🌟🌟🌟🌟
Lightheaded Heart by Anna Alkire tells such a beautiful and real story about finding yourself and staying strong through tough times. Kelsey, the main character, is stuck in a toxic relationship, and watching her fight for her freedom is both heartbreaking and inspiring. 🍂 Alkire really brings Kelsey’s journey to life with these amazing details—one minute you’re feeling the calm of the hiking trails, ⛰️🐦 and the next, you’re right there with Kelsey as her life feels like it’s falling apart. 🍃 The friendships she leans on, and the new connections she makes, add this warmth and hope to the story that feels so comforting. It’s really a book about strength, healing, and learning to love yourself again. The way Alkire mixes humor with real moments of vulnerability makes Kelsey’s growth feel so personal. It’s not just a book about struggle—it’s about renewal and the power of believing in yourself. You’ll definitely carry this one with you long after you finish it. 🪶

Thank you Water’s Edge Publishing and Netgalley for my gifted copy

#Bookworm #Reader #Bibliophile#AmReading #netgalley

Instant chemistry, plenty of spice, with a compelling story line. Some parts of the story and their relationship felt unhealthy or unresolved but overall a great book with good writing.

This was a typical push and pull romance. Very modern day "scared to do anything relationship related" type. I thought it was an OK and quick read.

Lightheaded Heart by Anna Alkire is an unforgettable romance that hooked me from the first page. As the second book in the Waterfall Canyon series, it stands out with its emotionally charged story and characters who truly make you feel. Kelsey and Dominic’s journey together is anything but smooth, starting with a misunderstanding that has them at odds. Dominic initially mistakes Kelsey for someone looking for a casual arrangement, but as the story unfolds, their connection deepens, and their individual struggles add layers to their emotional journey.

What I loved about this book was how Alkire blends intensity with heart, making the emotional highs and lows of the characters feel real. Both Kelsey and Dominic face past challenges they need to overcome, but despite the obstacles, there’s a strong, undeniable pull between them. It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but the payoff at the end is totally worth it.

I couldn’t help but dive straight into Hotheaded Heart, the first book in the series, after finishing this one. If you enjoy romances that feature strong characters who fight for their happiness, this is a must-read. The writing is engaging and passionate, and the story will keep you invested from start to finish.

2 Stellar Blue Jay Stars⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️/5

This book had so much potential, it set up for having one of my favourite tropes of all and then it went and HAD MY LEAST FAVOURITE...

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Kelsey has just found out that her long-term boyfriend has maxed out her credit cards and cleared out their savings account. She has given him a week to return her money or she will go to the authorities. She moves out and temporarily moves in with a friend to deal with the complete disaster her life has become. One night on a girl's night while she is drinking away her sorrows, she runs into the sexy Dominic who immediately goes goo goo guys for her and he wants one thing from her... no strings attached sex.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
I should have DNF'ed this when someone asked me at 34% what the book was about and I had no clue how to explain it... I was still trying to figure out where the plot was going and didn't know how all the characters fit together.

Then I should have DNF'ed when I realized Kelsey was "not like the other girls" as she had every man she met lusting after her like a cartoon wolf with heart eyes... THERE WAS NOT 1 MAN (Her Ex), NOT 2 (Her Other Nice Ex From Highschool)... BUT THREE SEPARATE MEN (Dominic)... but she was pretty plain and boring. She is an accountant who doesn't have much going on for her personality except that she stress cleans. She's walked over pretty easily and doesn't want to inconvenience anyone with her drama. Now she is dealt a bad hand... her Ex is terrible - he is a manipulative emotionally abusive gaslighting ass but it was a little confusing how someone who doesn't typically stand out would have all these men so obsessed with her.

Then we have Dominic... who is the other reason I should have DNF'ed. He is a walking red flag and after about the 5th red flag, I was questioning what Kelsey saw in him and am I being gaslit about him being this amazing MMC. You should not have the MMC of a romcom have any red flags...this is the man who you imagine as your fictional boyfriend. But he was bossy, demanding, jealous and did not listen at all to what Kelsey wanted... Now this is a great type of MMC in a dark romance but not in something that is meant to be light and fluffy. He constantly tells her that he wants nothing from her but sex and I didn't see any real growth in his character.

THEN the book fell really flat when it went in the direction of my worst trope. Now my worst trope is not one, but actually two tropes combined and I hate IT! When the first sprinkling of the potential combo trope made itself known, I actually told my husband if it did happen I would throw the book across the room. Now I didn't wanna damage my Kindle but metaphorically I did! The trope combo was Third Act Breakup with ACCIDENTAL PREGNANCY. It feels like a cop-out to the relationship and such a cop-out to the reconciliation of a relationship. You should not have to have a baby PULL PEOPLE together. I do not mind either of those tropes separately but TOGETHER... it's just not for me

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Strangers to Lovers
▶ Age Gap
▶ Panic Attacks
▶ Bachelor Competition
▶ Miscommunication
▶ Third Act Breakup
▶ Accidental Pregnancy

Overall I don't think this book was for me... It didn't play into my happy tropes and I kept wanting her to end up with her ex... Not the gaslighting one but the sweet farming one from high school who was just a gentleman and sweet!

Thank you Water's Edge Publishing and Netgalley for my gifted copy... I am sorry I didn't like this

Okay, apparently I'm in my dual POV era, because this is another one that hit the mark. I really enjoyed reading it—it's a true reflection of how quickly someone can move on after they’ve emotionally checked out months ago. I especially appreciate characters like Dominic, the ones you think are set in their ways, until… they’re not.

Also, the spicy parts were definitely enjoyable.

Would definitely read again.

This was a good read! I really enjoyed the different characters and the story was well written. I would definitely recommend!

Kelsey is just coming out of a horrible relationship and Dominic has sworn off relationships when their paths cross. The pair become infatuated with each other and have to try and navigate their different boundaries and pasts to see if a future is a possibility.

I enjoyed this book a lot until the MMC started pushing the line with his controlling nature and jealousy. I lost a lot of appreciation for him at that point and wasn’t near as invested in their relationship after that. This book does the age gap trope really well though. It doesn’t feel inappropriate or creepy and while it is mentioned a couple of times it’s not obnoxiously central to their relationship.

Thanks to NetGalley and Water’s Edge Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Lightheaded Heart is book two in the Waterfall Canyon series by Anna Alkire.
After reading and absolutely loving Lightheaded Heart I went straight to Amazon and got book one Hotheaded Heart.
Lightheaded Heart is a wonderful and captivating romance that grabs you from the first page. The characters are dynamic, and the emotional depth of their journey is beautifully portrayed. Alkire's writing is passionate and engaging, making this a must-read for anyone who loves a story full of intensity and heart.

Thank You NetGalley and Water's Edge Publishing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!