| Title | : | Paper Hearts (Hearts, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 351 |
| Publication | : | First published September 4, 2015 |
Paper Hearts (Hearts, #2) Reviews
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★★★★ 1/2! Paper Hearts (stand-alone), book 2 of X. A story of broken hearts, second chances & heart-stopping love!
“They say it takes twenty-one days to break a habit. It’s been approximately one thousand eight hundred and twenty six since I last held her hand in mine and I’m still waiting for the remnants of her to break off of me.”
Books in Hearts series are stand-alones:
Book 1:
Kaleidoscope Hearts
Book 1.5:
Torn Hearts - Prequel included in book 2
Book 2:
Paper Hearts
Paper Hearts (book 2, including prequel) is a story of an epic love and second chances. The prequel takes us back in time to 18 year old high school student Mia Bennett, Meep aka Road runner and 22 year old university student Jensen Reynolds budding romance and later their devastating breakup when Jensen shattered Mia’s heart.
Fast forward five long years story picks up as now aspiring photographer Mia and popular newspaper columnist Jensen’s paths cross again when Mia takes a temporary job in New York at the same newspaper. Even though she moved on Mia is still broken. Jensen matured, his life went on, but his futile attempts to apologize and make amends met with silence.
“And nothing is more haunting than regret.”
Story follows them finding their way through, rehashing past hurts and could-have-beens and their take on the events to broke them apart. It’s about opening the lines of communication, forgiveness, second chances and heart-healing love.
“I’ve lived in pain since the moment I lost you. I’ve learned to live with it, but I haven’t learned to accept it.”
Jensen Reynolds, the man, the lover, the rebel, the writer, the poet and the father. Love, love, love his voice. And as much as I am a sucker for ruthless moguls I am awarding five stars to easy-going, lovable, matured, patient, frustrated, reflective, insightful and humorous. He captivated me with his wit, humility, sincerity and his unwavering love.
“I’d rather live my life in flames than be numb without her.”
Though I can appreciate Mia Bennett, Meep aka Road runner’s pain, I might have wished for less miscommunication and more honesty. Six words to describe Mia: Broken, determined, immature, private, wishy-washy and stubborn.
“Come back to me, my little Road Runner, my world is cold and boring without you.”
Paper Hearts is told from Mia’s POV, but sprinkled in with Jensen’s Talks, his highly popular newspaper column where he gives candid glimpses into his life and feelings. It’s a bittersweet, yet heart-warming tale of mistakes and pain; regrets and amends; love and healing. Then ending was perfect, with epilogue several years into the future.
Heart-breaking set-up! Heart-tugging plot! Heart-warming story-telling! Heart-stealing Jensen Reynolds!
“Missing: my muse. If found, please return.”
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Hero rating: 5 stars
Heroine rating: 3.5 stars
Sexual tension rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4.5 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 4 stars
Plot rating: 4 stars
Dialogue rating: 4.5 stars
Storytelling rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: 5 stars
Book editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): N/A, ARC
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Overall rating: 4.5 stars
Would I recommend this series: Yes.
Would I re-read this series: Maybe later.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
Thank you to all the shhluts, Liz, Jabby, Tanaka, WaWa, Timi, LoLo, Maricris, Kay, Mer, Myla, Mad, Snow, Dawn & Naw for (F) Buddy reading on Shh…
https://goo.gl/ZsJJKK
ARC to be provided to me by author Claire Contreras, in exchange for an honest review. -
5+ stars!
After reading this story, I am blown away. I had a feeling I would love this book. I love all Claire’s books. She writes with so much feeling and emotion, I can’t help but to fall in love with her stories. Paper Hearts left me with such a book hangover. I’ve read a few books since and it’s still on my mind. I highlighted more in this book than any other. Pages and pages of quotes. I can’t rave enough about this gorgeous story. Every chapter was special- every page, every word. It was all beyond incredible. I loved Mia, Jensen, and their second chance romance so much!
When Jensen and Mia were younger, they were inseparable. They were in love. A real and true forever kind of love. When Jensen went off to college, things changed. He made one choice that changed both of their lives forever. It’s been years since the two of them were a couple. Since they were best friends and the most important person to the other. Now they’re in the same city again, and old feelings come to the surface.
Jensen knows the mistake he made was huge, but he wants another chance with the only woman he’s ever truly loved. He wants Mia. As much as Mia tries to deny it, Jensen is still the only man she’s truly loved. But how do you move forward and forgive someone that shattered your heart? It’s not easy, but it may be possible…
“You can keep walking away from this, and I’m going to keep letting you, because even when you think you leave, your heart always stays, and it’s something I carry with pride.”
Mia and Jensen were both amazing characters. After reading Torn Hearts, I wasn’t sure if I could ever 100% forgive Jensen or move on from that. It hurt my heart- I can’t even imagine trying to forgive and move past something like that. Any time I wanted Mia to give the poor guy a break, I remembered how I felt when I read that scene… and I completely sympathized with her. When it comes down to it, Jensen was not perfect. He made one choice and had to live with the consequences. He more than made up for that decision. He was incredibly romantic when it came to Mia. His writing in the story was wonderful.
“Some say I loved her to the point of madness, bordering on obsession… Perhaps they’re all right. Perhaps they’re all right. Perhaps I am mad. And if that’s the case, to be frank, I don’t give a damn. What I know is that she sets me on fire… and I’d rather live my life in flames than be numb without her.”
Some of my most favorite parts of the book were those chapters that featured Jensen’s column. It was great to get in his head and see what he was thinking and feeling. I absolutely loved all his ‘thoughts’
My thought for today: be cautious with yourself.
Aside from Mia and Jensen, it was great to catch up with the rest of the gang from KH. I especially loved Mia’s brother, Rob and her parents. They brought some much needed laughs to the story. And any scene with Olivia was also fantastic.
Be cautious, because others will beat you down enough. You shouldn’t have to add to that pain. You will, though, because that’s what you do. But you’ll also get back up, because that’s what you do.
Paper Hearts is by far the most engaging, well-written and stunning story I’ve read this year. Claire’s writing is brilliant. This story moved me. It’s made it’s way to the very top of my favorites list and I can’t wait for everyone to read it and fall in love with Mia and Jensen just as I did!
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➸ dnf at 25%
i wanted this book to make me suffer, and it did! not in the way i wanted, though.
to sum it up; Mia and Jensen have been best friends since childhood and at some point they friendship turns into love and they decide to date each other. but when Jensen goes off to another city to attend college, they don’t want the pressure of a long distance relationship so they agree to take a break and see other people while he is away.
i guess some people think that it’s fine to take a break in a relationship and date other people [insert a clip of Ross Geller from Friends screaming “we were on a break!”] but i, personally, can’t think the same. sorry, i just... don’t understand, no matter what the reasons are. that’s not something that i would do. if you don’t want to pressure of a long-distance relationship and also want to be with other people, okay! then just break up for once and for all, isn’t it less painful and less messy? well, for me it is. or at least you could try to make some effort to make the long-distance work. see, i’ve never been in one and, still, i can imagine that it’s definitely not easy to make it work — but it’s not impossible, right?
at least the mmc was not the only one doing that, i would hate this even more if the fmc was waiting for him while he was banging other women. thankfully, that wasn’t the case here, and she was actually the one who suggested the break. even so, i don’t really agree with that.
but alright! that’s not exactly what pissed me off and it’s not my point, so let’s move on.
the biggest problem is that before starting this book, i knew he did something bad because i read a few spoiler-free reviews, but i didn’t think it was something that bad. i enjoy reading second chance romances and sometimes i can forgive the guys for fucking up, but here? i can’t. what he did is unforgivable and unredeemable in my eyes. i was considering dnf’ing after i discovered it, but i decided to try a few more pages because i wanted to see him grovel and beg for her forgiveness and i also wanted to see her making him suffer (seeing men suffering and begging is the reason why i like to second chance romance after all).
and then... Jensen said something that made me realize there was no point in continuing reading this book. what he said truly had me wishing he was a real person so i could punch him.
this guy’s so pathetic and the fmc’s even more pathetic for still wanting him. girl, come to your senses and dump him.
after that, i finally decided to give up because i didn’t want to waste more of my time. i went to check some spoilers and let me tell you: i’m happy and thankful i didn’t keep reading this book; i would be way more pissed than i am right now if i did and it’s no doubt that i would end up giving it 1 star.
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﹙ ➷ pre–read: ﹚
in desperate need of an angsty second chance to make me suffer so i hope this delivers what i want. 😮💨 -
*****FIVE STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author in Exchange For An Honest Review}
(BR with Mel and Dee)
"I never stop thinking about you. For years, my thoughts don't have any room that doesn't include you. You're everywhere."
Absolutely LOVED this one HARD!!!!
Going into this book, I was convinced I couldn't possibly love this more than Kaleidoscope Hearts. That my heart couldn't be swayed from Oliver. I was dead WRONG!! Jensen Reynolds completely swept me off my feet!! He made this book a FIVE STAR read for me. I was completely enamored with his beautiful words!! Claire Contreras has just now been added to my Favorite Authors shelf and I know that I must read some of her other works ASAP!!
In "Torn Hearts" we get a brief glimpse into Jensen and Mia's past. We also learned what happened to tear them apart. If you haven't read the novella, you actually can skip it, since it's included in the beginning of "Paper Hearts".
Five years after their break up, Mia finds herself in NYC. She's landed a two month gig with Newsweek, as the photographer for a story about "Second Chances". As luck would have it, Jensen also works for the magazine as a free lance writer and happens to be one of the writers on the same project as Mia. Mia is determined not to fall back into Jensen's arms. But Jensen is willing to do anything and everything to make Mia his once again.
One of my favorite tropes, is second chance romances, and this was not only that, but filled with so much angst, I felt my heart was being twisted and tortured. I blame Mia for most of the angst. I understood why she was hurt and I get she was afraid to trust in Jensen again, but God Damn, I know if I were in her shoes, I would have run willingly into his arms! But if Mia had gone my route, this would have been an entirely different story and over way too soon!!
I ADORED Jensen!! He loved Mia to damn near obsession. We get his voice in the beginning of most of the chapters through excerpts from his blogs which are published in a newspaper. Every blog entry is like an open love letter to Mia, his Life Sweetheart. Jensen has never gotten over Mia and even though five years have gone by, his love has only grown stronger for her. His sole purpose is to get his girl back and to never let his little road runner run away from him again. I'm a total sucker for any book boyfriend who would cut up tiny pieces of paper hearts and write little love notes on them for his lady.
I am just in love with Claire Contreras writing. I nearly highlighted the entire book and there were a few moments towards the end where I even shed a few tears!! Oliver, Elle, and the entire gang from the first book are back in this one as well. It was like coming back home and getting to spend some time with some good friends. They brought a lot of humor into the story and I just loved how they were so supportive as well.
To anyone out there who hasn't picked up this series, you need to make it a priority to get to it!! You will lose your hearts to these amazing book boyfriends! I do believe that I am leaning towards Jensen as my favorite for now.
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"Real love stories never end."
Paper Hearts is the second book in Claire Contreras' Hearts Series. Although it can be read as a standalone, you should most definitely read the novella Torn Hearts in order to get the backstory of the main characters. I will also add that the first book in the series Kaleidoscope Hearts is a must read! All of the characters are inner connected and beautifully written.
"Ours was a story that would remain untold, because living it was painful enough."-Mia
Mia is a flourishing photographer. Although she has spent her entire life in sunny California, she has been given the opportunity of a lifetime in New York City. She has been hired to work for a magazine on a special piece on second chances. As Mia ventures off to the big city one question is weighing her down, will she run into the man who broke her heart?
"I let her go, not because I loved her too much to ask her to stay, but because I couldn't bear to hear her tell me she wouldn't. Still, every once in a while I wonder. And nothing is more haunting then regret."-Jensen
Jensen is a popular author and blogger. He loves life in the big city and writes about his adventures in dating "as a single dad in the big apple". Jensen has always regretted loosing his first love. When Mia and Jensen cross paths, all of the feelings come crashing in like a tsunami.
Mia and Jensen grew up together and travel in the same group of friends. Although Jensen and Mia have always had success with keeping their relationship civil, being face to face again on a daily basis shifts the balance between the two. Being together for the first time is like adding fuel to a slow burning fire.
"This was real, cut throat, I hate you and want to choke you, tension."-Mia
Jensen is desperate to prove to Mia that the love they had between them never died. Mia is determined to protect herself from the pain. If she can just manage to make it through this assignment, she can return to California and forget about seeing Jensen again.
"Because every time he looked at me that way, like I was special, like I was some sort of medal he wanted to win, I felt like melting."-Mia
Every time I felt sorry for Jensen, I remembered why they were torn apart in the first place. Although I still felt sympathy for them both, I felt a kinship to Mia and I felt like her actions were more than understandable. And yet, aren't we all guilty of making mistakes? Are we meant to pay for them for eternity?
At first glance, it might appear that Paper Hearts is just another second chance romance full of angst and "gooey feels". However, I found Paper Hearts to be a truly cathartic read about transformation, growth, and the sensibility of learning from your past experiences. Jensen and Mia's journey thoroughly explores every aspect of being broken down and the beauty of being put back together again.
"I think following your heart requires the right timing, and I haven't had great luck with timing thus far."-Jensen
The writing is told in dual POV. Mia's POV is first person and Jensen's POV is shared through the writing of his blog. Both characters are complex and well developed. The setting of the book comes to life making both NYC and Sunny CA additional characters in the book. The secondary characters were also unique to this read because their input and support became critical to the success of Mia and Jensen's reconciliation.
"Home is where I am."-Jensen
Overall, I cannot rave enough about the beauty in Paper Hearts. I could not stop highlighting the text because the writing is so well crafted. The emotions are explored so thoroughly that I felt the tension and release right along with the characters. The flow of the writing is intense and yet the witty banter between Mia and Jensen kept a smile on my face the entire read. Additionally, the passion between this book couple was on maximum steam. Imagine how you would feel being together again after spending years apart? It is simply raw and beautiful!
"I want to get inside you and f*ck you endlessly. I need to erase any memory this has that doesn't involve me."-Jensen
When it comes to second chance romances, I am a huge fan. However, for me, Jensen and Mia's story is more than just a "second chance romance". It is a story about forgiveness. It is a story about adapting to life even when things don't go the way we expected them to. We don't always get the chance at winning back "the one that got away." Paper Hearts is a beautiful reminder to live the life you have to its fullest. Love as many people as you can. Be an inspiration to many. Most of all, have faith that love truly will prevail. Thank you Ms. Contreras for creating another masterpiece. I have enjoyed every piece of literature that you have created! Paper Hearts is a must read for contemporary romance fans and it definitely tops my favorite of 2015! Don't miss this amazing read! Claire Contreras is a one click buy for me and I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment in this series!
~ARC graciously given by author in exchange for an honest review!~
~Original read September 9, 2015
~Re-READ with my Shh... Sisters for an amazing BR in honor of Broken Heroes!
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
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"Real love stories never end."
I had high expectations when it came to Jensen and Mia's story, and Claire Contreras delivered flawlessly. The exquisite writing, the flawed yet relatable characters and the beautiful second chance love story is what makes Paper Hearts an unforgettable read for me.
When I read Kaleidoscope Hearts and met Jensen and Mia, it becomes apparent that there's something between them and that it went bad. So bad that Mia still refuses to be civil to Jensen even after five years. Claire Contreras gave us a glimpse of what went wrong with Jensen and Mia in Torn Hearts. Both of them made a decision that would forever alter the cause of their lives leaving devastation in its wake.Ours was a story that would remain untold, because living it was painful enough.
Paper Hearts picked up right where Torn Hearts ended, so that goes without saying that you need to read Torn Hearts before starting this or you'll miss a lot of the back story. Anyway, Mia is moving to New York putting her in the same city as Jensen, and this is where their second-chance love story begins.
Jensen and Mia had a lot of obstacles to overcome. For one, Mia is afraid of trusting Jensen again. And I don't blame her for not jumping into a relationship with him immediately. She was devastated and betrayed by what happened. But I can't say Mia was faultless either. I think they were both young, they both made a stupid decision, and most of all, they have a lot of growing up to do.They say it takes twenty-one days to break a habit. It's been approximately one thousand eight hundred and twenty six since I last held her hand in mine and I'm still waiting for the remains of her to break off of me.
Five years after their relationship crashed and burned, Jensen has a chance to win Mia back. And boy, did he pull out all the stops on that one. While PH is told mainly through Mia's POV, we do get Jensen's feelings via his weekly column. And it was revealing. I just loved how he allowed himself to be vulnerable like that. He groveled throughout the whole book. I really felt for him. You could feel his regret and sorrow for hurting Mia throughout the whole book."I'd walk on glass if that meant getting to you. I'd swim an ocean, climb a mountain, I'd do anything."
I really loved how Claire Contreras built up Jensen's character. I understood his motivations. I didn't necessarily agree with all of his decisions but I understood and can sympathize why he made those decisions. That's something that Ms. Contreras did throughout the book, not just with Jensen's character but with Mia as well.
In Kaleidoscope Hearts, Mia was the crazy, fun BFF who's always up for a good time. In Paper Hearts, we get to meet the other side of Mia. Her frustration at not being able to get over Jensen was palpable. I felt her struggle to forgive and trust Jensen again.With one look he'd managed to bring my guard back down. If I stayed any longer, I would let him break down all the stones I'd built in the aftermath of his love, and I couldn't bear it. I couldn't bear to let one night break me open like that.
The presence of Mia's and Jensen's family, their friends, including Jensen's daughter added an interesting layer to the story. I loved Mia's relationship with her own family. It's so refreshing to read a contemporary romance where the heroine actually has a healthy relationship with her parents. Usually, it's either they're dead, alcoholic or abusive. And even though Jensen had the typical "dysfunctional" family common in fiction, he does have a foster mother who provided a more or less a stable home for him.
Did I mention that I really, really loved this book? It's been a while since a book has touched me on visceral level, and Paper Hearts managed to do that. Claire Contreras' writing was just gorgeous. The flow, the pacing, the dialogue—everything just worked so well. I am usually leery of overly romantic and wordy heroes but Jensen…what can I say, he slayed me from the get go. And the way he talks, his sensitivity is actually consistent with his character. He's a writer. Words are his life. It simply fits."I've lived in pain since the moment I lost you. I've learned to live with it, but I haven't learned to accept it."
Read this book. If you're looking for a second-chance love story with a healthy dose of sweet angst, I'd recommend this book. Paper Hearts definitely earns a spot on my favorites shelf. I won't be forgetting Jensen and Mia's story very soon."I love you, and there's no negotiating with what I feel in my heart."
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review...
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”REAL LOVE STORIES never end.”
Claire Contreras delivered one of the best second chance romance stories that I have read this year. I’m not typically a fan of second chance stories because usually one of the characters totally screws up and/or outside influences mess with my couple but in this story the author made it work.
This novel kindly includes the Torn Hearts novella. Since I hadn’t read this beforehand, here’s a quick recap of heartbreaking downfall of Mia and Jensen.
Torn Hearts 4 Stars
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5 BEAUTIFUL STARS
“Real love stories never end”
This was such a beautiful, emotional, intense and heartbroken story! From the moment I read the novella, I couldn't wait to continue Jensen and Mia's story! This book is about forgiveness, second chances and love! I have read books before from Claire and I loved them! In this one she captivated me with her story, the writing was so poetic that I couldn't put it down. And when I had to stop my mind kept going back to the story.
After five years apart Mia and Jensen, meet again. But things aren't easy for them.. Mia can't still can't accept what happened in the past between her and Jensen, Jensen has a kid now...Love is so powerful can reconnect them or isn't enough?
I don't want to give anything else away...It's one of these stories that you need to read yourself to enjoy the experience.
I fell in love with Jensen and Mia, they have became one of my top favorite book couples! My heart ached for them and I couldn't wait to finally have their happy ending! Because they were perfect for each other even though sometimes life had other plans for them.I loved how their love story developed with the ups and downs between these two.There were moments that I was upset with Jensen and I liked the fact that Mia didn't go back to Jensen immediately! Their chemistry was of the charts and you could feel the passion and tension! You could feel their love and you would hope that you could also find your own true love...
The ending was so beautiful that I was crying! I wish there could be another book with these two!!I loved so many quotes in the book that I wanted to wrote all of them but I couldn't..I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys second chances romances!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
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4.5 Stars
Jensen and Mia fall in love young, they share a special connection - but when Jensen moves to New York for college, the choices they make change everything. Heartbroken, they go their separate ways. Now years later, they find themselves in the same city, and those feelings of the past resurface.
Jensen is determined to get another chance with Mia, she is the only woman for him. While Mia struggles to deny her feelings for Jensen, she isn't sure she can let go of the painful memories of their past.
“You can keep walking away from this, and I’m going to keep letting you, because even when you think you leave, your heart always stays, and it’s something I carry with pride.”
Paper Hearts was an emotional story. After reading Torn Hearts I knew my heart was going to be put through the wringer. My heart broke for Mia in that pivotal moment, but at the same time I sympathized with Jensen as well. Throughout Paper Hearts, Jensen puts his heart on his sleeve, doing everything he can to prove himself to Mia -and to be honest, I started to get a bit annoyed with Mia with her constant running. But I found their story engaging, with a perfect blend of angst, humor, and romance - I could not put it down. Overall, this was a well written, second chance romance - I adored Jensen, and Mia most of time, and the side characters were great. -
OMG. The. Feels. This book completely owned my heart and when I finished I just wanted more! I stumbled upon Claire when my bestie recommend her and I have become a HUGE fan. Claire always delivers the most beautiful stories. Her writing captivates me, her characters own my heart, and her stories always feel new and fresh.
Paper Hearts is no exception, if anything I loved it more. Mia and Jensen are soulmates and were always destined to be together, but due to timing and other circumstances have never really had a real chance.
“That was what I found most comforting about it all: we were all confused together, and ultimately, all lost together, despite our ages, races, genders, and anything else that set us apart.”
Mia and Jensen have spent the last five years apart and during that time neither have truly moved on. They have dated, but have not had any real serious relationships. Jensen is still living in New York and Mia is in California. However, when Mia lands a job in New York City, working for the magazine Jensen works for they are forced back into each other’s lives.
Mia and Jensen have to decide if they are ready to forgive each other and move on. If they are ready to let go of their hurt and trust each other. It isn’t an easy decision and both are scared of what they have to lose, but also more scared of not trying.
It’s been said we’re only given one chance at things in life. I’d love to prove that wrong.
You know those stories where you can genuinely feel the love between the characters. The stories that make you believe the characters are real and you can’t quit thinking about them. The kind of stories that make you wish you could read it all over again for the first time. This is one of those stories.
Paper Hearts is a story about second chance love and there are definitely things that make Mia and Jensen’s story unique. However, what truly captivated me and made this story was the insanely beautiful writing. I honestly cannot even describe how beautiful this story is and do it justice. I can just say I think this is the most I ever highlighted a book while reading. I actually fangirled so hard on one line and told Claire it’s the most beautiful line I had ever read, only to read further to find another and then another.
“Real love stories never end.”
Unconditional love is rare and beautiful, but rarely do I ever read books were I believe it is present. Reading Jensen's articles each week I had no doubt in his unconditional, unwavering love for Mia. I want to say it's my favorite part of the story, seeing his thoughts thrown in through his articles, but I loved it all so much I can't really say. This is definitely one of those books I recommend for anyone. It's a love story on a whole other level, it's EPIC!
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
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★★★★★ 5 Stars ★★★★★
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I had so many feels reading this book, it was a wonderful second chance romance that will break your heart before putting it all back together again.
Torn Hearts was the prequel novella in which we found out about the consequences of Jensen's mistake when he and Mia were on a break during their first year he was at college. This novella is included at the beginning of Paper Hearts so don't worry if you haven't read it. If you have though, you will know how poor Mia was suffering, and how heartbroken she was to learn that Jensen could no longer be a part of her future.
Five years later, Mia is moving to NYC for a temporary job as a photographer for a magazine. It is a job that she really needs to do before she takes up a permanent one back in Cali, but the placement happens to be where Jensen is a freelance writer.
Jensen is now a successful author and freelancer who has made a name for himself and is living a great life. His life would be perfect, if only he could get his ex-bestfriend and lover to be a part of it again, and seek for her forgiveness for hurting her so badly.“Some say I loved her to the point of madness, bordering on obsession."
They end up working together, which enables them to spend time together in order to try and move forward, either for closure or to at least become friends again, but their attraction and chemistry is so strong that Mia finds it hard to cope with, she was so broken that she can't contemplate ever feeling that way again."I hate him. I hate her. I hate New York. I hate love. I hate my heart for being a fucking living reminder of his love. I fucking hate everything.."
I would absolutely find it so hard to forgive anyone for doing what Jensen did, but the way he won her over and proved to her over and over again that he loved her so completely, would sway anyone. He was no longer the young man embarking on his life, but a grown man with responsibilities, and he knew without a doubt that Mia was the one he wanted to be with forever.
I loved all the emotions I felt whilst reading this book, and although it was often quite angsty, the joyous moments more than made up for it. The writing was amazingly good and I have so many highlighted passages that I keep reading back over, it was simply stunning.
Paper Hearts was told from Mia's POV, with snippets from Jensen's Sunday newspaper column. I loved how it was written, it was just a beautiful story, I can't recommend it enough.
P.S I loved her dad, he wins the award for best supporting cast :)
ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review
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4 stars!
"You only need one person to believe in you, even if that person is yourself."
**Note: Paper Hearts must be read after Torn Hearts (1.5) which is included in the ebook. Mia and Jensen were post high school sweethearts. When Jensen was an outcast Mia saw him for who he was and loved him. When Jensen left for New York to pursue his dreams he made a mistake that ripped him and Mia apart for years.
Five years later and Mia has accepted a photographer job in New York at the same magazine where Jensen works as a writer. Despite her every effort to keep him out, Jensen is determined to get himself back into Mia's life. But Mia cannot bring herself to trust Jensen despite their feelings for each other, and soon it may be Mia breaking Jensen's Heart.
I love angsty reads and second chance romance and this book was the best of both of those worlds. On top of being a romance, this book focused on finding one's own place in life as well as the importance of family. I loved Jensen, he knew he had messed up, but he didn't give up hope that he would end up with his soulmate. His determination to get Mia back was everything.
Mia had her world broken apart so it was hard for her to sort out her feelings on everything. She wasn't always the nicest person to Jensen, but after holding in her anger for five years she let it out. To be fair, he did somewhat ruin their planned future with each other and it devastated her. Once someone's trust is lost, it's that much harder to gain it back.
Claire Contreras is a very talented author. Every book I've read by her packs a bunch of feels and sends the reader on an emotional yet heartwarming journey. I loved her inclusion of real reader questions in the book, it added a level of authenticity that made the answers so much more genuine. I also loved all of the side characters, and I'm hoping for an M/M novella about the story of Rob and Juan Pablo. Please? Pretty please, Claire?
"I used to wonder what I would do if I had the chance to go back in time and right something. Would I take it? Would I look at it as a second opportunity, or would I just let it go, knowing the experiences I went through and learned from?" -
5***Chase the Road Runner ~ Stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone Book 2 of Hearts series
POV: First Person – Dual
“Maybe our souls really are scattered in the things we love, and we are all completely lost, but from the moment she looked at me, I felt like I’d been found.” Jensen
There are some stories that will forever stay in your heart, and stories that will speak to you. This book did all of that for me. From the novella “Torn Hearts” I knew I was going in for an emotional ride. I was actually shocked I wasn’t ugly crying on this one but I did shred some tears and they were because with each word that were beautifully written I could feel all the heart ache and my insides twisted and I just felt every emotion and the consequences of their choices. This story was so much more than a second chance. It was a story of lessons, to learn that for every choice we make we have to learn to deal with the consequences of our own choices.
Mia Bennett, “Meep” aka Road runner; was heartbroken after Jensen the love of her life betrayed her trust. She wouldn’t let it go she couldn’t forgive him; instead she focus on her career and goals and ignore him. She was offered an opportunity she couldn’t give up so she moved temporarily to New York where she knew Jensen will be. Mia had to take the risk of seeing him again after being apart and ignoring him for five years. Her dream was to show and display her photos and get acknowledge and recognition for them and she wouldn’t give up on her dream.“I let myself get lost in fantasies I created when I was looking at the world through my lens” Mia
Jensen Reynolds; moved to New York City to pursued his dream to be a writer and he succeeded; he became a famous writer. He wrote children’s books and has an article in the newspaper and even got an award for his work. He also wrote a Romance Novel about him and Mia. Jensen made a huge mistake that will forever regret and pay for it. However because of his bad choices he lost the only person that gave him a chance; the only person who he believed had his heart. He lost “her” Mia and now she was coming to his City even if temporarily; he never lost hope and continues to push on and never gave up on their love. He truly believef that she was his soul mate and that they were meant to be together. All the time they have been apart had thought him so much, he had learned to grow and be a better person but the one thing he couldn’t do is let go of her he couldn’t let go of his best friend and soul mate.“Nothing is more hunting than regret””Your mind remembers, your senses remember. Your heart remembers.” Jensen
I truly enjoyed reading Jensen’s writing on his newspaper they were just amazing about his feelings and about the love of his life “Mia Bennett” the one that got away because of his stupid choices.
After Mia arrived at New York she didn’t know what to do around Jensen. He took every opportunity to be with her and challenged her and took her out and wrote about their relationship on his newspaper. I loved everything about it. She did not forget easily and I loved that about it because when someone cheats on you and gets someone pregnant and leaves you to marry them you really have to think a lot before going back and giving them a chance. They ended up reconnecting while she was in New York and he was just amazing, it was hard not to fall head over heels for Jensen. He took her on a bike ride, to eat, and to their favorite band’s concert “Mumford and Sons”. I think that was the best part of the book for me when I completely broke down and cried of how unfair life is sometimes but really it is because of the choices we make.
They both opened up to each other decided to take it slow and see how it goes. Jensen knew it will take a lot for Mia to forgive him and I have to give Mia props because being in her position I would of done exactly the same thing. If she takes a risk and give him a chance she has to think about the entire package the ex wife, the step - daughter gorgeous beautiful five year old Olivia that has no fault on her daddy’s choices. Mia’s work was a success she got her dream job and her work to be displayed at a famous museum. She had everything she every wanted but had to give him up for her dream job; it hit her hard the words from Jensen that “Home is where the heart is at” and her heart has always been with him.
The events at the end of this book were just so beautiful and I loved every single moment of it. I love how the author makes you appreciate Jensen’s humble acceptance of his mistakes and try really hard every day to make up for it. I loved how he never gave up on Mia and their love. I love how Mia wasn’t so easy to give in and forget but at the end she realized she had to let go and take advantage of the second chance life was giving her even if that meant leave her dream job behind because she was whole with Jensen. She was still successful thought because her talent was amazing and I just love the fact that both were able to enjoy the work they do and have a life happy after all the heartbreak and sorrow they both had to endured. I would recommend this beautiful story to anyone looking for a second chance story.
”Copy kindly provided via author, in exchange for an honest review.”
BOOK SERIES ORDER: STANDALONE
EPIC F(BR) BROKEN HEROES WEEK WITH MY SHHLUTS
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5 Be Still My Heart STARS
"REAL LOVE STORIES never end."
This story moved me. For the onset till the very last word. The words, the characters and the raw emotion held my heart captive and pulled, tugged and squeezed.
To say that I loved this book wouldn't be accurate or barely scratch the surface of how I feel. It was one of those reads that burrowed under my skin and took up residence in my soul. It has been days since I finished this and at times, I find myself reliving moments, feelings or spoken words with all the feels that came with it!
The writing was poetic and beautiful, and the character development, the struggle and journey for Mia and Jensen to find their way back to each other was as real as it gets.
The connection, bond or tether than kept Mia and Jensen bound together despite time, space and circumstance was powerful and beautiful. And like Mia said, Jensen treated her like all women deserved to be treated! *sigh*
If you haven’t read this series, I say go out and start reading today! You do need to read the first book before and the novella to truly appreciate the characters' history and dynamics and fully immerse yourself in these two broken souls as they cobble together their broken hearts.
***An advance reading copy was generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review.***
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5 Stars
Look, I'm not going to give you a full review here simply because (1) I'm lazy and (2) there's already so many great reviews that sum up this amazing book perfectly.
What I can tell you is that this was one of my favorite second chance romances I've read all year. It was deliciously angsty, heart-breakingly emotional, sexy, sweet and everything in between. Poignantly written, emotionally charged perfection. Truly. See here's the thing, I'm not a fan of romances where the hero has a child from the other woman and I have yet to read a book where that's worked for me...until this one. I adored Jensen. Their journey to a HEA was not easy but filled with so many emotions, it brought tears to my eyes with the sheer beauty of it. Torn Hearts shattered me and Paper Hearts slowly put me back together again. I don't think I've loved a hero so much since...well...ever. The things that this man does and says are so swoon worthy, they're beyond words.
If you're a fan of second chance romance, this book is not to be missed. Period. Maybe once I get over my feels I can come back and write it the review it deserves, but for now, this is what you get :)
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BİLGİ: Kaleydoskop Kalpleri okuyup sevdiyseniz eğer bu kitabı da okumanızı şiddetle öneririm. :) Kitabın Türkçe baskısı çok yakında satışa çıkıyor ve benim de 3 kitaplık serideki favorim bu kitaptır. Umarım sizler de okur ve benim gibi gözlerinizden kalpler fışkırarak ve de bolca iç çekerek Jensen ve onun biricik Road Runner'ını seversiniz.. :)
Kitap hakkında detaylı bilgiye aşağıdaki linkten ulaşabilirsiniz. Kitabın TR çevirisi ilk kitapta olduğu gibi yine canım arkadaşım Halime Yazıcı'ya aittir. Halime, başarılarının devamını kalpten dilerim canım. <3
http://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/kagit...
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OMG I loved it, loved it, loved it so much!!! If you're believe in love, I mean real "The One" love ; this series are must read! They're all amazing but ahhh Jensen is something else... I just love him and his Road Runner so freaking much! <3
Oh I almost forgot, I also loved that amazing epilogue in the end. Uhhh it made me cry, it was so sweet. :)
I highly recommend this series. Seriously you must read all of them asap!
Kaleidoscope Hearts
Torn Hearts
Paper Hearts
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“How did your love story end?” I asked after a moment. He smiled, a wide, slow grin right before he pressed his lips against mine. He backed away slowly and searched my face for a beat. “Real love stories never end,” he whispered.”
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♥ ♥ ♥ 4.5 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥
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"They say it takes twenty-one days to break a habit. It's been approximately one thousand eight hundred and twenty six since I last held her hand in mine and I'm still waiting for the remains of her to break off of me."
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If you've read Kaleidoscope Hearts, then you are familiar with Mia and Jensen. And if you read Torn Hearts, then you know how everything ended between them. In Paper Hearts, years have gone by since Mia and Jensen were young and in love. Because of a choice Jensen made, things changed dramatically and broke them apart. They have both never really gotten completely over each other, despite many attempts at moving on with other people. A job opportunity brings Mia and Jensen back together in the same city. Not only does Mia now live in New York, like Jensen does, but she is going to work along side him a few times, as well.
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'I let her go, not because I loved her too much to ask her to stay, but because I couldn’t bear to hear her tell me she wouldn’t. Still, every once in a while I wonder. And nothing is more haunting than regret.'
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Jensen regrets leaving Mia behind. There isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't think about her--which is why he is always checking on her through their mutual friends--no matter how painful it is when he finds out she is with someone else. Now that Mia is so close, he is determined to keep her. He will not let go of her without a fight. He just hopes she will forgive him first. Mia knows she still feels deeply for Jensen no matter how much she tries to deny it. She was left with an unbearable broken heart the last time things didn't work out with Jensen, and she just doesn't want to open her heart to that kind of pain again. But, Jensen is persistent, he just hopes that it won't lead her to leaving again.
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"I'd walk on glass if that meant getting to you. I'd swim an ocean, climb a mountain, I'd do anything."
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I can't tell you how awesome these two were. I really loved Jensen, he was super sweet, and romantic. He was just such a great guy, especially when his upbringing was not. And of course he made me swoon with the wonderful things he wrote and said. I totally forgave him for everything, because he totally showed her time and again how much he really loved her. Mia, I really liked as well, but she did frustrate the crap out me. I get why she was holding back, but I honestly didn't know what else Jensen could do in order for her to change her mind. I enjoyed the overall chemistry between them, you could totally feel how close they once were and how them being apart hadn't diminished that connection. I enjoyed the sexual tension and the angst in this one, too.
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"I love you, and there's no negotiating with what I feel in my heart."
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It was really great seeing the characters from the first book in this one, too. There were also some new characters, that also made things so much better. Like the first book, this was very well written, seriously, I love her writing. I freaking loved having Jensen's columns in the book, where we get to see what is going on in his mind when it comes to Mia. It was awesome. This was another beautiful story with heartache and heartwarming moments. There was even a bit of humour that kept things from getting too heavy. The ending was brilliant and definitely left me with a big smile. The epilogue, I just loved. Overall, this was a really great second book in the series. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there will be more.
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4,5 Paper Stars.
Mia and Jensen, despite their different upbringings, were very much in love. Until Jensen makes one mistake that will ruin everything.
Five years later life puts them in the same path again, but while Jensen thinks this is their second chance and he’s decided not to lose it, Mia is scared and believes there’s too much pain in their past that allows a second a second chance.
Could this really be their last opportunity or some things are not mean to happen a second time?
Let me start by saying that Claire Contreras is a hell of a storyteller. I love second chance romances so it’s easy for me to like these storylines, but I believe I like this one even more than the first. A gripping and emotional story that left me hooked from the first page, this is a book that I will not get over it easily.
If you like a very good romance story, brilliantly written and you don’t mind a little angst and a hell of an emotional roller coaster, this book is an unmissable reading.
Rating: 4,5 Stars.
Characters Development: After reading the prequel and being really (reeeeeally) mad at Jensen my hope for this book was a lot of groveling on his part. And despite not believing there was enough (hence the lack of 5 stars) considering that everything that went bad was pretty much his fault, I still managed to like him in this book. After all, he didn’t give up when many man would. Mia had her insecurities but they were understandable considering their past. She was sweet and very honest and I liked her. But the most important thing is that Victor better get his own book!!
Steam: Some hot scenes.
Sensible Subjects:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA: -
5 Girl Of My Dreams Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
(BR with Patty & Dee)
-"Do you believe in soul mates?"
-From the moment she looked at me, I felt like I'd been found.
Jensen Reynolds & Mia Bennett have known each other since they were kids. They fell in love as teenagers & it ended in heartbreak for both of them. When circumstances forced them to separate their lives went in different directions. For years Mia tries to pretend like Jenson doesn't exist, cause it hurts too much to think about what could have been, but no matter how hard she tries to bury her feelings for him, it doesn't work. They are just two people who have always been meant to be. They shared such an intense connection that was a once in a lifetime kind of love.
Through the years Jensen won't give up on Mia. He holds out hope that one day they will get back together, & he will feel whole again. Mia is the one person throughout his life that has always accepted him & believed in him. He'd do anything to be with her again.
-Think about your actions. They have consequences.
-You only need one person to believe in you, even if that person is yourself.
When Mia gets a freelance photography job in New York for a couple months, she is nervous she will run into Jensen. She is still deeply hurt by him & has never gotten over him. She remembers the electricity between them, & is unsure if she can be around him, & hold it together. When they reunite they've both done a lot of changing, but their feelings for each other remain the same.
Jensen has a lot of regrets about the past, but isn't willing to let this opportunity to be with Mia again pass him by. He is still obsessed with her, & will do whatever it takes to prove to her exactly what she means to him. This man is downright swoon worthy! I just adore Jensen! He shows Mia that he's there to stay & she can trust him. This is a man with a beautiful, kind heart full of sincerity & love. I loved how vulnerable he is. This dreamy man just lays his heart out over and over for this woman hoping she will one day keep it and never let go.
As usual I LOVE this authors writing so much! Her words are so beautifully put together & she always creates these one of a kind special men that give you butterflies & make you fall into book boyfriend heaven! ;)) I really hope we get a book for Victor next! :D
-"Do what makes your soul smile."
-"My life has changed. I've changed, but my love for you is constant."
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Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review
"Pain isn't just losing the person you love. Pain is losing the person you love, seeing them with somebody else, and not interfering because you know you can't give them the life they deserve."
Have you read a book that leaves you breathless? Well, Paper Hearts by Claire Contreras was that kind of book for me. I absolutely LOVED this book. This book was everything every romance aficionado craves, wants, and needs when reading a love story. So when I first read Torn Hearts, I was immediately bewitched with the raw intensity, hurt, and love that Mia and Jensen had experienced in their relationship. My heart ached for these two because each of them made a choice. A choice that had affected them. And so in Paper Hearts, Ms. Contreras picks off where she had last left off and fast forward to five years, we are reunited with Mia and Jensen as they are given their second chance to rewrite their story.
Every love story is beautiful. And the story of Mia and Jensen may be one of my favorites. Though their story may be filled with heartache, disappointments, what ifs, and hurt but one crucial and important thing mattered:LOVE. The love between these two was what made this book so beautiful. It was about growth, acceptance, forgiveness, and starting over.
"I've lived in pain since the moment I lost you. I've learned to live with it, but I haven't learned to accept it."
Mia Bennett loved Jensen Reynolds. He was her lover. Her friend. Her soulmate. Her everything. And when Jensen broke her heart and told her that he got another woman pregnant and was going to marry her, it completely broke her heart. The love, the dreams, the hope, and the future that she had for them were shattered. The picture perfect love story that she had envisioned was just a memory that left her broken.
"He didn't let her go because he loved her too much to ask her to stay, but because he couldn't bear to hear her say that she wouldn't."
Jensen made one mistake but being a father was never a mistake. Jensen thought he did the right thing in letting Mia go because he knew he couldn't be the one to stand in the way of her happiness after what he did. We all know the saying if you love someone, let them go and if they come back to you, then you know its yours. Well, Jensen let Mia go and five years have passed and his second chance at love is standing right in front of him. Call it fate or what not but when Mia was hired for this temporary job where Jensen freelances, he knew he was given his second chance to make it right. His life sweetheart was within his grasp and he had to make her see that their story would finally get the happily ever after ending it deserves.
The relationship of Mia and Jensen is a complicated love story. It's a story where two people had to really look within themselves to realize that true love isn't meant to be easy. That love doesn't appear on command and it'll put you through hurdles but in the end, none of that will matter because it's about how you overcame these hurdles that define your love. And for Mia, the greatest testament of her love will be her ability to really and whole heartily forgive Jensen. To accept his mistakes and to accept what comes along in loving Jensen.
Paper Hearts took my heart. It made me feel every range of emotions and I loved experiencing the ups and downs of what Mia and Jensen had to go through. Though their love story may not be a perfect one but it is indeed a reminder that Mia and Jensen are two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other. And that to me is a perfect love story. It is a story where the words of love can't be erased because it's forever ingrained and etched in our mind, soul, and heart. So if you are willing to get lost in a book that has the power to twist your heart and shatter it to pieces, but slowly have the author tape them back together then Paper Hearts is the book for you. Thank you Ms. Contreras for writing one of the most beautiful, touching, breathtaking, awe-inspiring, and tangible love stories that I have read.
As an avid reader, I love reading books that can really make you FEEL. Feel the love, the hurt, the anger, the sadness, and most importantly feel the hope of possibilities. And Paper Hearts by Claire Contreras was one of those books that I can honestly say where I felt everything. I literally have no words to express of how much I LOVED this book because this book was so much more than a fictional romance story of Mia and Jensen but a story that everyone can relate to. Mia and Jensen's story is a reflection of second chances at life and love. Ms. Contreras wrote a book that felt so REAL and RAW. A story where every facet of our life is about choices. The choice to forgive, to move on, to start over, to heal, and to love. I want to thank Claire for reminding us all that people who are meant to be together find their way back and they make take a few detours along the way but they are never lost.
There are two sides to every story. And in this story, Ms. Contreras takes us down one emotional, touching, heartbreaking and yet profoundly beautiful love story. A love story and bond that was so tangible and palpable. A story that could only be told through the eyes of Mia and Jensen. No words are necessary between two loving hearts. So if you are looking for a story where boy meets girl, boy and girl falls in love, boy and girl separate, boy and girl never stopped loving each other, boy and girl grow up, and boy and girl reminds us that their happily ever after was just waiting to be told then I highly recommend you to read Paper Hearts. So I leave you with one of my favorite quote in the book because in truth this one line sums up this beautiful book: "real love stories never end."
PAPER HEARTS: Michelle Approved.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages:
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Claire Contreras -
**2.5 stars**
Don’t read any further
-If you loved this book hard and can’t stand any criticism.
-If you are planning on reading this, It might contain spoilers!!
I know I’m in the minority with this one, it’s sad that every one of my friends loved and rec’d it to me but I couldn’t even like it. I tried I really did but it’s a wonder I didn’t dnf it at all. I read Torn hearts before reading this just to get a glimpse on their past since this book was a second chance romance! Being a sucker for that kinda story I couldn’t ignore this book for any longer. With the way Torn hearts ended leaving my heart broken, I had to find out how their story proceeds thereafter.
For better half of the story I stayed hopeful and kept flipping pages faster in the hope that there would be something substantial in the story which would evoke a strong sense connection to the story or its characters (like something dramatic, angst-filled or downright painful). However, the only emotions I harboured throughout this book were irritation, frustration, confusion, anger and disappointment!
Irritated because in any second chance romance I read I always get a glimpse of their past, of the time they fell in love or moments which bound their souls together. But this one lacked any of that pivotal backstory which, in itself, was a major let down. If I’m not wrong, it was mentioned in the blurb of Torn Hearts that this story could be read as standalone and you don’t need to read
Kaleidoscope Hearts or
Torn Hearts to know their story, Wrong so WRONG!. I’m so glad I read the latter which gave me a better picture of their history than this one! It most definitely looked like there was more ‘telling’ than ‘showing’ as if story started after a long time break.
Frustration because there wasn’t a lot of fighting ‘for the one’, felt like Mia gave in easily. Every time they argued they either end up kissing leaving the words hanging or she would just walk away. I can’t pinpoint the significant event after which they got back together because honestly that’s the most confusing part of all, they weren’t sure about their feelings ok, they never moved on and still harboured lot of feelings for each other but when it was clear Mia couldn’t stand Jensen and always tried to steer clear of him, you would expect her to be constantly mad, right? But NO, there were times she would be very social with him and actually blush when he flirts. I mean woman just make up your mind already, either you hate him or you forgive him don’t confuse the poor guy or me!! Her reaction towards Jensen were so unpredictable most of times, it always earned her an eye roll from me. I hated the constant push and pull going on between them and mind you that happens a lot...It just came off as inconsistent and more like being used as a filler.
Anger- oh boy, this one is so going in spoilers. His constant guilt trip like it’s all her fault that she left him! Oh, the pain he endured when his girlfriend/bbf left him when he needed her the most, say what?!! Woman up Mia, you really didn’t have anything to apologize for! Reasons I hated Jensen and I didn’t like Mia either, she didn’t come out as strong independent woman but more so an immature child who cries a lot and doesn’t know what she wants.
Sorry I have a low tolerance for cheaters and people without a backbone!!
Let me not get started on the secondary characters, apparently they all were perfect human specimens!
Again disappointed because this story had a lot of potential and didn’t live up to the name of second chance romances as I failed to see the “chance” she gave him it was more like he charmed her pants off and she couldn’t resist him so they ended up together after avoiding for five long years.
However, the writing was lyrical and thoughtful. The only part I liked were the chapters of “Jensen talks” the emotions it conjured were heartfelt but sadly, it wasn’t reflected in his actions. I wish the author had given a lot of thought on developing their characters or their relationships.
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*****4.5 Jensen Stars******
(ARC kindly provided by author)
(BR with Patty and Mel)
Paper Hearts has been all about Jensen for me. The more I read, the more my love for this character grew, to the point where I kept asking my husband (not in a happy tone); Why don't you write me love notes? Why aren't you more romantic? Mind you, I have been married for twelve years and my hubby is a dear and treats me like a princess. So after a few days of me glaring at him and serving him cold meals for no reason, I realized that no man can ever come close to the perfection that is Jensen.
Claire Contreras created a beautiful story that was tender and incredibly romantic and I find myself feeling nostalgic about the way that it made me feel, even though it's only been mere hours since I finished reading.
To fully enjoy this book you must read Torn Hearts first. In that novella we get a little bit of the back story between Mia and Jensen. They met when they were young and were each other's first love. When they both go to college and to different schools they decide to break up, but remain close until something big happens and changes everything between them.
Five years later Mia and Jensen find themselves living in the same city and working for the same magazine. Seeing one another feels painful yet exhilarating and being together comes natural to them, because they were best friends before lovers. Does this mean there's still hope for them? Will they see this as a second chance, or will they finally get closure and move on?
Mia thought her heart had healed. She's been with other guys and is completely focused on her career as a photographer but seeing Jensen messes with everything inside her. She misses his touch, his words, his soul. The battle inside her is constant. Just when she thinks she can deal with the consequences the past caused to their future, she gets scared and runs away from him. But the beauty of the story is that Jensen will chase after her, every time she runs. Jensen is determined to get his girl back. He's owned up to his past mistakes and has learned from them and is now ready to offer Mia, everything...
I was completely mesmerized by this story. Never before did I want to call on the book fairies and pray for a spell to get inside a story so badly. Every character, every word I felt deeply. My obsession with Jensen was so big that I kind of disliked Mia a little bit, if I'm being honest. She was so hard on him at times, and I get her reasons but I just wanted to yell at her to give him a break. He was so sweet and romantic and always looking for new ways to show her how big his love was for her and she really didn't do much to win him back, even though she messed up too. This animosity I have towards Mia could also be because I fee like she didn't deserve him and because I want him for myself and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Okay, enough about my crazy obsession with Jensen and just do yourself a favor and go pick up this book, everyone needs Paper Hearts in their home library.
My Paper Hearts music playlist: (Look for Claire Contreras on Spotify, she shares amazing music)
*Bright by Echosmith
*Color Confused by Jaimay
*Wreck Of The Day by Anna Nalick
*Broken Ones by Jacquie Lee
*Till Kingdom Come by Coldplay
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![[~Ami~]♥Sexy Dexy♥](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1388500902i/22427047._UY200_CR8,0,200,200_.jpg)
3 stars
I did enjoy this. It gave me so many feels. Whenever I put it down I wondered what would happen next. I loved a lot of the side characters, it gave the book some lighter moments.
The huge BUT is I'm not a very forgiving person (as my friend Jeanne will tell you). When the hero makes the stupidest decision, frankly it was hard to get back in my good books. The thing that kept me going was that I did want them to get their HEA and also I love CCs writing! -
5++++ Road Runner Stars
One of the big reasons why I love fiction and romance is because I love being taken to an unknown place where I can dream and think, and there were moments where I did just that. Like I felt I was sitting on that bench in Central Park in NYC and watching those people walk past and live their lives or feel their pain.
Gah the column, the dating, the interviews were fun and delicious to read. It all kind of reminded me of the film You've got mail on a different level. Everything about the story captured my heart.
This book though bled me dry, I felt every anxiety, every emotion and every tear. I honestly don't think this book needs a review based on what it's about as for one it has already many reviews out there already, so giving my two cents isn't really needed. But to me this book is character driven, it's an EPIC LOVE STORY so I'm just going to explain a few of my thoughts and emotions while reading it.
This book had me in knots yet had me gushing for Jensen and also Mia's love through and through, they were obviously meant to be.
When I read Kaleidoscope Hearts I was set to believe that Jensen was this darker and mysterious tattoo'd man that hurt Mia, in actual fact he has a BIG HUGE HEART that just didn't have many options at the time.
Jensen just keeps his emotions close to his chest, but also opens himself to people who want to see who he is. He's a writer, he writes children's story's about a girl who believed in him, he also writes a column about dating and his own romance but also a love novel. Therefore he is all about the heart and is able to tell people who he is on paper.
I adored Jensen and his Intense charisma plus his beautiful open heart, that just wanted Mia to forgive his choice and learn to let him in again. She was a Fiesty heroine and felt hurt by their past. Yet Jensen just pulled everything he had to help HER heal. Once Mia started to believe in them and be ok with Jensen then we start to see how happy they cold be, is the kind of love we dream about in books, and I held my kindle on my chest feeling their love in quantities.
Paper Hearts is an epic journey of two people who wait for timing and making the other believe in them. It's about teaching the other how to live, how to be friends again and how to move on from that. A story about new beginnings, about second chances. About loving the one person who means EVERYTHING to you. I felt EVERYTHING with them, for them, and alongside them. I would say though above all this second chance love story was a good balance of everything, about them as a couple, a family, friends, New York, photos, art, books, coffee.. Gah it had it all for me and took me to a city I'm dying to visit some day, it's one reason why I read. To visit places, Paper Hearts took me places. If your like me and love that then pick this book up..
That is all.
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Re-read November 2016
5- Still love Jensen- Stars
Yep, re-read the crap outta this one and it's still 5 stars for me! Admittedly, when I started this again, I got pissed off all over again at the H Jensen, and asked myself if I originally 5 star'd this book because I was in a more forgiving mood back then... NOPE! this is still the swooniest grovel story like, EVER! And it still gets all my stars for the best unforgivable redemption ever!
To any skeptical safety lovers out there; all I can say is . I do need to add that the h pissed me off more the second time round, probably because I already knew how awesome Jensen is and wanted her get to her HEA faster.
Highly recommend to those who gave
Wide Open Spaces a go, cos this one far exceeded that, IMO.
Original review Jan 2016
5 -I was so wrong about this book and I'm so sorry- stars
Confession #1: after reading Torn Hearts (separately via Wattpad), I honestly wasn't excited about this story. It was hard to get into it because I jumped in without reading book #1 (separate couple's story) so bouncing through the all back and forthing of past and present chapters made it hard for me to connect with all the characters and backgrounds. I also dreaded to read this book because I was so scared that I wouldn't be able to forgive the hero for his dumbass mistakes, but mostly I dreaded reading it because I feared that the heroine would end up being an entitled, self-righteous, wishy-washy bitch of a character that I wouldn't be able to stand (it's one of my pet hates in my romance).
Confession #2: I was wrong. So wrong. I love this story and I was wrong! Hats off to you Ms Author for making a skeptical reader - who went into this book already hating it before it started - do a complete 180!!
Yes, the heroine was still wishy-washy but she was an understandable and relatable wishy-washy. That Sh!t takes mad skills to write! And don't get me started on the hero!! Swooon!! Talk about redemption! Omg I was practically begging the heroine to hurry up and forgive him already - and that's saying something cos I'm not a very forgiving person!
I can happily say I'll be giving book #1 a read, as well as other books of this author's in the future.
This book can be read as a standalone novel and book #1.5 (Torn Hearts) is also included at the beginning. Like me; if you haven't read book #1, it may take a while to warm up through the Torn Hearts chapters but PLEASE persevere as you won't regret it! -
5 Second Chances Stars!
Mia and Jensen are best friends and they are in love. But when Jensen goes off to New York for college they make a decision to see other people while he is away. This decision tore them apart and left them both angry and heartbroken. It also leaves Jensen living in New York.
5 years later Mia is a photographer and finds herself leaving California to go to New York for a few months working at a magazine.
Jensen is a writer. He's made a name for himself by publishing a series of books for children and also a column in the Sunday paper.
Mia and Jensen have seen each other over the years since they've split up because they have the same group of friends. They both seem to get past their differences and be polite to each other. Mostly Mia tries to just avoid Jensen if possible. She hopes while she's in New York she can do the same. Her first day on the job though crushes her hopes when she sees Jensen's name.
When Jensen and Mia have to work closely together Mia finds it harder and harder to stay polite.
Jensen wants Mia back. He knows he made the biggest mistake of his life letting her push him away. He's also angry that she also did so without a fight.
Even though Jenson still makes Mia's heart beat fast she refuses to let him back in. The pain he caused is still very strong. She just needs to make it a few months and get this job done and she can go back home to California and leave Jensen behind. If only it were that simple.
I loved reading all of Jensen's blogs and how he always had Mia in them one way or another. Jensen loved Mia. I felt it while reading. But I couldn't help but to also be pissed at him for how he handled something that could of been dealt with differently and if had might of saved him and Mia's relationship five years ago. I also felt how much Mia still loved Jensen. But I totally understood how she felt. But damn that Jensen was very determined and I wasn't sure how Mia was going keep that wall up she built around her heart when it came to him.
Will Jensen finally convince Mia to go on a date with him? What happens when Mia is finally finished with her temporary job in New York?
I also enjoyed Mia and Jensen's best friends. They were awesome. I loved how close they all were. I really loved this book. Once I started reading it was really hard to put down. If you enjoy a second chance romance then this is a book for you. You won't be disappointed!
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A few days ago I finished Kaleidoscope Hearts by Claire Contreras. It's been on my kindle since it came out but I only just got around to reading it.
Well, I'm kicking the hell out of myself for not having read it sooner. I bloody well loved it! And now I've just finished Paper Hearts, and though I thought it would be impossible to love it more than the first book, I did. Seriously two of the best romance books I've ever read. They are a masterclass in how to write FANTASTIC romance. Engrossing, addictive, funny, hot, so very emotional. They are toe-curlingly good! If you haven't read them then I urge you to put them at the top of your tbr pile. Contreras is now at the top of my auto-buy list. -
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone Book 2 of Hearts series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Jensen Reynolds was an author of a successful children book and a newspaper columnist. He was making a life for himself in New York, but deep down he was still longing for the love he once lost due of his own indiscretion.
Mia Bannett was a photographer with a big dream. When opportunity knocked on her door and took her to New York, she was excited yet scared of the possibilities. On one hand it meant advancement in her career. On the other hand she would be forced to face her past because time doesn’t necessarily heal.
I was definitely intrigued when I first read Torn Hearts, the novella that accompanied this book. I could feel their animosity towards each other and I was hoping for some big heartbreak in this book. No ugly cry here (not even regular cry really) but there were definitely some other strong emotions felt for Jensen and Mia.“Pain isn’t just losing the person you love. Pain is losing the person you love, seeing them with somebody else, and not interfering because you know you can’t give them the life they deserve.”
Oh Jensen… how much my heart ached for him. In the novella, he was pretty much on my shit list. What he did was really bad, but to be fair to him, based on their situation, I can’t totally blame him. And now, he opened up his heart and willingly let it being stomped over – and it was stomped over to a mulch.From the moment she looked at me, I felt like I’d been found.
I do like Mia because I could understand her resentment. But there were times when I want to just bash her head to the wall (and take Jensen for myself of course lol!). I like how she pursued her dreams but sometimes she just refused to see the bigger picture.
What I love the most about their relationship was how much past they had together. It was all rainbows and unicorn and how it was all ripped out by one single mistake. And I love that we got to see how each of them felt and cope with the devastation. And I also love the support systems they had, especially that they were the same people to both of them.
Paper Hearts is a story of forgiveness and acceptance that focused not only on love but also family and friendships.
Standalone books in the series:
★ ★ ★ (F)BR with the Shhluts ★ ★ ★
Read as part of Shh... Broken Heroes TopPick:
https://goo.gl/GondSY
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4.5 ★'s
Mistakes...We all make them, however, it's what we do with them after that affects the rest of our lives. And when we're young, we just don't have the experience to see clearly. This is definitely the case of Mia and Jensen and how sometimes second chances are everything and...
"Real love stories never end."
Mia and Jensen met in college...they had know each other for awhile before they became a couple. Mia is always there for Jensen, totally supporting him in whatever her wants. She even pushes him to go to grad school in New York.
(The above information, and some below, is found in the Torn Hearts novella that is also included in this book.)
So, this is where the problems start. Mia and Jensen have some sort of agreement that isn't explained but apparently they are free to date other people and this leads to all kinds of drama.
Five years later...Mia and Jensen see each other at Estella and Oliver's wedding. Mia's avoiding him as much as she can but it just isn't possible today. Not to mention that she's taken a temporary job at the magazine Jensen freelances for in New York.
Naturally, they are going to run into each other A LOT. I love that Jensen was so determined and not easily pushed away. We don't really get his POV except a weekly column he writes called Jensen Talks which he writes mostly about his life sweetheart (<-love that!), Mia.
But Mia's been heartbroken and she's festered that hurt for five years. She misses Jensen like nothing else and no one else can measure up to him but...she just can't forgive him.
He weakens her though...especially his kisses. She decides since she's just there for two months to enjoy herself and have some fun. And we all know what that means!
The problem is that things are unresolved...on both sides. One of my big issues was that somehow the 'blame' got switched around on Mia. While I can certainly see both sides, I didn't like how that was handled. Mia was definitely due her heartbreak.
There are some steamy scenes but my favorite was all the romance. Jensen didn't let Mia forget all that they shared. I love how CC combined their passion of photography and writing through the article they were both working on and how the couple's stories hit home for them.
The Big Decision...is will Mia stay in New York, go home and try to make a long distance relationship work, or will they just go their separate ways? I highly recommend that you read it and see especially if you love a heart filled, intensely angsty romance...one you will never forget! Well done, CC, well done!
Favorite quote:
♥ "Because this is worth more than any of those things."
(Prior to Review)
the gif don't lie...WOW! -
This series is soooo sweet and it makes you believe in true, endless and warming love! I really liked the first book, but this one was better and I've loved every part of it! The intensity and the passion were palpable and the writer made you witness this overwhelming love that the heroes feel for each other.
If "Kaleidoscope Hearts" was sweet and made me swoon, this one was about raw passion and heartbreak for the one that got away. It was very different and more explicit that the first book, more of my liking. The feeling were more exposed, more intense and will take your breath away.
I connected with Mia and Jensen, because I really felt sad for their story and hope they will get the well deserved happy ending.
The thing that impressed me the most was how powerful Jensen was as a hero. Although he made a huge mistake while young, how he is willing to fight for Mia. His determination was fascinating for me and made me admire him dearly. I enjoyed his Then and Now transformation, and Now was so worthy. He is more mature, confident and certain of one thing: that he is destined to be with Mia. I loved how he made her realize that even if they have a bad background, with a lot of pain, love can erase all that because their feelings are stronger. Amazing hero, I know!!!!!
I experienced drama and angst, but for this story it was worthy!!
The best book from this series by FAR.
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