Hold on to My Heart

Maine Sullivans #4

by Bella Andre

Ashley Sullivan’s whole world changed when she got pregnant at seventeen. After the father of her child ditched her and their son, she bypassed college, shelved her plans to see the world, and went straight to managing the family café in Bar Harbor, Maine. For the next eleven years, she poured her entire heart into raising her amazing son, Kevin. But when her brother invites her to the grand opening of his new hotel in Vienna, she decides it's finally time to experience a little of the adventure she still secretly longs for. She isn’t planning on doing anything crazy, of course. Especially not something as wild and reckless as ending up in bed with one of the sexiest music superstars in the world...

Nash Hardwin has been on the road full time since leaving his rough childhood behind when he was sixteen. Beloved by millions of fans around the world, he’s never had a real home and never trusted anyone enough to fall in love. Not until he meets Ashley Sullivan. After she unexpectedly steps in to help him out of a very tricky situation, he ends up having the best day of his life with her in Vienna. Ashley is sweet, beautiful and intelligent...with the biggest heart of anyone he’s ever met.

When their perfect day together inevitably turns into an even more perfect night, there’s no denying that they make incredibly beautiful music together. But is there even the slightest chance that the small-town single mom and the road warrior rock star can make things work? Or will the realities of lives that are polar opposites make it impossible to hold on to each other’s hearts?

HOLD ON TO MY HEART is part of Bella Andre's USA Today and New York Times #1 bestselling series about The Sullivans. W

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Fiction, Music

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 6, 2021

About the author

Bella Andre is the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of “The Sullivans” and “The Morrisons” series.

Having sold more than 10 million books, Bella Andre’s novels have been #1 bestsellers around the world and have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists 84 times. She has been the #1 Ranked Author at Amazon (on a top 10 list that included Nora Roberts, JK Rowling, James Patterson and Steven King). Apple iBooks named her one of the "bestselling authors of all time." And Publishers Weekly named Oak Press (the publishing company she created to publish her own books) the Fastest-Growing Independent Publisher in the US. After signing a groundbreaking 7-figure print-only deal with Harlequin MIRA, Bella’s “The Sullivans” series is being released in paperback in the US, Canada, and Australia.

Known for “sensual, empowered stories enveloped in heady romance” (Publishers Weekly), her books have been Cosmopolitan Magazine “Red Hot Reads” twice and have been translated into ten languages. Winner of the Award of Excellence, The Washington Post called her “One of the top writers in America” and she has been featured by Entertainment Weekly, NPR, USA Today, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and TIME Magazine. A graduate of Stanford University, she has given keynote speeches at publishing conferences from Copenhagen to Berlin to San Francisco, including a standing-room-only keynote at Book Expo America in New York City.

Bella also writes the New York Times bestselling Four Weddings and a Fiasco series as Lucy Kevin. Her “sweet” contemporary romances also include the new Walker Island series written as Lucy Kevin.

If not behind her computer, you can find her reading her favorite authors, hiking, swimming or laughing. Married with two children, Bella splits her time between the Northern California wine country, a 100 year old log cabin in the Adirondacks, and a flat in London overlooking the Thames..

* * * * * * *

For digital/eBook, audiobook, foreign licensing, conference keynote and press inquiries, please contact Bella at bella@bellaandre.com

Reviews

[em]

I could not with this book. It was so cringey, mostly from Ashley’s side. I liked Nash and his perspective way more. Again, with these stories there’s not enough build up, very similarly to the previous book in this series, the love at first sight happens wayyy too quickly and I just can’t suspend my disbelief enough to buy it. It’s too much, too soon. Ashley kept harping on all her past mistakes, when realistically she loves her child so how is that a mistake? She let the father of her child get away with way too much and the reasoning at the end, the threat and the “I can’t be with Nash” just never added up or made logical sense. These are two people who could’ve been together the entire story, they just weren’t because of flimsy excuses. The way Kevin spoke is unrealistic, and Ashley was just sooooo cheesy. Also, Ashley’s family, the men are next level crazy. Like it’s gross to read how angry they are at her choices.

[Linda Zelinsky]

This was a moving story about 2 people who were total opposites. Through a chance meeting they discover what really matters in life.

[Regan]

Love the Sullivans

Ashley and her son Kevin have been hanging around the last couple of books waiting for their HEA. When her brother convinces her to come to Vienna for a new hotel opening, she ends up helping rock star Nash escape a mob of fans. They know they are meant to be together but will Kevin’s father ruin everything?
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to everyone.

[Cindy Pearson]

Just Wow! What a sweet amazing story. Ashley and Nash were just sweethearts in this story and let’s not forget Kevin. Bella I was in tears reading Ashley and Nash’s struggles to be together.

[Annie]

It’s always a pleasure to return to Maine with the Sullivans. I was looking forward to this book for some time and was pleased to see that Bella Andre has not changed her signature style. One of the things that I love about this series is how sweet and simple the stories are. They truly focus on the romance between the main couple and Nash and Ashley turned out to be amazing characters.

I found that I was able to relate to Ashley well as she struggled to keep a handle on her life. And having a rockstar hero always makes for an interesting read. The writing flows freely and easily, making this book fly by super fast. I only wished that I savored it some more before finishing it quickly.

If you haven’t met any of the Sullivans before, then you are severely missing out. Sweet and charming, you really can’t go wrong with a Bella Andre book!

[Isha Coleman]

The real world finds it's fairytale wrapped inside of deep disappointment and inspiring perseverance. With her Sullivan series Andre has forever changed the canvas of the way the heart reacts to romance. Hold On To My Heart feels like a picture perfect postcard looking to find it's way. Ashley and Nash surround readers with the lessons of life and the reward that love brings. Through the strength of one family and the emotional impact of their choices a new kind of story is born. One that is beautiful, bruised and full of charm.

[Becky Claxon]

I had to hold on to my heart while reading this book! It was such a touching love story that had me crying at the end so beware if you are a romantic! Ashley was the youngest Sullivan daughter in Bar Harbor who is fussed over by her family. I felt bad that Ashley didn’t forgive herself for getting pregnant in high school. She is a fantastic mother who is raising an amazing boy named Kevin. The guy that got her pregnant was such a loser and still making her life miserable as well as Kevin’s life. I was so happy for her when her brother Brandon invited her over to Austria for a weekend for his hotel’s grand opening as this was the first time she ever travelled out of the country. The great thing about that trip was that she got to meet Nash, a country western singer that she had dreams about. Ashley ended up helping her brother and spending the day and night with Nash. It was so nice how they got along together and were able to be a normal couple. Ashley knew this would be her only time with him, so she made the best of it. Nash had such a hard life growing up as as a young man. He has done everything he can think to make up for his bad days and is such a wonderful person now. Nash surprised Ashley when he came to Bar Harbor to work on a van. Things are good and bad for the two of them. There are some sweet times, and others when a few people make it hard for them. This is such a good story that I urge you to read. I was given a copy and voluntarily wrote a review.

[Cinthia]

Ashley Sullivan is single Mon, her son Kevin has 11 years and she lived her live only for him.

When Ashley make her first international trip to Vienna she meets her crush, super hot rockstar Nash Hardwin. Ashley agrees to help Nash and they'll spend together the best 24 hours of their lives.

Would a rockstar and a single mother from a small town in Maine work? For Ashley and Nash to be with each other was so easy, a real soul meeting, they had never felt the affinity they found with each other.

Another perfect Sullivan book, another couple that enchanted me, I just LOVED it!

[Laiza]

4.5 stars
#RockStarNash🎸
#HEA4Ashley
#Kevin
#Vienna
#NashBadwin4theWin
#CanIPunchJoshPlease👊👊
#Cassie&FlynnWedding
#SullivanClan
#LoveMommaBeth
#RoadVan🚐
#SecondChanceAtLife
#BraveAshley
#SerenadeMeNash
#HoldOnToLove
#HoldOnToFamily
#HoldOnToMyHeart
#TurnerOrBrandon??
#NewChapter??
#BellaAndreIstheBest

[Melissa]

A fun, exciting vacation ends with hearts intertwined. I love the way Bella developed the relationship between Nash and Ashley, and brought in Kevin too. I was ready to knock Josh upside the head! I was over the past getting in the way, but luckily someone got through to them and they worked through it. I loved the dynamics, friendship and loving relationships that are always a part of the Sullivan stories.

[Ellen White]

Maine Sullivan’s : Ashley and Nash
Bar Harbor, Maine
Sullivan’s Cafe managed by Ashley and having a 11 year old son
Brandon, her brother is launching a new hotel in Vienna
Offers her to go to have an adventure for 48 hours
Meeting a rock star, his music and him brought another world for her.
Nash someone to love him, and cared about him, was unknown till Ashley
Both lives have centered around giving to others, in food and music
Time for them, will it go beyond the 48 hours.
Beautiful story of meeting that special one.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

[EMILY HICKS]

Snuggle Wuggle w Your Honey Bunny

Beautiful story to make us single moms think about our own paths. And about being bullied by an ex.  Nash, Ashley & Kevin make a great team making it a wonderful story to snuggle wuggle with and read to the very end.

[Cheryl]

Bella gives us another page turner filled with many tears, love and and a HEA above all others. Ashley and Nash both struggled with decisions they made at an early age. Can they find happiness and the self awareness to have the love they both deserve? I happily received this ARC for an honest review.

[Jeannie Autry]

A wonderful, wonderful love story with happiness ever after - 5 Star plus!

I have been waiting so long for Bella to write another book and Hold On to My Heart was well worth the wait. So beautifully written with wonderful character development. Ashley and Nash are so wonderfully matched. I could not put down the book from start to finish. I loved following their story from Vienna to Bar Harbor, Maine. Ashley's son Kevin is adorable. I received an advance copy of this book and I am voluntarily writing an objective review.

[Julie]

A Sullivan baby sister grows up... Ashley takes a break from being a single mom and has herself an adventure-perhaps more of an adventure than she anticipated on a trip to Austria to attend her brother's hotel launch. I loved Ashley, Nash and Kevin!!! I wish that there had been less time spent on the anxiety about Nash's past and the "shame" of Ashley's, but the HEA was perfect.

[Simply Love Book Reviews]

I’m not very sure if there is anything better than sitting down to read a Bella Andre novel about one of the amazing Sullivan’s. You could always count on extraordinary romance and characters that pull at your heart-strings.

Hold On To My Heart was such a heart-warming, loving story. A single mother and a Rockstar. A man that is tired of the life that he leads and looking to go back to his roots. A woman who hasn’t just done anything for herself in a very long time. Together they find the joys of life, of being together and of finding real love for the first time. Both of them fighting their pasts and finally looking forward to a future that holds nothing but love, stability and happiness.

Nash and Ashley were wonderful together. When you add in Kevin, your heart melts and you hope that they figure everything out and find the HEA that they both truly deserve.

Bella Andre is a go-to author for me when I want sweet romance. I can always count on her to lift my spirits and bring me into the world of love and passion. The Sullivan family is extra-ordinary and one that you just wish you could join. They know what love is and aren’t afraid to show it. When the fall, they fall hard and fast. There’s nothing you could do to stop it and Bella Andre drives that home to us with every book that she writes. Going into the Sullivan world is like falling onto a soft, fluffy cloud that wraps itself around you.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

[Carma]

I could not put this book down, read it straight through as soon as I opened it. I've really missed the Sullivans, this story was absolutely worth the wait.

Ashley has always been the responsible one, well all except for that time she wasn't. She wouldn't trade these last eleven years with her son for the world though. All she does, she does for him. But when an opportunity to travel overseas arises, she can't say no. Going to Vienna, Austria for a long weekend is just what she needs. The trip will be quick, but she has packed her spreadsheet to make sure she hits all the right tourist spots. The one item that wasn't on her itinerary though makes the most impact.

Nash is in Vienna to play a concert for Brandon Sullivan's new hotel launch. He is supposed to be a surprise VIP guest but somehow the locals get wind of his arrival. Now he needs to find a way to stay in the shadows until after the concert. He is used to being on his own, in a new city practically every day of the week but this time, he finds himself wanting to spend more time in Vienna. Could it be solely because of one woman.

This story is written so lovely that it drew me right in from the first word. It has been a very long time since I've read a book cover to cover in one setting and I'm so happy this was the one to do it. The relationship that develops not only between Ashley and Nash, but with Kevin, her son is thoughtfully written with cautious optimist that most single parents enter new relationship with. I was routing for them to be together for 99.9 percent of the book.

The Sullivans are back, and if the epilogue is any indication, it is going to get even better.

[litljen]

*** I received an advanced copy and chose to review it ***
** 100% spoiler-free review **
* 5 swoony stars *

Bella Andre's 22nd Sullivan story is here and it's just as magical as her first Sullivan book! It's everything we've come to expect from this skilled writer and I promise you'll fall head over heels for Nash and Ashley. These two are perfection! Set in Vienna and Bar Harbor, Maine, you'll be swept up in beautiful scenery and a love story that will make you swoon.

I loved Ashley! This single mother has worked hard to make a wonderful life for her and her 11 year old son Kevin. She's a hard worker and a devoted mom and she always stayed on the straight and narrow, devoting herself to raising her son and setting a good example for him. When she meets Nash, the quintessential rockstar in Vienna, she throws caution to the wind and let's go for the first time in her life. Their brief encounter left both with a lasting impression. So much so that Nash comes to Bar Harbor to find Ashley. These two can't stay away from each other and I loved their connection. Andre has a way with words, making us feel every single thing that the characters do. Nash is completely swoon worthy and true book boyfriend material. Nash finds exactly what he never knew he needed with Ashley. While these two do face some stumbling blocks on their way to their happily ever after, rest assured these two DO find the happy ending that they rightfully deserve. I can't get enough of the Sullivan family and am looking forward to book number 23 from this standout author. 5 stars

[Trudy Dowling]

Finally I can feed my Sullivan addiction!! I feared I would have to go back and read the past Maine Sullivan books, but once I started reading it all came back. I was back in Maine with an amazing family. Bella Andre is such a talented author that it was easy to recall her characters. I might go back and read the others books because I am not ready to leave everyone behind and move on to another book.

Ashley Sullivan got pregnant in high school changing her future. For the past eleven years her son has always comes first. All of her hopes and dreams have been put on hold. Her first weekend away takes her to Vienna for the opening of Brandon's newest hotel. Her weekend away will change everything.

Nash Hardwin is a rockstar. He fled his home at sixteen struggling for years, making many mistakes along the way. Now he is on the straight and narrow in Vienna to preform at Brandon's latest hotel opening. He has been found out. The fans are screaming for him, disturbing those around and in the hotel.

Brandon enlists his sister to help Nash escape. In heavy disguise they walk out of the hotel to explore Vienna. The disguises work. They work to well. It only takes a day to change everything. Then they say goodbye.

How can a rockstar and a small town girl make it work? It won't be easy. It might be impossible. This reader enjoyed every joyful moment. This reader cried when I thought it was over. Sometimes it is the journey that makes a story. The journey was wonderful.

[Liza]

Bella Andre has done it again with Hold On To My Heart, her newest release in the Maine Sullivans series. I've wanted Ashley Sullivan's story from the moment she appeared on the page. I knew she deserved an amazing partner, and Nash Hardwin was just the man for the job.

Ashley Sullivan is a single mom of an 11-year-old son, who hasn't really ever traveled anywhere since she got pregnant in high school and her boyfriend basically abandoned both her and their son. Ashley was lucky enough to always have her family to support her and now runs the family cafe and shops, and really loves her life. When she gets the chance to go to Vienna for the opening of her brother Brandon's new hotel, she jumps at it, and makes all the plans to see everything she can in the 2 days she will be away. However, when word leaks out that Nash Hardwin is at the hotel, Brandon needs Ashley's help to get Nash away unnoticed, and her plans are pretty much thrown out the window.

I loved Nash from the moment he appeared on the page. He saw Ashley as a woman and not just a mom or sister as her family saw her. He seemed to just get her from the moment they met, and I loved that about him. He was also very up front about his past and the bad choices he made when he was younger. I loved the chemistry between Nash and Ashley, which was off the charts HOT! What I loved even more is they could talk to each other like old friends from the moment they met and each could be themselves. That type of connection is magical, and they had it in spades.

Ashley and Nash really were pretty opposite, so when Nash showed up in Bar Harbor, I had all the happy feels. I loved their chemistry and connection so very much. I also loved that Nash was super accepting of Ashley's son Kevin from the moment they met, and instinctively included Kevin in plans and treated Kevin as his own person. I loved that Kevin and Nash became friends so quickly. The only frustrating part of the entire story was Kevin's dad, Josh, being back in the picture...only when he felt like it. I really wanted to throat punch Josh more than a few times. He has never done right by Ashley or Kevin, but wanted to stir up trouble once Ashley finally found someone to love and who loves her.

Hold On To My Heart was such a beautiful story filled with laughter, tears, and an incredible romance. I always say I'll savor each new book by Ms. Andre so it will last longer, and once again I ended up reading her newest story pretty much in one day. Ms. Andre pulls the reader into the story from page one and makes it almost impossible to stop reading until the end. I fell in love with the Sullivan clan from the very first book, and have loved each new installment every bit as much.

Rating: 5 Stars (A)
Review copy provided by publisher

[Darcy]

I think what I liked most about this book was Ashley finally seeing herself as a woman and how for small periods of times she let herself forget that she made a mistake once as a kid, a mistake she has "paid" for over the years. I love Kevin and think Ashley is a great mom, but herself and everyone else seems to not let her forget that she was still in high school when she got pregnant, yet Josh seems to get a free pass and all these years later he is a real POS.

Nash turned out to be a surprised. I loved how enchanted he was with Ashley and their day in Vienna, once he let go of things. Ashley was the person that Nash needed in his life, someone who sort of lived his life, but the ideal version of it, where he saw what could have happened if he had a mom like Ashley.

I really hated how everyone got to Ashley and she kept pulling away from Nash. When it seemed like she was finally give the ok by her mom, I loved how she ran to Nash and there was no going back for them.

The ending to this one was sweet, loved how this new family was embracing adventure!

[Sharon Moritz-rosenthal]

I received a complimentary early release copy of this e-book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I am a fan of the authors previous works but she has written a lot of Sullivan books and so I have not read some of the more resent books. But this one sounded intriguing and I absolutely loved it. It stars Ashley Sullivan who was a teen mom. Now her son is a pre-teen and she goes away to Vienna for her brothers hotel opening. There she meets Nash, who is a very hot rocker with a bad history with some drug charges and arrests.

I loved their time together and it was hot, sweet and romantic. But they both go their separate ways until Nash seeks her out. But she has a nasty baby daddy and he stirs up trouble for Ashley and Nash.

I enjoyed this book a alot. I loved Nash and Ashley and her son, Kevin. However the ex getting involved kinda annoyed me. I did not like how Ashley and Nash let it get to them. Essentially they let this bully win and I did not like this element of the story.

Aside from that I adored this story.

[Bonnie Wells]

Ashley Sullivan is a single mom. Her son is 10 and her world revolves around him. But now she has the chance to go to Vienna for her brothers hotel opening. She decides to do something for herself and go. She has her whole trip planned. But things don’t go as expected. Her brother needs her help. Her fantasy crush Nash Hardwin is performing for the launch party. But his fans have caused a scene and he needs to get away from the hotel so they will leave. She agrees to help. They put on a disguise and head out. Nash agrees to go along with whatever she had planned. But when they spend the night together, things change. Ashley knows Nash is not the relationship type so she accepts it for what it is. A moment in time. Ashley heads back to her life and Nash goes on with his. But Nash can’t forget how he felt with Ashley. Being with Nash has led Ashley to more things for herself. She starts to date but no one can make her forget Nash. When Nash shows up at Ashley’s home town things get complicated. Nash finds himself falling in love with Ashley and her son. But can a man with a dark past and a rock star reputation convince everyone including Ashley that he is the one for her?

[Carolyn]

Ashley Sullivan’s world changed completely at the age of seventeen. Being an unmarried, pregnant teenager, she had her dreams taken away, but with the help of her family, Ashley was able to create a good life and home for her son, Kevin. This is an amazing adventure of a young mother, who put her own dreams aside, lived a simple lifestyle, despite Kevin’s father uncaring parenthood. Ashley accepts her brother’s invitation to go to Vienna for his hotel opening. One weekend of freedom in a beautiful city, she meets her “teenage crush”, rockstar, Nash Hardwin. Their unexpected meeting, a mini tour of the city, and finding their match of friendship makes for a perfect memory that neither of them can forget. Reconnecting in Bar Harbour, Maine, makes for an amazing experience of happiness, sadness, and past experiences in their lives. This is a fantastic story that is so heartwarming and tells the interactions of family. Loved it!

[Norayma Bolorin]

Awesome love story. When single mom Ashley Sullivan travels abroad, she had no idea she will run into her dream ma, Nash Hardwin. She helped him escape a mob of fans by disguising themselves as tourist. He then spends the day and the night with her. There they fell in love without knowing it. When Nash comes to Bar Harbor, Maine to buy a van, he goes looking for her. He then gets the opportunity to help her out of a jam when her son's father bails on their camping trip, they were brought together again. They had no choice but to fall in love. With all the ups and down that life has for a single mom and rock star with a bad boy history, they fight against all odds and prevail on coming together. I'm in love with Nash, Ashley, and Kevin as this story gives single moms kernel of hope that you can still be a good mom and find your happily ever after.

[Debbie]

This is a beautiful story of two disillusioned people who meet by accident and have a great weekend. Ashley is not looking for anything when she accepts her brother Brandon’s invitation to his hotel opening, but an incident with crowds for his rockstar hotel guest she ends up meeting the artist she has been secretly crushing on. Nash needs to get out of the hotel to make the crowd safe and comes face to face with the owner’s sister. After spending time together she will go her way and him to his life, but can this one day have consequences neither of them anticipated? A fantastic story which you can’t put down, a great addition to the series.

[Doni]

This is such a good book!
It's heartwarming, sexy & moving.
Captivated me from the first page.
I truly enjoyed reading it.
Ashley & Nash, are two people
that have bruised heart.
Their lives are good, but their pass
mistakes are holding them back.
Ashley ❤ Nash, are perfect together.
Great characters.
Everything you love in a true romance.
RECOMMEND FOR EVERYONE!!

[Gladys]

This incredible book pairs an ultimate fantasy with the perfect amount of heart melting realism to deliver mega feels and maximum swoon. I must say that Ashley and Nash turned my heart to goo. I loved these two so much. Can you say meant to be? Well I sure can and this couple absolutely was! An abundance of rich emotions, intense feels, sweetness, drama and heart make this the kind of read that you just want to cuddle up with, just so that you can greedily soak up all that delicious warmth and sentiment like an emotional sponge. I am freely posting a frank review.

[Jennie Fortna]

ARC for honest review with no compensation

Hold On To My Heart is book 4 in the Maine Sullivan series by Bella Andre and book 22 in the Sullivan series!

Ashley Sullivan, pregnant at 17, deserted by the child’s father, she raises her son, Kevin alone with the help of her family. The past 11 years she is devoted mother but sometimes feels life is passing her by. When she is invited to Vienna for the grand opening of her brother’s new hotel, she decides maybe it’s time to live a little. Meeting Nash Hardwin was certainly not in her plans but sometimes fate steps in to give you what you need.

Being total opposites can these two find a happy medium or will they hot a sour note??

[Karen]

Loved it. Loved the characters and the settings. I would of thought Nash would have had more security in Vienna. That seemed weak in the storyline to me. Otherwise, great premise.