Title: Wicked Hearts
Author: Amber Kelly
First published February 11, 2019
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.3
Overview
Growing up under the watchful eye of her loving aunt and uncle after losing her parents in a tragic accident, Ava has always felt safe and secure. But now that she’s all grown up, she’s itching to break free from their protective cocoon and find her own path in life.
Though her family would love for her to settle down with the charming new vet in town, Ava can’t shake her restless spirit. She wants to live life on the edge, to feel the wind in her hair and the sun on her skin.
Enter Walker Reid, a devilishly handsome ranch hand who’s been a part of Ava’s family for years. He’s wild, free, and completely irresistible.
As Ava falls head over heels for the bad boy with a heart of gold, she realizes that following her heart might just lead her down a dangerous path. But with Walker by her side, she’s willing to take the risk.
After all, what’s life without a little adventure?
About the Author
Meet Amber Kelly, a romance writer who hails from North Carolina. Since childhood, she has been an enthusiastic reader, often lost in the pages of an exciting book.
With the encouragement of her loved ones, she finally decided to bring the stories in her mind to life. This led to the birth of her debut novel, Both of Me, in 2018.
Connect with Amber on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @AuthorAmberKel1.
Editoral Review
In Amber Kelly’s debut novel, Wicked Hearts, she presents a captivating story set in the gritty underworld of organized crime in New York City. Published in February 2019, the book is a historical romance that explores themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, and redemption.
Kelly effortlessly transports the reader to the steamy and dangerous world of 1920s New York, where prohibition laws have given birth to a thriving and brutal criminal underworld. The story revolves around two main characters, Lila and Antonio, who have grown up on the opposite sides of the tracks.
Lila is the daughter of a wealthy businessman, while Antonio is a low-level thug working for a notorious gangster. Their paths cross when Antonio becomes Lila’s protector, and they embark on a forbidden love affair that threatens to destroy them both.
One of the strongest aspects of Wicked Hearts is the way Kelly captures the mood and setting of 1920s New York. Her prose is rich and vivid, and she adeptly brings the city to life, depicting its gritty streets, opulent speakeasies, and dangerous criminals with equal skill.
In addition, the characters are well-drawn and complex, with each of them grappling with their own demons and desires. However, while the plot is engaging and Kelly’s writing is atmospheric and immersive, the pacing can feel uneven at times.
In places, the story drags, and in others, it races forward, leaving the reader struggling to keep up with the plot twists. Despite this flaw, Wicked Hearts is a compelling read that will satisfy fans of historical romance and crime fiction alike.
Kelly has a strong debut under her belt, and it will be exciting to see what she creates in the future. Those who enjoy books such as The Great Gatsby or Peaky Blinders will find a lot to love in Wicked Hearts.
It’s a raw and evocative tale that transports the reader to another world, and ultimately, delivers a powerful message about the universal human experience. Therefore, it deserves a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
