Desired Hearts tells the story of Delaney and Parker. Parker has made a pact with his friends that they will stay bachelors. After witnessing the pain of his parents disasterous marriage, he doesn't want to go down that route himself. Delaney has recently been hurt badly by her exboyfriend and the last thing she wants is another relationship. Once they meet, everything changes, when they can't seem to stay away from one another.
This is a fun, straightforward romance. There are no real bumps in the road that stop this couple from being together and it's not long before their romance is all systems go. I liked them as a couple, although they perhaps lacked a bit of depth compared to other romances I've read and enjoyed.
It did amuse me that both hero and heroine had surnames as their first names. I don't know if that was intentional or not.
This is the second book in this series. I don't think it maters that I hadn't read book one first as it works fine as a standalone.
I enjoyed this light romance and would read others in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

This is the second book in The Bachelor Pact series, however, I feel it could be read as a standalone. There is a bit of backstory from the first book, but you could follow the flow without it.

I enjoyed this instalment in the series - Parker is a character who I liked because of his gentlemanly ways and maturity in dealing with Delaney and their relationship.

The settings were great, and the author really painted quite the romantic picture up at the ski lodge!

Looking forward to the next in the series so that I can get another fix of the Cedar Falls crowd.

I received this as an arc from NetGalley and I’m voluntarily leaving my honest review.

This was a great forced proximity romance. It was a well written story with a good flow. It’s the second book in a series of interconnected standalone stories and it can easily be read on its own but I did read the first book previously. This was Parker and Delaney’s story and I really enjoyed it. They were both dealing with some emotional baggage that caused a little drama but nothing too major. I loved the meet cute and the instant attraction between them. I was a fan and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

What a fabulous next book in what I think may end up being a favourite series of mine. Mason, Cole, Parker and Beck made a Batchelor Pact but in the last book Mason ended up with Pia ……. This time round the story focuses on Parker and Delaney who both have issues around commitment. However there are sparks when they first meet and then they end up in a log cabin in the snow ~ need I say more! For me this has just the right amount of drama, humour and steamy scenes. Each character has depth and this certainly isn’t just a story that has characters going to bed with each other. There is an intensity in the relationships and an intriguing storyline that keeps you fully engaged. I seriously can’t wait for the next one in the series! Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

Contemporary Small Town Romance

The Setup:

Parker is initially pitched as your classic small-town rake — the kind of guy you’d expect to find leaning against a bar with a cocky grin and commitment issues. But in truth? Cliche - but he's not the F-boy he projects. Delaney and he are thrown into a forced proximity situation (hello, log cabin) that fast-tracks their romantic connection.

The Vibe:

It’s steamy, it’s light, it’s easy. The kind of book you can knock over in an afternoon without breaking a mental sweat. The characters are pleasant enough, but they didn’t have the complexity or spark to make them stand out. There’s an attempt to give Delaney some depth via her emotionally manipulative ex, yet I found it hard to connect with that thread. It felt more like backstory wallpaper than something that shaped her character in any meaningful way.

The Trouble:

Insta-love is a tricky trope to land, and unfortunately, it didn’t work for me here. Their connection felt rushed and unearned — more chemistry-by-narrative decree than anything organic. Add to that the cookie-cutter setting and familiar small-town beats, and it all felt a little too been-there-read-that.

Final Thoughts:

This book isn’t trying to be anything other than what it is: a spicy, breezy romance for readers looking for low-stakes escapism. And on that front, it delivers. But if you’re craving emotional depth, original characterisation, or a love story that simmers before it sparks, this one might leave you a bit underwhelmed.


Rating: 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 for steam and ease of reading 🔥🐶

Set in the charming small town of Cedar Falls, Desired Hearts follows Parker, a lifelong resident and member of the Batchelor Pact—a group of men who’ve vowed to remain single after witnessing the heartbreak caused by unfaithful fathers. Enter Delaney, a newcomer to town and a pharmacist trying to rebuild her life after being hurt by love more than once.

Though Parker and Delaney have mutual friends, it takes time before their paths cross. When they finally meet, there’s an undeniable spark—but both carry the weight of past heartbreaks that keep them guarded. It’s only during a group ski trip that they begin to consider that maybe love is still worth the risk.

While I appreciated the premise and enjoyed the cozy small-town atmosphere, I found the pacing of Parker and Delaney’s relationship a little jarring—the shift from friends to something more felt too sudden to be entirely convincing. That said, I liked that both characters had personal dreams and ambitions beyond their romance, which added depth to their individual journeys. Overall, this is a sweet, slightly steamy story that will likely appeal to readers who enjoy small-town romance with themes of emotional healing and second chances.

Sweet, cozy love story! Fun, engaging characters that draw you right into their world! I so enjoyed all the characters of the Bachelor Pact. Looking forward to Beck & Cole’s stories. Definitely recommend adding this to your tbr list!

I loved this story it’s romantic, sweet, has a little drama. I always look forward to a new release from Cissy you know you’re getting a great romance.

There is so much banter in this book! I loved the relationships in the friend groups, and how well the guys and gals got along when they were together. The guys tease each other relentlessly.

Delaney is fresh from a breakup. Somehow, her path had not yet crossed with Parker. Once those paths cross, they can't keep their eyes off of each other. The attraction and tension is palpable. Except there's a bachelor pact.

They push each other to chase their dreams. If you will, I will. But leaving the safety of your current job for the unknown is not easy.

I recommend this book for spicy romance fans! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for the ARC! I received this copy in exchange for my honest review and as always I’m so appreciative of the opportunity.

The things that I really enjoyed about this small town romance was not to be cliche but the small town setting, the group of friends, and the kind MMC. The things that didn’t really work for me was the “insta love” aspect even though the I understand having to quickly build up due to the book length. I also totally get the having to give the backstory for the FMCs emotionally abusive/love bombing ex but I felt like it was overkill with the amount of times it was mentioned. Overall I just wanted more development between the characters. But it was very cute and I enjoyed the relatable characters with real lives.

I will be posting this review in full on my goodreads profile, featuring parts of this review on my Instagram account story, and placing the story into the highlights portion of my Instagram page under ARC reviews (or page) on 7/1/2025.

I love a small town romance and Desires Hearts fits the shoe. The main characters were great and I enjoyed being able to read about them and see them work through the issues.

I love a good small town romance and Desires Hearts fits the bill. Delaney and Parker were great and I enjoyed watching them work through not wanting to be in a relationship. This is a great summer read.

a pact to shield the heart is something many make for themselves. when a group all come together to do it its all fine, right? not quite sure you are meant to fall for someone on the pact. but love doesn't follow anyone's rules.
this book is a connected of sorts but standalone. its features all the pact gang and each get their own story. Cissy does a great job of catching you up but never makes it so you feel left out if this is your first entry to her books.
the characters in this book are so real and vivid. can picture it, you can picture them. you can see their workings and how they react and feel. books are good when you feel for the characters and care what happens in their stories and i was fully invested into our pair.
Parker and Delaney each come to their built walls for different reasons. but both still have them and both need to do some work, do some healing.
how they feel towards each other is something they both feel they dont want, or both dont want to want. but they keep seeing the best in each other and bringing the best out in each other. you are rooting for them all the way. you are just aching for them to sort it out, communicate. dont give up!
i really liked how this book showed you that you dont need to do this all alone. you can have fears and wants. you can have walls built and dreams you want to go for. but you dont need to be narrow in your vision, you dont always need to protect for less chance of hurt. that what you have grown up with also doesn't have to reflect how YOU will be.
their emotional hurdles felt genuine but there connection was even better, stronger and flirty banter just seeped through there was nothing these two could do to stop it,ha!
the small town feelings added such brightness and charm to this novel and also the friendship groups. good to see those in the males especially.

This was a cute, cosy small town romance.
The second in the series, this book follows Delaney and Parker. Both have aversions to relationships but their attraction is undeniable.
I really enjoyed this book, probably more than the first book in the series. It's paced well, the characters were both likeable, and the character development was great.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing an arc of this book.

Thank you boldwood books and NetGalley for the arc

I fully enjoyed it, it was a good pacing like the characters enjoyed the plot small town romance cute and fun and spice and friendships in it and what not to enjoy I realised this book 2 I now need to read book 1 (now on my TBR)
Overall 4 stars

Delaney is reeling from a bad breakup. Parker is part of the Bachelor Pact, and never stays the night. When Parker picks up his dad's prescription at the pharmacy, the two meet for the first time, which leads to a comical mix up.

I really enjoyed the character development in this one. The two fall into an easy camaraderie that quickly becomes more.

5/5

Quick, Flirty, and Full of Heart

Desired Hearts is a sweet small-town romance with fun banter, emotional undertones, and a cozy winter setting. Parker and Delaney are both dealing with personal struggles—his trust issues, her fear of chasing her true passion—and their chemistry is undeniable.

While I enjoyed their connection and the friend group dynamics, the romance developed a bit too quickly for me. The insta-love pacing made it harder to fully buy into their emotional arc.

Still, it’s a feel-good read with charm and warmth—perfect for fans of fast-burning, flirty love stories. Looking forward to what’s next in the Bachelor Pact series!

I think for me this one felt insta lovey again and Delaney kept bringing her ex up all the time which were both things I didn’t love but I did enjoy their romance and how they explored the theme of trust a lot which I think Parker had a hard time with because of his parents and I also liked how they pushed each other professionally too

2.5 Stars
One Liner: Feels too rushed

Cedar Falls
Parker moved into the Heritage Hill Inn in Cedar Falls to plan his next move while renovating the place. He joined the Bachelor Pact and found a family with his friends. He didn’t want to meet anyone, but life had other plans!
Delaney doesn’t want relationships either, so she is fine flirting with Parker. If being stuck in a cabin leads to a fling, why not? But as they get closer, they have to decide what they want.
The story comes in Parker and Delaney’s first-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
See, romance is one of my favorite and go-to genres. I love small town romance for the cozy vibes and sweet characters.
In theory, this book has everything to be a 4-star read. The characters are easy to like, and the friends are good. The setting is beautiful. The overarching plot is fun. There is spice. There are lovey-dovey scenes. There is a life lesson about taking risks and doing what you love (career-wise). A perfect list of ingredients.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the place, the log cabin, the snow, etc.
The side characters were interesting indeed. Beck, despite his OTTness, shows good promise.
The discussions around career risks and decisions were my favorite part of the book. Those were well done and realistic.
But…
The romance was so rushed!
Since it was a small book, the plot moved too quickly, even for insta-love. There wasn’t enough foundation for the characters to make such drastic changes to their decisions about relationships so soon after meeting each other.
Don’t get me wrong. I like low-stakes romance more than angsty romance. The latter feels too dramatic and gives me stress. However, there should be something for me to hold on to in the plot.
The spice was neither here nor there. I’ve read some really hot spice in books as well as sweet and wholesome romances by the same publisher. This one doesn’t seem to fit anywhere. The dirty talk was boring, maybe coz it felt so odd and unnatural (on that note, VH Nicolson writes it well). I might have liked this more if it had been closed-door.
There was a HEA and all, which was good and in-line with the genre. If the relationship progressed a bit slowly, it would have been a 3-star at least.
To summarize, Desired Hearts is a short book with nice characters and quick romance. If you want something to keep you occupied for a couple of hours, you can try this out.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Banter spice friendship grumpy x sunshine!

A must read especially for summer I will definitely be reading cissys other books!