Claire Contreras

I lost her. No, I didn't lose her. I threw her away. She was my best friend. I was never supposed to fall in love with her. I was careless. She was heartbroken. I thought I was doing fine. But here she is, years later, forced to work with me, reminding me why I fell in love with her in the first place. And this time I'm going to do everything in my power to never let her go.

Paper Hearts

I lost her.No, I didn't lose her. I threw her away.She was my best friend.I was never supposed to fall in love with her.I was careless.She was heartbroken. I thought I was doing fine. But here she is, years later, forced to work with me, reminding me why I fell in love with her in the first place.And this time I'm going to do everything in my power to never let her go.

celene

Sven Test

This review was originally published on Latte Nights Reviews.

I hadn't even finished reading this book when it made it to my 2015 favorites without a second thought! I thought Kaleidoscope Hearts was amazing but this?! BLEW ME AWAY! Half the time I was trying not to cry and the other half I was aw'ing a lot. I think I exceeded my limit of saying "aw". I made 29 highlights in this book. That's probably the most I've highlighted in my life. There's even a long paragraph included in those highlights because this book was life... This book IS life. Let me try to explain why I loved this book so much but seriously, you HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK! For you to feel everything I felt while reading this wonderful book, you have to buy this book as soon as it comes out because you will not regret it. Jensen will have you falling in love with his words, his story... Just everything. This second-chance romance has made me feel what I haven't felt with others. It's been hours since I read this book and just writing this paragraph it's making me want to cry because this book is safely tucked in my heart forever.

Jensen and Mia have known each other since they were young—they were best friends. Both fell in love but Jensen had to go away to college. While in college, he made a mistake that left Mia extremely heart-broken and she walked out of his life. Years later, Mia gets a temporary job where Jensen works and they see each other again. Their feelings arise stronger than ever and they now have the opportunity to try again. But Mia is still very broken over the mistake Jensen made and it's going to take a lot for Mia to forgive someone who shattered her heart into tiny pieces.

She walked to the door and looked back at me one last time, her eyes trailing all over my face and down my body, and I just knew this was goodbye. I don't know why I expected anything more.*

ensen is not perfect. He made a huge mistake that even broke me but I forgave him quickly. I probably wouldn't have forgiven him so fast if it had happened to me but we get to read his column in the newspaper and he is so vulnerable with his words and so open about his love life and "the girl who got away" that I couldn't help but love him. The moments he spends with Mia are so magical. He gives her everything that he is, he shows how vulnerable he truly is so she can see he is deeply sorry wants a second chance. All the while, he is so devoted to her and romantic towards her. He really gives her his all.

“Some say I loved her to the point of madness, bordering on obsession […] Perhaps they’re all right. Perhaps I am mad. And if that’s the case, to be frank, I don’t give a damn. What I know is that she sets me on fire […] you'd see the trails of blaze she left behind. [...] I’d rather live my life in flames than be numb without her.”*

I loved Mia's character. Even though her heart's been shattered, she continues to live. Does she have her weak moments? Absolutely, but she doesn't stay home moping around all day and night. She spends time with family, friends and goes to work. I do have to admit there came a point where I got frustrated with Mia—it was near the end of the book. I know Jensen broke her heart but she constantly would break his even when he was putting everything on the line for her. I do understand where she's coming from but I was still upset because the guy was really trying and giving it his all for her.

What I don't understand is fighting for somebody time and time again, and proving that you'll be there no matter what, and having them give up. Just like that.*

Before reading this story, I read it's prequel Torn Hearts and I knew I was in for heart-ache and tears with those only 8 chapters. Paper Hearts started right where Torn Hearts left off so I'm glad I read these two books one after the other. This book is a second-chance romance like no other. It will have you laughing at some quotes these characters come up with but mostly, it will leave you breathless, wanting more of this beautiful story that I can't seem to get enough of. Claire's writing in this story was magical. There're no other words for how wonderfully written this story is. The pacing and the dialogue was  near perfection. I mostly loved Jensen. He is a writer and his words seem to come to life. If a man like him talks to me like that, I'd probably become pudding at his feet.

"And I say to you, Mia Bennett—my photographer, my eyes, the girl of my dreams, the villain in my nightmares—that everything I owe, I owe to the night you let me look into your eyes and see the possibilities the world had to offer."*

I mean, when a man talks to you like that, you'd probably melt as well. This is a very well-written compelling story. One that will break your heart into pieces but it will slowly mend it as you go through these characters' journeys. I will never forget this story. I never forgot about Kaleidoscope Hearts so I'm sure I will NEVER forget this story that meant so much to me. It really is a 2015 favorite.

"Real love stories never end."*

*Quotes taken from advanced copy which may not end up in final copy.*

Nicki 

Wow I was completely entranced by every single word in this book. I love a good second chance romance, this one included! I was hooked immediately, and there wasn’t a dull moment. My heart ached for Mia and Jenson, but in the end it felt so full. Their connection and love could be felt through the pages. I’m obsessed!!!

Tiffany Engler

Okay, so another second chance romance. I was kind of excited about this book because in Kaleidoscope Hearts, I loved Mia. I loved her outgoing character and I really wanted to read her story. But, this is yet another book I was hoping didn’t have a happy ending!!

I am glad with how it ended though, it was super cute. Although, reading this book makes me wish I had such great friends like Mia and Jenson. It also makes me happy that Claire gave Jenson and Krista a great relationship, even though their marriage ended. I love seeing parents working it out even though they’re not together anymore. Also, can I point out that if my dad were Mia’s, he would have killed Jenson.

And can I just say how beautiful the cover is?? I just love how creative it is! With that being said, I’m giving Paper Hearts four stars. I don’t feel like it quite deserves five and it definitely doesn’t deserve less than four.

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

“Real love stories never end.”

Second chance romances are probably my favorite kinds of romances to read. The angst, the heartbreak, the reunion, the rekindled love… everything about the trope just appeals to me. So I had high expectations for Paper Hearts – ever since I read Kaleidoscope Hearts (my review here) and Torn Hearts (the free prequel novella to Paper Hearts), Mia and Jensen’s story was a highly anticipated read of mine. And I’m so glad to say that Claire Contreras didn’t let me down – Paper Hearts is a fantastic, heart-wrenching second chance romance that I wholeheartedly enjoyed. It’s the kind of book that will tug on your heartstrings, make your heart pound, and leave you breathless.

It’s been said that we’re only given one chance at things in life. I’d love to prove that wrong.

Normally, I'm not sure I would've been able to read this book – but I felt like I just HAD to know Mia and Jensen's story. In the prequel (which is also in the beginning of Paper Hearts), we learn that Jensen and Mia were the inseparable, totally-in-love kind of couple. But when Jensen goes off to college, their relationship takes a break… and then Jensen does something that changes the course of their lives forever. My heart broke for the two of them – they went from being best friends who were in love to being shattered beyond repair. I honestly didn’t know if I’d be able to forgive Jensen for what he did. But reading Paper Hearts has put everything in perspective, and now I’m just so glad to have experienced Mia and Jensen’s love story.

My heart felt like it wanted to leap out and settle inside of his. Not again, I told myself. I knew if it did, I’d never get it back.

Mia and Jensen have rarely seen each other in the years since they’ve broken apart, but now Mia is moving to New York City to work as a photographer at the same place Jensen writes his column. In the same city and in the same workplace, it’s inevitable that they’ll see each other again. And when they do, it’s obvious that the love between them has never waned, as much as Mia wishes it would. But with Jensen determined to win back the love of his life, can Mia find it in herself to forgive him and move on… with him?

Mia is a wonderful, well-rounded character. My heart was completely invested in this girl, who’s been through so much heartbreak because of Jensen. She’s smart and tough, and though she’s not without faults – she was partly to blame for her and Jensen’s bad breakup, though the majority of the blame definitely belongs to him – I really enjoyed her character. And I was all ready to be totally pissed at Jensen on her behalf, but Jensen surprised me, in the best way. Through the little snippets of his column, written in his POV, we see how much he regrets hurting Mia, how devastated at their breakup he was, and how much he still wants another chance. I could literally FEEL how much Jensen still loves Mia, which was something I definitely needed in this book. I also was expecting a lot of groveling, and the columns were basically that. Claire Contreras did a fantastic job with Jensen’s character, showing his flaws, his motivations, and most of all, his complete devotion to Mia.

Maybe our souls really are scattered in the things we love, and we are all completely lost, but from the moment she looked at me, I felt like I’d been found.

I was expecting a lot of angst in Paper Hearts, but I’d say the angst was more sweet than anything. Both the main characters have grown up and matured over the years, which I appreciated. The pace of the book was spot-on – there are a lot of obstacles that Jensen and Mia need to overcome before they can finally have that HEA, and everything played out at the perfect pace. Even though I may not have completely loved Paper Hearts, it’s still a brilliant read that fans of second chance romances should not miss. It’s a GREAT read, one I recommend – if you’re into intense love stories that will make you will feel so much, you should definitely give this book a try. You won’t regret it!

“I love you, and there’s no negotiating with what I feel in my heart.”

RELEASE DATE: SEPT. 9, 2015

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Thanks to the author for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1Olw20R

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Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

This review was originally published on Latte Nights Reviews.

I hadn't even finished reading this book when it made it to my 2015 favorites without a second thought! I thought 
  Kaleidoscope Hearts
 was amazing but this?! BLEW ME AWAY! Half the time I was trying not to cry and the other half I was aw'ing a lot. I think I exceeded my limit of saying "aw". I made 29 highlights in this book. That's probably the most I've highlighted in my life. There's even a long paragraph included in those highlights because this book was life... This book IS life. Let me try to explain why I loved this book so much but seriously, you HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK! For you to feel everything I felt while reading this wonderful book, you have to buy this book as soon as it comes out because you will not regret it. Jensen will have you falling in love with his words, his story... Just everything. This second-chance romance has made me feel what I haven't felt with others. It's been hours since I read this book and just writing this paragraph it's making me want to cry because this book is safely tucked in my heart forever.

Jensen and Mia have known each other since they were young—they were best friends. Both fell in love but Jensen had to go away to college. While in college, he made a mistake that left Mia extremely heart-broken and she walked out of his life. Years later, Mia gets a temporary job where Jensen works and they see each other again. Their feelings arise stronger than ever and they now have the opportunity to try again. But Mia is still very broken over the mistake Jensen made and it's going to take a lot for Mia to forgive someone who shattered her heart into tiny pieces.

She walked to the door and looked back at me one last time, her eyes trailing all over my face and down my body, and I just knew this was goodbye. I don't know why I expected anything more.*

ensen is not perfect. He made a huge mistake that even broke me but I forgave him quickly. I probably wouldn't have forgiven him so fast if it had happened to me but we get to read his column in the newspaper and he is so vulnerable with his words and so open about his love life and "the girl who got away" that I couldn't help but love him. The moments he spends with Mia are so magical. He gives her everything that he is, he shows how vulnerable he truly is so she can see he is deeply sorry wants a second chance. All the while, he is so devoted to her and romantic towards her. He really gives her his all.

“Some say I loved her to the point of madness, bordering on obsession […] Perhaps they’re all right. Perhaps I am mad. And if that’s the case, to be frank, I don’t give a damn. What I know is that she sets me on fire […] you'd see the trails of blaze she left behind. [...] I’d rather live my life in flames than be numb without her.”*

I loved Mia's character. Even though her heart's been shattered, she continues to live. Does she have her weak moments? Absolutely, but she doesn't stay home moping around all day and night. She spends time with family, friends and goes to work. I do have to admit there came a point where I got frustrated with Mia—it was near the end of the book. I know Jensen broke her heart but she constantly would break his even when he was putting everything on the line for her. I do understand where she's coming from but I was still upset because the guy was really trying and giving it his all for her.

What I don't understand is fighting for somebody time and time again, and proving that you'll be there no matter what, and having them give up. Just like that.*

Before reading this story, I read it's prequel Torn Hearts and I knew I was in for heart-ache and tears with those only 8 chapters. Paper Hearts started right where Torn Hearts left off so I'm glad I read these two books one after the other. This book is a second-chance romance like no other. It will have you laughing at some quotes these characters come up with but mostly, it will leave you breathless, wanting more of this beautiful story that I can't seem to get enough of. Claire's writing in this story was magical. There're no other words for how wonderfully written this story is. The pacing and the dialogue was  near perfection. I mostly loved Jensen. He is a writer and his words seem to come to life. If a man like him talks to me like that, I'd probably become pudding at his feet.

"And I say to you, Mia Bennett—my photographer, my eyes, the girl of my dreams, the villain in my nightmares—that everything I owe, I owe to the night you let me look into your eyes and see the possibilities the world had to offer."*

I mean, when a man talks to you like that, you'd probably melt as well. This is a very well-written compelling story. One that will break your heart into pieces but it will slowly mend it as you go through these characters' journeys. I will never forget this story. I never forgot about Kaleidoscope Hearts so I'm sure I will NEVER forget this story that meant so much to me. It really is a 2015 favorite.

"Real love stories never end."*

*Quotes taken from advanced copy which may not end up in final copy.*