Book Review: Hooked on You (Maple Falls) by Kathleen Fuller

Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller is a sweet contemporary romance, and the first in the Maple Falls series. Riley McAllister is living the dream in New York City, if the dream means being a struggling mixed-media artist, part-time food delivery driver, and having a carefully curated social media to hide all of the above. She refuses to admit defeat and move back to small-town Maple Falls, but when her grandmother breaks her leg sliding into third base during a softball game (she was safe, by the way), Riley reluctantly agrees to go home and help the woman who raised her—while secretly hoping she can convince Mimi to sell her house and yarn shop and move in with a good friend. Then Riley can return to her new life in NYC, on her own and for good. But Mimi has her own plans, which include setting Riley up with local baseball star Hayden Price, who returned to Maple Falls after an injury ended his major league career. Now he works at his father’s hardware store, coaches the church softball team, and worries about the declining town. It’s not the life he dreamed of having.

With a little meddling and a lot of kindness from the town, Hayden and Riley find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other as they discover the true meaning of home. 

Hooked on You is all about the feels. Riley has some issues, thanks to a less than happy childhood, and has spent most of her life pushing people away so they do not ask questions or have a chance to hurt her. The only person she let in was her grandmother, so when she called looking for help and not taking no for an answer Riley does as asked. I liked that there is a solid slow brewing relationship growing between Riley and Hayden through the story, they each do some personal growth and soul searching as well. Love does not instantly make everything better, but gives them reasons to try. I like that the issues Riley and Hayden face are real, challenging issues and that therapy, friendship, and communication are what helps everyone move forward and figure things out. I liked the characters and thought even the secondary characters were well fleshed out and interesting. I think there will be many readers eager to continue this series in order to see their favorites find happiness, and to see Riley and Hayden again. There is a christian romance feel here, and super low heat  (kissing and thoughts of attraction only ). Fans of the author might expect this, but it was my first time reading their work.

Hooked on You is a romance with low heat, and high emotions.