I fell in love with this author with the indigo series and Built to Last does not disappoint. I love Max and Althea, their story just draws you in with a little cameo from everyone's favourite rock star. Another 5 start read for me

It's nice to discover a new to me author. Kate McBrien offers readers a very enjoyable read in Built To Last. I read it as a stand alone, however I see that it's a spin-off from another series (not to self, look that up). I felt at no disadvantage not having read the others. I think Ms McBrien took a chance that paid off well, when she spent the early part of the book developing the heroine and hero apart from each other. That technique gave me a very clear picture of the two before they ended up sharing a ride for a week! The plot device of opposites attracting is well employed. I enjoyed the story and will definitely look for more from Ms McBrien.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

I love a road trip romance story and I was really excited to get into this book. I have only recently started to get into romance books and I think that this was a really good one to ease me in. The travel during the story was realistic, both characters had enough time in each place for you to understand the reason for them being there.



I found the story a little slower to start off but it didn't take to long to get into the story so it wasn't too bad. I enjoyed learning about the main characters and who they were individually before they meet each other. I did feel like I really knew who Max and Althea were and it felt like they really knew who they were too.



I liked reading about the growth in the relationship between Max and Althena and over all I really enjoyed the story but I do feel like there was an issue just thrown in there to make the pages up and I didnt feel like Poppy needed to be in San Francisco at all but it didn't bother me too much.



I found this book entertaining and easy to read. It has made me want to venture into more romance books and sit in the garden soaking them up.



Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.



Thank You for Reading

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

Let me start by saying, if you're a Grateful Dead fan, there's tons of goodies in this book that you'll adore!

This was my first book from Kate McBrien, and I immediately love her. Her writing style is brilliant. The chemistry between the two characters is obvious and beautiful. The storyline kept my interest, and I honestly finished this book much quicker than i expected. Can't wait for the others!

***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***

Built to Last is the first book in KateMcBrien’s Indigo series spin-off.

Kate was one of my great findings, because I loved the Indigo series! Don’t get me wrong, I liked this book too, but I feel it’s not as powerful as it could have been.

I wish it was a bit stronger, because I had a hard time connecting with Althea and Max as a couple. I eventually connected with them, but it wasn’t like I could relate to them from the start.

They didn’t hit it off from the start and I love that kind of trope, it’s always a bonus for me. And even though it wasn’t a very strong storyline, I still enjoyed the book a lot!

This start of the Hidden Hearts series is about Max Carmichael and Althea Grayson. If you read Kate's Indigo series about Justin and Lucy, you will remember Max and Althea - but if you haven't read that series, it will not impact your enjoyment of this book! The sexy and brooding Max is trying to move forward in his career and transition from a band manager to production, with a planned road trip in the United States to scout potential bands. Free-spirited and beautiful Althea is returning home to the States for the first time in a long time to face her strained relationship with her father.  Although attracted to one another, Max and Althea don't always have the greatest rapport with one another, however, that doesn't stop Althea from joining Max's scouting trip in order to make her way to San Francisco. 


Let me start by sharing what a huge Grateful Dead fan I am, therefore, I absolutely loved all things Dead included in this novel. There are tribute bands, sing-alongs to the radio, and all sorts of references to the band which made me incredibly happy! The one and only time I got to see them was at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, which I thought about a lot while reading :)


Anyway, Built to Last is very different from my previous reading from Kate McBrien (which was the Indigo series). Where Indigo had romance, adventure, and a strong metaphysical vibe, Built to Last is a contemporary romance with relatable conflict, as well as, comedic moments. Max stars out very grumpy and emotionally all over the place, especially stressing out about his close-knit family. Althea starts out as her normal peace-loving self, loving life on Santorini, cooking, and happily taking care of others. What's interesting is the shift as the novel progresses. Althea becomes more emotional and has a lot of quiet moments processing her feelings about her mother dying, her father, and about Max. On the other hand, Max begins to smile more, loosens up, and becomes more romantic and affectionate. Their relationship starts out rocky and then has many ups and downs within the plot. But during all of these ups and downs is amazing chemistry, romance, tension, and suspense while wondering what the future holds for these two characters. 


I truly enjoyed this story and all of the fabulous and unique characters that were introduced along the way. I see so much development and growth in Kate's writing in Built to Last compared to when we first made contact in 2018. I've always loved her character development, imagery, and fascinating storylines, and Built to Last shows how much she continues to build on each of those strengths in her writing. I highly recommend this road-trip romance which embodies the perfect blend of romance, emotion, and great adventures!


*Many thanks to NetGalley and Kate McBrien for providing this review copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

A cute, sweet romance with melt-your-kindle hot scenes. Enjoyable read!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this I liked the couple and the story telling and the author out did herself with this one I can’t wait to read more from her

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Built To Last by Kate McBrien. Ok I loved this book. Road trips are always fun but a road trip with two people who have undeniable chemistry but are relationship phoebes makes it even better. I loved the romantic chemistry they had plus the back and forth banter. I really enjoyed this and really recommend.

This is my fourth book from Kate Mcbrien and this one is more traditionally written than her predecessors. Built To Last is a enemies-to-lovers book that starts out a little on the slow side but that builds each characters personalities traits up before they connect. I found this more intriguing than annoying because I absolutely hate insta-love.

Keep in mind that you don't have to read the Indigo Series to read this standalone but it definitely helps with certain scenes in this book.

I found each character in this book wildly different than her previous books but that didn't mean I didn't enjoy them just as much. Certain traits may annoy some other people but don't let that deter you. This atmosphere of the book is also extremely different than in the Indigo Series. It wasn't what I expected at all.

The road trip elements is what pulls this novel together. This is where you see Althea and Max's relationship flourish. The song element only pushes the atmosphere even more. You get to see a certain side of their personality shine. Some people might not like songs being mentioned and used but I do. I personally loved it, music is definitely a part of my life. And it only served for me to better understand them.

Overall, we get to see how much the characters mature over the space of chapter one to the end by staying true to themselves and coming together to make choices that benefited them both.

I recommend for people who love music and road tripping!

Built to Last is the first book in the Hidden Hearts series by Kate McBrien. It is a spin-off series to the Indigo Series where we first meet Max and Althea. I was looking forward to their book after they met in Greece to be with Justin and Lucy. The synopsis explains the book perfectly so I will make this fast.

Max and Althea are both at a crossroads in life. Max wants to move into the production side of the music industry and Althea wants to open a restaurant. For them to achieve their dreams they need to travel together across the county scouting bands without killing each other. Max isn’t exactly a fan of fiery redheads and Althea isn’t a fan of men with sticks up their asses. He likes classical music and she is obsessed with the Grateful Dead. Can they make it to San Francisco in one piece?

I enjoyed this book. Max and Althea definitely have a fun banter between them. They also have so much more to them when things get deeper and deeper.

Quotes:

“Where’s the snarky girl?”
She gave him that quirky grin. “Oh, she’s not far away. She can come out to play at a moment’s notice.”
Max laughed—a real laugh—and that surprised him.

“I might be a redhead, but don’t ever sing that cheesy song to me again.”
“How could you not like ‘Tomorrow’?” Max asked with a deep chuckle. “I thought every redheaded girl wanted to be Annie.”
“Not this one,” she said with a groan.

“You’re the most real woman I’ve ever known.” He pulled back, his eyes heated with lust, then blinked a few times.

Loved this first book in the new Hidden Hearts series from Kate, its a spinoff from the incredible With You series and we get to check in with many of the same characters including Justin and Lucy.

This story features housekeeper and Grateful Dead fan Althea and the former Indigo Manager Max. They first meet at Justin and Lucy's wedding at their villa on Santorini. Although Max has an aversion to redheads due to a past disastrous relationship he is as intrigued by Althea as she is with him. As Althea and Max listen to the Grateful Dead he realises that despite himself the is starting to be attracted to her. Unfortunately he sees a text on her phone and believing that he has been betrayed by a redhead once again he refuses to hear Althea's explanation and angrily leaves.

Althea has to deal with some family issues and heads back to San Francisco. On the way she runs into a still angry Max in New York. When record producer Phil Rothstein offers Max the chance to do some talent spotting for him on the west coast and Althea to help him she readily agrees but Max thinks that it will be a disaster.

It's hilarious how Althea's quirky ways and concern for others starts to break down Max's barriers and he sees that she is much more than he first thought. Just as they start to enjoy their new found passion a misunderstanding involving Max's past blows them apart.

Once again Kate gives us a beautiful love story about two people who are deeply hurt by their pasts, but come together to love and heal each other. Althea comes across as light-hearted and fun the complete opposite of Max who appears to be stiff and stubborn (maybe it's his Englishness) at first but it's fun to see how Althea tames her sexy beast. Expect to feel a roller coaster of emotions as these two eventually find their HEA.

Kate is quickly becoming one of my favourite writers and I am looking forward to enjoying more in this series.

A one week road trip
Two relationship -phobic adults
What could go wrong?
Lots can and does go wrong within Max and Althea's romance but there's nothing wrong with the story as a whole. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I've already preordered it even though I got a free copy off NetGalley. It is THAT good! Next I'm off to look for other books by Kate McBrien
The characters are well developed and easy to like, not to mention the hero, Max, is sexy as heck. Althea, the heroine is fun and fabulous with just a hint of a dark past that the hero, who also has a bit of darkness in his life, helps her work through...and vice versa. No spoilers though!
The writing has an easy to read flow that makes the story seem to fly by.
I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

This story covers characters that have featured in Kate McBrien other series. You do not need to read the other series as this book reads as a standalone.

This story focusses on Max & Althea and how their complex friendship develops over time. It is a sweet romance story and as always, very well thought out story arc from the author.

I am keen to read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.

Kate Mcbrian has done it again. I always enjoy reading her books. This book about Max Carmichael who worked the sound board for the band Indigo, and the fiesty Althea Grayson who is a diehard Grateful Dead fan. I highly highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Built to Last, Hidden Hearts Book 1, Kate McBrien

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance

I loved the Indigo Trilogy, and this is a spin off of characters from that, but you don't need to read it to follow this story, its a stand alone read.

I remember Althea and Max from the Indigo books but only vaguely, and they felt very much like new characters for me.
I loved Max, taciturn, loving but troubled family and wanting to further his career in the direction he originally intended. That was on track til an awful betrayal by an ex led to him meeting Justin, and becoming involved with his band. That's been good, but now he wants to move forward in his early ambitions, take his career that way. He's got an opportunity, needs the job to help his struggling parents and pay for his sisters rehab treatment, and is determined to give this chance his best shot. And then Althea gets landed on him as an independent voice about the bands he's seeing.
Althea. One part of me loves her, she's so open, so friendly, so helpful. There's a section where Max sings a song from Annie to her and TBH I hate that show, and Althea epitomises just why. At times she's relentless. Relentlessly cheerful, optimistic, full of help and goodwill, and I just want to say “doesn't Anything get you down?”
Of course it does, she just hides it well. She's got her own family issues and reasons for living on the island, and there's a lot more than this light, casual persona she shows.
I loved Kiki, Althea's stepsister – I love nasty characters, and I wish we'd seen more of her....

Althea and Max don't hit it off too well, and yet there's a very clear feeling of attraction between them that neither wants to admit. Thrown together though for a week, looking at bands, talking and assessing them they each see that their first impressions weren't everything, and of course that attraction is still lurking.....Slowly, as they get to know each other more their feelings change.
Its a fun read, much lighter than the Indigo books, no suspense and supernatural angle, just a straight forward romance, but with plenty of backstory and struggles to keep it interesting.
I wasn't entirely convinced of Max and Althea in love, that they could get past their issues in the short time they were together, but loved that the breakup part wasn't over quickly, but each really needed to reflect, to work towards the ending. I love where characters have to really work for the happy ending. That felt more real than the way they got together so quickly, where casual sex became more so swiftly, from just one night, just this week to.....For me that was just a little too slick. I can believe in insta-love so to speak, just didn't really feel it here, they were such different characters in all ways.

Finally got round to listening to the Grateful Dead too... I enjoyed it a bit but its not really music for me, sorry Althea ;-)

Stars: four, a fun read, a good story but Althea's relentless cheer was a little too much occasionally, and I wasn't totally convinced at first by her and Max. I was by the end though, the breakup reactions sealed it for me.

Arc via Author and Netgalley

I thought that this was a really good story!
It was a really enjoyable read and I found it to be a real page turner.
I thought that the characters were strong and worked well together.
This was a really easy book to read, I flew through the pages
It is 5 stars from me - very highly recommended!!

Such a good book. A little sad to read some of it but still such a great story. I love the way that it’s written so you fall into the story.

This is Max and Althea book, Max is a band manager but finally has a shot to work with a legendary music producer in hopes of being more than just a band manager! Althea is a trained chef and she aspires to open a restaurant that serves amazing food to everyone, not just people who can afford it! These to end up being traveling companions and go through some funny moments! I definitely enjoyed reading this one I recommend it! It wasn’t my top favorite ever but definitely worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!