Sweet Little Hearts

From New York Times bestselling author Shanora Williams comes a deeply heartfelt romance about the tragedies that put our lives on hold—and the love that makes us want to start again.

Javier Valdez hasn’t had much luck with nannies, and he can’t imagine this one will be any different. Octavia Klein is all sass to his stoicism, free spirit to his hard work. But he’s a widower, and with a career in the NBA, he can’t keep doing this alone.

Despite Javier’s reservations, Octavia turns out to be the best thing for his four-year-old daughter…and for him. But he’s reluctant to admit it. Javier swore off love after his wife died, and Octavia has her own reasons for avoiding relationships.

As their bond deepens far past professionalism or even friendship, it’s hard to deny the crackling tension of something more. They’re both toeing lines they said they wouldn’t cross—and when their pasts come rushing back, there’s no telling which way they’ll fall.

With old wounds reopened, can Javier and Octavia overcome the pain once again? Or will their future together become just another scar?

©2025 by Shanora Williams. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Shanora does it again!!

A wonderful book with a heartfelt and engaging storyline. This story beautifully explores love, trust, and the unexpected connections that change everything. When a professional athlete finds himself juggling fatherhood and a demanding career, hiring a nanny feels like his last option. Enter a free spirited, warm hearted woman who turns his carefully controlled world upside down. Their personalities clash at first his rigid structure versus her laid back charm, but that contrast quickly becomes one of the story's greatest strengths. The adorable child adds an extra layer of sweetness, grounding the romance with genuine emotion. The banter is witty, the chemistry is undeniable, and the emotional moments are perfectly timed without feeling overwhelming. Each character is thoughtfully developed, with meaningful backstories that deepen the connection to the plot. Overall, this is a well layered, feel good read filled with charm, growth, and a love story that lingers long after the final page. Thank you to Shanora for the ARC!!

Spicy and romantic

I loved this story because it was a reminder that we all deserve second chances after being broken.

Beautifully written

This book was emotional, tender, and just beautifully done. Shanora Williams really knows how to show love in the softest moments while still keeping things real. The connection felt genuine, and the emotions hit deep. This was my second book by this author and once again… I was grabbing tissues. Everything fell into place the way it should, the little bit of messiness didn’t drag on, and of course—I’m a sucker for a happy ending. Such a touching read that definitely stayed with me. 💕

heart warming

This was a cute single daddy/nanny interracial basketball romance.
Javier is a grieving single father who wants everything to be perfect for his daughter, who's mother died shortly after giving birth.
Octavia is a loose cannon who's wormed her way into his daughter's heart. And slowly into his.
Grief, traumatic relationships and an adorable 4 yr old girl.
Aure Nash did a fantastic job narrating. He extras were so good and really made this story come to life.

Beautiful Story, Outstanding Dual Narration

The dual narration was excellent, and the voice actors truly enhanced the story. Each narrator brought so much emotion, nuance, and warmth to their characters that it was easy to fall completely in love with Javier and Octavia, Their performances made the grief, healing, and slow-building romance feel even more intimate and real.

This is a sports romance, but the heart of the story is emotional healing and found family, and the narration captured that balance perfectly. The pacing, tone, and emotional delivery kept me fully engaged, so much so that I found myself switching between audio and reading just because I couldn’t stop.

If you enjoy audiobooks where the narration elevates the story and deepens your connection to the characters, this one is absolutely worth the listen.