Halstead House

by Aspen Hadley

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Grace Natalie Burke was named after her mother’s favorite Hollywood actresses—but unlike them, Grace has never been allowed to steal the spotlight. Raised under her mother’s iron grip, she’s spent her life following the script, never making waves, and never wanting more than she was told she deserved.

Until her thirtieth birthday changes everything.

Fueled by a long-buried dream and a sudden craving for freedom, Grace buys a one-way ticket to Lavender Island, Texas, determined to finally see the legendary Halstead House she’s heard about her entire life.

What she finds is more than a mansion.

Swept up in island life, Grace lands a temporary job as an assistant event planner, forms unexpected friendships, and finds herself in oddly comforting therapy sessions with the estate’s no-nonsense housekeeper. And then there’s John Lucas—the Halstead heir, an aloof businessman who keeps everyone at arm’s length, especially her.

As Grace begins to discover who she is without the script she’s always followed, she must decide whether she’s brave enough to claim the life—and love—she never thought was possible.

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Book Details

Genre

Contemporary Romance

Subgenre

Beach, Inspirational, Office / Workplace, Small Town

Audience

Adult

Bell Peppers

🫑🫑

Profanity

1 None

Violence

1 None

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

1 None

Publication Date

July 13, 2021

Language Versions

English

Fiction Form

Novel

Sensitive Themes

Abuse physical emotional or verbal, Grief or loss of a loved one

Realistic relationship with all the feels

If you haven’t read an Aspen Hadley book, you’re missing out. This started off a little more Women’s lit than romance for me at first, but it needed it to build Grace’s character.The characters were just fantastic! They were so realistic, and their progression through their conflicts felt very organic. None of them were perfect, they all had flaws. Those flaws were redeemable and didn’t make you hate anyone—except maybe her mom. You especially saw growth through both H and h as the story progressed. This has one of my favorite conflict resolutions ever! It was handled how real people would/should handle it.Overall it was just such a great discovering and becoming who you want to be book. Don’t worry. It still had plenty of feels and sparks, great kissing while still being a clean read.

Wow.

I have to say, this book…. Was a quiet powerhouse. There are some truths that only those who’ve lived it can fully resonate. When I read the initial excerpt I wasn’t sure if I wanted to even read it, even though the premise was lovely. I am so so glad to have taken the time.The biggest revelation can sometimes come in the quietest moments, when you realize what you’ve been feeling is real, and you can’t unsee what you’ve finally seen.There is so much to love about this book. It’s a celebration about being flawed and human, the magic of found family, resilience and love. I wasn’t sure about Lucas at first, but he’s definitely worth hanging in there for. This book definitely kept me up way past bedtime, but it was totally worth it. Thank you Ms Hadley for a fantastic read.

A book that will stick with you 🫶

At age 25, Grace feels that she is having a “mid-life” crisis. She takes a 3 month sabbatical off of work, hops on a plane, and heads to Halstead House.The thing is, this isn’t just a regular house. This is a beautiful estate. Grace’s adopted “grandmother”, Mary, always told her stories about the grand Halstead House her family owned. It was right next to the beach, on an island, and somewhere she always longed to go.Halstead House is just what Grace needed. She starts to come out of her shell with the help of new friends, gains her confidence, and meets Mary’s handsome nephew, John Lucas. But John Lucas is broody and all but avoids Grace. He’s a mystery that Grace wants to figure out.I ADORED this read! Aspen Hadley has a way with words and makes you feel like you can connect to her characters. 🤍

The deprogramming of a Stepford Daughter!

The story is as much women's fiction as it is romance, and it's excellent at both!Grace is a young woman who has been emotionally smothered & manipulated by her widowed mother virtually all her life. Fortunately, she was also blessed to have had a loving soul who acted as her surrogate grandmother, and when her life becomes more than she can stand, she runs away to visit the family manor her foster grandmother used to tell her stories about.The story is immediately engaging and immersive. I was readily caught up in all the emotions & confusions of Grace's life as she wrestles with "untangling" her life from her very own Mother Gothel - with help from her "Great Island Therapist" and a supportive group of coworkers who become her friends & surrogate familyThe romance with the brooding Lucas is a slow burn that is worth waiting for as Grace overcomes her mix of fear & the unusual sort of naivete her upbringing has forced on her.I'm already looking forward to reading this over again! 😊*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic

Unexpectedly Beautiful

I’m an Aspen Hadley fan, and have read many of her books. I love the way she tells a sweet clean romance. This book took me by surprise with the complexity of her protagonist, Grace. I won’t give it all way, but let me tell you to please read this book. I was so emotionally attached to Grace and her progress as a person, not just the romantic developments of her budding relationship. I would love to see more books from this storyline as I really enjoyed not just the main characters, but also the side characters.