Title: Conversation Hearts
Series: Hectic Holidays #3
Author: Kata ÄuiÄ
Genre: Holiday Romantic Comedy
Release Date: February 1, 2022
BLURB
Olivia Holland doesnât believe in astrology, Tarot, smudging, or aura cleanses. She might change her mind about manifesting. Does it count if sheâs fake engaged to the man of her dreams? Even though heâs been her best friend for years, Liv doesnât know how to communicate on a deeper level with Ollie. When she discovers that their baby making pact is a success, she has two choices. Either crack his secret code or walk away to let him live his best life. Unfortunately, their friends and family keep complicating an already complex task. What Liv needs is a little help from Cupid. Sheâs going to learn a love language that has no words.
Oliver Cucinelli does not count keeping secrets among his strongest skills. Heâs never been good at lying, but heâs painfully familiar with the phrase âfake it âtil you make it.â He didnât plan on a fake engagement to the love of his life as a way to win her over, but heâs not going to waste this opportunity to research exactly, specifically, categorically how Liv defines love. Communication is key. Unfortunately for Ollie, communication is also not his strongest skill. To complicate matters, Liv is acting strange. How can he learn the deepest desires of a woman whose personality seems to change every hour? Language is hard, so heâs going to let his heart do all the talking.
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EXCERPT
Iâm not sure if I believe in heaven or hell. I definitely donât subscribe to my momâs latest devotion to Tarot readings. She pulled a nine of Pentacles for me yesterday. Whatever the heck a pentacle is. Itâs supposed to represent a period of peacefulness and satisfaction after working hard to achieve a lifetime goal. I hate to break it to her, but I feel anything but satisfied in my current life circumstances.
I wish I could be more like my best friend, Oliver, who orders his life around the rules of logic. My New Yearâs resolution is to abandon the brash nature of following my heart and listen to my brain instead. Itâs not going great so far. In fact, Iâm pretty sure Iâm screwedânot at all literally. If there is a place of eternal damnation for bad behavior, then Iâm doomed.
No spiritual being would be this turned on at 7am in the morning while sitting on a barstool at a kitchen island in someone elseâs house. Especially not after proposing a vow of celibacy to a man with a voracious sexual appetite.
In my defense, no mortal woman would be unaffected by the sight Iâm being treated to at such an ungodly hour of the morning. If I have to be awake, then at least I donât hate what Iâm staring atâa fine, shirtless man moving around in his kitchen like he does every day. The muscles in his back ripple as he reaches for a glass in the cupboard. The flannel pajama pants that are already slung low on his waist sink a little lower when he bends to retrieve a fresh carton of juice from the back of the refrigerator.
He gives me a delicious view of his profile when he turns to pour his drink. I tilt my head to the side, studying the ridges and planes of his sculpted body. That V though. Mmmmmm. Good stuff. My gaze sinks a little lower to where a very defined bulge greets me.
âGood morning! You havenât taken a ride on me in a while. Interested in smashing the deal you so recently brokered?â
âYes, sir,â I whisper. Smashing sounds amazing right now.
âDid you say something?â Ollie asks.
My cheeks heat as I snap my gaze to my best friendâs face. âUh, just talking to my coffee.â
He raises a single eyebrow behind his glasses. God, the man makes glasses look so sexy. âSince when do you talk to your coffee?â
âSince forever.â Itâs not a lie. I just usually have my wits about me enough not to do it when anyone else can potentially overhear me.
Ollie takes a seat on the stool beside me. He gazes at my mug of liquid happiness with a furrowed brow. âWhat do you say to it?â
âMmm, you feel so good sliding down the back of my throat. I love your warmth, your flavor. I get such a rush every time I drink you that I never waste a single drop.â I lick my lips for emphasis.
Ollie wiggles on his seat. That defined bulge hiding in his flannel pants grows a little more defined. âI had no idea you loved coffee so much.â
âI do,â I confirm, taking another sip.
đReviewđ
Olivia and Oliver are best friends who both want more. They are pushing the parameters of their relationship and it all started with a pact which had the outcome they were looking for. The only problem is that they are both uncertain about the status of their relationship and they must find a way to communicate that works for who they are.
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This story manages to balance humor and heart and will have you invested in the unique characters of Olivia and Oliver and their story.
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AUTHOR BIO
Kata ÄuiÄ lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and three teens. No one told her life was gonna be this way. She holds a degree in Linguistics with a minor in Religious Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. Her plans of becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon were foiled by OChem 1. Fortunately, sheâd been making up stories in her head since the days of her imaginary friend, Choosy. Putting pen to paper, erâŚfingers to the keyboardâŚcame surprisingly naturally after her aforementioned teens decided it was time for them to cut their respective cords.
Kata writes everything from angst-filled YA series to standalone rom-coms and has been known to dabble in a bit of paranormal on the free stories section of her website. She believes nice guys shouldnât have to finish last (except in the bedroom where she prefers an alpha between the sheets but a gentleman in the streets), and that the surest way to a womanâs heart is through laughter and food.
AUTHOR LINKS
Kari's Book Reviews and Revelations 