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Hale Brothers #2
Hade
She's my best friend's little sister and the only person who can save me from my darkness.
RILEY EVANS has been in love with her sister’s best friend HAYDEN HALE for as long as she can remember. He’s never noticed her, and even when he finally does, he keeps his distance.
Years later, Hayden is a world-famous musician, shattered by his friend’s death and drowning in guilt inside his penthouse walls. Riley walked away from the stage and chose to teach kids ballet instead of chasing unattainable perfection.
When her sister asks her to check on Hayden, Riley doesn’t expect to connect with him in such a close way. She definitely doesn’t expect one night to change everything.
Now she’s pregnant with his child.
With the press circling and his grief pinning him in place, Hayden is terrified of destroying the only person who makes him feel alive—Riley. And yet he can’t help but fall for her. Will he finally admit that she’s never been invisible to him, or will he lose her forever because she’s done waiting for him to choose her?
_
HADE is a steamy accidental pregnancy rockstar romance. The book two of Hale Brothers series and can be read as a standalone.
RILEY EVANS has been in love with her sister’s best friend HAYDEN HALE for as long as she can remember. He’s never noticed her, and even when he finally does, he keeps his distance.
Years later, Hayden is a world-famous musician, shattered by his friend’s death and drowning in guilt inside his penthouse walls. Riley walked away from the stage and chose to teach kids ballet instead of chasing unattainable perfection.
When her sister asks her to check on Hayden, Riley doesn’t expect to connect with him in such a close way. She definitely doesn’t expect one night to change everything.
Now she’s pregnant with his child.
With the press circling and his grief pinning him in place, Hayden is terrified of destroying the only person who makes him feel alive—Riley. And yet he can’t help but fall for her. Will he finally admit that she’s never been invisible to him, or will he lose her forever because she’s done waiting for him to choose her?
_
HADE is a steamy accidental pregnancy rockstar romance. The book two of Hale Brothers series and can be read as a standalone.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2026
250 people are currently reading
1170 people want to read
About the author
Anastasija White
12 books1,092 followersAnastasija is an indie author who spends her days creating swoon-worthy and steamy stories that will make your heart race. Her writing is filled with flawed and relatable characters that you'll find yourself rooting for. Whether you're in the mood for angsty drama or steamy romance, her stories take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions with guaranteed happy endings.
When she's not writing, she loves to lose herself in reading books, rewatching her favorite tv-shows and spending time with her son. She loves traveling and exploring the world, and then including places she visited in her novels.
If you're a fan of romance that leaves you breathless and begging for more, Anastasija is the author for you. Connect with her on Instagram and TikTok, where she loves to hear from her readers and share sneak peeks of her books and upcoming projects.
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When she's not writing, she loves to lose herself in reading books, rewatching her favorite tv-shows and spending time with her son. She loves traveling and exploring the world, and then including places she visited in her novels.
If you're a fan of romance that leaves you breathless and begging for more, Anastasija is the author for you. Connect with her on Instagram and TikTok, where she loves to hear from her readers and share sneak peeks of her books and upcoming projects.
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Review of advance copy received from Author
Hayden & Riley - what a beautiful story theirs is. Hayden, our broken boy MMC. He's holding on to so much grief and guilt. Riley is our fierce FMC who has had a crush on Hayden for years, being his rock and always checking in on him to make sure he's ok when he's ignoring the world.
Circumstances have Riley moving in with Hayden temporarily, and the sparks are flying, the chemistry is off the charts between them and the tension 🔥and when they finally give in to temptation 😮💨 our girl ends up pregnant and let me tell you, that boy steps up and is determined to get his life back on track to be everything Riley and their baby needs 🥹
This one does cover some heavy topics so make sure to check triggers before going in ❤️🩹 Ana has done an amazing job and these topics are written so well 🥹 If you love a rockstar romance with a troubled MMC, add this one to the tbr.
A moment for the dedication -
To the ones who stayed.
And to those who are still learning how to live after someone they love couldn't.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 -
🎸Broken Boy
🩰Accidental Pregnancy
🎸Rockstar x Ballerina
🩰Best Friend's Little Sister
🎸Forced Proximity
Circumstances have Riley moving in with Hayden temporarily, and the sparks are flying, the chemistry is off the charts between them and the tension 🔥and when they finally give in to temptation 😮💨 our girl ends up pregnant and let me tell you, that boy steps up and is determined to get his life back on track to be everything Riley and their baby needs 🥹
This one does cover some heavy topics so make sure to check triggers before going in ❤️🩹 Ana has done an amazing job and these topics are written so well 🥹 If you love a rockstar romance with a troubled MMC, add this one to the tbr.
A moment for the dedication -
To the ones who stayed.
And to those who are still learning how to live after someone they love couldn't.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 -
🎸Broken Boy
🩰Accidental Pregnancy
🎸Rockstar x Ballerina
🩰Best Friend's Little Sister
🎸Forced Proximity
March 12, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Started out really good, and it was good until the end. But somewhere it lost the pace and got a little slow, maybe around the 60% mark? But story wise? I really liked it, it was soooo much better than book one.
Hayden 💔 I enjoyed how emotional this book was and that you really got to see how vulnerable the characters were, especially Hade. I also liked Riley a lot, such a sweetheart 🥹
Started out really good, and it was good until the end. But somewhere it lost the pace and got a little slow, maybe around the 60% mark? But story wise? I really liked it, it was soooo much better than book one.
Hayden 💔 I enjoyed how emotional this book was and that you really got to see how vulnerable the characters were, especially Hade. I also liked Riley a lot, such a sweetheart 🥹
March 16, 2026
Omg, what a book! Hade by Anastasija White stirred something inside me. I kept trying to stop reading, but I just couldn’t, and when I actually had to stop… my mind was still on the book and I couldn’t wait to continue it.
🎶 “Flirting with her feels like oxygen—I can’t live without it.” 💙
I empathized with Hayden and I understood him. From the outside, it might be frustrating to witness some of the actions and decisions he makes, the way he takes one step forward and two steps back, but when you put yourself in the character’s shoes, you really do understand him. Besides, grief doesn’t look the same for everyone. We see what it looks like for Hayden, and the author did an excellent job portraying it. I understood his inner turmoil, his lack of self-confidence, and his fear of dragging Riley down with him, his fear of hurting her. And yet, he is there when it matters most, especially when he finds out about the pregnancy, which made me grow very fond of him. His evolution is beautiful and touching.
🎶 “She’s mine, and I’ll make sure I’m worthy of her.”
There’s also a bit of mystery, because we’re not told exactly what happened to Ry or what made her give up ballet. I mention this often, but I love books that have that small hint of suspense, the kind that makes me eager to discover the whole story and better understand the characters. But until then, my heart broke every time she was left longing for more in her relationship with Hayden. I appreciated her altruism, the fact that she knows Hayden needs her and risks her heart to be there for him, but I also admired that she’s ready to set boundaries when she feels it’s necessary.
I really enjoyed this story, reading about how their relationship evolves and how things slowly fall into place. We get sweet moments, but it isn’t easy and everything isn’t perfect, and that’s what makes the story feel so special and full of emotion.
★★★★☆
Congrats, @anastasija.white.author! Thank you so much @greyspromo for sending me this ARC! ❤️
🎶 “Flirting with her feels like oxygen—I can’t live without it.” 💙
I empathized with Hayden and I understood him. From the outside, it might be frustrating to witness some of the actions and decisions he makes, the way he takes one step forward and two steps back, but when you put yourself in the character’s shoes, you really do understand him. Besides, grief doesn’t look the same for everyone. We see what it looks like for Hayden, and the author did an excellent job portraying it. I understood his inner turmoil, his lack of self-confidence, and his fear of dragging Riley down with him, his fear of hurting her. And yet, he is there when it matters most, especially when he finds out about the pregnancy, which made me grow very fond of him. His evolution is beautiful and touching.
🎶 “She’s mine, and I’ll make sure I’m worthy of her.”
There’s also a bit of mystery, because we’re not told exactly what happened to Ry or what made her give up ballet. I mention this often, but I love books that have that small hint of suspense, the kind that makes me eager to discover the whole story and better understand the characters. But until then, my heart broke every time she was left longing for more in her relationship with Hayden. I appreciated her altruism, the fact that she knows Hayden needs her and risks her heart to be there for him, but I also admired that she’s ready to set boundaries when she feels it’s necessary.
I really enjoyed this story, reading about how their relationship evolves and how things slowly fall into place. We get sweet moments, but it isn’t easy and everything isn’t perfect, and that’s what makes the story feel so special and full of emotion.
★★★★☆
Congrats, @anastasija.white.author! Thank you so much @greyspromo for sending me this ARC! ❤️
March 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
📚 Standalone Book
🗣️ Dual POV
💥 Check Your Triggers
🖤 M/F
Hade is one of those books that pulls you into a darker, moodier world right from the start and doesn’t let go. The atmosphere is heavy, emotional, and intense, with a storyline that leans into pain, and complicated relationships in a way that keeps you hooked.
Hade as an MMC is not your typical “easy to love” character—he’s intense, and carries a darkness [grief] that seeps into everything he does. But that’s what makes him so compelling. Watching his layers slowly unravel and seeing the vulnerability beneath was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.
The FMC holds her own in a world that’s anything but forgiving. She’s strong without being unbreakable, and her dynamic with Hade is full of tension, push and pull, and moments that feel both raw and real. Their relationship isn’t simple or clean but that’s exactly the point.
This is definitely not a light read. The emotional depth, darker themes of grief, and intensity throughout mean you’ll want to go in prepared but if you like stories that explore the messier sides of love and grief, this one delivers.
Tropes:
🖤 Angst
🩰 Emotional Trauma & Healing
🖤 Strong FMC
🩰 Push & Pull Relationship
🖤 Love Conquers All
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
📚 Standalone Book
🗣️ Dual POV
💥 Check Your Triggers
🖤 M/F
Hade is one of those books that pulls you into a darker, moodier world right from the start and doesn’t let go. The atmosphere is heavy, emotional, and intense, with a storyline that leans into pain, and complicated relationships in a way that keeps you hooked.
Hade as an MMC is not your typical “easy to love” character—he’s intense, and carries a darkness [grief] that seeps into everything he does. But that’s what makes him so compelling. Watching his layers slowly unravel and seeing the vulnerability beneath was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.
The FMC holds her own in a world that’s anything but forgiving. She’s strong without being unbreakable, and her dynamic with Hade is full of tension, push and pull, and moments that feel both raw and real. Their relationship isn’t simple or clean but that’s exactly the point.
This is definitely not a light read. The emotional depth, darker themes of grief, and intensity throughout mean you’ll want to go in prepared but if you like stories that explore the messier sides of love and grief, this one delivers.
Tropes:
🖤 Angst
🩰 Emotional Trauma & Healing
🖤 Strong FMC
🩰 Push & Pull Relationship
🖤 Love Conquers All
March 24, 2026
‧₊˚♪ 𝄞₊˚⊹ 𝟒 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 ‧₊˚♪ 𝄞₊˚⊹
“𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙨, 𝙍𝙮 𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙮. 𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”
Such an enjoyable and emotional read! The story pulled me in right from the start, even though the pacing felt a little fast in the beginning. The middle slowed down for me, but the ending really made up for it. The epilogue and bonus chapter were my favorite parts — those sweet family moments were so beautiful and made my heart ache in the best way.
I really appreciated how grief was portrayed. It felt honest and showed important stages.
Watching Hayden go through it all and grow into a stronger version of himself was one of the highlights for me. And his development…he really turned into the softest gentleman, which made everything feel so worth it.
Riley was such a sweet character, but I especially loved that she stood up for herself, even when it came to Hayden.
The chemistry was definitely there and the spice was great!
One of my favorite moments was the auditorium scene — something about it felt so intimate and unforgettable.
The only thing that frustrated me a bit was how often Hayden pushed her away after getting close to her. It made sense emotionally, but it still hurt every time. I also thought we'd be seeing more of his rockstar life, I was excited to see more of that side of him.
Overall, a really good read that explores grief, long-time feelings, and growth in a meaningful way.
ׂ╰┈➤ I recommend this book to anyone who loves:
• friends to lovers
• rockstar romance
• broken boy
• accidental pregnancy
• unrequited love
• best friend's little sister
• ballerina x rockstar
• forced proximity
• mental health rep
• NYC based
• a few spicy scenes
THANK YOU TO:
Anastasija White
for sending me an early copy of this book
in exchange for an honest review!
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹
“𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙨, 𝙍𝙮 𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙮. 𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”
Such an enjoyable and emotional read! The story pulled me in right from the start, even though the pacing felt a little fast in the beginning. The middle slowed down for me, but the ending really made up for it. The epilogue and bonus chapter were my favorite parts — those sweet family moments were so beautiful and made my heart ache in the best way.
I really appreciated how grief was portrayed. It felt honest and showed important stages.
Watching Hayden go through it all and grow into a stronger version of himself was one of the highlights for me. And his development…he really turned into the softest gentleman, which made everything feel so worth it.
Riley was such a sweet character, but I especially loved that she stood up for herself, even when it came to Hayden.
The chemistry was definitely there and the spice was great!
One of my favorite moments was the auditorium scene — something about it felt so intimate and unforgettable.
The only thing that frustrated me a bit was how often Hayden pushed her away after getting close to her. It made sense emotionally, but it still hurt every time. I also thought we'd be seeing more of his rockstar life, I was excited to see more of that side of him.
Overall, a really good read that explores grief, long-time feelings, and growth in a meaningful way.
ׂ╰┈➤ I recommend this book to anyone who loves:
• friends to lovers
• rockstar romance
• broken boy
• accidental pregnancy
• unrequited love
• best friend's little sister
• ballerina x rockstar
• forced proximity
• mental health rep
• NYC based
• a few spicy scenes
THANK YOU TO:
Anastasija White
for sending me an early copy of this book
in exchange for an honest review!
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹
March 13, 2026
I LOVE ACCIDENTAL PREGNANCIES, SUE ME 🤷🏼♀️
A truly well written book. Amazing mental health representation and written so thoughtfully, gives you a glimpse into the struggles people go through with grief and depression
Hayden is a rockstar, who recently lost his friend and band member to suicide. Riley is his best friends little sister and the best friend also happens to be married to his brother (Go read book 1, Hale - you won’t regret it)
Riley has crushed HARD on Hayden for years, she’s looking out for him during a hard time in his life and things get a bit messy between the two of them…
A few times in this book I was literally screaming at my kindle because Hayden kept pushing her away!!! It was genuinely breaking my heart 🥲
The spice? 10/10, loved every second of it
The story had me hooked. It was heartbreaking, emotional, smutty, thoughtful and relatable. I laughed, cried and every emotion in between.
A truly well written book. Amazing mental health representation and written so thoughtfully, gives you a glimpse into the struggles people go through with grief and depression
Hayden is a rockstar, who recently lost his friend and band member to suicide. Riley is his best friends little sister and the best friend also happens to be married to his brother (Go read book 1, Hale - you won’t regret it)
Riley has crushed HARD on Hayden for years, she’s looking out for him during a hard time in his life and things get a bit messy between the two of them…
A few times in this book I was literally screaming at my kindle because Hayden kept pushing her away!!! It was genuinely breaking my heart 🥲
The spice? 10/10, loved every second of it
The story had me hooked. It was heartbreaking, emotional, smutty, thoughtful and relatable. I laughed, cried and every emotion in between.
February 28, 2026
Well I’m speechless, this book was everything! Truly the emotions you feel reading this book and the way Anastasija writes connects so deeply. This is book two in the Hale Brothers Series and features rockstar Hayden or Hades and ballerina Riley. Riley is Hayden’s best friends little sister and she has always been there for him especially after the loss he suffered. This one does cover some heavy topics like grief/loss, depression and mentions of suicide however they were beautifully written. This book is all about the journey of grief. I have read all of Anastasija’s work and this one might just be my new favourite.
I received a complementary copy from the author.
I received a complementary copy from the author.
March 5, 2026
Get ready to be emotional, because this book will make you feel.
You’ll feel the loss of a friend, the longing of a childhood crush, and the shift when their worlds turn upside down.
It has a beautiful plot and is easy to read, even though some of the themes are heavy.
The love story doesn’t feel unrealistic or over-the-top, and that’s exactly why I loved it. It feels grounded and real. The twists and turns reflect the ups and downs of a normal relationship.
The spice is at the perfect level. And the way the piercings are described… I have questions.
You’ll feel the loss of a friend, the longing of a childhood crush, and the shift when their worlds turn upside down.
It has a beautiful plot and is easy to read, even though some of the themes are heavy.
The love story doesn’t feel unrealistic or over-the-top, and that’s exactly why I loved it. It feels grounded and real. The twists and turns reflect the ups and downs of a normal relationship.
The spice is at the perfect level. And the way the piercings are described… I have questions.
March 9, 2026
•ARC Review•
📖 Hade
💐 Anastasija White
⭐️⭐️ (2/5)
Review:
Honestly, this wasn’t one of my best reads. I didn’t enjoy the story very much. It touches on some heavy topics, and in my opinion they weren’t handled very well. The characters also felt a bit flat to me.
I had mixed feelings about the FMC — I liked her at times, but I also felt like she let the MMC walk all over her. As for the MMC, he was portrayed as very depressed, but whenever Riley the FMC showed up he suddenly seemed completely fine, which felt inconsistent.
Their relationship was also a bit meh to me. I actually felt more chemistry between the MMC and a side character than between him and the FMC.
Big thanks to Greys Promotion and the author for the ARC! ✨
📖 Hade
💐 Anastasija White
⭐️⭐️ (2/5)
Review:
Honestly, this wasn’t one of my best reads. I didn’t enjoy the story very much. It touches on some heavy topics, and in my opinion they weren’t handled very well. The characters also felt a bit flat to me.
I had mixed feelings about the FMC — I liked her at times, but I also felt like she let the MMC walk all over her. As for the MMC, he was portrayed as very depressed, but whenever Riley the FMC showed up he suddenly seemed completely fine, which felt inconsistent.
Their relationship was also a bit meh to me. I actually felt more chemistry between the MMC and a side character than between him and the FMC.
Big thanks to Greys Promotion and the author for the ARC! ✨
March 23, 2026
This book was so hyped up and I kept seeing it on Tiktok. I'm really disappointed and kinda wish I dnf'ed. it was really not good. It read like poorly written one direction fanfiction and not in a good way. The pacing of it was weird. The plot was all over the place. They're friends, but she's in love with him, and can't handle seeing him flirt. He's obsessed but flirts with other people and is at another woman's beck and call. They invent reasons why they shouldn't be together. they fight constantly. It took forever to finish and just felt like it dragged on forever. there are better friends to lovers, rockstar romance, and surprise pregnancy books out there. don't waste your time
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2026
#Review: *Hade* - Anastasija White - ARC
4.8/5✨
3/5🌶️
Riley had for a pretty long time a huge crush on her sister's best friend, rockstar Hayden Hale, who was part of a famous band. He and Riley haven't interacted too much, that's why she was sure that Hayden didn't think about her in romantic way. But the recent passing of one of Hayden's band mates changed things between them, especially when Hayden found only in Riley's presence some peace and quiet. But was that slow connection that blossomed between them strong enough to last?
I simply love the way Anastasija creates these angsty stories, which are always putting the characters through such challenging emotions and situations. In this case, Hayden's recent loss was deeply affecting him and I liked how sweet and all-consuming that bond he had with Riley, which emerged following that event. The uncertainty regarding their situation was super intriguing and also that insane tension which was constantly present between them. It was something forbidden and secret, fact which kind of played with their feelings because maybe that was only lust and not true love. That kept me guessing, if that connection would last or not, because of those conflicting feelings Hayden kept on having in his heart and because of the hole that was still very much present after his loss.
Once again, Anastasija has successfully made me fall in love so hard for one of her books💖. I just adored how she built that tension between the main characters and how raw all those feelings from inside them were presented in this story. An initial unrequited love which transformed in something really beautiful and healing. Looved it!!🥰
Many thanks to Anastasija and Grey Promo for being awesome as usual and for accepting me for this splendid e-ARC.💜
✨Tropes
▫️Best Friend's Sister
▫️Secret Romance
▫️Unrequited Love
▫️Angst
▫️Accidental Pregnancy
▫️Mental Health
▫️Rockstar
▫️Forced Proximity
4.8/5✨
3/5🌶️
Riley had for a pretty long time a huge crush on her sister's best friend, rockstar Hayden Hale, who was part of a famous band. He and Riley haven't interacted too much, that's why she was sure that Hayden didn't think about her in romantic way. But the recent passing of one of Hayden's band mates changed things between them, especially when Hayden found only in Riley's presence some peace and quiet. But was that slow connection that blossomed between them strong enough to last?
I simply love the way Anastasija creates these angsty stories, which are always putting the characters through such challenging emotions and situations. In this case, Hayden's recent loss was deeply affecting him and I liked how sweet and all-consuming that bond he had with Riley, which emerged following that event. The uncertainty regarding their situation was super intriguing and also that insane tension which was constantly present between them. It was something forbidden and secret, fact which kind of played with their feelings because maybe that was only lust and not true love. That kept me guessing, if that connection would last or not, because of those conflicting feelings Hayden kept on having in his heart and because of the hole that was still very much present after his loss.
Once again, Anastasija has successfully made me fall in love so hard for one of her books💖. I just adored how she built that tension between the main characters and how raw all those feelings from inside them were presented in this story. An initial unrequited love which transformed in something really beautiful and healing. Looved it!!🥰
Many thanks to Anastasija and Grey Promo for being awesome as usual and for accepting me for this splendid e-ARC.💜
✨Tropes
▫️Best Friend's Sister
▫️Secret Romance
▫️Unrequited Love
▫️Angst
▫️Accidental Pregnancy
▫️Mental Health
▫️Rockstar
▫️Forced Proximity
March 18, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️.75
🎸 Rockstar x Ballerina
🩰 Best Friend's Little Sister
🎸 Accidental Pregnancy
🩰 Forced Proximity
🎸 Broken Boy
⚠️ PLEASE CHECK YOUR CONENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS! PLEASE PROTECT YOUR MENTAL PEACE☮️ ⚠️
✨️ 📚 ARC 📖 REVIEW ✨️
I want to start by saying that this is my first book by Anastasija and boy did I choose a DOOZY!! I say that because this covers some very heavy topics. With that said I think she wrote these topics sooo well! I was able to read through the whole book with MINIMAL to almost no issues. It gave me hope for other authors to be able to do this as well!
Hayden and Riley were two of my favorite characters! They both had their baggage of sorts, but there were a lot more than meets the eye. Hade, bless him, was the one who struggled the most with his trauma. He struggled so hard with the loss of his best friend and bandmate. He had survivors guilt when it came to. Riley was his everything, but he had yet to figure out how to make her his whole world without the guilt and the grief.
Riley was the Prima Ballerina who had everything in front of her, but found the small bump in the road, (pun intended.) She not only struggled with a huge life change of being pregnant but also being in love with Hade. This was such a hard palce to be in, but she was able to navigate everything with grace.
The chemistry these two have and the sparks that fly from them are out of this world! With the love that they found in each other, Hade really steps up and does everything and more for Riley. he shows her the love that he carries not only for her but for their unborn child.
I absolutely LOVED this book, and cannot wait for the next installment!
Thank you 🫶🏻 to ✨️ Anastasija White & Grey's Promotions ✨️ for the complimentary 📚 ARC 📚. ✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.
🌶️🌶️.75
🎸 Rockstar x Ballerina
🩰 Best Friend's Little Sister
🎸 Accidental Pregnancy
🩰 Forced Proximity
🎸 Broken Boy
⚠️ PLEASE CHECK YOUR CONENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS! PLEASE PROTECT YOUR MENTAL PEACE☮️ ⚠️
✨️ 📚 ARC 📖 REVIEW ✨️
I want to start by saying that this is my first book by Anastasija and boy did I choose a DOOZY!! I say that because this covers some very heavy topics. With that said I think she wrote these topics sooo well! I was able to read through the whole book with MINIMAL to almost no issues. It gave me hope for other authors to be able to do this as well!
Hayden and Riley were two of my favorite characters! They both had their baggage of sorts, but there were a lot more than meets the eye. Hade, bless him, was the one who struggled the most with his trauma. He struggled so hard with the loss of his best friend and bandmate. He had survivors guilt when it came to. Riley was his everything, but he had yet to figure out how to make her his whole world without the guilt and the grief.
Riley was the Prima Ballerina who had everything in front of her, but found the small bump in the road, (pun intended.) She not only struggled with a huge life change of being pregnant but also being in love with Hade. This was such a hard palce to be in, but she was able to navigate everything with grace.
The chemistry these two have and the sparks that fly from them are out of this world! With the love that they found in each other, Hade really steps up and does everything and more for Riley. he shows her the love that he carries not only for her but for their unborn child.
I absolutely LOVED this book, and cannot wait for the next installment!
Thank you 🫶🏻 to ✨️ Anastasija White & Grey's Promotions ✨️ for the complimentary 📚 ARC 📚. ✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.
March 18, 2026
Because the way I love you is written in the f*ucking stars. It’s destiny, and whether you like it or not, you’re mine forever
LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN, I loved HALE so honestly, I went in expecting that I would also really like HADE, HOWEVER, even knowing the tropes and description I was not prepared for how much this book would make me feel.
It has such incredible mental health representation, and I loved how it dealt with the grief.
The love story also felt so natural – honestly the ups and downs of it all and how it intertwined with his grief was truly so special and reflective of the realities of struggling with depression.
I will forever and always love a broken boy mmc, it's my kryptonite really, and on the flip side I am always rooting for the fmc to stand up for herself, and in this respect Riley and Hayden were perfect for me.
It had the perfect amount of angst and Anastasija wrote it so beautifully and with such care and attention, including making you feel so much empathy and respect for the circumstances faced by each of the characters.
One of the most important and satisfying parts of a romance book for me is the emotional intimacy and the emotional growth and this book had this in spades.
* Also, Hade and his actions had me absolutely swooning. The man is so damn thoughtful and caring.
Short blurb: Riley has always loved Hayden. Hayden has recently suffered a large loss (his bandmate and best friend) and is depressed/ grieving that loss. Riley has been checking in on Hayden regularly and due to circumstances outside of her control is forced to move in with him temporarily – then one-night things change – and she gets pregnant.
Tropes:
🎸 musician/rockstar mmc
🩹 grief and healing
🏠 forced proximity
🩰 dancer fmc
🩵 best friend’s sister
🤰 accidental pregnancy
Thank you for the ARC Greys Promotions and Anastasija White.
LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN, I loved HALE so honestly, I went in expecting that I would also really like HADE, HOWEVER, even knowing the tropes and description I was not prepared for how much this book would make me feel.
It has such incredible mental health representation, and I loved how it dealt with the grief.
The love story also felt so natural – honestly the ups and downs of it all and how it intertwined with his grief was truly so special and reflective of the realities of struggling with depression.
I will forever and always love a broken boy mmc, it's my kryptonite really, and on the flip side I am always rooting for the fmc to stand up for herself, and in this respect Riley and Hayden were perfect for me.
It had the perfect amount of angst and Anastasija wrote it so beautifully and with such care and attention, including making you feel so much empathy and respect for the circumstances faced by each of the characters.
One of the most important and satisfying parts of a romance book for me is the emotional intimacy and the emotional growth and this book had this in spades.
* Also, Hade and his actions had me absolutely swooning. The man is so damn thoughtful and caring.
Short blurb: Riley has always loved Hayden. Hayden has recently suffered a large loss (his bandmate and best friend) and is depressed/ grieving that loss. Riley has been checking in on Hayden regularly and due to circumstances outside of her control is forced to move in with him temporarily – then one-night things change – and she gets pregnant.
Tropes:
🎸 musician/rockstar mmc
🩹 grief and healing
🏠 forced proximity
🩰 dancer fmc
🩵 best friend’s sister
🤰 accidental pregnancy
Thank you for the ARC Greys Promotions and Anastasija White.
February 28, 2026
✨ Woah Anastasija White really outdid herself with this one! ✨
I devoured Hade in under 24 hours 😍
It touches on some heavy topics yet it’s written in such a beautiful and easy to read way 💛
✨ What to expect ✨
🤍 Rockstar x Ballerina
🤍 Best friend’s little sister
🤍 Accidental pregnancy
🤍 Forced proximity
🤍 Life after loss
Hade (Hayden) is struggling after the devastating loss of his friend and everyone around him is worried. Piper sends her sister Riley, to check in on him and that’s when a small light enters his very dark world ✨
Riley has always had a crush on Hayden but now she’s standing right in front of him as the woman she’s grown into.
After a fire forces Riley to move in with Hayden resisting each other becomes impossible 🔥
A few “we really shouldn’t do this again” nights later and a positive pregnancy test changes everything 🤰🏼
I absolutely loved this book 🥹
Anastasija writes about grief with such grace and depth you truly feel the heaviness within the characters and it lingers with you long after you finish.
I don’t usually love the accidental pregnancy trope but I adored it in The Hale Brother Series 💕
Thank you so much Ana for the ARC 💌
I’m incredibly grateful to be able to read your books. I adore your writing and can’t wait to see what’s next ✨📚
I devoured Hade in under 24 hours 😍
It touches on some heavy topics yet it’s written in such a beautiful and easy to read way 💛
✨ What to expect ✨
🤍 Rockstar x Ballerina
🤍 Best friend’s little sister
🤍 Accidental pregnancy
🤍 Forced proximity
🤍 Life after loss
Hade (Hayden) is struggling after the devastating loss of his friend and everyone around him is worried. Piper sends her sister Riley, to check in on him and that’s when a small light enters his very dark world ✨
Riley has always had a crush on Hayden but now she’s standing right in front of him as the woman she’s grown into.
After a fire forces Riley to move in with Hayden resisting each other becomes impossible 🔥
A few “we really shouldn’t do this again” nights later and a positive pregnancy test changes everything 🤰🏼
I absolutely loved this book 🥹
Anastasija writes about grief with such grace and depth you truly feel the heaviness within the characters and it lingers with you long after you finish.
I don’t usually love the accidental pregnancy trope but I adored it in The Hale Brother Series 💕
Thank you so much Ana for the ARC 💌
I’m incredibly grateful to be able to read your books. I adore your writing and can’t wait to see what’s next ✨📚
March 24, 2026
Wow. I have loved everything from Anastasija so far and Hade is no exception. The tropes were perfection and the emotions were so deep, I felt them in my bones.
Hayden goes through so much. I only can relate on a small level, but getting to read it definitely had me all up in my feels. He was such a great MMC even though he has a whole lot of growing to go through to get to the other side.
Riley is just so sweet. I adored everything about her character. I’ve felt that unrequited love she deals with and it makes me want to hug her so tight. Her growth and strength make her such a kick butt FMC and I wish she were real so we could be besties.
The spice…once it started, it was a wild ride. Give me all the open door and goodness was that door wide open 😉 And the whole story just kept me coming back for more. I am so thankful I got to read and love Riley and Hayden’s story. Be sure to check out Hade today!
Hayden goes through so much. I only can relate on a small level, but getting to read it definitely had me all up in my feels. He was such a great MMC even though he has a whole lot of growing to go through to get to the other side.
Riley is just so sweet. I adored everything about her character. I’ve felt that unrequited love she deals with and it makes me want to hug her so tight. Her growth and strength make her such a kick butt FMC and I wish she were real so we could be besties.
The spice…once it started, it was a wild ride. Give me all the open door and goodness was that door wide open 😉 And the whole story just kept me coming back for more. I am so thankful I got to read and love Riley and Hayden’s story. Be sure to check out Hade today!
March 11, 2026
The emotional depth in this story completely pulled me in. Riley and Hayden’s journey through grief, guilt, and healing broke my heart and slowly healed it. Riley is the sweetest FMC, and watching her finally finding her voice and standing up for herself after years of loving Hade was so satisfying. Hade is broken, deep in guilt over his friends bandmate death and emotional closed off, but his journey toward healing, especially going to therapy and trying to be better for Riley and their baby, was powerful. A beautifully emotional story about grief, healing, and finding the strength to move forward. This one stays with you.
Thank you to the author for the eARC, this is my honest review.
Thank you to the author for the eARC, this is my honest review.
March 13, 2026
arc review
4.5⭐️ | 3🌶️
Riley and Hade’s story was everything 😭 gosh the growth and the healing, the angst of unrequited love and the feeling of not being enough or healthy enough for someone you love 😩 these two were constantly pulling at my heartstrings.
They had their ups and downs on their way to be together, but they pulled through all their mental struggles for each other and in the end their love is just so heartwarming.
The topics in this one were heavy and Ana did such an amazing job writing them and weaving their love story through them. This was truly an amazing book with an amazing story. I love them both so dearly.
Thank you so much for the arc!! 💋
4.5⭐️ | 3🌶️
Riley and Hade’s story was everything 😭 gosh the growth and the healing, the angst of unrequited love and the feeling of not being enough or healthy enough for someone you love 😩 these two were constantly pulling at my heartstrings.
They had their ups and downs on their way to be together, but they pulled through all their mental struggles for each other and in the end their love is just so heartwarming.
The topics in this one were heavy and Ana did such an amazing job writing them and weaving their love story through them. This was truly an amazing book with an amazing story. I love them both so dearly.
Thank you so much for the arc!! 💋
March 15, 2026
ARC review 🥹
This was soooo cute! As a musician myself, I usually don’t enjoy romance with musicians as much as other sub-genres, but this one really hit the spot (as expected, since it is by Anastasija) 🙂↕️
Hayden develops so much emotionally throughout the book and it’s amazing to read about it and I loved how Riley supported him in his journey while calling him out on his bullshit 😍
As per usual, Anastasija really didn’t disappoint and I’m super excited to read whatever she writes next 🥰
🫖🫖🫖🫖.🍵
This was soooo cute! As a musician myself, I usually don’t enjoy romance with musicians as much as other sub-genres, but this one really hit the spot (as expected, since it is by Anastasija) 🙂↕️
Hayden develops so much emotionally throughout the book and it’s amazing to read about it and I loved how Riley supported him in his journey while calling him out on his bullshit 😍
As per usual, Anastasija really didn’t disappoint and I’m super excited to read whatever she writes next 🥰
🫖🫖🫖🫖.🍵
March 18, 2026
First I want to thank Anastasia White and Greg’s Promotions for the advanced readers copy of this book.
I went into Hade expecting emotional whiplash and that’s what I got…but like in the best way, and I liked it.
Miss White said, “may i take your heart out of your chest, throw it across your living room floor, stomp on it three times, let your cat bat it for a little while, and then maybe I can piece it back together?” And I was like, “ok, bet.”
Our MMC, Hayden is our resident rockstar who has issues that are far more messy and complicated than anyone could ever know, and Riley, our FMC, is a boss ass bitch with a soft spot for him. Our now they are having a baby. I don’t wanna spoil anything more, so we will stop with the details there. Just know I highly suggest you continue the journey!
My only complaint? The questionable life choices I made knowing I needed to be up for work that next morning. But I could not stop reading! I needed a recovery plan after some of those scenes. Maybe a snack. Maybe therapy.
Anyway, read it. 10/10 loved it. 😍
I went into Hade expecting emotional whiplash and that’s what I got…but like in the best way, and I liked it.
Miss White said, “may i take your heart out of your chest, throw it across your living room floor, stomp on it three times, let your cat bat it for a little while, and then maybe I can piece it back together?” And I was like, “ok, bet.”
Our MMC, Hayden is our resident rockstar who has issues that are far more messy and complicated than anyone could ever know, and Riley, our FMC, is a boss ass bitch with a soft spot for him. Our now they are having a baby. I don’t wanna spoil anything more, so we will stop with the details there. Just know I highly suggest you continue the journey!
My only complaint? The questionable life choices I made knowing I needed to be up for work that next morning. But I could not stop reading! I needed a recovery plan after some of those scenes. Maybe a snack. Maybe therapy.
Anyway, read it. 10/10 loved it. 😍
Did not finish
March 12, 2026Dnf
March 20, 2026
4.75⭐️
March 18, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Hayden Hale was my first unrequited love, the object of all my affection for far too long, while I’m the girl he’s never noticed."
Where do I start because this book was everything. I devoured this book like my favorite meal. The writing was so effortless. The story flowed wonderfully so it was so easy to grab the book and never put it down.
I loved so many parts of this book. The MMC and the FMC were some characters that I would honestly want to be friends with in real life. The author dives into some real topics such as suicide and it is a topic I hold close to the chest but it was described and incorporated in a way that you felt it with the characters. The grief felt real and I appreciated that about the author. This book reminds us of what grieve can do how it can change us.
The tension betwen the two main characters was everything. It had me wanting more at every page turn. The angst had me clutching my pearls. The scenarios were too real and I love that the author incorporated them.
I don’t know how many times I wanted so bad to dive into the book and just hold Hade. And as we go along and we learn more about Riley and how resilient she is. I wanted to do the same for her. What I loved most about this book was how Riley had her own issues and never let that stop her from being there for Hade because she knew he needed her. Her selflessness’s was admirable.
This is a book I will think about for a long time.
"Blue is quickly becoming my favorite color."
"Hayden Hale was my first unrequited love, the object of all my affection for far too long, while I’m the girl he’s never noticed."
Where do I start because this book was everything. I devoured this book like my favorite meal. The writing was so effortless. The story flowed wonderfully so it was so easy to grab the book and never put it down.
I loved so many parts of this book. The MMC and the FMC were some characters that I would honestly want to be friends with in real life. The author dives into some real topics such as suicide and it is a topic I hold close to the chest but it was described and incorporated in a way that you felt it with the characters. The grief felt real and I appreciated that about the author. This book reminds us of what grieve can do how it can change us.
The tension betwen the two main characters was everything. It had me wanting more at every page turn. The angst had me clutching my pearls. The scenarios were too real and I love that the author incorporated them.
I don’t know how many times I wanted so bad to dive into the book and just hold Hade. And as we go along and we learn more about Riley and how resilient she is. I wanted to do the same for her. What I loved most about this book was how Riley had her own issues and never let that stop her from being there for Hade because she knew he needed her. Her selflessness’s was admirable.
This is a book I will think about for a long time.
"Blue is quickly becoming my favorite color."
March 12, 2026
ARC Review 🎸
HADE by @anastasija.white.author
4/5 ⭐
This story had me feeling highs and lows throughout.
Rylie and Hayden were two people who had both seen struggles and hardship.
Rylie has been in love with her sister's best friend forever, and never thought this love would be reciprocated. But things change when he starts to see her as something more than his best friend's little sister.
This is a sweet romance between a rockstar and a ballerina. They both help each other heal and grow to be better.
I really enjoyed the emotional growth of both characters.
This book has
-Accidental pregnancy
-Slow burn
-Best friends little sister
-Forces proximity
-Rockstar x Ballerina
Check trigger warnings just incase.
HADE by @anastasija.white.author
4/5 ⭐
This story had me feeling highs and lows throughout.
Rylie and Hayden were two people who had both seen struggles and hardship.
Rylie has been in love with her sister's best friend forever, and never thought this love would be reciprocated. But things change when he starts to see her as something more than his best friend's little sister.
This is a sweet romance between a rockstar and a ballerina. They both help each other heal and grow to be better.
I really enjoyed the emotional growth of both characters.
This book has
-Accidental pregnancy
-Slow burn
-Best friends little sister
-Forces proximity
-Rockstar x Ballerina
Check trigger warnings just incase.
March 21, 2026
4⭐️ 2 🌶️ ARC REVIEW: 📖 HADE 📖 by Anastasija White ✨ This is book 2 in the Hale Brothers series but can be read as a standalone. Hade and Riley’s love story is like a song - written in the stars, with verses added as memories. But there’s trauma, and some healing that has to happen along the way. It's about the way love can drag a person under and save them all at once. He loves to spoil her and he brings her flowers every day. He proves to her that he wants her, not just because of their baby. They form a little family, and he would do anything for them. The epilogue, bonus chapter, and bonus epilogue are so sweet, so don’t skip those. 🫶🏻 If you like a broken boy that is down bad but doesn’t know how to communicate that to her, Hade is for you.
The dedication 🥺:
To the ones who stayed. And to those who are still learning how to live after someone they love couldn't.
Hayden (Hade) Hale is a rockstar. Riley is 26, a former ballerina 🩰, and his best friend Piper’s little sister. She’s had a crush on him since she was 10 but she’s just the ‘little sister’ to him. His family and friends are worried about him because he ghosts them - his friend and bandmate, Owen died by suicide 4 months ago. It’s eating Hade alive, the guilt consumes him, and Everything is ‘too loud’. He thinks he should have done more, listened more, stopped it from happening.
When there’s a fire at her apartment building, Hade tells her she can stay at his penthouse while her place is repaired. They spend a lot of time together, talking, sharing fears, hopes and dreams, and watching movies and TV shows. The tension is high and they finally give into their attraction, saying ‘just this once’. Which turns into ‘this is our last last time’. Oops. 🤭 Two pink lines later. 🥹
He thinks she deserves more, and that he’s not capable of that. He thinks he couldn’t save his best friend, so he’s scared to mess it up and lose her. He doesn’t want to hurt her, so he tries to keep his distance. He thinks his darkness will destroy everything good in her life. He pulls her in, only to push her away again under the guise of ‘protecting’ her. Riley loves him but she chooses herself, rather than wait around for him to choose her. He’s determined to win her back, though. He starts therapy. He takes her grocery shopping. They go on walks. He takes her to all of her doctor appointments. He brings her favorite flowers. 💐
‘She’s my best friend’s little sister and the only person who can save me from my darkness.’
❤️ Black hoodie, black/gray sweatpants 🫠
❤️ ‘Ry baby’ 🫶🏻
❤️ Jacob’s ladder 🤫
❤️ Good girl 😮💨
❤️ Hand 🖐️ necklace 🥵
❤️ He’s in charge 🫡
❤️ 🐱👋
❤️ Creative use of a piano 🎹
❤️ Creative use of a ballet barre 🤭
❤️ Forehead kisses 💋
Favorite quotes:
Hayden doesn't look lonely. He looks lost. And I hate my stupid heart for how badly it wants me to find this lost boy.
“When you're here, this place feels like home, not just a soulless cavern."
“The grief I'm carrying, my guilt...some days, it's too much. I don't want to drag you into my mess. I need to get better. If we ever decide to be more than friends, I need to be worthy of you first. Just give me time."
Her presence, her laughter, her voice - day by day, they're healing me, stitching me back together. She gives me purpose, and I'm at my happiest when I'm with her.
She's the most stunning woman in the world and she wants me. All of me. Not even my broken, ugly parts scare her. And it feels right to be with her, like we belong together.
"You're carrying our baby. And the idea of pulling you into the storm that I am? It's terrifying. Because if I screw this up...if I screw you up, I'll never get back from that.”
They are my love song, the one I rewind the second it stops. The one I tweak every so often, adding new verses. The one I will never stop
playing.
Read this if you like:
*Rockstar romance
*Rockstar x ballerina 🩰
*Accidental pregnancy🤰🏻
*Best friend’s little sister
*Broken boy
*Forced proximity/roommates
*Childhood crush
*He’s tattooed & pierced
*Praise
*Unrequited love
*Trauma/healing
*Therapy rep
Content warning: death, suicide, grief, depression, panic attacks ❤️🩹
Thank you to Anastasija White and Grey’s Promotions for the gifted ARC!
The dedication 🥺:
To the ones who stayed. And to those who are still learning how to live after someone they love couldn't.
Hayden (Hade) Hale is a rockstar. Riley is 26, a former ballerina 🩰, and his best friend Piper’s little sister. She’s had a crush on him since she was 10 but she’s just the ‘little sister’ to him. His family and friends are worried about him because he ghosts them - his friend and bandmate, Owen died by suicide 4 months ago. It’s eating Hade alive, the guilt consumes him, and Everything is ‘too loud’. He thinks he should have done more, listened more, stopped it from happening.
When there’s a fire at her apartment building, Hade tells her she can stay at his penthouse while her place is repaired. They spend a lot of time together, talking, sharing fears, hopes and dreams, and watching movies and TV shows. The tension is high and they finally give into their attraction, saying ‘just this once’. Which turns into ‘this is our last last time’. Oops. 🤭 Two pink lines later. 🥹
He thinks she deserves more, and that he’s not capable of that. He thinks he couldn’t save his best friend, so he’s scared to mess it up and lose her. He doesn’t want to hurt her, so he tries to keep his distance. He thinks his darkness will destroy everything good in her life. He pulls her in, only to push her away again under the guise of ‘protecting’ her. Riley loves him but she chooses herself, rather than wait around for him to choose her. He’s determined to win her back, though. He starts therapy. He takes her grocery shopping. They go on walks. He takes her to all of her doctor appointments. He brings her favorite flowers. 💐
‘She’s my best friend’s little sister and the only person who can save me from my darkness.’
❤️ Black hoodie, black/gray sweatpants 🫠
❤️ ‘Ry baby’ 🫶🏻
❤️ Jacob’s ladder 🤫
❤️ Good girl 😮💨
❤️ Hand 🖐️ necklace 🥵
❤️ He’s in charge 🫡
❤️ 🐱👋
❤️ Creative use of a piano 🎹
❤️ Creative use of a ballet barre 🤭
❤️ Forehead kisses 💋
Favorite quotes:
Hayden doesn't look lonely. He looks lost. And I hate my stupid heart for how badly it wants me to find this lost boy.
“When you're here, this place feels like home, not just a soulless cavern."
“The grief I'm carrying, my guilt...some days, it's too much. I don't want to drag you into my mess. I need to get better. If we ever decide to be more than friends, I need to be worthy of you first. Just give me time."
Her presence, her laughter, her voice - day by day, they're healing me, stitching me back together. She gives me purpose, and I'm at my happiest when I'm with her.
She's the most stunning woman in the world and she wants me. All of me. Not even my broken, ugly parts scare her. And it feels right to be with her, like we belong together.
"You're carrying our baby. And the idea of pulling you into the storm that I am? It's terrifying. Because if I screw this up...if I screw you up, I'll never get back from that.”
They are my love song, the one I rewind the second it stops. The one I tweak every so often, adding new verses. The one I will never stop
playing.
Read this if you like:
*Rockstar romance
*Rockstar x ballerina 🩰
*Accidental pregnancy🤰🏻
*Best friend’s little sister
*Broken boy
*Forced proximity/roommates
*Childhood crush
*He’s tattooed & pierced
*Praise
*Unrequited love
*Trauma/healing
*Therapy rep
Content warning: death, suicide, grief, depression, panic attacks ❤️🩹
Thank you to Anastasija White and Grey’s Promotions for the gifted ARC!
Review of advance copy
4⭐️/ 3-4🌶️
*Thank you to Grey’s Promo and Anastasija White for providing me with an ARC of this book, I greatly appreciate it.
*Check trigger warnings before reading
Riley and Hayden’s story went from them being mutual friends/ acquaintances to a night that quite literally changed their lives. With the sudden realization that both Riley and Hayden were now going to become parents, it made the both of them reevaluate their relationship and future. In addition, this story also tackled heavy topics such as, grief, suicide, suicidal thoughts, depression, and diving deep into that mindset that Hayden and Riley dealt with. Compared to Anastasija’s first book in this duet, this story had a bit more of a heavier tone. While this story had its moments of vulnerability and sadness, there was also lighthearted ones that illustrated the journey of Riley and Hayden going from friends to lovers and parents to their little bundle of joy.
I think the way Anastasija wrote this book really made me see the reality of what Hayden dealt with and possibly people like him experiencing similar feelings he had. Now, this story isn’t entirely lighthearted, while there may be a lightness, there’s always a darkness that goes with it. This story dived into Hayden’s story just as much as it did with Riley’s. When it came to Hayden’s side of the story, it showed how the loss and unfortunate circumstances surrounding his best friend’s death left a lingering pain in him. Grief isn’t something that easily goes away, it’s something that can easily creep back up, and without any notice just have you reeling in those feelings once again just from a split second reminder that causes you to remember that person. While parts of Hayden’s story are sad, it’s a reality that some people experience, and I could see that Anastasija wrote this story in a way that reflected what she herself felt too (*read author’s note before starting this book).
Now, the accidental pregnancy trope may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I like it ok occasion, and how it’s written. With this story in particular, I felt like the accidental pregnancy trope was something that needed to be done in a way that wasn’t rushed, but also gave Hayden and Riley enough time to grapple with the situation and still be able to develop their own personal feelings for each other. Throughout the book, I got the idea of what Riley experienced in her pregnancy, but at the same time not as much as I had hoped. If anything, I was expecting to see the moment Riley and Hayden in the hospital as the baby was born as that tends to be a really big moment (in my opinion) and further solidifying the relationship between the main characters. In addition, I felt like the accidental pregnancy didn’t happen until way later in the book to the point where I almost wasn’t sure how it was going to pan out in the end. I will say, the way the accidental pregnancy trope was good, but with everything that Hayden and Riley were dealing with, I can understand why certain elements to the story weren’t made as prevalent compared to other books I’ve seen include this trope. That being said, it was cute and heartwarming to later see in the epilogues how Hayden and Riley’s child was.
Overall, this was a good, emotional, yet loving romance. Hayden and Riley had known each other for a long time considering Riley’s sister was Hayden’s best friend, but to see Riley and Hayden finally have their own time together had them unknowingly forming a deeper connection of their own. I liked seeing the journey Hayden had as he later sought the help he needed to work through his depression and own problems to Riley becoming a mother, and finally having the man she always had a crush on see her as the woman she was. I also loved seeing cameos of Piper and Hunter from the first book. I don’t really have any complaints, I thought this was a well written book, and I could tell Anastasija really put a lot of effort into the emotional/ heavier parts of this story to highlight Hayden and Riley’s story.
*Thank you to Grey’s Promo and Anastasija White for providing me with an ARC of this book, I greatly appreciate it.
*Check trigger warnings before reading
Riley and Hayden’s story went from them being mutual friends/ acquaintances to a night that quite literally changed their lives. With the sudden realization that both Riley and Hayden were now going to become parents, it made the both of them reevaluate their relationship and future. In addition, this story also tackled heavy topics such as, grief, suicide, suicidal thoughts, depression, and diving deep into that mindset that Hayden and Riley dealt with. Compared to Anastasija’s first book in this duet, this story had a bit more of a heavier tone. While this story had its moments of vulnerability and sadness, there was also lighthearted ones that illustrated the journey of Riley and Hayden going from friends to lovers and parents to their little bundle of joy.
I think the way Anastasija wrote this book really made me see the reality of what Hayden dealt with and possibly people like him experiencing similar feelings he had. Now, this story isn’t entirely lighthearted, while there may be a lightness, there’s always a darkness that goes with it. This story dived into Hayden’s story just as much as it did with Riley’s. When it came to Hayden’s side of the story, it showed how the loss and unfortunate circumstances surrounding his best friend’s death left a lingering pain in him. Grief isn’t something that easily goes away, it’s something that can easily creep back up, and without any notice just have you reeling in those feelings once again just from a split second reminder that causes you to remember that person. While parts of Hayden’s story are sad, it’s a reality that some people experience, and I could see that Anastasija wrote this story in a way that reflected what she herself felt too (*read author’s note before starting this book).
Now, the accidental pregnancy trope may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I like it ok occasion, and how it’s written. With this story in particular, I felt like the accidental pregnancy trope was something that needed to be done in a way that wasn’t rushed, but also gave Hayden and Riley enough time to grapple with the situation and still be able to develop their own personal feelings for each other. Throughout the book, I got the idea of what Riley experienced in her pregnancy, but at the same time not as much as I had hoped. If anything, I was expecting to see the moment Riley and Hayden in the hospital as the baby was born as that tends to be a really big moment (in my opinion) and further solidifying the relationship between the main characters. In addition, I felt like the accidental pregnancy didn’t happen until way later in the book to the point where I almost wasn’t sure how it was going to pan out in the end. I will say, the way the accidental pregnancy trope was good, but with everything that Hayden and Riley were dealing with, I can understand why certain elements to the story weren’t made as prevalent compared to other books I’ve seen include this trope. That being said, it was cute and heartwarming to later see in the epilogues how Hayden and Riley’s child was.
Overall, this was a good, emotional, yet loving romance. Hayden and Riley had known each other for a long time considering Riley’s sister was Hayden’s best friend, but to see Riley and Hayden finally have their own time together had them unknowingly forming a deeper connection of their own. I liked seeing the journey Hayden had as he later sought the help he needed to work through his depression and own problems to Riley becoming a mother, and finally having the man she always had a crush on see her as the woman she was. I also loved seeing cameos of Piper and Hunter from the first book. I don’t really have any complaints, I thought this was a well written book, and I could tell Anastasija really put a lot of effort into the emotional/ heavier parts of this story to highlight Hayden and Riley’s story.
March 17, 2026
Two Broken People, One Beautiful Love Song!
Grief and guilt can be overwhelming and that is very evident in this book. Neither emotion can be controlled and when both exist its even worse. Hayden Hale was living the dream. The band he started with friends was wildly successful, winning awards, topping the charts, and gaining fans worldwide then tragedy struck. Losing his best friend and bandmate destroyed him, he keeps reliving the nightmare. Some days are good but he has withdrawn from his friends and family. Other days are dark and the noise will not quiet, those days are when he needs help the most though he won't ask for it. When he goes too long without checking in, his family sends his best friend's little sister to check on him. A woman that he has been trying to ignore his growing attraction to.
Riley has had a crush on Hayden for years but since her older sister is his best friend and married to his brother, its is complicated and seen as off-limits. She was a professional dancer until she quit without telling anyone why. Now she teaches dance to children and teens, sharing her love of dance with the future generation of dancers. She lives in New York while her family is in California. She has kept everyone except her best friend, a fellow dancer, in the dark about why she quit. She loves Hayden and wants him to heal from his trauma, she helps him as much as he will allow without breaking his trust or sharing his secrets with their families.
When her apartment is inhabitable, Hayden offers her a place to stay. For once he was the one sent to check on her instead of the other way around. For the first time since the tragedy, the noise seemed quieter, the days seemed brighter and Hayden was lighter. The forced roommates situation was healing but the sexual tension grew more noticeable. Soon off-limits became one night. One night became more.
While visiting their family, Riley made a discovery that could change both of their lives forever. Two lines would connect them forever, even if Hayden was scared to try. He was scared of getting hurt but most of all, letting someone he loves down. He doesn't want to hurt the people in his life. He feels like he should have done more to save his best friend. When Riley reveals the news, Hayden seems happy and tries to be what Riley and their baby needs but he is still plagued with the idea that he isn't good enough for them. He doesn't trust himself.
Riley does open up to Hayden and he finally knows why she no longer dances. She knows trauma and has her own to deal with but she refuses to let it control her life like Hayden allows his to. Mean girls, unwanted advances, and toxicity in the professional dance world comes with a price. She may need to take medication for her health but that never effected her ability to dance or maintain a dancers figure. She chose to walk away instead of allowing it to affect her mental health more than it already had. She had been close to the point of no return but chose to stay. Hayden once again felt guilty for missing the signs she had hid from everyone. Now Hayden has to decide if he can live or if he will continue to live a hollow life watching from the sidelines.
Will Hayden realize that love is worth the risk? Will he put in the work to heal for himself? Will he do what is necessary to be the father and partner Riley and their baby deserves? Can he regain his love for music, will he find a new muse? Can two broken people put their pieces together to form a new and beautiful puzzle!
I loved reading how two broken people found each other and came together to create something stronger and better together. Life is better when you share it with others. Riley and Hayden's story had me in tears, but it also had me smiling and laughing along the way! Thank you so much Anastaija White and Grey's PR for the ARC!
Grief and guilt can be overwhelming and that is very evident in this book. Neither emotion can be controlled and when both exist its even worse. Hayden Hale was living the dream. The band he started with friends was wildly successful, winning awards, topping the charts, and gaining fans worldwide then tragedy struck. Losing his best friend and bandmate destroyed him, he keeps reliving the nightmare. Some days are good but he has withdrawn from his friends and family. Other days are dark and the noise will not quiet, those days are when he needs help the most though he won't ask for it. When he goes too long without checking in, his family sends his best friend's little sister to check on him. A woman that he has been trying to ignore his growing attraction to.
Riley has had a crush on Hayden for years but since her older sister is his best friend and married to his brother, its is complicated and seen as off-limits. She was a professional dancer until she quit without telling anyone why. Now she teaches dance to children and teens, sharing her love of dance with the future generation of dancers. She lives in New York while her family is in California. She has kept everyone except her best friend, a fellow dancer, in the dark about why she quit. She loves Hayden and wants him to heal from his trauma, she helps him as much as he will allow without breaking his trust or sharing his secrets with their families.
When her apartment is inhabitable, Hayden offers her a place to stay. For once he was the one sent to check on her instead of the other way around. For the first time since the tragedy, the noise seemed quieter, the days seemed brighter and Hayden was lighter. The forced roommates situation was healing but the sexual tension grew more noticeable. Soon off-limits became one night. One night became more.
While visiting their family, Riley made a discovery that could change both of their lives forever. Two lines would connect them forever, even if Hayden was scared to try. He was scared of getting hurt but most of all, letting someone he loves down. He doesn't want to hurt the people in his life. He feels like he should have done more to save his best friend. When Riley reveals the news, Hayden seems happy and tries to be what Riley and their baby needs but he is still plagued with the idea that he isn't good enough for them. He doesn't trust himself.
Riley does open up to Hayden and he finally knows why she no longer dances. She knows trauma and has her own to deal with but she refuses to let it control her life like Hayden allows his to. Mean girls, unwanted advances, and toxicity in the professional dance world comes with a price. She may need to take medication for her health but that never effected her ability to dance or maintain a dancers figure. She chose to walk away instead of allowing it to affect her mental health more than it already had. She had been close to the point of no return but chose to stay. Hayden once again felt guilty for missing the signs she had hid from everyone. Now Hayden has to decide if he can live or if he will continue to live a hollow life watching from the sidelines.
Will Hayden realize that love is worth the risk? Will he put in the work to heal for himself? Will he do what is necessary to be the father and partner Riley and their baby deserves? Can he regain his love for music, will he find a new muse? Can two broken people put their pieces together to form a new and beautiful puzzle!
I loved reading how two broken people found each other and came together to create something stronger and better together. Life is better when you share it with others. Riley and Hayden's story had me in tears, but it also had me smiling and laughing along the way! Thank you so much Anastaija White and Grey's PR for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am so stunned that I don’t know where to ever begin...
This book was a tumultuous rollercoaster ride of anxiety, happiness, dread, sadness, anger, frustration, fear and euphoria!
This is definitely not just a steamy romance that you can read with ease!
This was a beautiful atonement to people who have lost loved ones, have grieved or are in the process of grieving, people battling depression, self-loathe and anxiety!
Us simple and normal people have it bad enough, but to feel all those things while being scrutinized under the public eye and having people who don’t even know you, give their opinions on your life? That is 10x times worse and reading this book was extremely triggering for me, because for the first time, instead of putting myself in the FMC’s shoes, I deeply and widely empathized and recognized myself in Hayden.
Riley is the most sweetest human being i've ever read. There's this softness to her and her kindness and love for her unrequited crush on Hayden, that also acts as a weakness because no matter what she keeps giving him chances after chances. I especially love how she puts her foot down, and starts respecting herself by telling Hayden he cannot keep saying things he cannot hold himself to and 'actions speak louder than words'.
Hayden, hayden, hayden.
This character. This man. He is so deeply layered, its insane. He is not your typical fictional man type. He's not someone who is strong, and emotionally available. He is broken, raw, vulnerable, and seeking soothe from grief and his loud inner demons by indulging in vices. The one person who meant everything to him (Owen) was taken aways from him and he blames himself, spiralling into self-hatred and unsurity. The only person who provides him distraction, who quiets the storms in his head is riley. His best friend's little sister.
The way their relationship and chemistry takes off leading into a blooming relationship, that hayden is not sure he'll be able to keep because he believes everyone in his life is miserable because of him, leading him to continuously play this push and pull game with riley, which leaves her frustrated and confused about what they really are to each other. And then oh the baby!
Riley's accidental pregnancy turns their world upside down, what with the media hounding hayden (him being the famous star that he is), and their shaky relationship tearing at the seams with riley moving out and only agreeing to co-parent with him and nothing more leads hayden to finally face his inner demons when he realizes that riley was never a distraction, she was his soulmate, his forever. They way he goes to therapy and works on himself for him and mostly for her and his future child was revolutionary character development. I know I say I love fiction, but my heart is so full with this hyper realistic fictional steamy romance!
Overall this book absolutely gutted me to the core, spilled my organs out and rearranged it towards the end leaving me so thoroughly aching and satisfied simultaneously!
This book was a tumultuous rollercoaster ride of anxiety, happiness, dread, sadness, anger, frustration, fear and euphoria!
This is definitely not just a steamy romance that you can read with ease!
This was a beautiful atonement to people who have lost loved ones, have grieved or are in the process of grieving, people battling depression, self-loathe and anxiety!
Us simple and normal people have it bad enough, but to feel all those things while being scrutinized under the public eye and having people who don’t even know you, give their opinions on your life? That is 10x times worse and reading this book was extremely triggering for me, because for the first time, instead of putting myself in the FMC’s shoes, I deeply and widely empathized and recognized myself in Hayden.
Riley is the most sweetest human being i've ever read. There's this softness to her and her kindness and love for her unrequited crush on Hayden, that also acts as a weakness because no matter what she keeps giving him chances after chances. I especially love how she puts her foot down, and starts respecting herself by telling Hayden he cannot keep saying things he cannot hold himself to and 'actions speak louder than words'.
Hayden, hayden, hayden.
This character. This man. He is so deeply layered, its insane. He is not your typical fictional man type. He's not someone who is strong, and emotionally available. He is broken, raw, vulnerable, and seeking soothe from grief and his loud inner demons by indulging in vices. The one person who meant everything to him (Owen) was taken aways from him and he blames himself, spiralling into self-hatred and unsurity. The only person who provides him distraction, who quiets the storms in his head is riley. His best friend's little sister.
The way their relationship and chemistry takes off leading into a blooming relationship, that hayden is not sure he'll be able to keep because he believes everyone in his life is miserable because of him, leading him to continuously play this push and pull game with riley, which leaves her frustrated and confused about what they really are to each other. And then oh the baby!
Riley's accidental pregnancy turns their world upside down, what with the media hounding hayden (him being the famous star that he is), and their shaky relationship tearing at the seams with riley moving out and only agreeing to co-parent with him and nothing more leads hayden to finally face his inner demons when he realizes that riley was never a distraction, she was his soulmate, his forever. They way he goes to therapy and works on himself for him and mostly for her and his future child was revolutionary character development. I know I say I love fiction, but my heart is so full with this hyper realistic fictional steamy romance!
Overall this book absolutely gutted me to the core, spilled my organs out and rearranged it towards the end leaving me so thoroughly aching and satisfied simultaneously!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This story absolutely wrecked me in the best way. It’s emotional, raw, and full of heart, following Hayden and Riley as they navigate grief, love, and the messy road to healing.
Hayden is a rockstar drowning in guilt and heartbreak after losing someone close to him. He’s withdrawn from the world and pushing away everyone who cares about him, convinced that isolation is easier than facing the pain. Riley, his best friend’s little sister, has quietly loved him for years and refuses to give up on him—even when he insists on shutting everyone out.
When circumstances bring Riley back into Hayden’s life and eventually under the same roof, the tension between them becomes impossible to ignore. Their connection is intense, layered with years of unspoken feelings, and the chemistry between them is undeniable. What begins as comfort during a dark time quickly grows into something deeper.
The story doesn’t shy away from heavy themes. It explores grief, depression, trauma, and the complicated process of learning how to live after loss. Yet despite the weight of these topics, the writing handles them with care and authenticity. You truly feel Hayden’s struggle and Riley’s determination to stand beside him.
Things take an unexpected turn when one night together leads to a surprise pregnancy. Riley had always believed becoming a mother might never be possible due to health issues, so the news is overwhelming. Watching Hayden step up and try to rebuild his life for Riley and their child adds another powerful layer to the story, even as he continues battling his inner demons.
Their journey isn’t smooth. Hayden’s fear that he’ll only hurt Riley leads to painful decisions, and Riley is forced to question whether loving him will ultimately break her heart. But seeing both of them grow, confront their pasts, and fight their way back to each other makes the payoff incredibly satisfying.
One of my favorite elements was the way music and emotion intertwine in Hayden’s character—especially the song he writes, which completely broke me. And Riley’s best friend Nastya was such a strong presence throughout the story, always supporting her when she needed it most.
This book perfectly balances emotional depth, romance, and just the right amount of spice. The relationship feels grounded and real, reflecting the ups and downs that come with loving someone who’s still learning how to heal.
If you enjoy stories with
🎸 Rockstar x ballerina
🩰 Best friend’s little sister
🏠 Forced proximity
💔 Broken hero
👶 Surprise pregnancy
then this one should absolutely be on your TBR.
Just be sure to check the trigger warnings beforehand, as the book does deal with some heavy subjects.
In the end, this is a powerful story about grief, second chances, and finding the courage to love again after everything falls apart.
I received this ARC from the author and publisher and this is my honest opinion
Hayden is a rockstar drowning in guilt and heartbreak after losing someone close to him. He’s withdrawn from the world and pushing away everyone who cares about him, convinced that isolation is easier than facing the pain. Riley, his best friend’s little sister, has quietly loved him for years and refuses to give up on him—even when he insists on shutting everyone out.
When circumstances bring Riley back into Hayden’s life and eventually under the same roof, the tension between them becomes impossible to ignore. Their connection is intense, layered with years of unspoken feelings, and the chemistry between them is undeniable. What begins as comfort during a dark time quickly grows into something deeper.
The story doesn’t shy away from heavy themes. It explores grief, depression, trauma, and the complicated process of learning how to live after loss. Yet despite the weight of these topics, the writing handles them with care and authenticity. You truly feel Hayden’s struggle and Riley’s determination to stand beside him.
Things take an unexpected turn when one night together leads to a surprise pregnancy. Riley had always believed becoming a mother might never be possible due to health issues, so the news is overwhelming. Watching Hayden step up and try to rebuild his life for Riley and their child adds another powerful layer to the story, even as he continues battling his inner demons.
Their journey isn’t smooth. Hayden’s fear that he’ll only hurt Riley leads to painful decisions, and Riley is forced to question whether loving him will ultimately break her heart. But seeing both of them grow, confront their pasts, and fight their way back to each other makes the payoff incredibly satisfying.
One of my favorite elements was the way music and emotion intertwine in Hayden’s character—especially the song he writes, which completely broke me. And Riley’s best friend Nastya was such a strong presence throughout the story, always supporting her when she needed it most.
This book perfectly balances emotional depth, romance, and just the right amount of spice. The relationship feels grounded and real, reflecting the ups and downs that come with loving someone who’s still learning how to heal.
If you enjoy stories with
🎸 Rockstar x ballerina
🩰 Best friend’s little sister
🏠 Forced proximity
💔 Broken hero
👶 Surprise pregnancy
then this one should absolutely be on your TBR.
Just be sure to check the trigger warnings beforehand, as the book does deal with some heavy subjects.
In the end, this is a powerful story about grief, second chances, and finding the courage to love again after everything falls apart.
I received this ARC from the author and publisher and this is my honest opinion
Review of advance copy
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read this book for:
🎸 Friends to Lovers
🌸 Accidental Pregnancy
🎸 Best Friend’s Little Sister
🌸 Celebrity Romance
🎸 Rockstar x Ballerina
🌸 Childhood Crush
Synopsis
Riley Evans has loved Hayden Hale for as long as she can remember. As her sister’s best friend, he was always just out of reach, close enough to admire, but never close enough to truly see her.
Now Hayden is a world-famous musician, living behind the walls of his penthouse and haunted by the loss of his best friend. Fame surrounds him, but grief and guilt keep him trapped in the darkness.
Riley has moved on from the life she once dreamed of, trading the pursuit of perfection on stage for teaching ballet to children. But when her sister asks her to check on Hayden, Riley finds herself drawn back into his world. What begins as concern turns into something deeper, something neither of them can ignore.
One night changes everything, leaving Riley with a secret that binds them forever. As the press closes in and Hayden struggles with his past, he must decide whether to keep pushing her away or finally admit the truth: Riley was never invisible to him.
My Thoughts
After reading the first book, Hale, you already get a small introduction to Riley and Hayden. In that book, Hayden is 20 years old and Riley is 15. This story takes place nine years later, so it is in a different timeline. Still, in my opinion, Hayden has not changed that much. Riley was more of a background character in the first book, so we only saw small glimpses of her. Hayden, on the other hand, was Piper’s best friend and Hunter’s brother, so we learned more about him.
Hayden still feels very similar to how he was before. He has good intentions, but sometimes he acts like a bit of a know it all. In the first book he thought he knew what was best for Piper, and in this book he thinks he knows what is best for Riley. I really felt for him after what happened to his best friend, especially because he was the one who found him. That is something you would not wish on anyone. At the same time, I really felt like someone should have pushed him to go to therapy, because the way he was living was not healthy. Sometimes he clung to Riley and hoped she could help him see the light again. But in my opinion, healing from grief takes work and it cannot only come from another person. I did really love how he cared for Inez and Santi. That showed a very soft and kind side of him.
Riley was such a loving and caring main character. She was there for Hayden during his darkest days and kept his trust. Even when Piper came by to check on him, Riley did not share anything about his condition. It was sad to see, because at times it looked like Hayden was just playing with her feelings. Their relationship felt like a big emotional rollercoaster. When the surprise pregnancy happened, things became even more complicated. In the end, I was really happy that they found their way back to each other. I also liked that Riley had her best friend Nastya by her side during everything.
Overall, it was a fun read with a touch of grief that made the story feel more real.
Thank you Grey's Promotion for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read this book for:
🎸 Friends to Lovers
🌸 Accidental Pregnancy
🎸 Best Friend’s Little Sister
🌸 Celebrity Romance
🎸 Rockstar x Ballerina
🌸 Childhood Crush
Synopsis
Riley Evans has loved Hayden Hale for as long as she can remember. As her sister’s best friend, he was always just out of reach, close enough to admire, but never close enough to truly see her.
Now Hayden is a world-famous musician, living behind the walls of his penthouse and haunted by the loss of his best friend. Fame surrounds him, but grief and guilt keep him trapped in the darkness.
Riley has moved on from the life she once dreamed of, trading the pursuit of perfection on stage for teaching ballet to children. But when her sister asks her to check on Hayden, Riley finds herself drawn back into his world. What begins as concern turns into something deeper, something neither of them can ignore.
One night changes everything, leaving Riley with a secret that binds them forever. As the press closes in and Hayden struggles with his past, he must decide whether to keep pushing her away or finally admit the truth: Riley was never invisible to him.
My Thoughts
After reading the first book, Hale, you already get a small introduction to Riley and Hayden. In that book, Hayden is 20 years old and Riley is 15. This story takes place nine years later, so it is in a different timeline. Still, in my opinion, Hayden has not changed that much. Riley was more of a background character in the first book, so we only saw small glimpses of her. Hayden, on the other hand, was Piper’s best friend and Hunter’s brother, so we learned more about him.
Hayden still feels very similar to how he was before. He has good intentions, but sometimes he acts like a bit of a know it all. In the first book he thought he knew what was best for Piper, and in this book he thinks he knows what is best for Riley. I really felt for him after what happened to his best friend, especially because he was the one who found him. That is something you would not wish on anyone. At the same time, I really felt like someone should have pushed him to go to therapy, because the way he was living was not healthy. Sometimes he clung to Riley and hoped she could help him see the light again. But in my opinion, healing from grief takes work and it cannot only come from another person. I did really love how he cared for Inez and Santi. That showed a very soft and kind side of him.
Riley was such a loving and caring main character. She was there for Hayden during his darkest days and kept his trust. Even when Piper came by to check on him, Riley did not share anything about his condition. It was sad to see, because at times it looked like Hayden was just playing with her feelings. Their relationship felt like a big emotional rollercoaster. When the surprise pregnancy happened, things became even more complicated. In the end, I was really happy that they found their way back to each other. I also liked that Riley had her best friend Nastya by her side during everything.
Overall, it was a fun read with a touch of grief that made the story feel more real.
Thank you Grey's Promotion for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tropes:
- Rockstar x Ballerina
- Forced proximity
- Accidental pregnancy
- Best friend's little sister
- Unrequited love
This book left me speechless. Hade is such a beautiful love story filled with so much growth and love.
Hayden and Riley have been a part of each other's lives forever because Riley is his best friend's little sister. The mmc Hayden is going through heartbreak, trauma and guilt that he feels after losing his friend. He is barely surviving and pushing everyone away because he does not want to worry them, but in doing so he is in a very dark place. Hayden's best friend Piper asks her sister Riley to check in on him because she lives near him. Hayden has always seen Riley as his best friend's little sister until 4 years ago when he unexpectedly saw her after years of not seeing her. Hayden has pushed away and all thoughts about Riley because of how his body responded to her 4 years ago.
Riley has been in love with Hayden most of her life and wants to help him through this difficult time. She knows what it is like to be in such a dark place and feel like there is no way out. Riley sees through the walls that Hayden has built and little by little she breaks through them. But will this be at the expense of her own heart?
Hayden gives into the desire he has for Riley and that night turns into an unexpected pregnancy. Riley has been told that because of her thyroid issues, it would be very unlikely that she could get pregnant. Hayden is very supportive and tells Riley that the decision is hers, when Riley decides to keep the baby Hayden is there for her and their baby in every way. But Hayden is still fighting his demons, and he tells Riley he can't be with her because he will ruin them. Heartbroken and sad Riley decides it is time for her to move on from loving Hayden, but we all know that love doesn't work that way.
The next few months, both Riley and Hayden experience their own personal growth. When Hayden finally realizes that he is in love with Riley, there is no going back. Seeing him work to win her back is everything and when they finally have their HEA it is beautiful.
The song that he writes and how it comes to be had me in tears.
I really loved Riley's best friend Nastya, she definitely had Riley's back throughout the story.
I totally recommend Hades. Please check your triggers.
Hades is the second book in the Hale Brothers series and can be read as a standalone.
- Rockstar x Ballerina
- Forced proximity
- Accidental pregnancy
- Best friend's little sister
- Unrequited love
This book left me speechless. Hade is such a beautiful love story filled with so much growth and love.
Hayden and Riley have been a part of each other's lives forever because Riley is his best friend's little sister. The mmc Hayden is going through heartbreak, trauma and guilt that he feels after losing his friend. He is barely surviving and pushing everyone away because he does not want to worry them, but in doing so he is in a very dark place. Hayden's best friend Piper asks her sister Riley to check in on him because she lives near him. Hayden has always seen Riley as his best friend's little sister until 4 years ago when he unexpectedly saw her after years of not seeing her. Hayden has pushed away and all thoughts about Riley because of how his body responded to her 4 years ago.
Riley has been in love with Hayden most of her life and wants to help him through this difficult time. She knows what it is like to be in such a dark place and feel like there is no way out. Riley sees through the walls that Hayden has built and little by little she breaks through them. But will this be at the expense of her own heart?
Hayden gives into the desire he has for Riley and that night turns into an unexpected pregnancy. Riley has been told that because of her thyroid issues, it would be very unlikely that she could get pregnant. Hayden is very supportive and tells Riley that the decision is hers, when Riley decides to keep the baby Hayden is there for her and their baby in every way. But Hayden is still fighting his demons, and he tells Riley he can't be with her because he will ruin them. Heartbroken and sad Riley decides it is time for her to move on from loving Hayden, but we all know that love doesn't work that way.
The next few months, both Riley and Hayden experience their own personal growth. When Hayden finally realizes that he is in love with Riley, there is no going back. Seeing him work to win her back is everything and when they finally have their HEA it is beautiful.
The song that he writes and how it comes to be had me in tears.
I really loved Riley's best friend Nastya, she definitely had Riley's back throughout the story.
I totally recommend Hades. Please check your triggers.
Hades is the second book in the Hale Brothers series and can be read as a standalone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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