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Hollow Oak #2
The Fall Groom
Gracie is a mail carrier in Hollow Oak and knows everyone in town. When the recluse on her route complains that she’s taken the day off, it’s time she introduces herself properly.
Donovan’s scars force him to stay hidden from the world, but a pretty mail carrier with colorful bows in her hair makes him want to come out of the shadows. How can he make her his when he’s afraid of what she might think of him?
Warning: This beast has found his beauty and it’s just as adorable as you think! Come back to Hollow Oak for this new love story and stay for the cheesy goodness!
Donovan’s scars force him to stay hidden from the world, but a pretty mail carrier with colorful bows in her hair makes him want to come out of the shadows. How can he make her his when he’s afraid of what she might think of him?
Warning: This beast has found his beauty and it’s just as adorable as you think! Come back to Hollow Oak for this new love story and stay for the cheesy goodness!
Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2021
33 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
About the author
Alexa Riley
286 books16.2k followersAlexa Riley is two sassy friends who got together and wrote some dirty books. They are both married moms of two who love football, donuts, and obsessed book heroes.
They specialize in insta-love, over-the-top, sweet, and cheesy love stories that don’t take all year to read. If you want something SAFE, short, and always with a happily ever after, then Alexa Riley is for you!
Feel free to follow us each on twitter @smut_sasshole & @SassNSmut
They specialize in insta-love, over-the-top, sweet, and cheesy love stories that don’t take all year to read. If you want something SAFE, short, and always with a happily ever after, then Alexa Riley is for you!
Feel free to follow us each on twitter @smut_sasshole & @SassNSmut
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
November 14, 2021
This was cute but I think in
, the characters' story had more of a buildup and hence when they finally got together it felt validated unlike this which was too much insta even for an Alexa Riley insta love trope.
, the characters' story had more of a buildup and hence when they finally got together it felt validated unlike this which was too much insta even for an Alexa Riley insta love trope.
November 12, 2021
Chapter One-🤐
The BEST chapter one i have read in a book.
I know there is nothing like "The best First Chapter" but.........OMG!!! AlexaRiley.........guys you killed it!!!!!!!It was SOOOOO ADOOOOOOORABLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
So, guys...umm..is it bad that i liked this one MORE than the 1st one??
No right? Okay then. 🥰
🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼
I liked Donovan. NO!! I LOVED him. 🤤🤩
Loved him like i wanna marry him.💍
And Gracie?🔆🌞🌞
She has become MY sunshine too. 🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆
🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁
One thing i discovered after reading this is...i LOVE when the MCs are of opposite nature.
In the first one both Val and Tidas were more or less the same, they were both smartmouthed and sassy. Maybe that's why i did not enjoy it as much as i did this one, because G $ D were so polar opposites.
She was the light to his darkness.
💖💖 "It dosen't matter what i'm doing, i keep thinking about Donovan. He has the prettiest eyes i've ever seen.........They are warm chocolate encased in thick long lashes that i'd kill for. I'd gotten so lost in them that i'd almost missed the deep scar that cut through his eyebrow down his cheek."💖💖
💖
"You always bring the sun with you" I say without thinking.
"What?" Now it's her turn to look confused.
Shrugging, i look at my feet before i glance up and to her eyes, "Whenever you are here the sun
comes out". It sounds even dumber the second time that i say it , but i'm so nervous.
💖
So guys, the plot, the people, the love, the H ad h...everything is SOOOO GOOOD.
I don't think i have read these kinda books lately , they are all.....meet-fuck-HEA. DONE.
But THIS? Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaowwwzaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!
EVERY little thing about this book was BEAUTIFUL. Even the track record that Don(yes we are into nicknames now!!!) kept of the color of bow Gracie wore everyday.
🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀
And i am Binging her books these days so i am noticing that there books are getting SO much better with time, except for that Prom Series she wrote recently....that was.......let's just forget those happened.....it was just a computer virus for me. 😑😐
KEEP IT UP AR!!!!!
P.S- Julie and Jacks.......where are you? 🤔
The BEST chapter one i have read in a book.
I know there is nothing like "The best First Chapter" but.........OMG!!! AlexaRiley.........guys you killed it!!!!!!!It was SOOOOO ADOOOOOOORABLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
So, guys...umm..is it bad that i liked this one MORE than the 1st one??
No right? Okay then. 🥰
🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼
I liked Donovan. NO!! I LOVED him. 🤤🤩
Loved him like i wanna marry him.💍
And Gracie?🔆🌞🌞
She has become MY sunshine too. 🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆
🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁
One thing i discovered after reading this is...i LOVE when the MCs are of opposite nature.
In the first one both Val and Tidas were more or less the same, they were both smartmouthed and sassy. Maybe that's why i did not enjoy it as much as i did this one, because G $ D were so polar opposites.
She was the light to his darkness.
💖💖 "It dosen't matter what i'm doing, i keep thinking about Donovan. He has the prettiest eyes i've ever seen.........They are warm chocolate encased in thick long lashes that i'd kill for. I'd gotten so lost in them that i'd almost missed the deep scar that cut through his eyebrow down his cheek."💖💖
💖
"You always bring the sun with you" I say without thinking.
"What?" Now it's her turn to look confused.
Shrugging, i look at my feet before i glance up and to her eyes, "Whenever you are here the sun
comes out". It sounds even dumber the second time that i say it , but i'm so nervous.
💖
So guys, the plot, the people, the love, the H ad h...everything is SOOOO GOOOD.
I don't think i have read these kinda books lately , they are all.....meet-fuck-HEA. DONE.
But THIS? Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaowwwzaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!
EVERY little thing about this book was BEAUTIFUL. Even the track record that Don(yes we are into nicknames now!!!) kept of the color of bow Gracie wore everyday.
🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀
And i am Binging her books these days so i am noticing that there books are getting SO much better with time, except for that Prom Series she wrote recently....that was.......let's just forget those happened.....it was just a computer virus for me. 😑😐
KEEP IT UP AR!!!!!
P.S- Julie and Jacks.......where are you? 🤔
November 9, 2021
3 smutty ✨virgin✨ stars
alexa riley is shaking off their old skin.
I have been noticing this for a couple of their books now, it doesn't have the same 'horniness' as their old works.
I do like that, it's not OTT to the point of extreme but at the same time, that's not the AR I came to love. I mean, their characters are still the signature AR— virgin heroine, brute caveman hero.... you know how it goes.
Some of their recent works have not worked for me and maybe that's because I was expecting them to go super extreme like their Forced Submission Series —now, that's the AR I know.
I don't know, the fact that their covers are upgrading kind of reflect the content inside, this book was sweet and cheesy and short.
Their trashy book covers have the content I'm obsessed with. Also, a lot kinkier tbh.
Anyway, this was nice. I liked this as much as the first book, not my fave and kind of meh...
alexa riley is shaking off their old skin.
I have been noticing this for a couple of their books now, it doesn't have the same 'horniness' as their old works.
I do like that, it's not OTT to the point of extreme but at the same time, that's not the AR I came to love. I mean, their characters are still the signature AR— virgin heroine, brute caveman hero.... you know how it goes.
Some of their recent works have not worked for me and maybe that's because I was expecting them to go super extreme like their Forced Submission Series —now, that's the AR I know.
I don't know, the fact that their covers are upgrading kind of reflect the content inside, this book was sweet and cheesy and short.
Their trashy book covers have the content I'm obsessed with. Also, a lot kinkier tbh.
Anyway, this was nice. I liked this as much as the first book, not my fave and kind of meh...
November 8, 2021
This was just a really sweet addition to the series. I really loved Gracie and Donovan as a couple, more so than I did the couple within the previous book.
I did find the story to be a bit rushed, and quite generic, however, I still thought it was really cute- The whole opposite thing they had going on was just *chef's kiss*. But yeah, as expected, I just had a lot of fun with it.
I did find the story to be a bit rushed, and quite generic, however, I still thought it was really cute- The whole opposite thing they had going on was just *chef's kiss*. But yeah, as expected, I just had a lot of fun with it.
November 7, 2021
No estuvo tan bonito como el libro anterior.
Está entretenido nada más.
December 17, 2021
Estoy sorprendida de que The Fall Groom fuera una historia tan linda.
En un primer momento pense que iba a ser tan adorable como su predecesor y aunque es indudable que no resulta tan entrañable, sigue siendo una bonita historia de otoño.
La pareja protagonista me gusto mucho, no son originales, son del estilo de las autoras pero por alguna razon me agradaron mucho.
En resumen, una buena novella para pasar un ratito entretenida, ojala las autoras sigan en esta linea, estos libros si que me gustan, mas sencillos y sin tantos tabus forzados.
2.5 Estrellas!
December 25, 2022
It's cute but like the first book in the series... It's too long and it got dull.
November 6, 2021
Sigh, i really couldn't wait for this one but the way it went down didn't stand up for what i wished to get from this couple :(
It started really well but then instead of keep going in the right direction it went south really quick ,
i didn't like how they went all in in the same day, i wished to have her work more days on making him be more open and out of his shell you know? i didn't like that it was so easy, i wished the authors kept Donovan more mysterious ,more hunted, i dunno i just needed more on that part!!!
I liked them but...plot wise i didn't get what i wanted, heck the authors could've been playing more with a guy like him ,maybe make him more stalkeri-sh.... SOMETHING!!!
I like more Tidas and Val's story :(
I hope if they deliver Jacks and Julie's story will be better lol.
It started really well but then instead of keep going in the right direction it went south really quick ,
i didn't like how they went all in in the same day, i wished to have her work more days on making him be more open and out of his shell you know? i didn't like that it was so easy, i wished the authors kept Donovan more mysterious ,more hunted, i dunno i just needed more on that part!!!
I liked them but...plot wise i didn't get what i wanted, heck the authors could've been playing more with a guy like him ,maybe make him more stalkeri-sh.... SOMETHING!!!
I like more Tidas and Val's story :(
I hope if they deliver Jacks and Julie's story will be better lol.
January 11, 2024
Gracie es la cartera del pueblo y está llena de curiosidad sobre su nuevo vecino ermitaño. Donovan se obsesionó con su cartera desde el primer día que vino a traerle un paquete y ahora se ha dedicado a pedir una cosa cada día solo para poder verla... Al menos a través de la ventana porque si ella algún día ve su cara pensará que es un monstruo horrible... O no?
Ay ha sido una mezcla entre dulce y +18. Es una historia bastante pastelosa con amor a primera vista pero siempre hay un gruñón posesivo de por medio (como a mí me gustan 😌). Es una historia cortita para pasar el rato ya sabéis cómo va.
Ay ha sido una mezcla entre dulce y +18. Es una historia bastante pastelosa con amor a primera vista pero siempre hay un gruñón posesivo de por medio (como a mí me gustan 😌). Es una historia cortita para pasar el rato ya sabéis cómo va.
December 13, 2021
Loved this
This is the story of Donavan (Tidas brother from book 1 ) and Gracie ( Valerie's friend from book 1)
Donavan is a retired FBI agent with a scar on his face, a recluse and a silent type of man, Gracie is a sweetheart, kind and loving person
She basically his sunshine (his words)
Great chemistry, sexual tension and hot sex plus 2 cute epilogues
This is the story of Donavan (Tidas brother from book 1 ) and Gracie ( Valerie's friend from book 1)
Donavan is a retired FBI agent with a scar on his face, a recluse and a silent type of man, Gracie is a sweetheart, kind and loving person
She basically his sunshine (his words)
Great chemistry, sexual tension and hot sex plus 2 cute epilogues
November 15, 2021
Desde el primer libro de Valerie y Tidas moría por leer la historia de Donovan y Gracie y wow todo fue super cute y romántico 🤩, a pesar de que los personajes me gustaron y la pareja igual me sigue gustando más el primer libro se me hace más avanzado y más profundo en la historia.
Pesé a ser una historia corta, Alexa siempre le da un toque a sus mini historias que te dejan super enganchada.
Pesé a ser una historia corta, Alexa siempre le da un toque a sus mini historias que te dejan super enganchada.
November 10, 2021
After some serious books, this was what I need. A instant-love story without any dangerous things happened. I liked the 1st book more though.
May 15, 2024
Jamás creí que alguna vez fuese a decir esto, pero... me enterneció demasiado que el MMC se le ocurriera que para Halloween se disfrazarían—él y la hija— de planetas (que giran alrededor del sol) porque justo él considera a la FMC un sol. El romance no está muerto, joder.
November 22, 2024
Gracie y Donovan
Ella es una cartera que todos los días pasa por la casa de el a entregar un paquete.
El es un ex agente FBI que tras una explosión queda con cicatrices y no le gusta hablar con la gente.
Me gusta mucho como Donovan aun con lo difícil que es para el mostrarse lo hace por ella.
Ella es una cartera que todos los días pasa por la casa de el a entregar un paquete.
El es un ex agente FBI que tras una explosión queda con cicatrices y no le gusta hablar con la gente.
Me gusta mucho como Donovan aun con lo difícil que es para el mostrarse lo hace por ella.
November 7, 2021
Disappointed. I feel this book was rushed and lacked steam and substance
April 15, 2022
Another cutie of a book, scarred Donovan and sweet Gracie are a lovely dream! I love a good Beauty and The Beast retelling and this one was heavy on the sweet.
November 7, 2021
3.5✯
°Virgin heroine (22 y/o)
°Non manwhore hero
°Switching POVs
°Possessive obsessed jealous hero
°No separation
°Free of OW/OM drama
°No cheating
°No push/pull
°No intimate scenes with OP
°Epilogue: 5 years and 10 years later
°Virgin heroine (22 y/o)
°Non manwhore hero
°Switching POVs
°Possessive obsessed jealous hero
°No separation
°Free of OW/OM drama
°No cheating
°No push/pull
°No intimate scenes with OP
°Epilogue: 5 years and 10 years later
November 28, 2021
Donovan es genial, me gusto mucho como armaba escándalos cuando Gracie no le llevaba los paquetes que compraba completamente innecesarios, el pensaba que iba a estar toda su vida solo por las cicatrices que tiene, pero Gracie no acepta un no y lo trastorna hasta que no puede resistirse mas.
Gracie es un amor, una gran amiga de la protagonista del libro 1 de la serie, hacen muchas locuras ambas junto a Julie, es muy divertido ver a los hombres volverse locos persiguiéndolas por todo el pueblo.
Hermosa historia corta, dos protagonistas muy dulces y tiernos, y un instalove del bueno.
Gracie es un amor, una gran amiga de la protagonista del libro 1 de la serie, hacen muchas locuras ambas junto a Julie, es muy divertido ver a los hombres volverse locos persiguiéndolas por todo el pueblo.
Hermosa historia corta, dos protagonistas muy dulces y tiernos, y un instalove del bueno.
January 18, 2024
Beauty and the beast is my favourite trope however, this book gave me a lot of cringe. The lines during sex were super embarrassing and the male character does some questionable things like:
SPOILERS ↓
-Cumming on her pussy in a public place to "mark her".
-Throwing a surprise wedding instead of asking her to marry him because "she couldn't risk him saying no."
Conclusion: if you come for a sweet book that doesn't give you cringe chills, don't read this one.
SPOILERS ↓
-Cumming on her pussy in a public place to "mark her".
-Throwing a surprise wedding instead of asking her to marry him because "she couldn't risk him saying no."
Conclusion: if you come for a sweet book that doesn't give you cringe chills, don't read this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2024
A veces crees que tu mundo acaba de explotar a tu alrededor, pero cuando el polvo empieza a asentarse puedes ver la belleza de lo que queda.
Fue una historia corta y rápida de leer. Grumpy/sunshine. Una historia dulce sobre afrontar tus miedos e inseguridades.
Fue una historia corta y rápida de leer. Grumpy/sunshine. Una historia dulce sobre afrontar tus miedos e inseguridades.
August 23, 2022
Este libro me a encantado Gracie mi mujer es un libro rápido y entretenido
August 6, 2023
A cute read. I like a reclusive hero. It was sweet and heartwarming but overall nothing super special to make it stand out.
October 16, 2023
Un poco aburrido pero entretenido.
May 25, 2024
Corto, ligero y entretenido. Esperaba un poco más, la verdad. Me hubiese gustado que se tocara más sobre los miedos e inseguridades de Donovan, que era la premisa principal de la historia, pero es entendible por la corta extensión del libro. Aun así, me gustó la dinámica de los personajes y el final que les dieron.
Estuvo bien, sin duda una lectura para leer en una tarde o para salir de un bloqueo.
Estuvo bien, sin duda una lectura para leer en una tarde o para salir de un bloqueo.
October 6, 2024
Tenia muchas expectativas de este libro y la vdd no las cumplió, muy lento a pesar de ser cortito😞
March 21, 2024
This book became my favorite of the series. I love the relationship they have and the great love they feel for each other 🥹❤🩹
November 9, 2021
I had higher expectations, but it was alright. I thought his scars would be an important aspect in the story and in their relationship but it didn’t affect it at all, it was like it was forgotten in the first chapters.
November 9, 2021
I really enjoyed the beginning of this short read but let me warn you now,
There is absolutely no plot in this story. No climax or angst, nothing.
It’s just a casual write along with two love birds and their daily lives and then wam, HEA.
That’s it.
I feel duped.
- B.S.
There is absolutely no plot in this story. No climax or angst, nothing.
It’s just a casual write along with two love birds and their daily lives and then wam, HEA.
That’s it.
I feel duped.
- B.S.
May 23, 2024
Bien primero que nada, debo decir que puse 5 estrellas en relación a su anterior libro.
Yo llegué aquí por un video de TikTok y debo aceptar que las expectativas que tenía se cumplió (en consideración del tipo de escritura que hace la autora) es un libro dulce, corto y con mucho spicy, perfecto para una lectura "ligera".
LO QUE ME GUSTÓ
Es una historia muy dulce, no hay un enamoramiento instantáneo como tal sino que nuevamente la autora utiliza el hecho de ya conocerse, de que saben de la existencia y se gustan uno a otro sin saberlo, no puedo afirmar que hay un coqueteo por ambos porque él es un osito recluido pero tiene su encanto.
Ella me fascinó, es una mujer dulce que sabe lo que quiere y que va a por ello, igual que saber que tiene un gran corazón y ama con locura a su padre y sus amigas.
LO QUE NO ME GUSTÓ
Creo que más allá de no gustarme algo en especial, creo que me quede con una buena historia que hubiera deseado un poco más de interacción con los demás ¿saben? tener un poco más de evolución con él y su reclusión, donde ella lo ayuda poco a poco a abrirse, y en esta ocasión de nuevo la relación entre hermanos quedó muy floja, pues solo hay 2 escenas extras a la que vimos en el primer libro
Así que después de lo bueno y lo malo, solo debo decir que si quieres un libro ligero pero con una buena historia donde todos los elementos se mezclan super bien encontraste el indicado, recuerden que esta autora es conocida por escribir libros con HEA cortos y así que no esperes una gran historia con muchos giros de drama.
Yo llegué aquí por un video de TikTok y debo aceptar que las expectativas que tenía se cumplió (en consideración del tipo de escritura que hace la autora) es un libro dulce, corto y con mucho spicy, perfecto para una lectura "ligera".
LO QUE ME GUSTÓ
Es una historia muy dulce, no hay un enamoramiento instantáneo como tal sino que nuevamente la autora utiliza el hecho de ya conocerse, de que saben de la existencia y se gustan uno a otro sin saberlo, no puedo afirmar que hay un coqueteo por ambos porque él es un osito recluido pero tiene su encanto.
Ella me fascinó, es una mujer dulce que sabe lo que quiere y que va a por ello, igual que saber que tiene un gran corazón y ama con locura a su padre y sus amigas.
LO QUE NO ME GUSTÓ
Creo que más allá de no gustarme algo en especial, creo que me quede con una buena historia que hubiera deseado un poco más de interacción con los demás ¿saben? tener un poco más de evolución con él y su reclusión, donde ella lo ayuda poco a poco a abrirse, y en esta ocasión de nuevo la relación entre hermanos quedó muy floja, pues solo hay 2 escenas extras a la que vimos en el primer libro
Así que después de lo bueno y lo malo, solo debo decir que si quieres un libro ligero pero con una buena historia donde todos los elementos se mezclan super bien encontraste el indicado, recuerden que esta autora es conocida por escribir libros con HEA cortos y así que no esperes una gran historia con muchos giros de drama.
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