Review: One Wrong Move by Olivia Hayle by Olivia Hayle

One Wrong Move by Olivia Hayle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author, all opinions are my own.

This is the third book in the Connovan Chronicles, however it can be read as a standalone.  Each of the books follows one of the Connovan siblings as they navigate the daily grind of running a successful corporation while finding love.  This installment follows the middle sibling, Nate, who runs the London office and spearheads most of the European business for the company while his siblings head up the New York office.

Nate has been in love with his best friend's girl for 4 years.  He saw her first, but his lack of action that fateful night has lead him to years of misery.  Harper is a delightful art historian, but her former fiancé didn't felt her place was on his arm not in a gallery.  As her wedding date approaches, Harper decides that she doesn't want to be his arm candy and wants to continue to persue her art career and takes a chance on a training program in London to get away from her ex, her family and everything she knows.  

This was a little on the slow side for me.  I love a good slow burn, and while I appreciate Nate giving Harper space, Harper seemed completely out of touch when it came to Nate.  She was oblivious to his feelings for her, even after he put them out there.  Harper spent a bit too much time pushing Nate to maintain his relationship with her ex, a relationship that Nate didn't really put much effort into and wasn't really set on keeping.   Eventually they talk it out, but it takes a long time to get there.  I liked all of the sweet things Nate did for Harper to help her check things off of her list, which helped them get to know each other better and spend quality time together.  When conflict arises Connie, Nate's sister, has great advice for both Nate and Harper and she clearly explains both sides in such a wonderful way.  I really appreciated the author's commentary about agency and independence.

Overall this is a fun age gap (10 years) romance that really made me want to visit London and an art gallery or two.  I enjoyed the characters and getting to know them.  

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Review: The Perfect Mistake by Olivia Hayle

The Perfect Mistake by Olivia Hayle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author, all opinions are my own.

While this is the second book in The Connovan Chronicles, it does read as a complete standalone. I do highly recommend reading Best Enemies Forever as well. It is where we first meet Isabel and Alec. That is also where we get to know Connie and Gabriel, so if you want to understand their backstory, you can do so there. Don't worry if you haven't read that one yet, you get all of the necessary information you need for the main characters in this installment and I feel you can read the in either order.

This follows Isabel, a professional ballerina who has been forced to take a hiatus from dancing due to an injury. Her best friend Connie suggests she take up nannying while she rehabs and figures out next steps. Connie also happens to know that her older brother desperately needs a nanny ASAP as his last nanny quit abruptly. Alec is CEO of a successful corporation and his kids have run off every nanny he has ever hired. With Connie's glowing recommendation, he agrees to hire Isabel, the only problem is he is 15 years her senior and extremely attracted to her. As Isabel settles into routines with the kids and they begin to warm to her, joy begins to return to the Connovan home. Isabel isn't afraid to advocate for the kids when they need Alec to change his routines, and she certainly isn't afraid to let him know that she reciprocates the attraction that is growing between them.

If you like an age gap, semi-slow burn romance, with a decent amount of spice give this one a read. Alec and Isabel have good chemistry, but Alec is slow to move on his feelings because of his desire to do what is best for everyone. He has a hard time breaking the habits he learned as a child and built over time when it comes to relationships. I'm never a fan of a main character (male or female) telling someone else what is best for them or how they will feel, Alec does a lot of that, instead owning up to his own feelings. It takes him a while to get there, but he eventually does get there. Isabel is no stranger to working hard and being patient for the things that she wants, she is willing to wait for Alec as he figures things out. I do appreciate that the talked through their issues, even if Alec was stubborn and not always listening. While this is a romance at the heart, there are some somber moments that deal with grief and loss, and both characters are finding their way back to happiness again both with each other and in life itself.

Overall, I really loved this. I am loving getting to know the Connovan family and I'm very much looking forward to Nate's book.

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