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Hart's Landing #1
Hart's Landing
Four friends made a promise to live one night like it was their last.
That night changed everything.
Ten years ago, Mila Ferguson left behind a devastating fire, a stolen kiss, and a shattered circle of friends in her hometown of Hart’s Landing. But when a crisis brings her back, Mila just wants to get in and get out, unscathed by her mother’s constant criticism and unseen by her former crush, Everett McKean.
Only … Everett is everywhere. The town’s attractive, beloved mayor has resisted settling down, but he’s never stopped wondering about Mila. Having her back in Hart’s Landing is the second chance he didn’t know he was waiting for—and he’s not about to waste it.
As Mila slowly opens her heart to Everett and begins to rebuild her fractured friendships, she wonders if coming home was exactly what she needed. But old wounds threaten to open again when questions emerge about what really happened the night Mila left. Who’s really responsible for the fire that destroyed the bakery? And will knowing the truth free Mila from the past, or ignite a blaze that burns down the future she’s trying to build?
People say you can never truly come home again, but sometimes coming home isn’t about where you’ve been. It’s about who you’re brave enough to become.
Sexy, heartfelt, and steeped in small-town charm, Hart’s Landing is a story of forgiveness, friendship, and finding the family who loves you no matter how far you wander.
That night changed everything.
Ten years ago, Mila Ferguson left behind a devastating fire, a stolen kiss, and a shattered circle of friends in her hometown of Hart’s Landing. But when a crisis brings her back, Mila just wants to get in and get out, unscathed by her mother’s constant criticism and unseen by her former crush, Everett McKean.
Only … Everett is everywhere. The town’s attractive, beloved mayor has resisted settling down, but he’s never stopped wondering about Mila. Having her back in Hart’s Landing is the second chance he didn’t know he was waiting for—and he’s not about to waste it.
As Mila slowly opens her heart to Everett and begins to rebuild her fractured friendships, she wonders if coming home was exactly what she needed. But old wounds threaten to open again when questions emerge about what really happened the night Mila left. Who’s really responsible for the fire that destroyed the bakery? And will knowing the truth free Mila from the past, or ignite a blaze that burns down the future she’s trying to build?
People say you can never truly come home again, but sometimes coming home isn’t about where you’ve been. It’s about who you’re brave enough to become.
Sexy, heartfelt, and steeped in small-town charm, Hart’s Landing is a story of forgiveness, friendship, and finding the family who loves you no matter how far you wander.
427 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2026
About the author
Melanie Harlow
86 books21.1k followersUSA Today bestselling author of sweet and sexy romance. Lover of cocktails, high heels, and history with the naughty bits left in. Michigan girl. INTJ. Always seeking ginspiration...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,235 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
✰ 3.5 stars ✰
As a people pleaser who carried a tremendous weight of guilt over That Night of unfortunate events a decade ago, 28yo Mila Ferguson's emotions were so very relatable. 🥺 Her desire for unconditional love, her sadness over the loss of her friendships, there was never anything dishonest about her feelings, which I liked, even when it came to rekindling the flames she felt for one of her best friend's older brother, Mayor of Hart's Landing Everett McKean, the thirty-year-old cherry farmer farmer, a college dropout with zero political experience, but who never truly forgot about her. 🍒
Everett was a dish - served to perfection. He was exactly what Mila needed - the sexy friend with benefits, the kind shoulder to lean on, the joy and comfort. He was so understanding of Mila's insecurities, doubts of her own talent as a freelance botanical illustrator, that he had me smitten on sight. Where can I find my own Everett, who loves and trusts so wholeheartedly? 😭 Who falls first, but never pushes and just gives you the space to breathe, without asking for anything in return, except are you okay? 🫠
“I want to respect you and ruin you at the same time.”
Since Mila charmed Everett by tying her cherry so very sexily, he saw only her. And their romance unfolded in a very sweet and earnest and wanting way. 💕💕 Like coming home to a love that had always been yours, but circumstances kept them apart. It was believable and affectionate and genuine, with sincerity and desire . Surely no two people have ever fit together so exquisitely. Everett was determined to show Mila that she was so very worthy of being loved - that he treated her so gently, but with such open longing. 🥰
The door is also wide open here, folks. Heat and greed. Hunger and demand whenever and wherever else these two can get their hands on each other. ❤️🔥❤️🔥 Y'know, making up for lost and stolen time. Everett was a man as good as he gave; Mila certainly had nothing to complain about. 🫦 And for all that she feels so inadequate about herself, he was the perfect man to show her how perfect she truly is. 🥹
“You’ve always been my missing piece, Freckles.”
The writing was refreshing, portraying Mila's six weeks taking care of her mother well-spent, in also helping both of them overcome their personal hurdles and face challenges and growth in a positive light. It was not quite repetitive, but at one point I did take a break, because I was feeling stressed and annoyed about a few things that dampened my overall appreciation. 😕 It's pretty cover was definitely what drew me to it; so I'm totally unfamiliar with the author's previous works.
I thought this would be a stand-alone; but the way the supporting cast was being portrayed, with certain hints suggesting that there was potential for future relationships to be explored, I found my attention distracted by those various interactions. 😮💨 I know, life is more than just the romance of two, but I would have liked it if there had been no possibility otherwise.
Maybe I'm reaching, or maybe this is how the author rolls with potential series introduced, but I just was not interested. 🤷🏻♀️ Also, as quirky as it was that captured the wholesome small town vibes of familiarity and camaraderie, I really wasn't a fan of the Landing Pad, interactive gossip chat group ie news gazette, that kept the community updated with all the latest gossip and news.
“For God’s sake, I was giving you a compliment, Mila. But I guess I can’t do anything right.”
Mila's mom, Eliza, really took an emotional toll on the story. Her self-deprecating comments directed towards Mila really were hurtful and painful, especially since she really showed no sign of ever changing her tune concerning her daughter, constantly playing the guilt trip to sway Mila's own choices. 😢 And aside from the many truths revealed concerning that fateful night ten years ago, Mila's breakthrough with her mother's own domineering control, if not failed expectations, was certainly a much-deserved highlight for me. 👌🏻
I cheered and agreed with how she braved each storm - through the tears and rejection - as a woman who finally found a heart and place with that someone could actually love me for me, who appreciated her with all his heart. 🫂 I know it's a long haul for the hurt to entirely go away, but the new beginnings and reformed friendships she found upon her return made up for the wounds that would slowly but surely heal. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
“He kisses me, and it’s sweet and romantic. It’s hopes and dreams and promises.”
As a people pleaser who carried a tremendous weight of guilt over That Night of unfortunate events a decade ago, 28yo Mila Ferguson's emotions were so very relatable. 🥺 Her desire for unconditional love, her sadness over the loss of her friendships, there was never anything dishonest about her feelings, which I liked, even when it came to rekindling the flames she felt for one of her best friend's older brother, Mayor of Hart's Landing Everett McKean, the thirty-year-old cherry farmer farmer, a college dropout with zero political experience, but who never truly forgot about her. 🍒
Everett was a dish - served to perfection. He was exactly what Mila needed - the sexy friend with benefits, the kind shoulder to lean on, the joy and comfort. He was so understanding of Mila's insecurities, doubts of her own talent as a freelance botanical illustrator, that he had me smitten on sight. Where can I find my own Everett, who loves and trusts so wholeheartedly? 😭 Who falls first, but never pushes and just gives you the space to breathe, without asking for anything in return, except are you okay? 🫠
“I want to respect you and ruin you at the same time.”
Since Mila charmed Everett by tying her cherry so very sexily, he saw only her. And their romance unfolded in a very sweet and earnest and wanting way. 💕💕 Like coming home to a love that had always been yours, but circumstances kept them apart. It was believable and affectionate and genuine, with sincerity and desire . Surely no two people have ever fit together so exquisitely. Everett was determined to show Mila that she was so very worthy of being loved - that he treated her so gently, but with such open longing. 🥰
The door is also wide open here, folks. Heat and greed. Hunger and demand whenever and wherever else these two can get their hands on each other. ❤️🔥❤️🔥 Y'know, making up for lost and stolen time. Everett was a man as good as he gave; Mila certainly had nothing to complain about. 🫦 And for all that she feels so inadequate about herself, he was the perfect man to show her how perfect she truly is. 🥹
“You’ve always been my missing piece, Freckles.”
The writing was refreshing, portraying Mila's six weeks taking care of her mother well-spent, in also helping both of them overcome their personal hurdles and face challenges and growth in a positive light. It was not quite repetitive, but at one point I did take a break, because I was feeling stressed and annoyed about a few things that dampened my overall appreciation. 😕 It's pretty cover was definitely what drew me to it; so I'm totally unfamiliar with the author's previous works.
I thought this would be a stand-alone; but the way the supporting cast was being portrayed, with certain hints suggesting that there was potential for future relationships to be explored, I found my attention distracted by those various interactions. 😮💨 I know, life is more than just the romance of two, but I would have liked it if there had been no possibility otherwise.
Maybe I'm reaching, or maybe this is how the author rolls with potential series introduced, but I just was not interested. 🤷🏻♀️ Also, as quirky as it was that captured the wholesome small town vibes of familiarity and camaraderie, I really wasn't a fan of the Landing Pad, interactive gossip chat group ie news gazette, that kept the community updated with all the latest gossip and news.
“For God’s sake, I was giving you a compliment, Mila. But I guess I can’t do anything right.”
Mila's mom, Eliza, really took an emotional toll on the story. Her self-deprecating comments directed towards Mila really were hurtful and painful, especially since she really showed no sign of ever changing her tune concerning her daughter, constantly playing the guilt trip to sway Mila's own choices. 😢 And aside from the many truths revealed concerning that fateful night ten years ago, Mila's breakthrough with her mother's own domineering control, if not failed expectations, was certainly a much-deserved highlight for me. 👌🏻
I cheered and agreed with how she braved each storm - through the tears and rejection - as a woman who finally found a heart and place with that someone could actually love me for me, who appreciated her with all his heart. 🫂 I know it's a long haul for the hurt to entirely go away, but the new beginnings and reformed friendships she found upon her return made up for the wounds that would slowly but surely heal. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
May 15, 2026
My last few reads, although enjoyable, leaned heavier emotionally, so I found myself wanting a bit of a breather before diving into the next intense read. That’s how I ended up picking up Hart’s Landing by Melanie Harlow, and I’m glad I did.
This second-chance small-town romance follows Mila, who returns to the hometown she fled years earlier after a devastating fire and fractured friendships changed the course of her life. Her plan is simple: help care for her relentlessly critical mother, keep her head down, and avoid revisiting old wounds. Naturally, that plan becomes far more complicated when she runs into her former crush, Everett, who has somehow gotten even more gorgeous over the years.
What really worked for me here was the balance between emotional depth and readability. The characters feel relatable and well-rounded, carrying believable emotional baggage without becoming overwhelming. Mila’s personal growth was especially satisfying to watch unfold as she confronted old pain, reassessed long-held assumptions, and began moving toward healing.
Harlow’s writing style is conversational, contemporary, emotionally direct without becoming heavy, and incredibly easy to sink into. The pacing moves quickly, the chemistry between Mila and Everett is genuinely steamy, and the dual POV adds welcome insight into both characters’ emotional journeys.
I also appreciated that this is a romance where the adults actually behave like adults. There are complications, disagreements, and emotional history to work through, but the relationship development feels grounded in communication and maturity, which made the romance all the more satisfying.
Fans of authors like Kristan Higgins and Devney Perry will likely find plenty to enjoy here. If you’re looking for a heartfelt, steamy small-town second-chance romance with strong character growth and emotional warmth, Hart’s Landing is absolutely worth picking up.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓— emotionally warm, steamy, and impossible not to love
Let's Discuss:
Do you enjoy second-chance romances?
I read a digital copy made available by Entangled Publishing through NetGalley, and this review reflects my honest opinion.
📚 More book reviews and bookish content:
This second-chance small-town romance follows Mila, who returns to the hometown she fled years earlier after a devastating fire and fractured friendships changed the course of her life. Her plan is simple: help care for her relentlessly critical mother, keep her head down, and avoid revisiting old wounds. Naturally, that plan becomes far more complicated when she runs into her former crush, Everett, who has somehow gotten even more gorgeous over the years.
What really worked for me here was the balance between emotional depth and readability. The characters feel relatable and well-rounded, carrying believable emotional baggage without becoming overwhelming. Mila’s personal growth was especially satisfying to watch unfold as she confronted old pain, reassessed long-held assumptions, and began moving toward healing.
Harlow’s writing style is conversational, contemporary, emotionally direct without becoming heavy, and incredibly easy to sink into. The pacing moves quickly, the chemistry between Mila and Everett is genuinely steamy, and the dual POV adds welcome insight into both characters’ emotional journeys.
I also appreciated that this is a romance where the adults actually behave like adults. There are complications, disagreements, and emotional history to work through, but the relationship development feels grounded in communication and maturity, which made the romance all the more satisfying.
Fans of authors like Kristan Higgins and Devney Perry will likely find plenty to enjoy here. If you’re looking for a heartfelt, steamy small-town second-chance romance with strong character growth and emotional warmth, Hart’s Landing is absolutely worth picking up.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓— emotionally warm, steamy, and impossible not to love
Let's Discuss:
Do you enjoy second-chance romances?
I read a digital copy made available by Entangled Publishing through NetGalley, and this review reflects my honest opinion.
📚 More book reviews and bookish content:
May 10, 2026
3.5/5 ⭐️ the beginning was very promising, but by the 60% mark, it felt like pulling teeth 😬 there was just nothing to hold onto. the romance had kind of progressed as far as it could’ve, the mystery fell flat, and the issues with her mom got really repetitive. unfortunately I think my least fave from melanie… ever 🫨
July 8, 2026
Get you a man who gives you his sweater without even asking
And who sends you food when he knows you haven’t eaten 🥹🫶
Gah… I just love MH’s books (I’m a little skeptical about the next one 😑 but I’ll explain 🤣).
The book opens up by showing us Lydia’s POV ☹️. Lydia passed away from leukemia. She and four other girls made a pack- do something to challenge yourself 🫶. Lydia watched the girls talking and hopes that they always keep in touch ❤️.
Mila’s (18) challenge is to kiss Everett (20), Gabi’s older brother 👀. When she does this though, the bakery she’s working at (owned by Everett’s family) goes up in flames 😭 effectively ruining the mood and making Mila leave town sooner than she expected. Because she looks like the bad guy, she goes to college and doesn’t come back 😬.
10 years pass- Mila’s (28) mom is getting surgery and she needs her to come back to town to help her. After coming back to town now that she’s newly divorced, she’s feeling some type of way 😅.
And then she encounters Everett (30) again after she takes the parking spot saved for the mayor- which is him 😅🤣. The chemistry explodes between them 👀. In those ten years, they still thought of each other 👀.
And although Mila doesn’t wanna get into any kind of relationship, Everett’s gonna show her that it wouldn’t be a BAD idea if they MAYBE did more than just pinky-hold hands 👀
And boy… is he convincing 😉.
What I loved:
— the tension and buildup 👀. I love how easy it is for them to talk to each other ❤️. They open up so easily and seamlessly that it’s almost as if no time has passed. Annnnnnndddd… their chemistry??? 😮💨 like. Mila. Come on girl 💁🏻♀️
— the 🔥. Their first kiss happens at about 26% and it was 🥵. It had been TEN years in the making people 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. At about 50% he shows how just how “dark” he can with his hands and mouth 🥵 and then it’s booooowww chicka bow wooooow
And then it’s booooowww chicka bow wooooow
And then right after it’s booooowww chicka bow wooooow🔥🔥🔥💦💦💦
DAAAAYUUMMM Everett 😉
— I can always appreciate a man that knows how to use his mouth 😉
— sneaking out to see each other 👀. I remember those days 😉🔥
— the group chats!!! Bahaha the axe group chat was my favorite 🤣🤣🤣🤣
— baby goats? Come on!!!! Lol soooo cute
— and pets as well ❤️
— how protective and thoughtful Everett is 🥹. This man stands up for Mila and lets her know what’s what 🤷🏻♀️. Since Mila doesn’t stand up to her mother, Everett gives her the confidence she needs to do it 👏🏻. Plus. He’s all about protecting her peace 🫶🫶🫶
— number between 68 and 70 🤣🤣🤣
— Friends and Julia Robert’s movies 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 yaaaassss!! I can watch Friends reruns ALLLL THE TIMEEEEE 🤣🤣🤣🤣
— taking the crown, giving Everett her orchids, and standing up to her mom were some of my favorite scenes 👏🏻
— the epilogues ❤️ (the bonus one on her website was so cute 🥹)
— that Everett wasn’t a man hooooooo 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 phew. I can’t believe I have to make this a bullet 🤣🤣🤣. I love they they didn’t need to use anything cause they’re clean and it’s been a looooong time for him 💁🏻♀️
— Ripley and Yasmine cracked me up… but…
What I didn’t like/wanted more of:
— more (later in life) epilogues 😭
— her narcissistic mom 🤬🤬🤬
— it seems like the next book will be Ripley and Yasmine, but I just hope he’s not such a loosey goosey as it kind of seems 😒 just because Yasmine’s so busy running a business, I bet she doesn’t get out much 😒🙄. Hopefully this isn’t the case
Overall, I loved it 🫶
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd/omd
-child abuse recounted/flashback
-abusive father/alcoholic
-narcissistic mother
-no condoms/both clean/shes on bc
-HEA/epilogues/months later/bonus epilogue is their wedding
And who sends you food when he knows you haven’t eaten 🥹🫶
Gah… I just love MH’s books (I’m a little skeptical about the next one 😑 but I’ll explain 🤣).
The book opens up by showing us Lydia’s POV ☹️. Lydia passed away from leukemia. She and four other girls made a pack- do something to challenge yourself 🫶. Lydia watched the girls talking and hopes that they always keep in touch ❤️.
Mila’s (18) challenge is to kiss Everett (20), Gabi’s older brother 👀. When she does this though, the bakery she’s working at (owned by Everett’s family) goes up in flames 😭 effectively ruining the mood and making Mila leave town sooner than she expected. Because she looks like the bad guy, she goes to college and doesn’t come back 😬.
10 years pass- Mila’s (28) mom is getting surgery and she needs her to come back to town to help her. After coming back to town now that she’s newly divorced, she’s feeling some type of way 😅.
And then she encounters Everett (30) again after she takes the parking spot saved for the mayor- which is him 😅🤣. The chemistry explodes between them 👀. In those ten years, they still thought of each other 👀.
And although Mila doesn’t wanna get into any kind of relationship, Everett’s gonna show her that it wouldn’t be a BAD idea if they MAYBE did more than just pinky-hold hands 👀
And boy… is he convincing 😉.
What I loved:
— the tension and buildup 👀. I love how easy it is for them to talk to each other ❤️. They open up so easily and seamlessly that it’s almost as if no time has passed. Annnnnnndddd… their chemistry??? 😮💨 like. Mila. Come on girl 💁🏻♀️
— the 🔥. Their first kiss happens at about 26% and it was 🥵. It had been TEN years in the making people 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. At about 50% he shows how just how “dark” he can with his hands and mouth 🥵 and then it’s booooowww chicka bow wooooow
And then it’s booooowww chicka bow wooooow
And then right after it’s booooowww chicka bow wooooow🔥🔥🔥💦💦💦
DAAAAYUUMMM Everett 😉
— I can always appreciate a man that knows how to use his mouth 😉
— sneaking out to see each other 👀. I remember those days 😉🔥
— the group chats!!! Bahaha the axe group chat was my favorite 🤣🤣🤣🤣
— baby goats? Come on!!!! Lol soooo cute
— and pets as well ❤️
— how protective and thoughtful Everett is 🥹. This man stands up for Mila and lets her know what’s what 🤷🏻♀️. Since Mila doesn’t stand up to her mother, Everett gives her the confidence she needs to do it 👏🏻. Plus. He’s all about protecting her peace 🫶🫶🫶
— number between 68 and 70 🤣🤣🤣
— Friends and Julia Robert’s movies 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 yaaaassss!! I can watch Friends reruns ALLLL THE TIMEEEEE 🤣🤣🤣🤣
— taking the crown, giving Everett her orchids, and standing up to her mom were some of my favorite scenes 👏🏻
— the epilogues ❤️ (the bonus one on her website was so cute 🥹)
— that Everett wasn’t a man hooooooo 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 phew. I can’t believe I have to make this a bullet 🤣🤣🤣. I love they they didn’t need to use anything cause they’re clean and it’s been a looooong time for him 💁🏻♀️
— Ripley and Yasmine cracked me up… but…
What I didn’t like/wanted more of:
— more (later in life) epilogues 😭
— her narcissistic mom 🤬🤬🤬
— it seems like the next book will be Ripley and Yasmine, but I just hope he’s not such a loosey goosey as it kind of seems 😒 just because Yasmine’s so busy running a business, I bet she doesn’t get out much 😒🙄. Hopefully this isn’t the case
Overall, I loved it 🫶
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd/omd
-child abuse recounted/flashback
-abusive father/alcoholic
-narcissistic mother
-no condoms/both clean/shes on bc
-HEA/epilogues/months later/bonus epilogue is their wedding
May 21, 2026
2.75⭐️ rounded up
What a lovely, sweet beginning, and absolutely nothing else. Sigh
I fear we have officially reached the publishing industry's peak "fast fashion." We had the tropes and the striking cover and the beautiful fanart and heavy-handed marketing tactics, but we didn't have a real story. The main couple was together and in love 30% of the way in—what else was left? You can't convince me this earned its FOUR HUNDRED pages and nearly three hours of my time. It genuinely would've worked much better as a novella. One of the biggest problems is that I already know everything there is to know—I was confident of Everett and Mila's journeys 10% in, their hurdles to overcome were so obvious and predictable that they could've been a checklist. I already know all the main couples for the rest of the series, and not one of them interests me in the slightest. The most fascinating character was literally dead(I know that's awful, but it's true). If I hadn't received this book as an ARC, there is a high likelihood I would've DNFed it.
I want to say that I'd recommend this to people who'd like to get into the romance genre, but I fear it's so bland that it might just turn them off from reading entirely. Mila was just so quirky as an FMC, being a divorced botanical illustrator, but dear lord, I was boredddddd reading about her. Everett never had any personality to begin with, other than being a frat boy turned mayor? Ok? I really love getting Entangled books in the mail, but I've been really disappointed with their stock lately :(
Thank you to Entangled Publishing for providing me with an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a lovely, sweet beginning, and absolutely nothing else. Sigh
I fear we have officially reached the publishing industry's peak "fast fashion." We had the tropes and the striking cover and the beautiful fanart and heavy-handed marketing tactics, but we didn't have a real story. The main couple was together and in love 30% of the way in—what else was left? You can't convince me this earned its FOUR HUNDRED pages and nearly three hours of my time. It genuinely would've worked much better as a novella. One of the biggest problems is that I already know everything there is to know—I was confident of Everett and Mila's journeys 10% in, their hurdles to overcome were so obvious and predictable that they could've been a checklist. I already know all the main couples for the rest of the series, and not one of them interests me in the slightest. The most fascinating character was literally dead(I know that's awful, but it's true). If I hadn't received this book as an ARC, there is a high likelihood I would've DNFed it.
I want to say that I'd recommend this to people who'd like to get into the romance genre, but I fear it's so bland that it might just turn them off from reading entirely. Mila was just so quirky as an FMC, being a divorced botanical illustrator, but dear lord, I was boredddddd reading about her. Everett never had any personality to begin with, other than being a frat boy turned mayor? Ok? I really love getting Entangled books in the mail, but I've been really disappointed with their stock lately :(
Thank you to Entangled Publishing for providing me with an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
December 4, 2025ahhh this was so good. when he falls first but is all like take your time. SWOON
*beta read*
*beta read*
May 16, 2026
Just perfection…can’t wait for the rest of the series.
May 17, 2026
this is a cute rom-com, and it does the charming small town thing effectively. it has a little bit of mystery, but it's still low stakes.
the romance itself is fun as well; the main characters have good chemistry, if a little cheesy / stereotypical in someways. that being said though, it's a small town romance, so that's probably to be expected.
**thank you to entangled for the ARC copy**
the romance itself is fun as well; the main characters have good chemistry, if a little cheesy / stereotypical in someways. that being said though, it's a small town romance, so that's probably to be expected.
**thank you to entangled for the ARC copy**
July 4, 2026
4.5 stars.
I LOVED "Hart's Landing" by Melanie Harlow! This is a small-town second-chance romance between Mila (FMC) and Everett (MMC), her best friend's brother. The two of them knew each other when they were teens. One night during their senior year, at his family's Hart's Landing bakery where Mila worked, Everett came to visit her, and Mila kissed him, something she'd wanted to do for a long time. Immediately after, a devastating fire tore through the building, and the entire town blamed Mila for the accident. Shortly after the fire, Mila leaves Hart's Landing for college and doesn't return again until her mother needs assistance after a surgery. Now in their 30s, Everett is now the town's charming mayor and a cherry farmer, and Mila just wanted to get the heck out of town as soon as possible. Mila and Everett have excellent chemistry with one another. Their pairing felt realistic and lived-in, natural from the start. All of these characters felt real, if I'm being honest, like real people, not caricatures. Well, maybe except for Mila's horrible, wretched mother. She was THE WORST. My goodness, I wanted to reach into my Kindle and slap the cr4p out of her! What a horrible, toxic, gaslighting piece of work! Apart from her, I loved this book. I seriously found myself kicking my feet and giggling while reading this. The way Melanie Harlow keeps the pacing quick, keeps the jokes and banter flowing, keeps the small-town shenanigans front and center, and even adds in a bit of a mysterious element about the fire from high school kept me engaged and interested from start to finish. It's a combination of all of its tropes done right.
Thank you to NetGalley, Melanie Harlow, Entangled: Amara, and Entangled Publishing, LLC for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
I LOVED "Hart's Landing" by Melanie Harlow! This is a small-town second-chance romance between Mila (FMC) and Everett (MMC), her best friend's brother. The two of them knew each other when they were teens. One night during their senior year, at his family's Hart's Landing bakery where Mila worked, Everett came to visit her, and Mila kissed him, something she'd wanted to do for a long time. Immediately after, a devastating fire tore through the building, and the entire town blamed Mila for the accident. Shortly after the fire, Mila leaves Hart's Landing for college and doesn't return again until her mother needs assistance after a surgery. Now in their 30s, Everett is now the town's charming mayor and a cherry farmer, and Mila just wanted to get the heck out of town as soon as possible. Mila and Everett have excellent chemistry with one another. Their pairing felt realistic and lived-in, natural from the start. All of these characters felt real, if I'm being honest, like real people, not caricatures. Well, maybe except for Mila's horrible, wretched mother. She was THE WORST. My goodness, I wanted to reach into my Kindle and slap the cr4p out of her! What a horrible, toxic, gaslighting piece of work! Apart from her, I loved this book. I seriously found myself kicking my feet and giggling while reading this. The way Melanie Harlow keeps the pacing quick, keeps the jokes and banter flowing, keeps the small-town shenanigans front and center, and even adds in a bit of a mysterious element about the fire from high school kept me engaged and interested from start to finish. It's a combination of all of its tropes done right.
Thank you to NetGalley, Melanie Harlow, Entangled: Amara, and Entangled Publishing, LLC for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
May 4, 2026
This book was everything!! I absolutely loved the romance, the emotional depth, and the added mystery in this one. Such an amazing book & the added spice was perfect!! I was swooning so hard over Everett & Mila’s chemistry!! These two were undeniable, but Mila’s guarded personality had her feeling so much! The friendships and character development was just such a great aspect in this story! I loved the chaotic & meddling town of Hart’s Landing & I really hope we see more from these characters!!
Thank you Entangled for this early copy!!!
Thank you Entangled for this early copy!!!
September 17, 2026
4⭐️
If you need something wholesome, cute, and funny, Hart’s Landing is it! 🥹💕
I love all of Melanie Harlow’s books—they always have such a good vibe overall. Small-town romances are my absolute favourite, so I’m definitely a little biased here. 🤭
This was such a sweet, feel-good read with all the small-town charm I love. 💕
One extra star for Everett Ofcourse!!! ⭐️
If you need something wholesome, cute, and funny, Hart’s Landing is it! 🥹💕
I love all of Melanie Harlow’s books—they always have such a good vibe overall. Small-town romances are my absolute favourite, so I’m definitely a little biased here. 🤭
This was such a sweet, feel-good read with all the small-town charm I love. 💕
One extra star for Everett Ofcourse!!! ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
✨ARC Review✨
I ABSOLUTELY loved Hart's Landing! I was hooked from the beginning and didn't want to put it down! It was definitely a book that made me want to forget all about my adult responsibilities and just read!
Tropes:
🩷Best Friend’s Brother
💙Rebuilding Found Family
🩷What Could Have Been
💙He Falls First
🩷Return to Small Town
After a night that went horribly wrong Mila fled Hart's Landing and told herself she would never go back. But when her mom needs her help recovering from surgery she finally makes the trip home ten years after the night that changed everything.
Everett had always been Mila's crush, and even though she was his younger sister's best friend, he had always thought there could maybe be something more between them. So when Mila fled town without ever looking back Everett always wondered what could have been.
Upon Mila's return, Everett thinks he and Mila might finally get their chance. He knows she feels it too, despite the walls she has put up to protect herself. So slowly but surly he works at breaking down those walls until she realizes that she is worth loving just as she is. By being supportive he helps her find her voice and gives her the courage to mend fractured friendships.
OMG....Everett and his golden retriever self are SO SWOON WORTHY! I absolutely LOVED HIM. I loved that Mila finally found herself and realized her self worth.
Hart's Landing had it all! Cozy small town vibes, friendship, tension, angst, banter, instant chemistry, and when he falls first...it gets me every time!!
Lets not forget "The Landing Pad" updates...they had me cracking up!
This was my first Melanie Harlow book, but I instantly became a fan! I can't wait to read more and am so excited/impatiently waiting to continue this series!!
Thank you Melanie Harlow and Entangled Publishing for this eARC 🫶
I ABSOLUTELY loved Hart's Landing! I was hooked from the beginning and didn't want to put it down! It was definitely a book that made me want to forget all about my adult responsibilities and just read!
Tropes:
🩷Best Friend’s Brother
💙Rebuilding Found Family
🩷What Could Have Been
💙He Falls First
🩷Return to Small Town
After a night that went horribly wrong Mila fled Hart's Landing and told herself she would never go back. But when her mom needs her help recovering from surgery she finally makes the trip home ten years after the night that changed everything.
Everett had always been Mila's crush, and even though she was his younger sister's best friend, he had always thought there could maybe be something more between them. So when Mila fled town without ever looking back Everett always wondered what could have been.
Upon Mila's return, Everett thinks he and Mila might finally get their chance. He knows she feels it too, despite the walls she has put up to protect herself. So slowly but surly he works at breaking down those walls until she realizes that she is worth loving just as she is. By being supportive he helps her find her voice and gives her the courage to mend fractured friendships.
OMG....Everett and his golden retriever self are SO SWOON WORTHY! I absolutely LOVED HIM. I loved that Mila finally found herself and realized her self worth.
Hart's Landing had it all! Cozy small town vibes, friendship, tension, angst, banter, instant chemistry, and when he falls first...it gets me every time!!
Lets not forget "The Landing Pad" updates...they had me cracking up!
This was my first Melanie Harlow book, but I instantly became a fan! I can't wait to read more and am so excited/impatiently waiting to continue this series!!
Thank you Melanie Harlow and Entangled Publishing for this eARC 🫶
April 27, 2026
Hart’s Landing is a second chance, best friend’s brother, small town romance with a dash of mystery! You will absolutely swoon head first for the MMC & root for the FMC to love herself enough to fight for the things she deserves. The banter and Landing Pad posts had me unexpectedly laughing out loud; I swear the small town gossip chaos was just too funny. This is the first in series, and I think it sets up the next books nicely to follow the rest of Mila’s friend group.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Quantity of spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Quality of spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
*There are eight spicy scenes in Hart’s Landing. I’ve included the pages/chapters at the bottom of this review. Please note that these are based on the ARC version.*
Hart’s Landing follows Mila and Everett. Mila had the biggest crush on her best friend, Gabi’s, brother and after one of their friend group passes away at 18 from Leukemia, they all agree to have one night of risks. To live like there is no tomorrow. Mila’s task is to kiss Everett. After closing up the bakery where she works (and Everett’s family owns), he stops by to make a delivery. She finally has the opportunity to kiss him, but immediately after, the bakery explodes. Since the entire town blames her for the explosion, she leaves and moves to New York.
Fast forward ten years, Mila’s mom needs her to come home to take care of her after a hip replacement surgery. Reluctantly, Mila agrees. She doesn’t hate Hart’s Landing but still feels guilt for the fire AND has a very tenuous relationship with her mother. Her mom is the definition of narcissistic and whewwww was her dialogue frustrating. Dealing first hand with a narcissistic parent, I can 100% say her portrayal was so accurate!
Upon Mila’s return, she very quickly runs into Everett and starts catching up with him. He’s thought of her over the years and always had this “what if” feeling had that kiss night not ended with a bang. Their relationship progresses quickly but it didn’t feel rushed. Everett’s thoughtfulness and protectiveness was perfection. Mila had a lot of mental and emotional baggage and he really helped her work through it, alongside her therapist.
There was honestly more spice than I was anticipating in this book, but I’m not mad at it! I love when a cover deceives you! My only complaint spice wise is that there was a scene that happened immediately after them playing with baby goats & Everett does not wash his hands in between.. this is a me thing & my OCD was triggered 😜 Other than that, great spicy scenes!
I’m excited to continue with the rest of this series and see where all the best friend’s stories go! Thank you so much for the gifted ARC, Entangled! 💕
🌶️ Spicy Scenes 🌶️
1. Ch 23 Pg 167
2. Ch 27 Pg 183
3. Ch 29 Pg 200
4. Ch 30 Pg 209
5. Ch 31 Pg 212
6. Ch 32 Pg 223
7. Ch 39 Pg 275
8. Ch 44 Pg 310
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Quantity of spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Quality of spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
*There are eight spicy scenes in Hart’s Landing. I’ve included the pages/chapters at the bottom of this review. Please note that these are based on the ARC version.*
Hart’s Landing follows Mila and Everett. Mila had the biggest crush on her best friend, Gabi’s, brother and after one of their friend group passes away at 18 from Leukemia, they all agree to have one night of risks. To live like there is no tomorrow. Mila’s task is to kiss Everett. After closing up the bakery where she works (and Everett’s family owns), he stops by to make a delivery. She finally has the opportunity to kiss him, but immediately after, the bakery explodes. Since the entire town blames her for the explosion, she leaves and moves to New York.
Fast forward ten years, Mila’s mom needs her to come home to take care of her after a hip replacement surgery. Reluctantly, Mila agrees. She doesn’t hate Hart’s Landing but still feels guilt for the fire AND has a very tenuous relationship with her mother. Her mom is the definition of narcissistic and whewwww was her dialogue frustrating. Dealing first hand with a narcissistic parent, I can 100% say her portrayal was so accurate!
Upon Mila’s return, she very quickly runs into Everett and starts catching up with him. He’s thought of her over the years and always had this “what if” feeling had that kiss night not ended with a bang. Their relationship progresses quickly but it didn’t feel rushed. Everett’s thoughtfulness and protectiveness was perfection. Mila had a lot of mental and emotional baggage and he really helped her work through it, alongside her therapist.
There was honestly more spice than I was anticipating in this book, but I’m not mad at it! I love when a cover deceives you! My only complaint spice wise is that there was a scene that happened immediately after them playing with baby goats & Everett does not wash his hands in between.. this is a me thing & my OCD was triggered 😜 Other than that, great spicy scenes!
I’m excited to continue with the rest of this series and see where all the best friend’s stories go! Thank you so much for the gifted ARC, Entangled! 💕
🌶️ Spicy Scenes 🌶️
1. Ch 23 Pg 167
2. Ch 27 Pg 183
3. Ch 29 Pg 200
4. Ch 30 Pg 209
5. Ch 31 Pg 212
6. Ch 32 Pg 223
7. Ch 39 Pg 275
8. Ch 44 Pg 310
July 15, 2026
4 ⭐️'s
After his family’s bakery burns down and a ten year absence, Everett sees Mila again and all the feelings come back to the forefront…and I loved it. I really loved how much Mila affected him and how he doesn’t hide it at all.
The problem is that Mila is recently divorced and she doesn’t trust her feelings so she’s decided not to date. Plus she lives in Brooklyn and doesn’t want to move back to Hart’s Landing so they decide to just keep things casual but it’s basically in name only.
I thought all the friendships were really sweet even though there were some issues and the whole Lydia part is a little out there. However, I enjoyed seeing who the next books would be about.
I hated the parts with Mila’s Mom. It was just so cringe.
Thankfully, the ending was perfect and there’s a bonus scene that you won’t want to miss.
After his family’s bakery burns down and a ten year absence, Everett sees Mila again and all the feelings come back to the forefront…and I loved it. I really loved how much Mila affected him and how he doesn’t hide it at all.
The problem is that Mila is recently divorced and she doesn’t trust her feelings so she’s decided not to date. Plus she lives in Brooklyn and doesn’t want to move back to Hart’s Landing so they decide to just keep things casual but it’s basically in name only.
I thought all the friendships were really sweet even though there were some issues and the whole Lydia part is a little out there. However, I enjoyed seeing who the next books would be about.
I hated the parts with Mila’s Mom. It was just so cringe.
Thankfully, the ending was perfect and there’s a bonus scene that you won’t want to miss.
April 29, 2026
Hart’s Landing was everything I could have wanted in a small-town romance! Mila’s returning to her hometown to take care of her difficult (that’s an understatement!) mother. The last thing she needs is people bringing up the scandal from her past, or to run into the boy she left behind – her best friend’s brother! Everett has never really gotten over Mila or the night that changed everything for his family. As the town’s mayor, he’s got a full plate without having to confront the unresolved chemistry with Mila. Their second chance love story was equal parts emotion and steam. I couldn't get enough of their history or the way he fought for her!
The mystery of the old bakery fire definitely had me intrigued, but it’s the found family vibes and quirky characters of this cozy small town that really made me fall in love. Hart’s Landing is more than just a spicy and fun romance (although it is those things!). The heart of the story lies in discovering that coming home is less about a place and more about the people who love you unconditionally. If you’re looking for a story with a devoted hero, memorable characters, and a whole lot of heart, this is definitely one that belongs at the top of your TBR!
The mystery of the old bakery fire definitely had me intrigued, but it’s the found family vibes and quirky characters of this cozy small town that really made me fall in love. Hart’s Landing is more than just a spicy and fun romance (although it is those things!). The heart of the story lies in discovering that coming home is less about a place and more about the people who love you unconditionally. If you’re looking for a story with a devoted hero, memorable characters, and a whole lot of heart, this is definitely one that belongs at the top of your TBR!
August 2, 2026
Solid small-town romance with likable characters, lots of great chemistry, relatable strained mother-daughter relationship. May have gone on a bit too long w one minor cringey moment at the end, but I’m not mad about it. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
July 16, 2026
Ten years ago, Mila and Everette shared a kiss just before their lives changed forever. After Everette's family bakery burned down, the town blamed Mila for the fire. Heartbroken, she left town with no intention of ever returning. Now she's back, and Everette is determined to finally make her his.
I loved how supportive Everette was of Mila, especially considering how condescending and critical her mother constantly was. Mila desperately needed someone in her corner, and I was so happy that person was Everette. Returning home reopened old wounds, but it also gave Mila the chance to uncover the truth about what really happened the night of the fire.
Christine Lakin and Dan John Miller were fantastic. Christine Lakin perfectly captured Mila's kind, loving heart as well as her lingering self doubt, while Dan John Miller brought Everette's sweet, patient, and unwavering supportive personality to life flawlessly.
This was such a sweet, heartwarming story, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Thank you, Melanie Harlow and Recorded Books for the review copy.
I loved how supportive Everette was of Mila, especially considering how condescending and critical her mother constantly was. Mila desperately needed someone in her corner, and I was so happy that person was Everette. Returning home reopened old wounds, but it also gave Mila the chance to uncover the truth about what really happened the night of the fire.
Christine Lakin and Dan John Miller were fantastic. Christine Lakin perfectly captured Mila's kind, loving heart as well as her lingering self doubt, while Dan John Miller brought Everette's sweet, patient, and unwavering supportive personality to life flawlessly.
This was such a sweet, heartwarming story, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Thank you, Melanie Harlow and Recorded Books for the review copy.
July 23, 2026
Four friends and one night that changed everything. Mila left behind her close friend group ten years ago after a fire and a crush and is now returning. She’s staying with her mother who seems to pick at everything she does and tensions are high. Everett, her old crush, is now the town’s mayor and is everywhere. There are so many questions about the night of the fire and the future of their friendship. Mila wonders if returning was the smartest thing with all of the pressure.
Wow, I couldn’t put this down! I have read one book by this author before and didn’t love it but I really enjoyed this one. It had a little suspense, a really uncomfortable but realistic portrayal of a toxic parental relationship, and I enjoyed the romance. I will definitely be reading the series as it comes out!
Thank you so much to Melanie Harlow, and Entangled Publishing for providing this physical arc. This published on May 12th. This is my honest review.
Wow, I couldn’t put this down! I have read one book by this author before and didn’t love it but I really enjoyed this one. It had a little suspense, a really uncomfortable but realistic portrayal of a toxic parental relationship, and I enjoyed the romance. I will definitely be reading the series as it comes out!
Thank you so much to Melanie Harlow, and Entangled Publishing for providing this physical arc. This published on May 12th. This is my honest review.
July 2, 2026
Sweet small town second chance romance with lots of healing and forgiveness.
September 8, 2026
Prøvede at være lidt mysterie-roman samtidig med at være en romance, og det gjorde bare, at det var en virkelig tynd kop te af et mysterie og et ret mediocre romanceplot.
July 18, 2026
A y2k rom com movie in a book, adored this one ❤️
May 28, 2026
Full review to come ! 5⭐️
May 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Hart’s Landing was exactly the kind of emotional small-town romance I needed. This best friend’s brother, second-chance story had me laughing one minute, crying the next, and full on screaming at the mom. 😂 The Landing Page brought the perfect comic relief and captured that quintessential small-town vibe so well. But what really made this story shine for me was the MMC falling first and continuously showing up for the FMC in the ways she truly needed. This was my first Melanie Harlow romance and it felt comforting, emotional, and impossible to put down…I devoured it in 28 hours.
April 23, 2026
Yay we have another Melanie book! I was so excited to start this and it did not disappoint.
I will say it again, I love Melanie’s male characters, there’s always something about them and how sweet and honest they are. Everett is the best as he is just so caring and loyal. He’s the counselor for all of the town!! :)
Mila had the worst mother, I just felt so bad how much of a narcissist she was. Nothing was never enough for her.
Mila had some issues, but having Everett by her side helped a lot. He was always there for her and was the sweetest, even though he had some childhood drama also.
Mila and Everett really complemented each other, I love how they could just be themselves around each other and there was no judgement!
I loved seeing all of Everett’s friends and love a male group! Ripley is hilarious!
Thank you for the early copy!
I will say it again, I love Melanie’s male characters, there’s always something about them and how sweet and honest they are. Everett is the best as he is just so caring and loyal. He’s the counselor for all of the town!! :)
Mila had the worst mother, I just felt so bad how much of a narcissist she was. Nothing was never enough for her.
Mila had some issues, but having Everett by her side helped a lot. He was always there for her and was the sweetest, even though he had some childhood drama also.
Mila and Everett really complemented each other, I love how they could just be themselves around each other and there was no judgement!
I loved seeing all of Everett’s friends and love a male group! Ripley is hilarious!
Thank you for the early copy!
June 30, 2026
2.5 stars. Nothing in this book caught my attention
April 11, 2026
I won an ARC of this book in a Goodreads giveaway from the Publisher.
WOW. If I could, I’d rate this a 10/10. The first chapter or two, I prematurely judged this book and thought “*eye-roll* another predictable boring rom com where they chase each other through several misunderstandings before realizing they have to have each other at the very end”
Boy was I wrong. This book pleasantly surprised me through its entirety. I don’t think I’ve read a book as fast as this one in some time. Mila and Everett really stole my heart and I loved reading their story. The relationship between Mila and her mom struck a few cords for me and Mila’s character development was inspiring. The ending was not disappointing in the slightest, and while maybe predictable, I was still elated by the ending and felt like there may even be more to come in the future from this author??? 👀 if you haven’t gathered it by now I highly recommend this book. This so far is my top 2026 read. I loved every second of it. Very grateful to have received an ARC copy as I am positive I will read this book more than once.
WOW. If I could, I’d rate this a 10/10. The first chapter or two, I prematurely judged this book and thought “*eye-roll* another predictable boring rom com where they chase each other through several misunderstandings before realizing they have to have each other at the very end”
Boy was I wrong. This book pleasantly surprised me through its entirety. I don’t think I’ve read a book as fast as this one in some time. Mila and Everett really stole my heart and I loved reading their story. The relationship between Mila and her mom struck a few cords for me and Mila’s character development was inspiring. The ending was not disappointing in the slightest, and while maybe predictable, I was still elated by the ending and felt like there may even be more to come in the future from this author??? 👀 if you haven’t gathered it by now I highly recommend this book. This so far is my top 2026 read. I loved every second of it. Very grateful to have received an ARC copy as I am positive I will read this book more than once.
June 17, 2026
Listen I just need to remind myself to not read books where one of the main characters is mayor… as a local govt worker… it just never hits right
March 19, 2026
Where do I find a strawberry print skirt, because I need one? I also need a ladybug necklace, someone to call me by a cute nickname like Freckles, and a sexy AF mayor/farmer who will throw me on the bed and eat me for dessert.
What a fantastic start to this series.
Four girls, from the same small town agree that they will be brave, have an adventure, take a risk, to honour their lost friend, Lydia. Mila will make a move on Everett McKean, but things don’t go quite to plan. Mila makes her move and then moves away. She marries, gets divorced and then returns to Hart’s Landing when her mum needs her.
Her mum, honestly, made me feel stabby. What an awful woman - and shock, horror, I did not know that Melanie Harlow had it in her to write such an unloveable character. Melanie writes characters with more sunshine and happiness than Little Miss Sunshine, Mr Happy and KC and the Sunshine Band put together.
The little touches in this book make it so special. The Community Updates on the Landing Pad are hilarious.
I am already so excited for the next book. I just know that there will be Lebanese food, which I love almost as much as strawberry print skirts.
My best bits.
“Can I tell you what I’m thinking? It involves you leaving lots of claw marks on my back. Possibly some reverse cowgirl. And a number between sixty-eight and seventy, but don’t ask me to tell you what it is.”
“I won’t”
“Okay fine, it’s sixty-nine.”
“You cook, I do dishes. You drawn the art, I hang it up. You get cold at night, I like providing the body heat that keeps you warm.”
“It’s like your soul recognises its missing piece, even if your brain needs more time to understand. You’ve always been my missing piece Freckles.” OMG Everett is so swooooooooony!
“The best tomorrows come when you live today out loud. When you love with your whole heart. When you show up in the world exactly where you’re meant to. Then every tomorrow becomes a gift.”
What a fantastic start to this series.
Four girls, from the same small town agree that they will be brave, have an adventure, take a risk, to honour their lost friend, Lydia. Mila will make a move on Everett McKean, but things don’t go quite to plan. Mila makes her move and then moves away. She marries, gets divorced and then returns to Hart’s Landing when her mum needs her.
Her mum, honestly, made me feel stabby. What an awful woman - and shock, horror, I did not know that Melanie Harlow had it in her to write such an unloveable character. Melanie writes characters with more sunshine and happiness than Little Miss Sunshine, Mr Happy and KC and the Sunshine Band put together.
The little touches in this book make it so special. The Community Updates on the Landing Pad are hilarious.
I am already so excited for the next book. I just know that there will be Lebanese food, which I love almost as much as strawberry print skirts.
My best bits.
“Can I tell you what I’m thinking? It involves you leaving lots of claw marks on my back. Possibly some reverse cowgirl. And a number between sixty-eight and seventy, but don’t ask me to tell you what it is.”
“I won’t”
“Okay fine, it’s sixty-nine.”
“You cook, I do dishes. You drawn the art, I hang it up. You get cold at night, I like providing the body heat that keeps you warm.”
“It’s like your soul recognises its missing piece, even if your brain needs more time to understand. You’ve always been my missing piece Freckles.” OMG Everett is so swooooooooony!
“The best tomorrows come when you live today out loud. When you love with your whole heart. When you show up in the world exactly where you’re meant to. Then every tomorrow becomes a gift.”
May 23, 2026
Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book called, Hart's Landing. This is about Mila, one night during senior year her and her friends make a promise; each of them doing one brave thing, but the rest of the group has to decide what it is. Mila's friends decide for her to kiss her crush, Everett. But when Mila does it, she doesn't expect her life to blow up (quite literally) so she ends up leaving town that very night and doesn't return for ten years. But now she's back home to help her mom after surgery. She wants to just lay low, try not to run into Everett, and leave as soon as possible but that's basically impossible in a small town especially when Everett is now the mayor. Everett can't believe Mila is finally back after all these years, he feels like it's his second chance with her, if only he can get her to let her guard down and give him a shot. When she finally begins to open up and take a chance on love, secrets from the past begin to resurface and Mila wants to run again, but can Everett get her to stay this time around?
I absolutely loved this! It was such a good small town romance with found family, rebuilding friendships, he falls first, and best friend's brother tropes. I loved how the relationship between Mila and Everett blossomed throughout the book, it was such a sweet love story! I related to Mila so much throughout this story, I highlighted so many relatable parts of this story. I loved seeing her finally set boundaries with her toxic mother, also I really appreciated her and her mother not magically end up with a perfect relationship in the end (like a lot of books do) because that isn't real life. I read this book along with other book lovers as a part of Entangled Publishing's Insiders reading group, and I really loved being a part of that! I loved this book so much I had to go out and get the signed edition physical book for my bookshelf! This was the first book in this series and the story was set up so well, I am so eager for this series to continue! I can't wait for the next book! 💖📚
Thank you to Melanie Harlow, Entangled Publishing, and Netgalley for this ARC of Hart's Landing, in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this! It was such a good small town romance with found family, rebuilding friendships, he falls first, and best friend's brother tropes. I loved how the relationship between Mila and Everett blossomed throughout the book, it was such a sweet love story! I related to Mila so much throughout this story, I highlighted so many relatable parts of this story. I loved seeing her finally set boundaries with her toxic mother, also I really appreciated her and her mother not magically end up with a perfect relationship in the end (like a lot of books do) because that isn't real life. I read this book along with other book lovers as a part of Entangled Publishing's Insiders reading group, and I really loved being a part of that! I loved this book so much I had to go out and get the signed edition physical book for my bookshelf! This was the first book in this series and the story was set up so well, I am so eager for this series to continue! I can't wait for the next book! 💖📚
Thank you to Melanie Harlow, Entangled Publishing, and Netgalley for this ARC of Hart's Landing, in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2026
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
Oh Melanie how I have missed you.
There is just something so delicately sweet about a Melanie Harlow romance and I’m so happy she is back and bringing us this wonderful new world. I loved this book and could not put it down.
Mila and Everett are everything. Their history, their chemistry. Their connection. I melted. I loved every single bit of this.
✨Small Town Romance
✨ Best Friend’s Brother
✨ What Could Have Been
✨ Found Family
First off, I love both Mila and Everett as characters, but I really love them together because they give off straight soulmate vibes. Also, anyone with mommy issues can relate to Mila and her conflict with her narcissistic mother. Everett was the perfect hero. This man yearns, this man communicates and this man goes all in so quick. But it was just what Mila needed to give her a softball to land and grow.
I love the side characters which Melanie does extremely well and really adore this town and friend group.
This is sweet and everything I needed. A comfort read and comfort author as well.
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
Oh Melanie how I have missed you.
There is just something so delicately sweet about a Melanie Harlow romance and I’m so happy she is back and bringing us this wonderful new world. I loved this book and could not put it down.
Mila and Everett are everything. Their history, their chemistry. Their connection. I melted. I loved every single bit of this.
✨Small Town Romance
✨ Best Friend’s Brother
✨ What Could Have Been
✨ Found Family
First off, I love both Mila and Everett as characters, but I really love them together because they give off straight soulmate vibes. Also, anyone with mommy issues can relate to Mila and her conflict with her narcissistic mother. Everett was the perfect hero. This man yearns, this man communicates and this man goes all in so quick. But it was just what Mila needed to give her a softball to land and grow.
I love the side characters which Melanie does extremely well and really adore this town and friend group.
This is sweet and everything I needed. A comfort read and comfort author as well.
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