After a bitter breakup, Sherrie Parker seeks refuge at her cousin Dave’s house in rural West Virginia. Early one morning, she runs into Dave’s other houseguest, a singer named Curtis Taylor. The last thing Sherrie wants is to share living quarters with a country music crooner—even if he is sexy, in a cowboy sort of way.
Thrown together by circumstances, Sherrie and Curtis get off to a rocky start, but soon discover they have more in common than they ever imagined. Unable to fight their growing attraction, they give in to their desires and start a sizzling summer romance.
Everything is perfect between them until Sherrie discovers that Curtis is keeping secrets from her—and his biggest secret of all will change everything. Can their newfound love survive, or will destiny keep them apart forever?
Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.
In August 2024, Kelli released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.
Kelli released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets, in April 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.
She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in early 2023.
Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and to find all her social media links.
Reviewed by JoAnne Book provided by Kelli A. Wilkins Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Country music plays a big role in Trust with Hearts and Sherrie, Dave’s cousin, isn’t a fan. She’s her cousin’s house guest after running away from her abusive fiance and upcoming wedding and Curtis, the songwriting cowboy who’s a wannabe singer – at least in her eyes – that she doesn’t like much, is staying with Dave too, but in his cottage. They each have their reasons for being there but Sherrie is more open than Curtis is. He has a lot of secrets and it’s getting him in a lot of hot water with Sherrie the more they’re attracted to each other. Their chemistry is electric and the book is a steamier read than I expected. Watching them take two steps forward and then jump back was interesting especially the deeper they got involved with one another.
We get to know Sherrie and Curtis a little at a time. They both have a depth to them and we get to know them as they open up to each other but also through their conversations with Dave. Curtis isn’t all that he seems but what will happen when Sherrie learns who he really is? I loved that Sherrie jumped right in to the pet adoption idea that she and Curtis came up with since she had to do something with her days and I enjoyed her interactions with Mrs. Bainbridge and all she did for her and her Kitty Corner. Cats played a major role in the story.
There are family and friends, sorrow, loss, sadness, fear, anger, hurt, angst, tears, laughter, happiness, lots of loving and ultimately love. There is a nice flow to the story and I loved Curtis’ memories of growing up with his grandmother and what an important role she played in his life even now. I liked his nickname for Sherrie, Yankee Girl, since she comes from Philly. There was nice closure especially with the epilogue. There is a happily-ever-after but I’d love to go back to West Virginia and see where Dave’s life takes him. He was in the background in the story line even when he was front and center and integrally involved in both Sherrie and Curtis’ lives as well as the town he lived in. His love life definitely needs a boost!
Wilkins is a new to me author and I look forward to reading more of her books in the contemporary and historical romance genres – two that I especially love.
Favorite Quote: “It’s all twangy banjos and tortured violins. It’s music to cry by. Who wants to hear miserable depressed fools pining over someone who never really loved them?” She fell silent as she realized she had just described her life in one sentence. “I’d rather listen to dueling chainsaws than sad songs in spurs.”
After a bitter breakup, Sherrie Parker seeks refuge at her cousin Dave’s house in rural West Virginia. Early one morning, she runs into Dave’s other houseguest, a singer named Curtis Taylor. The last thing Sherrie wants is to share living quarters with a country music crooner – even if he is sexy, in a cowboy sort of way. Thrown together by circumstances, Sherrie and Curtis get off to a rocky start, but soon discover they have more in common than they ever imagined. Unable to fight their growing attraction, they give in to their desires and start a sizzling summer romance. Everything is perfect between them until Sherrie discovers that Curtis is keeping secrets from her – and his biggest secret of all will change everything. Can their newfound love survive, or will destiny keep them apart forever?
Couldn't put it down! It's a must read! The characters and the story connected beautiful. You can feel everything that Sherrie went through and then get charmed by Curtis. Couldn't put it down. love reading Kelli's stories and truly love this one more. You can feel their feelings for each other and the hurt when they fought. The story flow beautifully where I didn't realize I was still reading it and so much time went by. Almost forgot to get dinner ready because I was so into the story. Loved how everything turned out when at times you thought they weren't going to make it. I actually felt heartache from Sherrie when she thought for sure that Curtis was gone, but luckily he comes back and she realizes how much he was hurting for her. When I got to the end of the story, I couldn't believe it was the end. Hoping for a second one where it continues where we left off with them. Once you start to read it, you'll never want to put it down. I recommended this book to a fellow friend.