance
✨ Fast-paced
✨ Novella/short story


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Twisted Hearts is a quick, cozy read that delivers the charm of a full-length romance in novella form. Despite being only 94 pages, the story still feels complete, with well-drawn characters and a satisfying emotional storyline. It’s sweet, heartwarming, and enjoyable—perfect for when you want something light yet fulfilling!

Thank you to T. Adkins, Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Heather Breyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, sweet and short! I enjoyed this book and the storyline behind it. Looking forward to more by this author!! I recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet, short read!!

[Tiffani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrifted Hearts by T. Atkins
4.5 ⭐

Thank you to T. Atkins and NetGalley for the opportunity to Advanced Read Thrifted Hearts.

Wow! This story hooked me from the moment I read the description! In 94 pages Atkins manages to give the reader a full story with background, mystery and a defined ending without any major plot holes!

If you're looking for a quick read that makes you feel invested in the storyline then absolutely give Thrifted Hearts a read!!

[Elizabeth Raines · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t hate our characters, but I didn’t understand them. There was a lot of confusion about Anna and her intentions, and I didn’t like that she was faking being poor. Why couldn’t she be a rich girl with a trust fund who wanted to volunteer at the thrift store? I don’t understand why she had to hide a part of herself and couldn’t freely be herself. As for the male main character of Noah. He seems like a nice enough guy. It did get annoying to read about him, complaining about his life being rich. I do have empathy for these characters, as their parents are very controlling and have standards for them, that might not be attainable for the kid. It was just an eye roll to read. They seemed very out of touch. As for the relationship, I didn’t feel too much chemistry between them, but good for them. I’m happy for them that they found somebody that they like and understands them.

The atmosphere didn’t play a huge part in the story. I would have liked the thrift store to play more in the story. I’m somebody who loves thrifting and that is what drew me to this book. The cover of the book is even both characters at a thrift store sure that’s how they meet, but it didn’t play a huge role in the majority of the story. The writing was fine as well. I have no complaints about it. We did randomly get banter halfway into the book. I don’t understand why we got that when we hadn’t had that for the majority of the story and it felt kind of jolting for me.

The plot didn’t do a whole lot for me. As you can see this book didn’t do a whole lot for me. A lot of it was unrealistic. One example of that is Anna goes to a gala. She’s wearing a dress, has her hair done, has makeup on and truly believes that no one will recognize her. This isn’t Hannah Montana. That doesn’t happen in the real world. The third act break up was blown out of proportion, I don’t understand what lies there were. The full truth was just never said because it never came up. It honestly could have been cleared up by another sentence to their conversation. I understand that romance does have a formula to it and a lot of romance books have to have that third act break up.

I don’t think this was a bad book in any way, but it just wasn’t for me personally. This is also my first romance short story that I have read, take that into consideration, please. This isn’t one that I would recommend but reading is subjective and there is a book out there for everyone and every book isn’t going to work for you.

2.25 out of 5 stars.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noah's priceless grandmother's clock was donated by a vindictive ex girlfriend so he goes to the thrift shop expecting to hunt it down. What does actually find? A beautiful girl named Anna who devotes time to help him find this clock. Days later the clock turns up and she calls Noah who repays her by taking her to lunch. After that lunch things fall into place where both Anna and Noah like each other. They are two people from the same wealthy, suffocating lifestyle but don't know each other; however, they both want different lives for themselves. Anna loves to volunteer and wants to give back inspiring Noah to see the good in her and want her more. Eventually she finds out who he really is but then at a gala they both attend Anna's true wealthy identity comes out. Will Noah feel betrayed or still want something with her?

This was a cute, sweet novella and I really enjoyed it. I thought it was an interesting storyline and liked the concept. I just wished the ending wouldn't have been so quick to wrap up. I feel like it was missing something. Overall, I would recommend for a quick romance read!

Thanks to NetGalley, T. Atkins, and Victory Editing Group for allowing me to review this ARC!

[Tyneisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great short story from this author! I am a sucker for drama from the rich, and this one is full of it; in Thrifted Hearts you have a tale of 2 potential lovers at odds with the world they were born into. It was refreshing to see so much character development in the space of a few pages- I have read books 3 times the length of this one that never gave a feel for the characters, so I can appreciate the effort put forth by the author in that regard. I think what I love so much about T. Atkins' short romantic stories is the fact that I typically do not read romance at all, but I find myself so invested in the plot that I am disappointed when the story ends! Her books are light-hearted and fun, and a much-needed reprieve from the heavy novels that are usually on my TBR. In Thrifted Hearts the scenes were relatable, and I could easily visualize the emotions that were running high from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the lives of Anna, Noah, Jessie, Carter, and all the other characters in this vibrant and cozy short story and I will be anxiously awaiting the next release from this author!

[Haley Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this short story in exchange for an honest review!

Thrifted Hearts by T. Atkins is the kind of romance that feels like a warm cup of tea on a quiet afternoon. It is cozy, comforting, and left me smiling long after I finished it. I absolutely loved this story. It is a sweet and uplifting journey about finding yourself, embracing change, and opening up to love.

Anna Davenport’s decision to leave behind the life others chose for her was so empowering. Watching her grow into her own and figure out what truly matters was one of my favorite parts. Noah Whitmore was equally engaging. He is thoughtful, sincere, and searching for something deeper than what he has always known. Together, their connection felt real and genuine.

T. Atkins writes with warmth and clarity, creating characters that feel like people you could actually meet. The pacing was just right, and the setting added a cozy charm to the whole experience.

If you enjoy short romances that are cute, heartwarming, and full of personal growth, Thrifted Hearts is one to add to your list. I only wish it had been a little longer because I didn’t want it to end.

[Stacktheforest - Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I was absolutely blown away by what this cute novella managed to achieve in just 75 pages! I needed something short, sweet and funny to perk up my mood today and this was the perfect book. I adored the thrift shop setting, as a person who loves a good bargain, this was right up my alley.

Creating likeable and interesting characters with great chemistry in such a short amount of time is truly a feat of greatness. Anna and Noah were meant to be in every life! I really enjoyed this book and it only took me a few hours to read. If you’re looking for a light-hearted romcom then this is the book for you.

I’ll be keeping an eye out for more T Atkins romcoms in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.

[Beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐
This short story was so cute and heartwarming; the thrift store as a setting was so cool and innovative. I loved the characters and their values, even tho it was a short story, I liked the pace of the relationship. I found the dialogue between the fmc and the mmc's ex a bit immature, it was a lot like something the mean girl high schooler would say to the asocial girl, so I didn't like that aspect.
Overall it was a quick and beautiful story.

Thank you T. Atkins and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC.

[Tiffany (areyoutellingstories) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet romance novella! This was a sweet and easy read without dragging out the drama of will they won't they. I liked that Anna pushed Noah to better himself and not continue to go with the flow of his family's wished.

[BlueRidgeReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet novella. What can I say? I love a meet cute and I love a thrift store! This is definitely the kind of story you can read in one sitting with a warm mug of hot cocoa. I enjoyed the character development between our main characters. I’d love to see another story featuring the side characters as well!

Thank you T. Atkins and NetGalley for the ARC!

[carolina · Rating 3 out of 5]

arc

[Vivacious · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, easy read with likeable main characters and a satisfying length --- it doesn’t drag or otherwise overstay its welcome.

While the tropeyness didn’t work for me (I’m still waiting for a romance where the women aren’t the villains), the story’s charm pulled me through. The climax underwhelmed me, but overall, Thrifted Hearts is a highly readable novella, a perfect companion for a cosy afternoon.

I’m still figuring out what kind of romance really speaks to me, and this was not an unpleasant step along the way.

Thank you to T. Atkins, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for an advance review copy of this book.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thrifted Hearts is T. Atkins’ romance novella. There are no sex scenes or profanity, but there are a few suggestive sexual references which sweet/clean readers might find offensive.

Anna Davenport is a wealthy and beautiful young woman who is trying to live a more meaningful life than that of a society heiress. She used to play the piano but now volunteers at a thrift store a few days per week. After she and her longtime boyfriend, Ian, broke up, their country club friends took his side. Her mother is only concerned about Anna’s marital prospects, while her father is a reasonable and kind person. Anna is thrilled when her best friend, Jessie, returns from a six-year trip abroad.

Noah Whitmore is a wealthy young man who is ready to get out from under the shadow of his family name. He recently broke up with his longtime girlfriend, Taylor, and his overbearing mother is already trying to set him up with a suitable girlfriend. Noah is upset when he discovers that Taylor donated his beloved late grandmother’s clock to a charity as revenge when she moved out of their apartment. He visits a local thrift store and speaks to an attractive young woman named Anna. Anna is different from the other young women in his social circle at the country club and he is intrigued by her.

Noah’s family is sponsoring a charity ball, and his mother is obsessed about who he plans to take as his date. It seems presumptuous to me to invite someone to a formal event only 10 days in advance; yet his mother is suggesting women for him to consider as potential dates so close to the event. Noah keeps thinking about Anna, but he’s worried about her fitting into his world, which he’s trying to ease out of.

Thrifted Hearts feels like the first work of a new author and really needs some additional editing before being released. This story is a novella, which is reported to be more difficult to write than a full-length story. However the characters of Anna and Noah are just not very fleshed out. Their ages, education, and area where they live are not mentioned. It appears that neither has a job and both are financially supported by their wealthy parents. While Anna spends some of her time performing volunteer work in her community, there is no indication of how Noah spends his time other than going to the country club.

On the positive side, this is a sweet romance with likeable and engaging characters. Jessie and Carter add humor to the story, and Taylor is a well-written villain. Overall, the story has good pacing. I recommend that the author correct the grammatical errors prior to publishing this story.

I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Delightfully Thrifty Romance That Won't Break Your Heart (Or Your Wallet)

Well, well, well. T. Atkins has delivered a bite-sized romance that goes down smoother than a milkshake-dipped french fry (more on that controversial topic later, don't worry).
"Thrifted Hearts" is the literary equivalent of finding a designer jacket at Goodwill for $3.99 – compact, surprisingly well-made, and leaving you with that "I can't believe I got this for so little" feeling. This novella is shorter than my attention span during Zoom meetings, which means I actually finished it in one sitting. Revolutionary!

Anna and Noah are the kind of characters you'd want to double-date with, assuming you could keep up with their banter and didn't mind being the less attractive couple. Their friend group has that perfect "we've been through high school together and somehow still like each other" energy that makes you nostalgic for friendships where roasting each other is a love language.

BUT HOLD UP. Can we talk about Carter's burger joint meltdown? My dude acted like Noah suggested they dine at a gas station hot dog roller. Newsflash, Carter: even Jeff Bezos probably hits up Five Guys sometimes. Rich people eat burgers too! They just Instagram them more pretentiously.
And don't even get me started on the Great French Fry Scandal of Chapter Whatever. Carter's shock at fry-in-milkshake action had me rolling my eyes so hard I nearly detached a retina. Sir, this is not some forbidden culinary dark magic – it's basically a sweet and salty combo that's been around since drive-ins were invented. Wendy's literally built a Frosty empire on this concept!

Despite Carter's apparently sheltered fast-food existence, this book is a delightful little treat. T. Atkins writes with the kind of warmth that makes you want to curl up with hot chocolate and text your friends embarrassing memes. It's my first rodeo with this author, but definitely not my last – they've officially earned a spot on my "maybe pile" which is basically the literary equivalent of being added to someone's Netflix watchlist (high honor, questionable follow-through).

The Verdict: Perfect for when you want romance without the commitment of a 400-page emotional marathon. Quick, cute, and only slightly marred by one character's bizarre unfamiliarity with basic American food culture.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC – always appreciated when I can judge books before they're officially ready to be judged!

Recommended for: Anyone who likes their romance short and sweet, people who understand that fries + milkshake = perfection, and readers who aren't Carter.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I really liked reading a romance story in such a small package; it was satisfying to munch it up in one sitting. This novella follows Anna and Noah through dual POV. Anna is the modern-day heiress to a rich family but doesn't like the expectations her parents and the local "society" members have of her. She's been volunteering at a thrift shop for the past three years, trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life. Noah, also son of a wealthy family, has just left a relationship when he meets Anna on a chance encounter. The two of them connect, but we have to know: Are their worldviews a match, despite their similar upbringings?

The author puts an impressive amount of story into this short novella. It was a fresh take on the "rich MMC, poor FMC" because in reality, Anna was not poor (even though Noah didn't know). I enjoyed seeing Anna and Noah navigate the same world in different ways, and the tension really came from whether they could achieve happiness together, not "will his family accept her" etc. I think the story could have benefitted from either a bit less complexity, though, or a longer word count to really let the characters shine. The romance began before I even had a chance to connect with the characters, and it made the insta-love a bit less believable. Still, by the end, I was very happy to see these two get their HEA.

Thank you to the author and to Netgalley for the ARC!

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrifted Hearts by T. Atkins is a sweet, cozy novella about second chances, new beginnings, and finding unexpected connections in the most ordinary of places. Set around the charm of a thrift shop, the story follows characters brought together by shared treasures, personal histories, and the quiet magic of items that carry stories of their own. Though short in length, it captures themes of healing, hope, and the simple joy of discovering love where you least expect it.

⸻

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author T. Atkins for the opportunity to read Thrifted Hearts in exchange for my honest review.

This novella was an enjoyable, heartwarming read that left me smiling. I really liked the atmosphere—it had that comforting “small-moment” charm that makes novellas so easy to sink into. The characters were likable, and the thrift shop setting added a lovely, unique touch.

That said, I did find myself wishing there had been just a bit more happening. Because of the shorter format, some plot points felt a little under-developed, and I would have loved to linger longer with the characters and see their relationships unfold more fully. Still, that’s often the challenge with novellas—you only get a snapshot, and I enjoyed the one I was given.

Overall, Thrifted Hearts is a sweet and cozy story, perfect for when you want something light, uplifting, and easy to read in a single sitting.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

[Lisi Bee (Beth) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anna and Noah have a bit of a meet-cute at the thrift store where Anna works. Little do they both know that they're just two super-rich kids who simply want to exist and fall in love like a couple of normies but instead they're pressured by their families to conform to the demands of high society. This is a quick and sweet novella with insta-attraction and predominant themes of coming to terms with who you really are and what you want in life. It was cute enough but there's not really all that much that's new here. Both have wise-cracking best friends who support and love them both, which was a nice sub-plot. Anna and Noah were likable, even though there were definitely classist preconceived ideas on Noah's part. Honestly, I think I liked Anna more than Noah but they were sweet together. This is a low-steam romance with an HEA, and a great way to spend an evening. :) 3.5 stars overall. One last thing: why on earth didn't Noah press charges against his ex for the clock's disappearance? I sure would have, but I guess I just don't understand how the rich do things lol. Thank you to NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[Vrinda's Book Nook · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a cute little novella, and a quick romance read. But overall, I found it a bit too cheesy and cliche for my taste. The character's were very one-note in their motivation to simply be something beyond their rich social status and family legacy. Their personality, connection and conversations didn't have much substance beyond that.

The FMC has been trying to find a sense of purpose in life by volunteering at a thrift shop for 3 years, but her character doesn't reflect any depth or growth from that time period. Everyone around her also seems to behave and act as if she's been working there for 3 months, not 3 years. The romance itself worked out a little too conveniently, with respect to both being from upper class rich families, and the ending was a typical type of dramatic in terms of the conflict.

I know it's a novella with a limited story arc, and I love a quick story. But I do think there was scope for it to have some more substance in the dialogue and story line.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complementary e-arc of this story. All opinions expressed here are my own.

[midnightreads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt like the beginning stages of a full length novel. A detailed outline. But pretty much everything needed to be fleshed out more. The characters felt just like that, characters playing a role rather than real people. The dialogue was mostly awkward and straightforward, with many of the characters having quirky one-liners that basically tell us how we should be reacting. The main characters have almost no personality and definitely no goals or life outside of this whole thrifting thing. Anna has been volunteering for the thrift shop for three years but her family and friends behave as if it's been three months, it sounded like it was as new to them as it was to us. For such a book, it sure is repetitive too. It felt like we were hearing the same thing over and over and over. And lastly, there was almost no narration, no reflection, no thoughts. It almost reads more like a script or, as mentioned before, a detailed outline. I think it's a good premise but needed a more fleshed out, and maybe longer, execution.

[Erica Keller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thrifted Hearts by T. Atkins is a sweet, fast-paced romance that begins in the most charming of places—a thrift store. Noah is searching for a sentimental heirloom, a clock his ex-girlfriend spitefully donated. His quest leads him to Anna, an employee with a privileged past she’s trying to distance herself from. What unfolds is a “from opposite worlds” story with a twist: maybe they’re not so different after all.

The setup was compelling, and the chemistry between Noah and Anna brought a lighthearted, flirtatious energy that made their early interactions shine. I especially enjoyed the “will-they-won’t-they” dynamic in the first half. However, after the dance scene, the pacing felt rushed and the central conflict didn’t fully land for me. The resolution, while heartwarming, seemed a bit too big for such a short format.

That said, this novella still delivers a cozy, enjoyable read with likable characters and a unique setting. It’s perfect for readers looking for a bite-sized romance with just enough spark to warm your heart.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

[Treena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella had a lot of potential. I liked the cozy thrift store setting, and it could’ve been such a cute comfort read. But the pacing was a bit slow (in my opinion), the writing felt a little juvenile at times and I struggled to feel any real chemistry between the characters.
Anna’s constant back and forth got frustrating and the main conflict didn’t feel necessary. Their meet cute at the beginning was literally just Noah asking for help at the thrift store, Anna leading him to the antique section, and saying, “maybe it’s in the back—leave your number at the front.” Like… nice? But he thought she worked there, so wasn’t she just doing her job? It just didn't feel like the big meaningful moment the rest of the story treated it as.
In the end though, it’s a chill, low stakes romance that might work for some people. It just didn’t do a lot for me.

[Rachael Asdell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for sharing this arc with me. I had a great time.

We have two characters looking for a change of pace in their lives, both coming from wealthy families. Noah meets our FMC Anna while she is volunteering and assumes she is a woman of a lower financial status. He enjoys doing normal things and surrounding himself with different people trying to impress her.

My one complaint about this books is our FMC wants ti experience life without her parents money. I kept wondering what she was doing without a job and how she was able to spend so much time working for free. As someone who lives almost paycheck to paycheck it was hard to like her even though she was doing good things because she was still being funded by her family’s money.

It was a cute novella. I did enjoy most of it. The side characters were fun. I just had a hard time believing our heroine’s journey.

[Taylor Doran]

This novella starts with a meet cute at a thrift store between a volunteer and a man whose ex girlfriend donated a prized heirloom in a petty fit of rage. I love getting right to the point of a story and being able to start and finish in one sitting.

If you're in the mood for a cheesy, Hallmark story, this might be for you! There's not a ton of conflict except for a couple mean girl antics, so this is perfect for a happy, sweet short story.

We only got to be surface level with the characters since it was such a short book and it wasn't incredibly memorable. There is no spice to language.

What I didn't like: The mean girl was named Taylor and she was the worst. Have you ever read a book with a character that has the same name as you?

3 stars