It could be too early to tell, but Hard Feelings might be my favorite read of the year. It has a satisfying mix of romance, humor, and emotional depth. Not to mention the sizzling chemistry and heartfelt character growth. Loathe-to-lovers trope paired with accidental marriage works especially well here, with Dom and Cecily proving to be a genuinely well-matched pair. Their banter is sharp and fun, their connection feels earned, and once the central misunderstanding is resolved, their relationship truly excels. A slight downside was the original cause of the miscommunication. That didn’t exactly land for me; thankfully, the conflict was resolved quickly.

Both Dom and Cecily have a complicated relationship with their families. For Cecily, she’s always felt like the “difficult” child. Hard to love and harder to understand. She had every intention of telling her family the truth about her marriage to Dom; however, when her father demanded that she annul the marriage, she felt defiant and took her back to her childhood.

Her grandma stands out as a powerful and loving presence. She is one person who has always been firmly in her corner. Cecily’s world shatters when she learns that Grandma is dying and has orchestrated one last family road trip as a way for them heal old wounds and resolve long-standing conflicts. Although there are moments of confrontation, the resolution with her parents felt less satisfying than the arc involving her older brother, Duke. His reconciliation with Cecily was more emotionally complete and rewarding.

Both Dom and Cecily are actively working through their pasts and repairing old wounds as they build something new together. Dom understood that parents can love their children and still cause deep harm. He sees his parents as flawed people and carries resentment over the instability in his childhood. However, Cecily’s arc does feel more fully resolved.

Final Thoughts

Hard Feelings is a highlight of the year. It delivers a tender, emotionally rich romance that shines in its character work. The book has a few small flaws; however, the story more than makes up for them with heartfelt growth, healing, and a love story that feels both passionate and genuine.

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