The Valentine's Day Resolution

This was a sweet holiday read (although I did wonder why it came out in August versus around Valentine's Day, but it was still a lovely insert into summer). The Valentine's Day Resolution did not have a lot of angst, but definitely brought a few tears to the eyes, especially as you saw what Huxley had been through in the previous year.

One of the things that I liked most about Huxley was not just that he was trying to deal with his issues surrounding his car accident, but also that he was trying to grow himself as a person, and a man running a successful company. He realized that he had been sleepwalking through his position since he started, and really wanted to find a way to make a difference in the work lives of his employees, as well as the company as a whole. Healing as a person was important to him, but becoming a manager that could be relied upon, and be seen as forward thinking was important to him as well, and he worked on that nearly as hard as trying to get past his accident.

Meanwhile, Paul himself was working on whether to allow Huxley in, to trust him, after learning he trusted the wrong person in the past, and it created such a devastating position for his shop. I didn't necessarily agree with his method of dealing with things, as sometimes it seemed he was trying too hard to do everything himself, and not allowing those that cared for him to help. In the end that lack of trust made things more of a challenge for him to get through the tough spots, and almost lose his new love.

I really enjoyed, though, the big "final" scene. I loved how it brought all their issues together, clicked them off one by one, and of course brought them to their HEA. But it was dealt with in a very unique way (in fact one of the MC's was not in that entire scene, which was very creative). 

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Reviewed by Erin for Diverse Reader

Oh this was a just a really lovely, charming book! I was in the mood for something short and sweet and I got that with The Valentine's Day Resolution by Ava Hayden. Yeah, I know it's July not February, but really, it's always a good time for love. Sorry, couldn't resist, but really, this book was just all kinds of good. Two characters who I was really rooting for, secondary characters that were funny and added a lot to the story, and a romance that's worthy of Valentine's Day.

Huxley Herrington is going through the motions, day after day, working at a job that he feels like is a chore rather than a joy. The only person he really talks to every day is his driver, Bishop, and occasionally his sister. Oh, but he does talk to his therapist regularly. He needs to because he suffers from some pretty severe and debilitating PTSD resulting from a car accident which killed his mother and left him unable to drive. Even sitting in the back seat as he's driven to and from work every day is an ordeal. His father seems to be holding his trust fund hostage so for the time being he's stuck working for his father and being in charge of their supermarkets, Oilton Foods. It's a job that he doesn't enjoy and he does as little as possible that he can get away with. Until one day he sees a man, just for the briefest of moments, and things begin to change.

Paul Vandenberg owns the flower shop, Floribunda. It's been in his family all his life and after his parents let him buy them out, it's his baby to take care of. Only thing is ... the shop's not doing so great. Not after a greedy ex-boyfriend siphoned off all the cash he could get his sticky fingers on. Paul is working himself to the bone trying to keep his head above water and not let his parents down. The last thing he needs in his life is a distraction and when Huxley walks into his shop, Paul is more than distracted.

I REALLY enjoyed these two. They were at turns vulnerable and brave, sweet and shy, funny and serious. They bumbled and stumbled and were awkward and so damn adorable. Huxley is bound and determined to be able to drive by Valentine's Day and Paul just wants to survive the busiest day of the year and the one that can make or break him. There is a tiny bit of angst, but it gets resolved quickly and in the best way. I really liked how Hayden showed Huxley growing, how the change in his outlook changes everything about him. How he grows bolder at work, takes risks and takes charge. And Paul, he's so sweet and caring. These two were perfect for one another. The secondary characters, Carson and Bishop and Huxley's sister, Alexandra, all added depth to the overall story line. This was a really nice book that left my heart all warm and fuzzy and with a smile on my face. I highly recommend you check it out!