Kind of a Hot Mess

Kind of a Hot Mess was legit funny where I had to be careful when I read this in public. I just couldn't help but snort laugh at times. The McGuires Brothers series are hands down a favorite. I love the feeling of comfort when I start digging into their lives. Aaron was no different. You just fall over and over him. Melissa, well she stoled the show. She was my hero and I want to be her when I grow up. Lili Valente always writes with heart. She has a style in her writing that you never tire from. You get the laughs, but you also get the great romance stories. I have been in a slump forever and a day. After reading this story I feel like I am coming out of a haze. Sometimes we need good stories to read that makes us happy. This is my happy place!

This book has SOOO much to love!! We have a sassy, kind of a hot mess single mom heroine, an injured, love-sick hero trying to prove he's not a jerk, an adorable kiddo, an animal (not giving it away), a possible haunted house, a crazy gran, ALLLL the banter, all the schmecksy times, and all of it wraps up in a gorgeous bow at the end. I absolutely love that Lili Valente manages to give us drama and action, without it solely relying on a "black moment" between the couple. If you haven't read her before, you're in for a treat!

I loved Melissa and Aaron’s enemies to lovers, single mom, second chance, forced proximity, hot mess of a healing romance. This story had the perfect balance of humor, heartwarming love, real life issues, and spice. Melissa and Aaron are portrayed as real, relatable people who have flaws, but are really just trying to do their best as messy humans. Since both Melissa and Aaron have painful pasts with major baggage and “hurt people, hurt people” expect some big feels in addition to snort laughing while reading this one. It definitely got me in the feels. Melissa is a divorced single mom whose husband left her after admitting he was gay. She’s still coming to terms with the loss of her marriage and having to share custody of her son while also trying to run her catering company. Aaron is a professional hockey player and the brother of Melissa’s twin brother’s fiancée. Aaron also tormented her in HS but unbeknownst to her has been in love with her his whole adult life. Melissa and Aaron have one steamy night several months ago but then Melissa pushes Aaron away. When Aaron gets hurt on the ice and cannot stay with his frisky grandmother and her bf, Melissa asks him to stay with her in exchange for childcare help. Just friends might be the plan, but feelings. Melissa and Aaron’s chemistry sizzled off the page and it pulled them together no matter how hard Melissa tried to resist. I loved the way Aaron gently, lovingly, beautifully, and persistently helped Melissa come out of her past pain, stop doubting herself and begin to embrace the best version of herself. I felt all the things with her - her anger, her pain, her fear, her love, her acceptance, and her hope. I love a cinnamon roll hero like Aaron especially paired with a strong heroine like Melissa. This heartwarming story was well written and included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline as shown through sweet moments, steamy scenes, hilarity, supportive friends, messy families, painful pasts, and all the happy heart squeezing love. I am in love with the McGuire family and the town of Bad Dog and excited for the next sibling’s HEA. 4.5 stars.