Val: Because of my past, I’m destined to be alone. Don’t feel sorry for me. I deserve it and I’ve made my peace. But I was given a reprieve. A one-week, scorching hot vacation fling. Now I’m not sure if it was grace or punishment. Stone: Playboy. Player. I’m called by many names. I’ve earned every one. That was the fault of one woman. At my best friend’s wedding, I put my particular talents to good use. And got a taste of what I had sworn off for good. Now I’m questioning what I really want. What happens when a one-week affair between two emotionally unavailable people spills over into the real world?
I published my debut contemporary romance in May of 2018. I'm an avid reader, music lover of all genres, and movie aficionado. I am fluent in two languages: English and Sarcasm. I am a constant source of humorous innuendo.
Debut novel? Yes..I surely couldn't tell. This story covers a range of emotions that connect you to the story. Stone is a naughty, dirty, fun, smart, loyal man. A perfect example of the ideal book boyfriend. Val is on an emotional journey filled with pain no one knows about. HEA. Standalone. BFF's story is up next.
WOW, I can't believe that this is a debut novel! Ellie Rice I will most definitely read more from you. I fell in love with Valerie and Stone. The characters are interesting and well written. Both have issues in their lives and after a no strings attached wedding week fling they think they were never going to see each other again. Fate has a way of changing things. This book hooked me from the beginning and I couldn't put it down.
My first thought after finishing this book was this - there is no way in Hades this is Ellie Rice's debut novel. I didn't even find any typos. ;) But in all seriousness, here's a bit of advice - never judge a book by what number written it is. I've had authors tell me they get nervous about people reading their first books because of various issues, but I have always found those warnings to be irrelevant. If you're an awesome author, it does not matter if this is your first or 50th book. They are all going to be just as incredible.
Story Line: Okay, for me, this book has two main story lines. The first is the week that leads up to Ang's brother's wedding. The second part is when Valerie and Stone are back home to their normal lives. While they are away in essentially paradise, they feel that delicious pull to one another and begin their physical relationship with an expiration date. Oh, if only it were that simple. Once the wedding is over, Val returns to her job working for her ex's parents. Oh, side note, her ex died a ways back and sweet Val has yet to truly move on with her life. But things take ANOTHER turn when she finds out her new boss is literally the last person on the planet she expected it to be. Twist and turn again and next thing we know, we have painful pasts being drug up, evil step mothers to deal with and a funeral that was surprisingly sad. Oh, and if you think you're going to make it through the funeral chapter unscathed? Think again. So. Many. Unexpected. Details.
Interaction: It's no secret that Stone is a playboy. He flirts with anything with a pulse. Yeah, one of THOSE guys. And then there's Val. She wants no part of the act that Stone is throwing at her. But what she does want is just a week to let go and just live. And who better to give her this short lived escape than Stone? They have long talks. And of course they have chemistry - and it runs deep. So, for me, it was no surprise when their expiration date came, that neither could truly let go. Stone makes one of the best character developments I have ever read. His transformation isn't instantaneous, which can come across as unbelievable. But more than just growing out of his flirty nature, Stone becomes a man that any woman would be lucky to have. And he proves that to Val over and over again.
Laundry: This is one of the few things I'm always super cautious about with authors that are new to me. Are they going to write tons and tons of laundry scenes? Are they going to be slightly graphic? Are they going to be so graphic I have to look away for a bit? Ellie Rice found a perfect balance between dirty laundry and strictly vanilla. Stone and Val have picture perfect chemistry between the sheets. He talks just dirty enough and she gives in just enough for it to be perfect.
Depth: I've read my fair share of books. Over 60 in 2018, to be honest. I like to think I can see things coming before they actually do since my life's mission is to become a professional reader. With that being said, there were details to this story line that I honest to God, did not see coming. Val's backstory is heart breaking. She has a lot of negativity pulling her down. And Stone's history isn't any better. I could feel his pain and her inner struggle as if it were my own. That's the stuff that makes phenomenal books.
Pick up Key To Her Heart today! You will love falling in love with Stone and Val's story. Cross my heart. :)
This author made me feel what the characters were feeling. Valerie and Stone are two people that are having personal issues that decided to spend a week together. Can Val and Stone really leave after a week and go on with their lives? Angie is definitely a person that I think I would like as a friend. I am ready to read the next book in this series.
What a sexy and good book to read. I will definitely look forward to reading all future writings from Ellie Rice. I enjoyed meeting all the characters in this book. From the fragile yet strong Val to her amazing best friend Ang (the hysterical name calling) the sexy alpha Stone and oh my... the hot sex! Learning to trust in yourself is a tough road.
One week of passion changes everything. While attending the week long wedding celebration for her friend's brother, Val meets Stone. While both have huge obstacles in their personal lives, they both agree to a week filled with sex and no attachments. But what happens when their lives connect after the week is over? Can they admit to themselves that the feelings they have are real? Or will the obstacles in both their pasts keep them from finding happiness? With beautifully written characters, fabulous hot sex scenes and a storyline that I could not put down this was a wonderful story that I highly recommend. This was my first book by this author but it will not be my last.
This is an amazing story. It had me hooked from the very first page.
Val goes on a trip with her bestie to get away from her dead boyfriends parents. She meets Stone, a playboy and has one wild week with him. They both don't want to leave each other but then fate seems to bring them back together.
This is one of my favourite reads so far this year. I recommend this to anyone who likes romance or loves a hot read.
wow what a amazing story! she goes on a trip to get away from her dead boy friends parents. she meets a play boy and has one wild weekend with him. now they dont want to leave each other. fate seems to bring them back together , but for how long? you must read this book!
This book cannot be a debut!! Seriously, this book is truly just unbelievably good! Full of snark and heat it's the perfect blend! Stone is a hottie extraordinaire who specializes in women, he's actually a bit of a manwhore and is happy being so. Then Val comes to his best friends wedding and he's completely smitten caveman style! Val is under pressure and scrutiny in her real life and Stone is the perfect vacation distraction. Too many people following her every move after a tragedy has her feeling hemmed in and a vacation fling sounds perfect. They become a couple on during the wedding but only for the week. After the week is over they go back to their real lives and realize how much they are missing each other but Val's situation hasn't changed so when they are thrown together it's anyone's guess as to how they can make it work. Packed with a hysterically snarky best friend and HOT sexy times, Ellie knocked this one out of the park!! She definitely has a fan for life!! Stone's been a great addition to my harem!!
I really enjoyed this book. It showed beautifully why you shouldn't live for other people, but for you. Ang was a riot. I loved the banter between her and Valerie. It reminded me of my own friendships with my girl mates. She was definitely one of the high points of the book.
I also liked the complicated relationship between Stone and Valerie, and how a 'no-strings' week turned into something more.
Key to her Heart is the debut novel by Ellie Rice. I really liked this story and think it’s an amazing debut.
Val is dealing with heartbreak no one should ever feel, getting away is exactly what she needs. She needs to get away from the guilt and heartache. What Val really needs is to have fun and it looks like Stone is exactly what she needs.
Stone is hot, single and looking for a good time with no commitment. His best friend is getting married, what better place to find a willing participant.
Definitely a great read, a little heartache and a lot of hot and fun times. Val and Stone belong together!
Key to Her Heart is great debut for Ellie Rice and can’t wait to see hear more from her.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book from this debut author! I loved the storyline, the humor, and the characters felt like they were my friends by the time I finished the book. Looking forward to reading more from her!!
If you want a STEAMY book this is it!! I thoroughly enjoyed this story! It was well written with perfect combinations of humor, intrigue, and STEAM! I thought I knew where the story was going. I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns the story took. All well executed and not over the top. There is depth to the character development that kept me intrigued and emotionally captivated. Stone’s panic attack in the drive way was gut wrenching and I was furious with Bella’s manipulations. However, the best friend, Ang had me laughing with her sarcastic slams. “I don’t know how you did it, but you managed to turn Stone into the perfect boyfriend. I mean, he’s fun, attentive, considerate….You must have one humdinger of a vagina.” I rolled my eyes. Literary genius. “You really have a way with the English language.” The friend has quips throughout the story that are hysterical! Especially the conversation about frozen peanut butter balls! With Val, Stone has become this phenomenal dreamy guy providing many, many steamy moments. “I reached my hand up and cupped her face, angling her to me. I pressed my lips to hers and felt the same jolt as the day before. No longer could I breathe on my own, I needed her breath, her kiss to breathe. I ran my tongue along the seams of her lips, begging for entrance. When she granted me access, I dove in. I was like a starving beast finally able to get a morsel of food, I wanted every single bit.” “Then something shifted in me. I suddenly had an intense desire to taste her. It bubbled from the very depth of me until I could no more stop it than I could stop taking my next breath.” Unfortunately, despite the chemistry these two have, their inner demons are larger. As Stone battles between his desire for Val and guarding his heart, Val is continuing her journey to overcome her own demons. Will they overcome the larger than life inner battles? I won’t give you a spoiler other than to say READ THIS BOOK! I highly recommend this book! It has all the markings required; intrigue, humor, romantic story line, and hotness overload! I received a copy of this book. My review is voluntary.
A new author for me but I will absolutely like to read more stories by her. This is a really sweet romance with twists and they keep you on the edge. I like the storyline and plot. The characters are likeable and well described. Two emotionally closed up characters that by chance experience lust and love for a short period. How can they go on with their cold life? Can they let it be just an affair? Have they got the possibility of being more for each other? A story that takes you through a lot of feelings and it is captivating to follow this couple towards their HEA.
Val and Stone are two damaged people that meet through a mutual friend at a week long wedding celebration. Val has been living like a widow since the death of her fiancé 2 years ago, and Stone has been living like a man-whore since being betrayed by his fiancée years ago.
These two come together and it’s instant heat. What’s supposed to be a weeklong fling turns into more, but then their issues get in the way. Will they be able to overcome their pasts and make things work, or will tragedy tear them apart?
So much goodness in this book! What starts out as a fun vacation fling turns into something serious for Stone and Valerie. This book is equal parts lighthearted fun and angsty goodness. Great story progression, great character development, and your (okay, MY) new book boyfriend.
KEY TO HER HEART by Ellie Rice is very well written romantic story with a twist at the end I have not seen coming, mixed with a lot of steam and humor, heartache and sexy, complicated relationship. I loved to read this smoking hot story with the issues characters dealt with and see them fall in love and later acknowledge that their feelings are real and worth fighting for.
Val is dealing with heartbreak after her fiancé died. She needs to get away from the guilt and heartache weighting her down. What Val really needs is to have fun, and it looks like Stone is exactly what she needs. A fun times without strings and complications, right? But it is never this easy as it seems.
Stone is sex on the stick man, a charismatic flirt who is here to attend the wedding of her best friend and is not looking for anything serious.Val seems like a perfect diversion from his own problems. Except that their chemistry is scorching hot and too strong to deny. They both begin to fall further and deeper as the intensity of their lovemaking sweeps them off their feet, but the time for their fun is coming to an end.
Although it does not stop there, they both set it to end. No, they both meet again, and this time Stone is not going to let Val slip through his fingers. Val must face her issues and find her strength to accept the love and forgive herself, so she could move on with her life.
Ellie Rice did a fantastic job for her debut novel, and I definitely recommend to read it!!! Grab and let it steam you, burn you, and make you fall in love with Val and Stone.
The story starts off light-hearted and jumps straight into the action between Stone and Val. Hot, steamy, fun. Val has her own issues to deal with, which you learn more about throughout the book. Her inner struggles leave her feeling confused and she just needs to let loose for a while. Enter Stone Brooks. Stone starts off cocky, arrogant and self-assured. You can’t help but like his playful nature. As you learn more about him, you actually realise that he’s sweet, charming and hot as hell! Stone and Val sucked me into their relationship, and by god is it a rollercoaster (but a bloody good one)! A great book from the first page until the last. If this is Ellie’s debut novel then I can’t wait to see what else she has in store..... congrats girl!!!
Oh, Stone!!! One of my favorite kind of book heroes are those player types who fall hard and fast the instant he sees his woman and a player he is no more. This was Stone. Though his relationship was only meant to be a vacation fling with Val their chemistry and dialog was smoking right from the get go and I loved when their story had a twist in it and their attraction grew hotter. This debut novel is a must read. Amazing characters and story, I fell hard for Stone and the loyal, magnificent way he loved. I really want to see these two again. And I'll definitely be reading more from Ellie Rice. I love discovering new authors.
Another WOW read from a new to me author! I absolutely loved this Steamy, Funny, and intense book! I'm excited to read anything Ms. Rice releases!
Stone and Valerie (Val, Kitten) both have insecurities in relationships, with good reason. They met at a week long wedding getaway. Both went with the mind set of letting loose and having a no strings attached fling. Instant attraction is both intense and sexy!
Absolutely LOVED this book! I couldn't put it down until the last few chapters. I tried to pace myself because I didn't want it to end. I would never have been able to tell this was Ellie's debut novel. It was well written and managed to keep me in suspense until the very end. I can't wait for her next book!
So, usually my kindle is filled with Dark Romance. This book took me away from my usually angsty, angry man and I'm not at all sad about it. Stone was sweet, understanding and hot! Val made me wanna punch her a few times, but I mean, did I even feel anything if I didn't?
OH MYLANTA!! I was finally able to start Key to her Heart last night !! Can I just say that this book needs a warning label on it... do not start in the evening time or you will not get any sleep !! What an amazing book !! Oh my gosh !! I was up until the wee hours of the morning reading it, actually until my Kindle died !! Then as soon as I got home for work, I was back at it !! Just finished it!! Oh my gosh there were so many unexpected twists and turns and I didn’t see that comings..... wow !! AMAZING !! Absolutely amazing !! I think I am going to have to read it again !! Absolutely. Amazing !!This book had me captivated straight out of the gate !! I gasped, I sighed, I laughed, all out loud. I was completely consumed by this book !! As soon as I finished I knew I was going to have to read it again before I could even think of touching anything else !! I have a complete book hangover !! No amount of stars can really tell you how much I loved this book!! There were twists and turns and the author had me guessing the whole time!! Right down to the very end!! I would think I knew what was going to happen next and BAM, nothing at all that I expected !! Or when you think something was winding down, something out of left field comes flying in!! So much heat and steam and yumminess, and it wasn’t overdone !! I never got bored with the heated scenes.... they heated my core every time !! 😜😜 I don’t want to spoil anything, but holy muthertrucker !! This is a must read !!
I would like to congratulate Ellie on her debut novel and giving us this great story. This book gives you a close group of friends and family, some family may be a little too close for comfort, betrayal, grief, witty sense of humour, lust, love and loads of hot sex scenes.
⛔️⛔️⛔️ SOME SPOILERS ⛔️⛔️⛔️
Val is living with a ghost from the past and feels she isn't entitled to live a life of her choice and living like a nun, her BFF always there with a witty comeback or a shove in the right direction. One of those directions is her brother's wedding. Val's life is about to be put in an orgasmic tailspin by the best man, Stone. What can go wrong? A meaningless week of sex, then go home and back to living in a ghost's shadow. Stone reappears in her life, and the lust is too strong to resist, when hearts are involved, and she's still living in lies, will it all just be a little too late?
Stone had the dirty done on him in the worst possible way, vowed to be a one and done type of guy, he wasn't prepared for Valerie, it was lust at first sight, one week and he couldn't get her out of his head. He got a second chance and he was getting her back at all costs even if it meant waiting for the ghosts of the past have an exorcism from her life. But will she see he's the one? And if she does will jealousy from the past rip them apart?
This is an amazing debut from this talented author, and she is certainly a name to look out for in the future! Val needs to get away, so she goes on a vacation with her bestie for a week. Stone is a playboy and he as well as Val thinks that if they have a 1 week fling, they will get each other out of their systems. Fate has other plans however! This is a beautifully written story which is emotional and steamy, and I was totally captivated throughout this engaging page turner. I cannot wait to read more of this authors’ work, and I highly recommend her for all readers!