Hung Up on Hadley

Red Maple Falls, Book 5

By: Theresa Paolo

Narrated by: Krista Nicely

For over 20 years, she secretly loved her brother's best friend, but now, the secret is out.

Hadley Hayes has been in love with her brother's best friend for as long as she can remember. Now, at 31, she's determined to make Sam see her as more than just the little girl who used to follow him around the family farm. Aware of his fear of commitment, she's ready to show him that "happily ever after" isn't just meant for the fairy tales.

Sam Bennett, Red Maple Falls fire chief and notorious bachelor, swore he'd never make a pass at any of his best friend's sisters, but when Hadley confesses her feelings, he can no longer deny their chemistry. Trying to hold on to a promise he made when he was only 15 becomes increasingly hard as their relationship intensifies.

When a tragic turn of events sends Sam spiraling, it reminds him that he's not the hero who everyone sees - he's the kid from the wrong side of the tracks who never really belonged.

Determined to prove Sam's worth, Hadley refuses to give up on him, but will her love be enough to pull him from the ashes, or will their happily ever after go down in flames?

©2017 Theresa Paolo (P)2019 Theresa Paolo

Sweet book

This is a friends to lover book and while it is the 5th book in the series, it is standalone although other people from prior books make appearances. Hadley has loved Sam, the fire chief for forever but they are friends and Sam doesn’t think he is good enough for her and also doesn’t want to ruin their friendship. Can she get past his barriers (including he is her brother’s best friend and Matt has warned him away from her)?

Overall, I liked the characters. I felt bad for Sam because he had such a bad perception of his worth. Hadley was sweet and I liked glimpses at prior characters. A bit too much push and pull with the couple but I enjoyed the book overall.

The audiobook was good with the same narrator as other books. As usual, given there are dual povs, i wish there was both a male and female narrator.

🎧AudiobookObsession, AudiobookObsessionReviewer

Another Fun Addition to this Series!

I have really enjoyed this series. I had been looking forward to Hadley's story, and it didn't disappoint. With a life long forbidden love, a hot firefighter, and a hero that needs someone to bring him back to living the life he once thrived in, it definitely has a lot to keep you reading. Once I started reading, I was hooked and needed to see where this story was going to take me.

I definitely recommend reading this series in order. I loved seeing the characters from book to book and getting little updates on their lives.

Like the rest of this series, this book is narrated in a more story telling style rather than a performance where the narrator "becomes" the characters, but I still enjoyed listening. If you are looking for a small town series with lots of connecting characters, this might be the one for you.

#AudiobookObsession

Can Sam and Hadley ever get together?

Hung Up on Hadley by Theresa Paola is another entry in the Maple Falls series of contemporary romances. Hadley is the younger sister of Matt, the town police chief and the most over-protective mane that ever lived. She is 31 years old and has been in love with Sam, the fire chief and Matt's best friend for 20 years. She has never told him, or anyone, how she feels, although nearly everyone else has figured it out...not Matt or Sam. Sam is a one-night-only type of guy. He believes that he is innately a bad guy, just like his father, who would ultimately hurt any woman with who he became involved. Finally, Kate, Hadley's older sister convinced her to tell Sam, let the chips fall where they may. One night she acts on that advice and, boom! Sam stops speaking to her, stops coming around her parents' house...basically freezes her out. He is drawn to her and cannot resist so he stays away, mostly. Finally they get together but that is not the end of the drama.

Hadley and Sam have appeared in earlier iterations of the Maple Falls series. They are likeable people, both old enough to have developed their own distinct personalities. Hadley is a farmer and animal lover and nothing will ever change her. She is typically dirty and often has specks of hay in her hair. Sam spends his time trying to be a good person: he helps anyone in the community who needs, gutters cleaned, snow shoveled, plumbing done. He is stubborn but resilient. There are many characters that live in Maple Falls, not the least of which is Hadley's grandmother, Betty, a born matchmaker, who curiously have never plied her skills on Sam and Hadley.

Krista Nicely was a good reader who has read other Maple Falls books. She does a nice job of making it clear who is speaking without resorting to odd voices. This is the ideal book to listen to, light and fun, serious, but positive, with a nice happily-ever-after ending. I recommend it in whichever form: audio or print.

I received a free copy of the audio book from the author. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own.

Friends to lovers!

When you are in love with your brothers best friend, should you tell him? Hadley had bern friends with Dan forever and loved him just as long. Sam sees her as a sister, but Hadley thinks it’s time to let him know how she feels. Now what will happen? He can either return her love or push her away? Will it be worth the risk? And what will her brother Matt think? This friends to lovers story has all the things I love in a book. It has family dynamics, sneaking around and passion in high doses! It’s fun and flirty, frustrating and exhilarating. Hadley is someone I can easily relate to. She knows who she loves and isn’t afraid to let him know. Sam is tough, as he needs some self confidence boosting, but well worth the work! And all the family appearances and getting see how all their relationships have progressed is just a bonus! I love this series! Are we going to get to meet Daisy next?

Krista Nicely keeps bringing this town to life. From Matt and Shea to Hadley and Sam she gives us consistency in voices and that home town feeling. She is this family and keeps it entertaining!

brother's best friend

Sam's father left when he was young, which left him with feelings, he wasn't good enough for anyone. So no attachments, only one night stands,
no-one gets hurt. Hadley has always loved Sam , they were childhood friends, they did everything together until the day she told him she loved him. Sam had demons that he was battling inside. How could anyone love him? He would never be good enough for anyone. He became withdrawn, and ignores her. She isn't going to give up on him easily. Can she convince him, she's the one woman that he needs? i enjoyed this second chance romance.
Krista Nicely portrayed the characters with love and emotion. I enjoyed listening to this story.
🎧audiobookobsessionreview🎧