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I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
MY REVIEW:
Genre | Tropes: Romance, Historical (Roaring 20s), Forbidden Romance
Rating: 4/5 ⭐
Spice Level: 2/5 🌶️
In the shining lights of the roaring 20’s, Kand paints a glittery picture of the highs and lows of different class structures during this time. Arabella is the daughter of one of the richest men in Chicago and has lived a life of luxury and leisure. She’s recently been hurt after her fiancé left her, and now she’s trying to recover her confidence again. Solomon is a front line man for Augustine, the woman who runs the underground speakeasies in Chicago. His life is dangerous, but it’s also all he knows.
When these two meet at a New Year’s Eve party, sparks immediately fly and neither of them can get the other out of their head. Seeking each other out, they quickly learn their shared connection and also the realities of the differences in their class. Arabella is strong in her convictions, not caring what any one else thinks about their relationship, while Solomon is a little more hesitant. At least, questioning of whether he’s worthy of someone like her.
The majority of this story focuses in on their relationship, life experiences during a fast and heated time together, and the impact that this kind of connection has on both of them.
I was able to easily relate with their “no cares” approach and desire to find a way to make things work. The biggest challenge they faced was that each of them was trying to change their circumstances, rather than embracing who they were. Arabella only wanted Solomon out of the lifestyle he was living, but at the same time saying she loved him the way he was. This was a challenging point of contention in the story and really is the bulk of their challenges.
I was slightly confused at the very end and had to read the epilogue twice to ensure I knew what had happened. It was a very sweet ending and I appreciated all the challenges the characters were met with. It made them complex and showed a lot of growth throughout the story.
On top of that, it was just an overall enjoyable experience to immerse in the glamorous times of the 20’s. The environment and society was pretty unique during this time and I think the author represented it very well!
GET IT HERE:
Two loves, two possible endings, two different lives. Which one will people remember as her happiest?
Chicago, 1925. On a frosty New Year’s Eve, Arabella Van Courteney, the twenty-two years old heiress of an oil empire, seeks solace in the shadows of a glittering masquerade ball, nursing the wounds of her broken heart.
And there, she meets Solomon Willoughby, the young, nineteen-year-old ambitious protégé of the enigmatic socialite Augustine Bonacci. Bound to a world of illicit deals and danger for his mentor, his charm pulls Arabella into an intoxicating connection, the chemistry between them undeniable.
But fate pulls them apart before they can truly begin.
Chicago, 1931. Six years later, Arabella is now happily married, living in New York, and thriving in the world of art and publishing. She has convinced herself that the past—and Solomon—are nothing more than distant memories. But when the New Year’s gathering reunites them back in Chicago, long-buried emotions resurface, forcing Arabella to question everything she thought she wanted.
Roaring Hearts is a tale of forbidden love, betrayal, failed expectations, and the enduring power of second chances.
But with a twist: why force Arabella to choose? Why not give two perfect love stories, two equally right choices, two bittersweet endings but nonetheless real as life is?
Here, the what if has an answer.
Looking for book recs…
Adventures in Literature 
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