Loved this second book that is part of the Bachelor Pact series. Each book is a stand alone with a HEA in which you continue to see the characters from the previous books. This is Parker and Drlaney’s story. Parker has been working in home construction as well as helping his friends fix the local Inn in his spare time. Delaney is the local pharmacists who also makes and designs jewelry as well as other art on the side. She just recently suffered a break up from a long term relationship and has now sworn off of them. As Parker and Delaney are thrown together as part of their friend group, their feelings begin to grow which scares both of them as they didn’t want anything serious. This book had me laughing and sighing throughout the book. Their story had you feeling the emotions that they were going through. This author is great at pulling you into the story and for not wanting to put the book down. Looking forward to the next two books in this series.

"I was done with love. Forever...." Famous last words and a great hook for Cissy Mecca's second installment of her Bachelor Pact series. A charming story of two people, not looking for a long-term yet finding it, desired hearts is a quick and witty novel that can be read as a standalone, but is best enjoyed as part of the series. I love how the author worked one of her personal favorite mantras "Memento Mori" into the storyline. I'm anxiously waiting for installment #3!

I enjoyed Fallen Hearts, so I was delighted when I had the opportunity to read an ARC of Desired Hearts, the next in the series. I wanted to like this, but sadly, I was a bit disappointed with this one.

Parker (MMC) has always lived in the small town of Cedar Falls in upstate New York, & is another member of the Batchelor Pact, having sworn to remain single after his cheating father left his mother heartbroken. Delaney (FMC) has been left heartbroken after her ex broke up with her - twice. She came to live & work in Cedar Falls after accepting a job as the local pharmacist. She’s made some new friends & is enjoying her life there. Although they have some friends in common it’s a while before they actually meet. There is a spark between them when they meet, but they enjoy getting to know each as friends, initially their common experience of heartbreak holds each of them back. It’s only when their little group of friends go away for a weekend skiing together that they see the possibility of change in their relationship.

I liked Parker & Delaney, & I liked that they each had a dream of how their life could be, the jobs they would love to be doing. However, I didn’t find the main characters believable, the change of pace in their relationship was sudden & for some reason I wasn’t convinced. It’s a sweet, slightly steamy, small town romance. If that’s the sort of romance trope you enjoy then I can recommend Desired Hearts. Unfortunately it’s not for me.

Thanks to Netgalley & Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book

3.5⭐️

I only recently discovered this series and just read Mason and Pia’s book, so was pleased that Delaney and Parker were next. There seemed to be lots of mention of them never having met which got a bit old after a while- why not just introduce them?!
When they meet though there is an instant attraction and despite neither looking for anything serious they can’t deny being drawn to each other.

I did find Delaney’s moping over her ex dragged on a bit at times and was mentioned a lot, but liked how mature Parker was and that he didn’t dwell on it, particularly at the beginning.

This was really nice quick, easy read that I enjoyed and I hope Beck is next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for this ARC.

I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book!

I was so ready to fall back in love with the world of the Bachelor Pact boys and I wasn't disappointed! This series you could say are technically interconnected stand alones and Cissy Mecca does a fantastic job of catching you up throughout the book where needed if you haven't read the first book 'Fallen Hearts'. However I'm really glad to have been able to read the first book and this second book genuinely feels like coming home. If you've already read the first book, the second could slightly come across a little disjointed or distracting because of the catch ups but for me I just reminded myself that well this was apart of the series it was also all its own book and it might lead someone to pick up and read 'Fallen Hearts' as well.

Well Delaney and Parker are no Pia and Mason. Their story is still amazing! It's honestly refreshing now a days to have characters who actually feel human and real and boy do they. They have actual real jobs, regular hangouts with friends and those who feel like family, real issues to contend with, and true dreams and aspirations. Those of which I was stupidly giddy when they came about. As many of the characters note in the story yes Parker and Delaney are opposites for a lot of their likes, but it's the things they love that they share the most, that makes them work.

When you read their story it's almost like you're one of the gang and you're along for the ride in setting up your two best friends, because you just know despite their likes they're perfect for each other because of who they are. They totally are, they bring out the best in each other and its everything! I also genuinely love how they try and work everything out like real adults and don't get me started on Delaney's affirmations they are perfect and really resonated with me and worked so well here along with the rereference to momento mori. This is more than a love story, this is about following your heart, living in the moment, finding and following your dreams, and that you never have to truly do it all alone. A lot of personal moments in this book are going to stay with me. I loved coming back to this world, with two characters who's stories I knew would come together eventually and I'm so glad they did! I loved this book! That epilogue totally got me and I can't wait for future books!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart again I truly appreciate it!

📚BOOK REVIEW 📚

Desired Hearts - @meccaromance

Desired Hearts is book 2 in the Bachelor Pact series and it was a delightful and enjoyable read. I loved the small town vibes of Cedar Falls.

Although this is book two you could easily read as a standalone as I have done but I will definitely go book and read book 1.

Parker and his friends are part of the Bachelor Pact where none of them really believe in love or it working out. But their friend Mason is settling down with Pia and the dynamics are changing. Although, Parker is not looking for a relationship and has real commitment issues due to his father's indirections. So he's just focusing on his work and being with his friends. But then he meets Delaney and suddenly the rule book goes out the window.

Delaney returns to town after having her heart broken. The last thing she wants is a relationship but when she meets Parker, she can't deny there's an attraction. After a humourous meet cute she finds he's part of the Bachelor Pact so she should just leave well enough alone but they have so much in common and when they get stuck in a cozy Snowbound log cabin they somehow find themselves in a no-strings fling which leads to much more.

Parker is known as the nice guy out of his friends but his mouth between the sheets is anything but which has Delaney melting for him.

I liked both characters and enjoyed the maturity of their relationship and the issues that this book tackled. It was a joy reading about the learning to trust and communicate and when there was a rough patch it felt realistic. I loved the found family in this book and felt this was written well.

It was great to read this author as it was my first read by her. But I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more.

Jamie x

Desired Hearts by Cissy Mecca is a compelling and emotionally rich romance that kept me engaged from start to finish. Mecca’s writing is heartfelt and evocative, bringing to life complex characters who are both flawed and relatable. The chemistry between the leads is intense and believable, with a nice balance of passion, vulnerability, and emotional growth.

I appreciated how the story delves into themes of trust, healing, and second chances, adding depth beyond the romance. The pacing was steady, allowing the relationship to develop naturally while maintaining tension and intrigue. While some plot elements felt familiar, Mecca’s strong character development and emotional honesty made the story stand out.

Overall, I’m giving Desired Hearts four stars. It’s a touching and well-written romance that I’d recommend to fans of emotionally driven, character-focused love stories.

Loved it! This is the second in the bachelor pack series and I loved Parker's and Delaney's story! Parker works in construction, had the desire (but reluctance) to break out on his own, and is afraid of getting into a serious relationship.
Delaney we know was burned by her ex in book one, but is also a pharmacist with the heart of an artist.
These two encourage and support each other to be better and go for their dreams. They are spicy hot together and accept a relationship despite their previous hang ups.
I like that the drama wasn't over the top and they were able to resolve it like adults would.
I like this group of best friends and look guard to the next in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me an early copy for an honest review. This book was cute and could of been much better. I could see where this was going the only issue that I had was that the FMC kept mentioning her ex. Like ok he did that now get over it but nope she kept talking about the ex and was just getting annoying. But after a while she got over it and the story was getting better and then again the ex. Overall it was a cute small town romance and i'm a sucker for small town. Thanks again NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this opportunity.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Cissy Hearts for sharing this ARC.

This was…basic. It’s what I would call a palate cleanser book, but given the fact that it didn’t leave anything desired, it wasn’t my cup of tea.

Everything was just too fast. What do you mean Delaney was moping over what’s his face, and suddenly she’s saying “I love you” to Parker in like two weeks flat after meeting him? Now it’s a book, fiction, but at least make it somewhat realistic. It’s giving "divorce" after that HEA.

Parker has his reservations on relationships, which makes sense, but there was no build-up to him coming to terms with what being in a relationship is and how his relationships should not be defined by what happened.

It was all wham bam.

And Cupcake? really? A man calls me; he’s being dropped. Sorry, I don't make the rules. This is not Wattpad era. This book was cringey and cheesy at times.

My issue with this book is that it was lacking in depth. I’m not looking for an epic love story of healing and whatnot, but some more attention could have been placed on certain details, given the message the author was trying to convey.

The book was not bad, and I know some will enjoy it. I need more connection, not just between the characters but with the plot. I wasn’t even interested in the side characters, which, in my opinion, managing to catch your reader's attention with side characters is huge for late plots, stories, and so forth.

This being said, it was a short, quick read, which would explain the lack of overall development.

I'm not really a fan of insta love but I really enjoyed the majority of the book. I was a bit surprised by the last few chapters, namely what we got to know about another couple and by the.... let's call it the last gesture. I don't think it made sense to include the others, but well. It is what is it. Still an enjoyable read and a good palate cleanser. I'm looking forward for the next one (and hoping it's Beck's).

I really enjoyed this book. The story was very well done and the characters were people that felt so real. I would easily recommend this book to others.

A cute small town romance, this one will satisfy your craving for tender moments and spice. Low on angst and high on friendships and fun, this one keeps you engaged all the way to its happy ever after.

Being back in Cedar Falls was awesome! I loved Parker and Delaney's story. If you are looking for a cute and spicy romance, start this story now.

Thank you to boldwood books and NetGalley for this arc!

Parker is a bachelor determined to stay single. When he meets the small town pharmacist Delaney, he’s smitten. Delaney wants to work on her art, but she feels pressured to use her pharmacy degree. She just got dumped (again) by her ex and she’s not ready to date.

The two have attraction and on a ski slope vacation, they begin hooking up. When they go back home, they have to decide if this is a fling or more. Parker was definitely the first to fall and wanted to be better than his father. Delaney’s terrible ex tries to run back, but she’s not interested.

There is a sort of 3rd act break up that I found unnecessary, but overall a good addition to the series🫶🏻

Super cute and romantic! For fans of small town romances.

I really liked Delaney's character. As someone who has an artists heart but followed a more traditional career path. I could sympathize with her internal struggle and found her storyline interesting. Parker was a good character too. He is trying to open his own business and is struggling with that. Both have been hurt by past relationships so they were hesitant to begin a relationship. The characters emotional struggles feel genuine and are believable.

I found the romance to be well-paced and the characters had great chemistry. I enjoyed watching these two connect on a deeper level than just physical too. I enjoyed their flirting and banter. They had a lot of super cute moments.

I enjoyed Mecca's writing style too. Definitely delivered on the small town vibes.

An enjoyable small town romance!

2 Stars
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I was so happy to be an ARC reader for this book. Thank you to NetGalley and, of course, Cissy Mecca!

Desired Hearts takes place in the small town of Cedar Falls in the Finger Lakes region of New York, and I love small-town romances, so I was excited to read this.

The main male character, Parker Scott (32), is considered the “nice one” among his group of friends. He doesn’t do hookups, but he’s not really into relationships either, mostly due to his parents' marriage having problems; he has a complicated relationship with his father, which leads to trust issues explored throughout the book. Parker wants to start his own construction company, and he and his friends have a “bachelor pact,” meaning they’ve sworn off dating anyone.

The main female character, Delaney Thorton, is a pharmacist in her late 20s. She’s a glass-half-full kind of person, but feels stuck in her life. She went into the medical field following her mother’s path, but would have much rather been an artist. She was recently out of an on-and-off relationship, and she’s determined never to date again. However, fate brings her and Parker together, first at the pharmacy where she works, then through their friends, since her friend Pia is married to one of Parker’s friends, Mason (From book 1 of the Bachelor Pact: Fallen Hearts).

Delaney and Parker share some really cute and fun flirting moments. I enjoyed how their emotional struggles felt genuine, especially Delaney’s hesitation to start her own art business and quit working at the pharmacy, and Parker’s trust issues in relationships. That said, their transition from “no dating” to a physical relationship felt a bit sudden for me, giving off an insta-love vibe, which isn’t my favorite. Also, the pet name “Cupcake” felt a little out of place for my taste.

Around the middle of the book, I found myself wishing there had been more buildup to their feelings and relationship. I think the insta-love aspect was a bit of a challenge for me, but the writing style was lovely, and the small-town settings always add charm. If you enjoy quick, sweet romances with a touch of insta-love, this might be a good fit!

I also really loved Parker and his friend group; they always had such funny banter. I’d like to see what’s next for the rest of Parker’s friends (especially Cole) and the Bachelor Pact Series. (All opinions expressed are solely my own.)

Delaney juró no volver a enamorarse. Después de una relación a distancia que terminó en desilusión y vacío, lo único que desea es paz, estabilidad… y cero drama. Vive tranquila en Cedar Falls, rodeada de amigas fieles, su casa acogedora y un taller de joyería que le devuelve un poco de sí misma. El amor, definitivamente, no entra en sus planes.

Parker, por su parte, también tiene sus propias heridas. Atado a un viejo Pacto de Soltero con sus amigos, ha convencido al mundo y a sí mismo de que no está hecho para el compromiso. Pero hay algo en Delaney que desarma todas sus excusas: su sonrisa triste, su humor a prueba de cinismo, y esa fuerza que oculta tras una mirada cansada.

Cuando el destino y una cabaña en medio de la nieve los obliga a compartir más que espacio, las barreras que ambos habían levantado empiezan a resquebrajarse. Entre conversaciones sinceras, miradas intensas y momentos de inesperada intimidad, surge una conexión que podría reescribir todas las reglas.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest.

This enjoyable story is book 2 in The Bachelor Pact series. I would recommend reading book 1 as the characters and some back stories are introduced in that one. This story focuses on Delaney, a town pharmacist who would rather be an artist, and Parker, an outdoorsman who wants to branch out into his own construction business. Both have been burned by past relationships and are hesitant, but undeniable chemistry takes over. If you like small town, open door romances, check this out.

Thank you, Boldwood Books, for providing this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own.