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J. H. Croix
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Heart Eyes Press
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Heartwood (Speakeasy) Kindle Edition

by J.H. Croix (Author), Heart Eyes Press (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 491 ratings

She needs a fresh start. He wants a second chance…

My new job as a chef in a small town was supposed to be my ticket to peace and quiet. I didn’t expect to run into the former hockey star who gave me the hottest nights of my life. And, oops, he’s sort-of my new boss. So much for keeping my past where it belongs.

Ty still thinks I’m the fun party girl. He has no idea how much things have changed. One thing that hasn’t changed: the spark between us. It’s hotter than the blowtorch I use on my crème brûlée.

I’m already keeping secrets, so what’s one more? Our tryst is forbidden, it’s fun, and it gets complicated as fast as you can say “check, please.” I didn’t expect to have a future with Ty. And I definitely didn’t expect to have a baby with him. Some falls are harder than others. But it depends on who’s there to catch you...

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  1. Part of series
    Speakeasy
  2. Print length
    226 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    June 29, 2021
  6. File size
    3.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 9 books in this series.
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From the Publisher

the speakeasy series
books 1-5
books 6-9

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Welcome to Speakeasy, where the beer is handcrafted, the patrons wear flannel, and the romance is steamier than the gourmet kitchen out back. The Speakeasy books are a series of standalone romances set in small-town Vermont. Jump in anywhere!

About the Author

J. H. Croix is the USA Today bestselling author of steamy contemporary romances with strong independent women and rugged alpha men who aren't afraid to show some emotion. Her love for quirky small towns and the characters that inhabit them shines through in her writing. Find her online at: https: //jhcroixauthor.com or on Facebook or Twitter.



Erin Mallon is an Audie Award nominee and Earphones Award-winning narrator of over four hundred audiobooks and is an accomplished New York City playwright and producer.



Jason Clarke is an Earphones Award-winning narrator and an actor based out of New York City. He enjoys singing, playing guitar, exercising, and playing video games. All at the same time.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09156TQTM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Heart Eyes Press LLC
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 29, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.7 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 226 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ Speakeasy
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 491 ratings

About the authors

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  1. J. H. Croix

    J. H. Croix

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    USA Today Bestselling Author J. H. Croix lives in a small town in the historical farmlands of Maine with her husband and two spoiled dogs. Croix writes contemporary romance with sassy women and alpha men who aren't afraid to show some emotion. Her love for quirky small-towns and the characters that inhabit them shines through in her writing. Take a walk on the wild side of romance with her bestselling novels!

    Sign up for information about new releases:

    http://jhcroixauthor.com/subscribe/

    You can find her online here:

    https://jhcroixauthor.com

    https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-h-croix

    https://www.facebook.com/jhcroix

    https://www.instagram.com/jhcroix/

    See more on the author's page
  2. Heart Eyes Press

    Heart Eyes Press

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Sarina Bowen's Heart Eyes Press will bring you 45 hand-picked contemporary romances in 2021! Each book is part of Sarina's World of True North. Try the Busy Bean series, or the stop by the new Speakeasy, or hang out with the Moo U hockey team. And don't miss the Vino & Veritas bar and bookstore. Each stand-alone romance is guaranteed to please.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
491 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's story, with one review highlighting its non-ableist portrayal of romance with mental illness. The book receives positive feedback for its readability, with one customer noting it's an unstressful read. Customers appreciate the character development.

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Story qualityReadabilityCharacter development
7 customers mention "Story quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of the book, with one customer particularly appreciating its non-ableist portrayal of romance with mental illness.

"HEARTWOOD is a standalone read with a happy ending. There are sexy scenes and colorful language if that is an issue for you...." Read more

"Loved the story and the characters were so well written...." Read more

"...This story was steamy, sexy, a bit angsty, and hot as hell!..." Read more

"Dealing with mental health issues, needing a fresh start....well written open discussions of human failings and experiences...." Read more

5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with one mentioning it's a standalone read.

"HEARTWOOD is a standalone read with a happy ending. There are sexy scenes and colorful language if that is an issue for you...." Read more

"This book was good. I found out things about bipolar disorder I hadn’t known...." Read more

"...Nah, but for a quick, unstressful read, this is a good one." Read more

"True to J.H. Croix style this love story is different, good when you read as much as I do! Enjoyed the story. It is fast paced and easy read...." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"Loved the story and the characters were so well written...." Read more

"...Great characters have you rooting for happiness for them all!" Read more

"Romance, angst (a tad) nice story. Characters that build each other up, that's been a really nice plot line. Happy reading!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Gatorfan
    5.0 out of 5 stars would like the bonus epilogue but.....
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    HEARTWOOD is a standalone read with a happy ending. There are sexy scenes and colorful language if that is an issue for you. The story starts in college where a straight A student is in her second year of law school. She is flying high, not on drugs but just on life. She is well on her way to a law degree. She has friends and is quite popular, has great parents, both lawyers. She has it all including a condition that sends her flying high and then deep downs. She is flying along over the speed limit when she is stopped. She is driving a stolen car, which she feels she borrowed, when she is stopped by police. She winds up in the hospital with a very serious episode.

    Now to current day she quit law school, took some time off to try and get her life in order and get a little medical help. She is applying for a job as a cook/chef at a new restaurant in Coleburg, Vermont. She is not a real chef, she has no training, but she is an excellent cook and that is good enough to assist the main chef. Everything is going quite smooth until she meets the manager. Ty was a friend in college. They were both living the life and their time was just the cherry on the top. They had chemistry but neither one was serious. Ty was a promising hockey player until he blew his knee out. He was a Sr. her freshman year. So he had been out and on his own by the time she took a ride in a stolen car.

    Ty was on his way to playing professional hockey when he blew his knee out and took that option away from him. He heard about the job in Coleburg at a new restaurant and brewery and he applied and got the job. He is happy with his choice and feels good about where he is in life. His only fly in the ointment is a father that he can barely stand. He has no choice but to deal with him but he will never work for him. The father is a real jerk.

    He remembers Belle from college. She was the hit of every party, the straight A student willing to help others not doing so well. She had it all and he enjoyed their hook-ups. He had no idea why she would quit law school in her last year but she was different. One thing for sure, the chemistry was still there and she was single.

    This is a very good story. Could easily happen in real life so it is easy to fall into the story as you live it with the characters. It is a good love story as well as a good lesson in a few things that effects people every day. I really enjoyed it and found it to be very entertaining. I definitely recommend it.

    NOTE: to the author. I would have loved the bonus epilogue to Ty and Belle's story however I cannot pass your ROBOT test. I HATE those things. I wish you would come up with something else. I already get your newsletter and buy a lot of your books. I currently have 48+ --record not up to date. So if you can figure out how to send me a copy, I would love that. Thanks.

    I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am a reader and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 7/14/2021
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Mariah
    4.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Loved the story and the characters were so well written. Having characters with disorders is harder to write than injuries, so I applaud the writer for going for it. I feel it was a job well done! Belle and Th were great together and I could not stop turning pages. Definitely recommend!
    Helpful
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  • Kelly Rubidoux
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Reading the Paranormal Review
    Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Our man Ty, who keeps Speakeasy running smoothly, is up and his special someone is the one who got away. Sort of. I mean, Ty and Belle had a moment when they were in college and he's never forgotten her, but it wasn't serious-serious at the time. Now, though? IT'S ON!

    That said, Belle isn't the same fast-trackin' party girl she was in college. Mostly because her high-octane energy came with a price and she's working her way through figuring out this new normal for her. To be honest, the lady is tough on herself. Very tough. She sees the crash she experienced as a failure on her part and she's hesitant about giving herself room to have fun and live again. On the other hand, her need to be busy and keep moving works perfectly in her new role at Speakeasy and she's settling into that nicely. It's more of a mental recalibration to realize this is something that makes her happy and she is allowed to change and grow into this new her.

    On Ty's end, he's pretty okay with crossing paths with Belle again. He likes her for her and he's willing to roll with the changes she's gone through since they knew each other before.

    Awkward family dynamics (on Ty's end), supportive family dynamics (on Belle's end), steamy kisses, a bench that helps them connect, and two people figuring things out as best they can. *thumbs up*

    -Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
    One person found this helpful
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  • Vegas Kid
    3.0 out of 5 stars An okay read for me
    Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2021
    Format: Kindle
    3.25-3.5 stars. This was an okay read for me. Heartwood is book two in the Speakeasy Taproom series, which is a series of standalones by different authors and is set in the Sarina Bowen's True North World. This is Ty and Belle's story. The two of them met in college, when Belle was a freshman and Ty was a senior, and had a hot fling before parting ways with no hard feelings when Ty graduated. Belle went on to law school, but her life imploded spectacularly when she became manic, stole a car and was hospitalized before being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She finds that law school is not for her, but working as a chef in a restaurant is more her speed and quiets her mind. She gets a new job in Colebury at the Speakeasy Taproom, where her old fling Ty just happens to be a manager. The two still feel a spark and an attraction and now there is no reason they can't be in a relationship. But Belle is reluctant to go there and to share her history and diagnosis with Ty. Still, the two have a connection that can't be denied. Things get much more complicated when Belle gets pregnant and the couple has quite a bit to work through to get a happy ending.

    Most of this book was really good for me. But there is a point that the momentum is ended by a confrontation between the couple that didn't feel like should have been that big of deal to me. I had a hard time with the book after that and didn't really feel the love between the couple again. The rest of the book was full of lukewarm awkwardness in the relationship. Both seemed too timid to me. I'm a big fan of surprise pregnancies, but in this case, I think it hindered the romance in the book. I felt like they were only together because of the pregnancy and I found the end of the book depressing. It was a shame because I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of the book. I liked Belle and Ty. They had good chemistry. Belle had been through a lot so I felt for her and wanted her to be happy and to gain more self esteem. I just felt like she and Ty needed better communication and to say why they wanted to be together so I felt sure it wasn't just because of the pregnancy.

    Overall, I did enjoy this book for the most part. There was a lot that I liked about it and some things I did not like about it. Still, I am enjoying this fun series and look forward to more in the future.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good...
    Reviewed in Canada on July 7, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Belle is hoping for a fresh start, in a new job, trying to get her life back together after a manic episode (due to Bipolar disorder).

    Ty is just settling into his life, trying to deal with his father at a distance.

    Now Belle is working with Ty, who thinks she’s still the same person she was when they were in college together. They had chemistry then, and they still do… but she’s not the same person she was back then. As she opens up about her past & issues come up, can they still work together as well or even better than before?

    I received this free ARC, and this is my honest review.
    Report
  • Debra McDonald
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mental health
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Belle is bi -polar and nervous about her new job. Ty her friend from college and previous hook up works there too as bar manager. Belle loves working as a chef but she panics about having a manic episode again and when she sees Ty her body becomes excited which frightens her. These two are perfect and their relationship is inevitable. They do have ups and downs but it's great to see that Belle is managing everything well. As someone who has dealt with a family member having bi-polar this story is exactly how hard it can be for everyone involved. Amazing story with a perfect HEA.
    Report
  • Carolyne Belso
    5.0 out of 5 stars Charming and swoonworthy page-turner!
    Reviewed in Canada on January 10, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I was totally charmed by this story, but especially Belle and Ty! Belle was endearing and Ty was so easy to fall for. I was pleasantly surprised that mental illness was part of the backdrop and appreciated how well it was written in the book to help normalize it in everyday life. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't put the book down. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
    Report
  • Lissa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in Canada on November 16, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Read it because I’m a huge fan of J. H. Croix, and she certainly never disappoints! Loved it! Will read the rest of this series by various authors.
    Report

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