Cover Image: Know You by Heart

Know You by Heart

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

"Perhaps it was like most marriages, where they'd fallen into a kind of routine. Like lines in a book known by heart."
Chris and Eden are both heavily career minded, and instantly were intrigued by each other when they met. When Chris needed a wife for an inheritance for his resort, and Eden needed financial assistance to take the next steps in her writing career, they felt they were a solution to each others' hopes. A modern marriage of convenience where they could be friends, support each other's careers, and in five years separate in an amicable divorce. However, as they near the deadline to their marriage, they each realize there's more at stake than they planned. Will they be willing to be honest with each other and take the risk of opening their hearts to love?
This was a difficult read at times. I felt like the writing was so well done, that it almost hurt to see Chris and Eden's struggles. I didn't always agree with decisions the characters made, but I enjoyed getting to know them, and the families they were part of. If you enjoy second chance romances, and a unique spin on a modern marriage of convenience story, I would definitely recommend checking this one out!
I'm so thankful for the gift of getting to read an early copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it and all opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

This was a really great marriage of convenience book! I loved the companionship that can form and contribute to the love that eventually came and stayed through all the ups and downs!

I am more of a closed-door romance reader so that is why I gave it four stars. But the steaminess was done right taste and moves the story along nicely.

I think this author is a lovely writer and would read more by her!

Was this review helpful?

✨𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘✨

𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘚𝘈 𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘯 𝘢 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘊𝘭𝘶𝘣 𝘍𝘢𝘳 𝘈𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨.

As the oldest child in his family, Chris Puso has always taken his responsibilities seriously. He’ll do whatever it takes to ensure Heart Resort’s success. Four and a half years ago, that meant marrying Eden, a woman he admired but didn’t love, to access a family trust that benefited them both.

Eden Puso, a.k.a. romance author Everly Heart, believes in true love?in her novels, at least. But her marriage to Chris was more about funding her writing career and supporting her family than finding her happily ever after. And despite their mutual attraction toward one another, they stayed loyal to the contract…for the most part.

With six months until the end of their contract and with their careers taking off, their marriage of convenience has become, well, a little inconvenient. A competing resort threatens to usurp Heart Resort, and Chris and Eden band together to preserve its reputation, including doing a retreat themselves. But as the retreat uncovers their history and their hidden love for one another, can their relationship survive so their partnership reaches its natural conclusion?

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 by Tif Marcelo - Author released April 5, 2022.

Thank you Amazon Publishing and TLC Book Tours for this gifted copy.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

Was this review helpful?

Eden and Chris are just meant to be together. While their start is quite rocky, they really make it work.

For Chris, family and inheritance is everything and at the beginning, he is described as greedy and not carrying for anyone but himself. Throughout the book, he shows his true face, and I loved those parts.

There are different timelines in between the chapters. From the first moments they met to the nowadays married life when they both realise that this fake marriage has nothing to do with fake but real feelings.

Eden is a romance author and I love how she stands up for her time to write and single moments outside their relationship.

The family is very meddling, in both parts, but they are all in a good way and I loved to read about mixed cultures and interactions.

I’m looking forward to read the next books in the series because this is the second book that I’ve read and enjoyed by the author.

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

Know You By Heart by Tif Marcelo is the second book in her Heart Resort Series. I was excited when I was asked to read this one because I so loved the Puso Family in the first book It Takes A Heart! This is a well written fast paced story about a marriage of convenience with a modern day flip on it! Marcelo continues with the Filipino characters that are so fun to read. The characters are realistic with special attention to details! This story is flirty, sexy and fun. It has highly emotional parts and light and funny ones that make this a must read book!!! I enjoy Marcelo’s writing style and look forward to the next book in this series!

Thank you NetGalley, Tif Marcelo and Montlake Publishing for an advanced copy of this truly entertaining story in exchange for my honest review.
#knowyoubyheart. #tifmarcelo #netgalley #montlakepublishing #arc

Was this review helpful?

Be prepared to swoon over Chris and Eden’s deep commitment to each other and their loved ones. This romantic trip to Heart Resort will make you feel like an honorary member of the Puso family. This is the perfect book to read while drinking boba and (hopefully) taking a break from the demands of caring for your family. KNOW YOU BY HEART will speak to every woman searching for the balance between ambition, duty, and true love. Tif Marcelo repurposes tropes in a marvelous way that will touch your heart. If you think you know all there is to know about marriage-of-convenience stories, buckle up, Buttercup. You won’t want to miss this one!

Was this review helpful?

*Thank you Montlake and Netgalley for the advanced reading copy of this novel. This review contains my own thoughts and opinions.*

Sigh. Eden and Chris’ story was so swoon-worthy! Know You by Heart is a unique take on the marriage of convenience trope, as the bulk of the book takes place starting when they are six months out from when their marriage is supposed to be over. As time progresses - and with glimpses of their past sprinkled throughout - true feelings are brought to light.

Tif Marcelo did a fantastic job bringing to life two complex, strong characters who love their families fiercely and are dedicated to their careers - and who never really thought love was in their future. I felt for them, especially Eden, deeply when several older memories were shared.

Though it’s a second book in the series, I had zero issues with following the plot or various characters. Eden and Chris are definitely one of my favorite book couples!

Was this review helpful?

Know You by Heart takes us back to the Outer Banks and to The Heart Resort. While this is part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone.

Chris and Eden agreed to a five-year arranged marriage complete with a prenuptial agreement. Their marriage was one of convenience to help both of them achieve their dreams with their respective careers, his at The Heart Resort and hers as a romance novelist. We are given glimpses of their life both in the present, but also the past so we understand what has been going on in both of their minds, their feelings, frustrations and also their thoughts on the end of their contract and where it will leave them.

When circumstances force Chris and Eden to attend a retreat at The Heart Resort, they are forced to face feelings and truths that they had kept repressed throughout their union. The reality of their marriage comes close to being revealed and you can also see how much work it is for them to keep up the facade. Will they leave the retreat closer to a "real" marriage? Or will it end their union for good?

This book had all the feels and while there were times it was very heavy and emotional, there were also light and funny moments. It's definitely one that is worth the read.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Was this review helpful?

Know You by Heart returns readers to the Outer Banks and the Puso family. As eldest Puso Chris and his wife Eden take centre stage in a story that nicely turns the marriage of convenience trope on its head by depicting the last six months of the marriage. But with time running out on the contract Eden and Chris struck their busy lives and feelings have made things extremely inconvenient for the pair.

And I enjoyed how the story was told even if I felt the pacing was a little on the slow side. But I liked how the characters grew and it was genuinely an engaging romance that had plenty of warmth and sweetness and once again I liked the family feel, and I would recommend this story to others especially if you're a fan of the marriage of convenience trope.

Was this review helpful?

Chris and Eden had a friendly marriage of convenience, with the terms neatly set in a contract, and with a firm end date of 5 years. However, as their divorce date looms, both are experiencing doubts and confusing feelings. It was all so clear, but do they really want this marriage to end?

Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting to this story. There was a lot going on between the business takeover plot, the marriage plot, Eden's career as a writer, and various family issues and dramas. With so many competing threads, it was hard to get invested. I didn't feel much passion in the writing, either about the business or about the relationship between Chris and Eden. Major developments and elements of their past were related suddenly and dispassionately and while their fundamental conflicts were realistic and well-portrayed, the resolution felt quick and incomplete. Additionally, I feel like there were a lot of nuances of Filipino culture that were lost on me (that's OK--not every book is written for my benefit). I wonder if the story would have resonated more if I understood the cultural context better.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

Was this review helpful?

Know Your Heart was a perfect book for me. I love when books are really romancey and this one delivered. This is book number 2 in a series but I hadn't read that before reading this. I now aim to read the first one next.. I feel like it wasn't necessary to read that though as it involves different characters but there is some cross over and mention of previous characters. The main characters compliment each other really well and i enjoyed reading about them.

Was this review helpful?

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Know You by Heart is the second in Tif Marcelo’s Heart Resort series. It can be read as a stand-alone, and I had no issues starting with this one, having not read the previous book.
I really liked this spin on marriage of convenience, both set in modern day and involving a cast of Filipino-American characters. Given some of the structural choices, throwing you into it right away on page one and then fast forwarding to near the end of their contract, with some flashbacks to moments earlier o in the marriage, it could have easily fallen flat, but Tif Marcelo makes it work, delivering the emotional intimacy in those little moments, coloring their interactions in the present as the date when their arrangement is meant to expire looms nearer. Add to that the media exposure the resort is getting and the way their image factors into that…there’s some fascinating stakes at play.
I really liked that Eden is a successful romance novelist, and the arrangement has allowed her to launch her onetime fledgling career into a success.
Chris was a bit of a question mark for me at first, but I really liked his devotion to his family’s legacy throughout, and him really taking on the responsibilities as the eldest sibling. And ultimately, I also loved his little gestures as the story went on in acknowledging Eden’s author persona, including one public gesture toward the end that really made me smile.
This is a wonderfully sweet romance with a fresh take on a familiar and well-loved trope. If you like multicultural, family-centric contemporary romance, you will likely enjoy this one.

Was this review helpful?

Chris and Eden married so that he could receive his inheritance and in the time since, he's built up the Heart sort and she's become a romance novelist. And their marriage of convenience has turned to love, even if they don't want to admit it. Now their five year contract is up but there's competition in the offing for the resort and they know they work better together. And that they are better together. I'm not usually a big fan of the fake relationship trope (and this one went on for a looong time) but Marcelo has a way of pulling you in to root for her characters. Don't worry if you missed the first book- this will be fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely love a good marriage of convenience book and this was a great one.

Chris and Eden decide to enter into a contract to marry each other and spend five years married to help both of their careers.

Four and a half years into their arrangement a whole bunch of obstacles are thrown their way just as their contract is meant to expire.

I loved that we were able to see flashbacks to the earlier days of their relationship so we can see how they became the couple they are.

It's great how these two work together to help each other through the obstacles.

I will have to go back and read the first book in this story and I look forward to other books for the remaining siblings.

I love the concept of their resort and thought it brought a fun element to the story.

Was this review helpful?

After enjoying the first in this series, It Takes Heart, I was excited to read this one. I loved returning to the Outer Banks and I adore a good marriage of convenience trope! I was quickly wisked away to the setting and the struggle of the characters as their marriage contract comes to close to an end. One of my other favorite components of this story was the diversity of the characters. I feel like you don't often see diverse minorities featuring in beachy romance novels, let alone on such a beautiful cover. Hoping there's more in this series!

Was this review helpful?

Know You by Heart is the first book I have read by Tif Marcelo. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. I'm really torn with my rating for this book. While I enjoyed it for the most part, I was also put off by it a lot. I know we had an epilogue, but it really wasn't satisfying to me. I think my problem is that even though this book was sort of a slow burn, I didn't feel that Chris and Eden really did love each other. I think it was the proximity from the contract they signed. I believed they loved each other, but I don't believe they were in love with each other. The future I see for them is that Chris reverts to his old ways and Eden continues writing and becomes more and more independent. I do see them sticking together, but because they have moved into that complacent part of a relationship and neither wants to put in the effort to leave and start over. Sorry to say only three stars from me.

Was this review helpful?

Oh wow! I needed this book. I was in a small funk and this fun, flirty, sexy story pulled me right out of that funk. Chris and Eden were both successful people and that was in part due to a contract they signed almost 5 years ago. With the contract set to expire, they can go their own ways. The problem? They do not want to go their own ways but are not quite ready to admit that to each other yet.

I love the Heart Resort and the Puso family. They fight, the love, and they work together to make the resort a dream come true. Eden married into the family and her dream was to be an author. I enjoyed that her dream also came true with the support of her family and the Puso family. The family dynamics of both Chris and Eden’s family play such a huge part in their story.

There were sometimes that I did not like Chris. He put his needs before Eden’s. He asked her to attend events, entertain his friends, or not visit her family to help him in his resort instead of pushing her to follow her dream of writing. I loved that Eden did not always give into him and she put her writing and family first in her life.

Know You by Heart is part of a series but you do not have to read the first book to enjoy the second book. The setting of the resort is a common thread along with the Puso family but each book is its own story with a HEA.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed an early copy of this book from NetGalley. I read the previous book in this series about the Puso family and Heart Resort. I enjoy this series because it’s mainly based in my home state of North Carolina. This story was about Chris and Eden Puso and their how they made a marriage pact with each other that is about to expire. Chris and Eden are trying to deal with a competing resort so they decide to participate in one of the special marriage retreats.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one in the series.

Was this review helpful?

Oh my WOW! Tif Marcelo has done it again. She pulled me into this book and made me love her characters again! I love a good romance, even if in an unconventional twist! I enjoyed both Eden and Chris’s characters and how they band together.
So good and such fun!
Thanks to NetGalley for this amazing advanced copy!💕

Was this review helpful?

This was a very interesting and well written book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I will be adding this author to my reading list. I will. be recommending this author to my friends and family going forward.

Was this review helpful?