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pn_hinton's review
4.0
This was a cute, sweet, short, romantic read. I enjoyed it and it didn't take me long to get through. There were times I wanted to shake the character's for their actions and I think that's more to do with the fact that they were young fresh out of college twenty-somethings and I am not. By any stretch of the imagination. Still, it was a sweet read. I loved Rayanne's passion for the elders and how she as always concerned about them and that was her driving force. However she also had to be
reminded that she couldn't control everything or people.
Henry's path was a bit more muddled but he did make some growth throughout the story. Because if there is one thing I can't stand it's a story where no one learns anything. His relationship with his mother was interesting and I would have liked to know more behind that besides the snippets that we got but that is probably something expanded on later in the series since the author went around to a few more PoVs in this one than just the main couple.
It did take a bit to find its footing though. And there were many parts that it felt jumbled and rushed. Some of the character personality seemed a bit inconsistent at times but maybe that something that improves with the rest of the series. It's not a cliffhanger for the main pair's story, but there are things that are left unresolved at the end, which the author does warn about.
It's also primarily a 'fade to black' romance and doesn't get too explicit. That's not necessarily a deal breaker or maker for me but I think it's good to know going in for habitual romance readers. I feel that to get a more well rounded sense of the overall story you would have to read the rest but this will not leave you unsatisfied.
reminded that she couldn't control everything or people.
Henry's path was a bit more muddled but he did make some growth throughout the story. Because if there is one thing I can't stand it's a story where no one learns anything. His relationship with his mother was interesting and I would have liked to know more behind that besides the snippets that we got but that is probably something expanded on later in the series since the author went around to a few more PoVs in this one than just the main couple.
It did take a bit to find its footing though. And there were many parts that it felt jumbled and rushed. Some of the character personality seemed a bit inconsistent at times but maybe that something that improves with the rest of the series. It's not a cliffhanger for the main pair's story, but there are things that are left unresolved at the end, which the author does warn about.
It's also primarily a 'fade to black' romance and doesn't get too explicit. That's not necessarily a deal breaker or maker for me but I think it's good to know going in for habitual romance readers. I feel that to get a more well rounded sense of the overall story you would have to read the rest but this will not leave you unsatisfied.
elemomi's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Solid series opener that laid the groundwork for the rest of the books in the series. I really enjoyed Henry’s growth and even though the resolution to his living and job situation was predictable, I’m happy that it was the result. The romance between Henry and Rayanne was cute and a solid example of rivals-to-lovers. I really appreciated that the author showed so much of the breadth of Indigenous culture in the context of the urban centre - I wasn’t surprised that she highlighted that in her author's note. At the same time, she created contrast with a reader’s own experiences with issues like elder care by sharing details that were more specific and engaging.
The only thing that didn’t work for me were the chapters that focussed on Linda and Arnie, especially since they get their own book at the end of the series.
The only thing that didn’t work for me were the chapters that focussed on Linda and Arnie, especially since they get their own book at the end of the series.
thebeesreads_'s review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
readingwithhippos's review
4.0
I’ve been looking for romance by and about Native Americans for a while now, and I was SO TICKLED to find Heartbeat Braves thanks to the Book Riot romance newsletter. It’s set at an urban Indian center and the heroine, Rayanne, has a passion for elder care and helping indigenous people who live in her city. Unfortunately, the center is chronically underfunded and struggling to get the momentum to complete projects. When a prominent board member hires his nephew Henry to fill a position Rayanne thought would be hers, Rayanne has to bite her tongue, swallow her pride, and help the clueless newbie in order to keep the center up and going. The thing is, Henry’s not a bad guy, and Rayanne’s enthusiasm for the work is contagious. Sparks will fly and people who need help will be served! Social justice + new love = an unstoppable combo.
kappareads's review
3.0
This was a cute relationship, even if it wasn't my favorite out of every romance book. It did do some things different, namely having more than just two POVs and not having a rushed 11th hour break up.
loasa's review
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
what_karla_reads's review
DNF at 26%
For a short book, I am dragging my feet with this one. I can't seem to care much about Rayanne or Henry. Maybe I'll be able to tolerate their personalities another day, but I'm throwing in the towel right now.
Tropes (so far):
Work place romance
Rivals to lovers
Native American culture and rep
Opposites attract
Multiple POV
For a short book, I am dragging my feet with this one. I can't seem to care much about Rayanne or Henry. Maybe I'll be able to tolerate their personalities another day, but I'm throwing in the towel right now.
Tropes (so far):
Work place romance
Rivals to lovers
Native American culture and rep
Opposites attract
Multiple POV
thebookdivareads's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
kblincoln's review
4.0
Rayanne and Henry were a pleasant, challenging surprise for me both in the romantic roles they played and in the ways they seemed caught up in family and cultural ties. Definitely the book to pick up if you're looking for a refresher of a Romance when feeling a bit jaded by all the same old, same old.
This isn't your usual, white-bread, contemporary, here. There are both stylistic and content things in the book that are a bit challenging. Firstly, when talking about Romance, the elephant in the room is the steam level, right? I was disappointed in their very first kiss-encounter, it had none of the delicious, slo-mo build up I love so much. But then the somewhat more slow-paced and graphic foreplay (there's no actual on-screen panky going on) scenes I totally got the Romance fix I was looking for along with some laughs as Henry has trouble taking his shoes off and Rayanne has to ring out her Condom Treasure Box. Excellent dash of realistic self-awareness in both Henry and Rayanne as they face getting physical with each other that i appreciated.
And Henry is not an alpha male. He's Beta to the max. He's kind of homeless and teetering on top of loser territory, but somehow the book still makes him real and attractive and caring. It's interesting that Rayanne almost always has the upper hand in everything.
And then there's the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center itself, and the diverse NDN staff that works there. Sanderson herself is Karuk, and works in Indian affairs, and you can totally see the measured and sensitive way she approaches the self-deprecating jokes, the racist behaviors Henry has to deal with, and the differences in tribal customs that has Rayanne appreciating an elder singing at a drum circle even while acknowledging to herself that it isn't part of her family tradition.
Where the book shines is depicting the familial friction between Rayanne and a beloved Grandfather who's navigating the grey area of slowly becoming less able to care for himself, and Henry's constant pressure from his mother and Uncle Arnie (who is a POV character himself in some short segments that I guess are setting him up to be a main character in a later book) to be more conventionally successful.
Didn't like the cliffhanger at the end of the book about the fate of the Crooked Rock Center itself, but that's a personal taste issue :)
This isn't your usual, white-bread, contemporary, here. There are both stylistic and content things in the book that are a bit challenging. Firstly, when talking about Romance, the elephant in the room is the steam level, right? I was disappointed in their very first kiss-encounter, it had none of the delicious, slo-mo build up I love so much. But then the somewhat more slow-paced and graphic foreplay (there's no actual on-screen panky going on) scenes I totally got the Romance fix I was looking for along with some laughs as Henry has trouble taking his shoes off and Rayanne has to ring out her Condom Treasure Box. Excellent dash of realistic self-awareness in both Henry and Rayanne as they face getting physical with each other that i appreciated.
And Henry is not an alpha male. He's Beta to the max. He's kind of homeless and teetering on top of loser territory, but somehow the book still makes him real and attractive and caring. It's interesting that Rayanne almost always has the upper hand in everything.
And then there's the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center itself, and the diverse NDN staff that works there. Sanderson herself is Karuk, and works in Indian affairs, and you can totally see the measured and sensitive way she approaches the self-deprecating jokes, the racist behaviors Henry has to deal with, and the differences in tribal customs that has Rayanne appreciating an elder singing at a drum circle even while acknowledging to herself that it isn't part of her family tradition.
Where the book shines is depicting the familial friction between Rayanne and a beloved Grandfather who's navigating the grey area of slowly becoming less able to care for himself, and Henry's constant pressure from his mother and Uncle Arnie (who is a POV character himself in some short segments that I guess are setting him up to be a main character in a later book) to be more conventionally successful.
Didn't like the cliffhanger at the end of the book about the fate of the Crooked Rock Center itself, but that's a personal taste issue :)