My book bestie raved about Laura Pavlov's Magnolia Falls series so when I saw she had a new series out I was like this is a must read. I genuinely had quite high expectations for this because I loved the other books so much.

This story follows Easton and Henley. This story was all enemies to lovers, small town vibes, flawed hero, workplace/boss romance, brotherly banter.... there is a lot going on here.

I loved Henley. The thing I loved most about her was although she came from a rich family, which meant that she had the seemingly perfect life... She really didn't. She worked hard for everything she has including acceptance from people who were meant to love her unconditionally. She was so strong and patient throughout with Easton even when he was working himself out.

I normally love the MMC in a story and will usually always gravitate towards them. In this story that was not the case. I at times really disliked Easton, especially at the beginning of the story. As the story goes on though there were some redeeming traits and then it quickly went back to me shouting in my head why did you just do that!? I found him really difficult to like. The last part of the book though he did redeem himself considerably but even so he was not my favourite MMC.

The small town element and brotherly banter was amazing in this book and it had me chuckling at times. These aspects were well written and the side cast of characters were good as well and I am really interested to see how this series progresses.

If you like a small town romance that is easy to read, not too complicated then I would suggest picking this one up.

I loved this book so much, with everything that Laura writes I cannot put down till I have finished and this took under 12 hours to finish and I just fell in love with the characters in the book and the whole storyline

4.5 stars 2 spice.
Henley & Easton.

An amazing start to another series. I adore all of Laura’s series and the way they interlink without it impacting being able to read them as standalones.

This one in particular got me in the feels. The trauma rep, the genuine connection and building blocks for their relationship, and their family dynamics. It was well written, kept me engaged without using shock factor or anything that didn’t naturally flow with the story. I was invested in their relationship, but more importantly in both MCs as their own characters, with real growth shown in both of them without it detracting from their personalities and individuality.

I can’t wait to read more of this crazy family - the way they clearly love eachother whilst being able to have fun and laugh. Loved!

Thank you to NetGalley and Laura Pavlov for the eARC! ⭐
This was a cute read! In this grumpy x sunshine novel, we follow Easton and Henley who are two attorneys that end up falling in love whilst working together. Henley decides to move to Rosewood River and work at her father's law firm where Easton is working and he becomes her mentor. This story follows both their journeys of overcoming past trauma, especially Easton whilst falling for one another. Henley is strong, independent and so loving, I just found myself wanting to be her bestie, and I love her friendship with Lulu.
I just love small town stories in general, and it's my absolute dream to live in one.
A few reasons why this was a 3 star:
- I personally didn't love Easton, I thought he was an okay person for Henley, and I'm not sure why I didn't really vibe with him.
- I didn't like the insta-love/lust aspect of this book.
- Henley and Easton were also working on a case together in the book and I kind of wished we saw more of that build up, as it felt anticlimactic and ended too quickly.

Overall, an enjoyable read and my first Laura Pavlov book - I definitely see myself reading more from her!

Laura Pavlov is easily one of my favorite authors. She writes swoony small town romances that are all fast paced and you will not want to put down. Just like every other book I was hooked from the start. This follows Easton, who is a grumpy lawyer at the top of his firm. He will do absolutely anything for his job and to get his name up on the door. Then we have Henley, who is a bit of a nepo baby. She is the daughter of the guy who earns the firm. Easton thinks she is just being handed this job when in reality she was at the top of her class and had higher test scores then him. Through out this workplace romance there is a lot of tension, some trauma, and of course spice.

I really enjoyed this one! The only issue I had is that the beginning was a little slow! Could have gone without the from the office causing drama with them but that was a minor issue! Really liked the mental health representation, especially for it being with the male character. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!

This book was exactly what I needed, Laura has worked her magic yet again!

Such a cute romance, I ate this book up, cant wait for the rest of the books in the series

Summary

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️ 2.5/5

Fluff rating: 💖💖💖💖 4/5

At this point if Laura Pavlov writes it, I’m going to read it!
She’s the queen of small towns with big hearts romances and this was no exception.

This was fluffy and heartwarming to read but equally I think it explored the lingering effects of grief and anxiety following loss really sensitively and realistically. Both Easton and Henley felt like well rounded and relatable characters and watching the tension build from a work place/ boss’s daughter scenario to a one night only (yeah right guys 😆) to a deeper relationship was so fun and enjoyable to read.

Something I always love about Laura’s books is the dedication to supporting characters and how well fleshed out and lovable and realistic they all are! I loved getting more of the Chadwick’s in this book and seeing those little Easter eggs dropping for who else we can expect stories about 😉

And whilst the pacing was a little off at the start it’s easily forgivable. If you’re looking for a fun, romantic, low angst and hot 🔥 read then this is a great introduction to the new Rosewood River series with some delightful cameos from some of our favourite Magnolia falls characters (I’m looking at you Beefcake!)

4.5 ⭐️

Having read Laura Pavlov's Magnolia Falls series, I knew I had to grab this one when I heard it was the first in a series about Emerson's family.

This is a small town, workplace romance, with plenty of heart & a sensitive look at the repercussions of grief on future relationships. There's the fun interplay between the group of brothers & cousins, which I loved in Magnolia Falls & a cameo from Emerson, Nash &, most importantly, Beefcake. I had great fun guessing at who is going to feature together in the next books.

If you're a fan of small town romance, banter & a touch or two of spice, give this one a go.

I don't tend to read many small town romances, but I'm glad I gave this one a chance!

The vibe was sweet, but I'd put this more as frenemies to lovers as the characters never really hate eachother, maybe for a few pages, but that edges out very quickly and swiftly turns into playful banter filled escapades.

I liked the build-up to the relationship between Easton and Henley. The sexual tension was there, and I could definitely sense the chemistry between the two characters.

I think the topics of trauma and fear of being left behind were done well, especially in the case of Easton and his character arc.

I will assume *wink* that we will be getting Lulu and Rafe's story in the near future, and I look forward to reading more books set in Rosewood River.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this ARC via Netgalley due for release on 20th March 2025.

3.75⭐️
Id never read a Laura pavlov book before so i didn’t really know what to expect with this one but i had a good time. This is a cute small town workplace romance with a MMC who has a lot of trauma. Easton & Henley’s story was really cute with it starting as a no strings attached relationship and it turning into something so much bigger. Laura really went in deep with this one and showed us how someone can deal with grief and trauma and how that can really affect relationships, but with therapy it can really help overcome that.
The character development of Easton was done really well and you could see him growing throughout the whole book. There were a couple of things in this book that i predicted would happen before they did and there were a couple of parts that i felt didn’t need to be in there but overall it was a really good time. And if you love a small town workplace romance then you should really give this a try.


(Amazon Review pending)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you like an office romance with enemies to lovers vibes in a small town setting, this is a book for you.
Really enjoyed reading Easton and Henley's story. I'm a sucker for a grumpy mmc!
This genre of book is my comfort read, and I love them as a pallete cleanser between fantasy romance books, where there's heavy world building. This book did not disappoint, I've had some of the other series on my tbr, and after reading this one, I'll definitely be reading more of Laura's books.

Thanks to netgalley and HQ for the arc of this book for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

💓 Small town
💓 Enemies to lovers
💓 Workplace romance

What a beautiful way to kick off a new series. This has officially become my favorite book from Laura so far!

Henley and Easton were such amazing characters to follow. Their chemistry was so well-written, and I found myself smiling so many times while reading.

Easton was a bit hesitant at first about letting Henley get close because of something from his past. But as time went on, he couldn’t deny the connection and chemistry between them. It was so rewarding to see him allow himself to be with her.

I also really appreciated how his trauma was portrayed. I think it was introduced in a thoughtful way, and it made sense how he felt throughout the story and how it was resolved.

Henley is such an incredible and charismatic character. I loved seeing her find a sense of found family with Easton’s family. She truly fits right in.

Honestly, these two are just perfect complements to each other.

I loved getting to know these new characters, and I’m so excited for the next books! I’m already coming up with theories about who the next couples will be, and I hope I’m right about who Bridger’s match will be 🤭.

Another great slow burn from Laura Pavlov. The chemistry and small town vibes are perfect. There is more than just a steamy romance here, with some important issues explored throughout the story. Absolutely recommend picking this up

4.5⭐️

There is something about Laura Pavlovs writing that draws me in and makes me unable to put down her books every time. She wraps me up in a warm hug with her words every time and I just love it!
This book was no different!❤️
She covered the topic of grief so beautifully and crafted such lovable and relatable characters. Easton felt real and relatable, yet completely swoon worthy and like all of LP’s fictional men, I was left reeling by the end of the book that he was only words on a page. I just love a cocky, arrogant MMC who is soft for his girl! Henley was a strong minded, confident FMC and I loved her equally🥰
I love a work place romance like this one because the tension is DELICIOUS!!
Truly no one does small town romance like this author and the way she manages to flesh out all her side characters so that we can’t wait for their books is 2nd to none.
And the Beefcake and Emerson cameos!!!!! STOP IT!!! That boy is the best thing to some out of all her books and the way he was brought into this book to help Easton work through his trauma melted my heart!
Bring on book 2 ASAP!!

Review
Steal My Heart is the captivating first instalment in the Rosewood River Series, and it delivers a heartfelt and engaging romance. The story introduces Henley Holloway, the determined daughter of a high-profile lawyer, who is eager to prove herself on her own merits. Paired with Easton Chadwick, a grumpy but brilliant lawyer, their relationship begins on rocky ground but evolves beautifully as Easton recognises Henley’s intelligence, wit, and talent. Their connection feels natural, enriched by their shared challenges and witty banter. The book also handles mental health representation with care, exploring Easton’s struggles with panic attacks and Henley’s unresolved issues from her childhood. The inclusion of therapy and emotional growth adds depth to their love story, making it both relatable and moving.

The vibrant family dynamics bring warmth and humour to the narrative, with Easton’s loving Chadwick family offering hilarious text exchanges and a strong support system. Henley’s emotional intelligence and grace shine as she navigates her own journey while supporting Easton through his challenges. While the romance could have been spicier for some readers, the balance of drama, humour, and heartfelt moments makes this a thoroughly enjoyable read. Fans of the Magnolia Falls series will appreciate the Easter eggs and cameos, while newcomers will find this book a strong start to a promising series.
With hints of future pairings and a delightful appearance from Beefcake, this novel sets the stage perfectly for what’s to come.

This one is chef’s kiss perfection. The slow burn here is absolutely killer. The chemistry between them is hot enough to make your Kindle melt. But this isn’t just a sizzling romance; there’s depth here too. I loved the small-town vibes, the office dynamics, and the way Henley challenges him in ways he never expected. Throw in a touch of enemies-to-lovers and the whole “boss’s daughter” thing, and you’ve got a book that’ll have you blushing, laughing, and swooning.

Thank you netgalley for an Arc of this book. I was so excited to see that Easton was getting a book! I enjoyed his cameos in his sisters book in the magnolia series and the Easter eggs were very much there. I enjoyed how Pavlov gave us a strong FMC who knew what she wanted and acted with emotional intelligence especially in giving time and grace to a MMC who had a lot to deal with which ultimately impacted her too. The drama, I saw coming for a good while and I think that was super intentional and well executed. Also love that we clearly know who the MMCs are of this series thanks this book and I have a good feeling on the pairing for book 2. Another 5 star Pavlov. 6th star awarded for my beefcake showing up!

I love this book very much and its book 1 of five book series!! Defo 5 stars and you need to get this book.

I was lucky to be ARC reader for this book and so glad I have read it released on 9 January

Hensley is the daughter of well known lawer and she wanted to to be a lawer on her own merit not who her family was and she fell in love with Easton who is a top lawer on his own merit and then something bad happened you need to read this

Steal My Heart is the first book in the Rosewood River Series, and it didn't disappoint.

We start off meeting Easton Chadwick, the grumpy hotshot lawyer who is forced to mentor his boss' daughter Henley Holloway.

The relationship between between the two main characters starts off very rocky, but they soon become closer once Easton realises that Henley is not only smart and witty, but an incredible lawyer and can hold her own at pickleball!

Easton and Henley's love story felt very natural. Their banter was funny, and they had a lot in common. It could have been spicier, but that's just my personal preference.

The mental health rep in this book was very good. They both have their own problems. Henley has issues stemming from her childhood, and we learn that Easton went through a traumatic loss and suffers from horrific panic attacks and seeks help from a therapist.

I adored the big family dynamic and how they immediately took Henley under their wing. The Chadwick family was so loving, and the texts between the brothers were hilarious!
It looks like Rafe's story will be next with Henley's best friend, Lulu. I can't wait!

In the meantime, I will be reading Laura's Magnolia Falls series, which includes Easton's twin sister Emmy.

Steal My Heart is available as an ebook on 9th Jan 2025 and in paperback on 20th March 2025.

Thank you to @netgalley , @laurapavlovauthor and @hqstories for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.