There hasn't been a book in the whole MAGNOLIA FALLS series that I've not loved. Laura Pavlov is fast becoming one of those auto-buy authors for me - she really can do no wrong.

I can’t believe the Magnolia Falls series is over!
I loved this book so much, and while I didn’t overtake Beating Heart as my favourite book of the series it was the perfect ending.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ for giving me this ARC to review.

The ending to a perfect, easy and uplifting small town romance series, amazing for those who love Elsie Silver and Lucy Score. Discover Hayes and Savannah’s story, in this fake engagement, childhood friends to lovers, second chance instalment to Magnolia Falls.

I would highly recommend Magnolia Falls as a series and believe it is the perfect antidote if you’re having withdrawals from Chestnut Springs. And Finding Hayes is just as enjoyable as the previous five. What I would recommend however is time between these books in Magnolia Falls, as for me personally, reading them straight after one another felt repetitive and predictable. This isn’t a completely negative trait to have in books, as they are a form of escape, a medium you can rely upon, but it did impact my reading experience reading the last Finding Hayes.

A great, easy read with just enough spice to keep you sated without it swallowing the plot. The latest book in the Magnolia Falls series and it’s a small-town marriage of convenience with found family vibes. The dynamics between Hayes and Savannah is great and I’d definitely recommend picking this up.

Laura Pavlov's books are just so slick and binge-able - I zipped through Finding Hayes in record time as it was such an enjoyable easy read with great likeable characters and a plot that will make you smile without hurting your head.

The plot revolves around that fantastic old romance chestnut of needing to be married to secure an inheritance. But Savannah is lucky - her best friend from childhood is on hand to step up, albeit they've been estranged because of a huge misunderstanding (and some terrible parental behaviour) for a decade. But the interest here really comes from their second chance - though they were friends before, never romantically involved - this is their opportunity to repair their relationship and rebuild the trust and love that was lost all those years ago. Both characters are eminently likeable people and I was rooting for their happy ending, though I wished it hadn't turned out quite how it did because Hayes had some quite entrenched beliefs and somehow they all got easily swept away, I hoped we might have a more unique ending representing some underrepresented groups but that didn't happen.

I read this as a standalone and it did work, though I definitely missed out on a lot of the relationship-building and bonding, especially between the guys, and was often a bit confused about which person was part of which couple. However, that wasn't important for this story and was just a minor niggle. So better to read the series if you can but if this one particularly appeals to you it will work as a standalone.

This is probably somewhere between 3.5 - 4 stars for me as it's really well-written and enjoyable but doesn't break any new ground (though thanks for the rarely seen 69!) so I've rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley, HQStories and Laura Pavlov for the ARC, this is my honest opinion.

“Fake or real—it didn’t really matter at the moment. She was here with me, and she felt like mine. Maybe she’d always felt like mine.”

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Summary

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️ 2.5/5

Fluff rating: 💖💖💖💖 4/5

Well leave it to Laura Pavlov to some fill a book with tropes I don’t usually like but make me freaking love it anyway 😅. I genuinely loved this small town romance/ marriage of convenience story and I’m so sad this was my last trip to Magnolia Falls and the series has come to an end.

One of my favourite things about this whole series (apart from Cutler IYKYK) has been the found family element and it absolutely shines through this book. Savannah fit right back in where she clearly left off and it was lovely watching her fall back in to magnolia falls and how much has changed for the OG boys too.

I can’t tell you how much I teared up reading through Hayes’ letters and finally seeing him as more than the grumpy side character. Oh my god this man 🥺 my poor little heart could barely take it. What brilliant character growth he has without losing who he is at his core.

There was the perfect amount of my favourite character - Cutler aka Beefcake. Acting as the sound reasoning person and therapist as always. I’m going to need a next gen Cutler book Laura, he’s too special to leave here. We need to know who’s going to be Cutler’s forever girl.

This was such a great book to round off the series and it was full of love, comedy, emotional growth and the fluffiest of endings you could wish for. If you love an interconnected small town romance series then magnolia falls is for you (Especially if you love the funny group text thread micro trope)

In this engaging instalment of the series, the relationship between Savannah and Hayes takes centre stage, and it’s easy to see why it’s a favourite. Their journey from friends to strangers, and finally to lovers, is beautifully executed, with palpable chemistry throughout. Hayes’ eagerness to reconnect with Savannah after years apart, despite not knowing why she left, sets up a compelling narrative, and although she returns harbouring resentment towards him, their undeniable connection remains strong.

The character dynamics are spot-on, with Savannah immediately likeable and Hayes embodying the perfect grumpy yet soft-hearted hero, whose affection is reserved solely for her. Their soulmate-like bond, coupled with the slow reveal of Savannah’s reasons for leaving, adds emotional depth. The inclusion of heartfelt letters from Hayes only strengthens the reader’s attachment to him, making this a thoroughly enjoyable read.

✨ARC REVIEW✨

"It was a kiss. A one and done. I know that's your specialty. Now, let's go seal the deal, Lover."
"Such a bossy little wife,"

Oh good Lord does Laura Pavlov know how to write her men. Give me Hayes the grumpy fire fighter any day of the week because I would set myself on bloody fire for that man!
I love a marriage of convenience and make it a friends, to hate, to friends to lovers and I am in!!
I will read anything Laura writes because her books always just hit differently and this one was no exception. The found family in this series is next level and I am so so sad that it’s over now. I almost didn’t want this book to end.
Hayes is a grump for anybody but her and it was so sweet see him be soft for Savvy. Reading his letters from their time apart and the miscommunication that led to her leaving and hating him all this years honestly broke my heart. The banter in this is absolutely delicious. The boys group chat will have you kicking your feet laughing. There’s nothing I love more than a ‘my wife’ microtrope and I found myself so giddy for this one.
Both the characters had great depth and were really likeable. You rooted for them finding their way back to each other from the offset and I was so glad it was a medium burn because I don’t think my heart could have taken anything else. They deserved each other. I don’t want to leave Magnolia Falls so soon but thank you so much for the ARC because I loved every second of it!

I loved this book, it all came very full circle. The author has a great way of writing romance that has depth and more to it than just spice.

I really love Savannah and Hayes dynamic, it’s honest and raw with a real respect for one another that has transcended time to lead them to their reunion. Their reunion is heated due to some miscommunication, but it’s lovely to read how they work through this.

We get one of my favourite tropes of fake dating/arranged marriage because when it’s done right it’s so so good!

I’m sad this group of characters are at their end of their current stories. I’d really enjoy if we got like a 10-15 years from now with like Cutler all grown up and the next gen making their own stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the ARC

Marriage of convenience and childhood friends to enemies to lovers? Sign me up. Though this is the fifth book in the series I think it can be read as a stand alone. At least I did and felt it was totally fine. I've heard such great things about Laura Pavlov's books and I finally understand why. It was amazing. The character's chemistry and their develoment was awesome. Highly recommend and I'm sure to pick up the rest of the series.

Can I just move to Magnolia Falls? This series has become one of my favourite reads this year, and Finding Hayes was the perfect goodbye to Magnolia Falls.

I have been wondering who Hayes was going to end up with since the start of the series, and for ages I was sure it was going to be Payton! 🙈 But I just loved Hayes and Savannah’s story! It was the perfect story for our loveable grump!

You know I love Grumpy x Sunshine, it’s one of my all time favourite tropes! And I especially love when the grump has a soft spot, or two soft spots in Hayes’ case - Beefcake and Savvy! 😍 Hayes was such a fierce protector. He had to grow up too fast and take care of Saylor, all when he was still just a kid himself. He’s so quick to make sacrifices for those he loves, and is the first to step up when needed.

I love that Savannah was a new to the series because their relationship gave so much more depth to Hayes’ character! I’m not typically a friends to lovers fan, but I do love when the friends become strangers and then become lovers! It’s the best twist on the trope! 😍 Savannah was pure sunshine, and I loved how easily she slotted back into Magnolia Falls. She had so much on her plate, but she never stopped smiling and supporting Hayes. She was the perfect happy to his broody, and I loved watching them transition from fake marriage to “this feels real” 😍

I’ve said it in my other reviews and I’ll say it again, but the Found Family in this series is NEXT LEVEL! The ROD crew have my heart, and I love how much Beefcake looks up to them. 🥹 Speaking of Beefcake, I love how we’ve watched him grow up in the series. He is the cutest little kid, and I love the truth bombs he drops and makes all the guys stop and think! I hope one day he’ll get his own story 🤞🏼

Thank you @laurapavlov and @NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This series will be living in my head rent free 🫶🏼

Tropes:
- Marriage of Convenience
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Found Family
- Small Town Romance
- Best Friends to Strangers to Lovers
- It Was Always You
- Second Chance
- He Falls First
- Protective Hero
- Firefighter MMC
- Forced Proximity

Hayes, Hayes, Hayes, what a man you are!

From the moment Savannah and her relationship with Hayes were first mentioned, I knew this would be my favorite book of the series. These two are just perfect together, and the friends-to-strangers-to-lovers trope was done flawlessly.

I loved how eager Hayes was to see her again after years apart, not knowing why she left. Even though she came back to town “hating” him, the chemistry and connection between them are undeniable.

I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading. I fell for Savannah right from the start, and no one could be more perfect for Hayes—he’s the grumpy guy with a soft spot only for her. These two are perfect and obviously soulmates, with the way they just get each other and have such an easy connection. I really liked how the reason for her leaving and cutting off contact was revealed.

And Laura… letters?! If you wanted to make me fall harder for this man, mission accomplished.

Thank you so much, HQ, for sending me this ARC!

This book is an absolute delight that brilliantly blends heartfelt moments with laugh-out-loud humor. Pavlov's sharp writing and witty dialogue breathe life into the characters, making them relatable and endearing The chemistry between them crackles, making their fake marriage not just a plot device but a sizzling game of push and pull that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The interplay of their feelings and the struggles they face as they navigate their complicated relationship is beautifully rendered. You can’t help but root for them as they confront their past and begin to build a future together. If you’re a fan of small-town romance and stories that leave you feeling uplifted, then Finding Hayes is a must-read.

What a perfect end to a wonderful series. It felt so nice seeing all five boys getting their happily ever after.

Finding Hayes follows the remaining remember of the ‘ride or die’ friendship group as he reunites with his childhood best friend.

Think friends to enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, arranged marriage, plus all the fun and hijinks you’d expect from a small town. Oh, and lots of pining!

Whilst you don’t have to have read the other books in the Magnolia Falls series to enjoy this book, I’d definitely recommend it for full swoon effect.

I’m already excited to head over to Rosewood River, too!

Thank you NetGalley and HQ for the ARC.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of this book.

What an ending to my favourite Pavlov series to date. This book was everything. I’ve always loved Hayes’ protective streak and happy that his story was done with justice. It tied up all the boy’s stories perfectly and of course we got our dose of beefcake. I think I’m most sad to see the end of him. I hope we now get Easton’s story in a new series and a cameo from our favourite little man. Looking forward to reading this on audiobook upon its release. Bravo!

This is one of my favourite books that I have read from Laura and I could not put it down once I started. Everything about this book was heartwarming and made me want to continue reading and by the end I did not want this book to be over.