Naughty Heart

The Westwoods

By: A.K. Evans

Narrated by: Aaron Shedlock, Savannah Peachwood

Good things don’t happen to a woman like Evelyn Fisher. In a few short years, she’s experienced a lifetime of disappointment. But her latest setback has proven to be a bigger debacle than she ever imagined.

Malcolm Westwood wouldn’t know hardship if it smacked him in the face. The heir to his family’s business and massive fortune, he’s lived a good life. Maybe a little too good.

And that’s why it’s all on the line.

Fed up with Malcolm’s carefree—and careless—attitude, his parents have given him an ultimatum. Either he straightens up, or he doesn’t get a dime.With his future hanging in the balance, the upcoming holiday season is proving to be anything but festive. But when he meets Evelyn, learns about her situation, and is desperate to secure his legacy, he makes her an offer she can’t refuse.

Malcolm just never expected his plan would lead him to love.

©2023 A.K. Evans (P)2023 A.K. Evans

Pure Fate!

From the moment Evelyn fell into Malcolms lap you could feel the attraction between them. Fate definitely played a role in making this romance happen at the perfect time. The Westwoods were extremely welcoming of Evelyn despite knowing their son’s history with women not so long ago. The only thing I wish we had was more details of their life together instead of 2 jumps through time at the end. I would have loved to hear more about their children and the life they made together. Overall great read and I cannot wait for the next book!

Great Series Starter

When you're at rock bottom, there is only one way to go. Evelyn had nothing left to lose so landing a job as Malcolm Westcott's personal assistant was a complete surprise. Malcolm may not have had the best motives for hiring Evelyn, but somewhere along the way he came to rely on Evelyn to help him navigate work and life. This story was complete slow burn, but the lead up to that pivotal moment when Malcolm and Evelyn define their relationship was oh so electrifying. Savannah Peachwood and Aaron Shedlock were stellar narrators for this story. The angst, the tension, the camaraderie all came through with the narrators' talented voices. I can't wait for what comes next in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.

Just so so

I have to start out with the fantastic narration. These two narrators are always great and this time it’s no exception. The writing is very good and the dialogue is believable. There really isn’t much sexual tension (imo) during the story, and the steamy bits take FOREVER to happen.

Just the Beginning of a New Series!!!

Naughty Heart is the first book of a new series by A.K. Evans, The Westwoods.

I never get tired of hearing Aaron Shedlock and Savannah Peachwood narrating together. Aaron can always give you the sense of any character that he portrays as does Savannah. These two are incredible on their own but so powerful when combined into one audio!

Naughty Heart gives us Malcolm and Evelyn and what a great first book these two are! Malcom is told by his parents that is he doesn’t straighten up and get away from his playing around and get his life together he will not get the family company. Evelyn finds herself without a job after the downsized. Looking for a job around the holiday season is always hard but she managed to find herself in the lap of Malcolm.
Malcolm sees potential here, for him to get what he wants and to help her as well. He didn’t realize just how much she was beginning to mean to him. When Evelyn learns about his plan she is hurt and heartbroken but can they move past this or has the damage already been done?

It is always nice to come in on the beginning of a series and you can never go wrong with any series by A.K. Evans!

Malcolm and Evelyn's Christmas Romance

In an adorable meet cute, Evelyn literally falls into Malcolm's lap while searching for a job just a few weeks before Christmas. Malcolm is trying to find a way to show his parents he is worthy enough to take over the family business and decides to hire Evelyn with the idea she could fake date him to show his parents he's not a playboy type. But Evelyn shows him from the first week she is far more than a pretty face and helps him secure his place, all without knowing about his parents' ultimatum. This story was a great start to a new series and, as I love about A.K. Evans' writing, as solid and well-crafted story with all the things to keep a hopeless romantic reader engaged. The narrators were well-chosen for this story and brought Malcolm and Evelyn to life.

Sweet Slow Burn Prequel for a new series!

Naughty Heart is a sweet, endearing, and fun prequel! Main characters Malcolm and Evelyn meet by random chance—a fun and interesting scene where each are mulling over their current life stressors. Evelyn is intelligent, kind, and very self-aware, while Malcolm is the epitome of the twenty-something who’s never understood what it’s like to struggle. The author does a brilliant job of building each of their characters and the relationship between the two of them as the book progresses. The supporting characters bring an extra layer of fun and challenges to their world as they get to know each other. This is a slow burn that is well worth the read!

The narrators that voiced the audiobook version of this story did a wonderful job of bringing Evelyn and Malcolm to life; their voices were pleasant and they each brought a unique twist to the supporting characters as well.

Loved it, and can’t wait for the rest of the books in this series!

An amazing introduction to a new series!

I'm so excited for a new series from A.K. Evans. Malcom and Evelyn in Naughty Heart were a great introduction to The Westwoods. Malcom's future is on the line with his family company because of his playboy ways and he's given an ultimatum of getting it together in a few weeks or losing it all.
After being suddenly fired from her job, just before Christmas, and when she's already going through a lot personally, Evelyn embarks on finding employment and literally lands in Malcom's lap.
After meeting Evelyn, and hearing about her current situation, he devises a plan to secure his future and his place in the family company.
The problem with this plan? It doesn't go how Malcom expected and he ends up getting much more from Evelyn than he ever expected. When Evelyn learns of Malcoms plan she feels betrayed and heartbroken. When Malcom comes to his senses and comes clean will Evelyn give him a chance to have her and his family business? You'll have to listen to find out if they get the HEA that they both want.

I can’t wait for the rest of the series!

4⭐️
2.5🌶️

Synopsis:
Good things don’t happen to a woman like Evelyn Fisher. In a few short years, she’s experienced a lifetime of disappointment. But her latest setback has proven to be a bigger debacle than she ever imagined.

Malcolm Westwood wouldn’t know hardship if it smacked him in the face. The heir to his family’s business and massive fortune, he’s lived a good life. Maybe a little too good.

And that’s why it’s all on the line.

Fed up with Malcolm’s carefree—and careless—attitude, his parents have given him an ultimatum. Either he straightens up, or he doesn’t get a dime.

With his future hanging in the balance, the upcoming holiday season is proving to be anything but festive. But when he meets Evelyn, learns about her situation, and is desperate to secure his legacy, he makes her an offer she can’t refuse.

Malcolm just never expected his plan would lead him to love.

Review:
I love finding new authors to fall in love with and new series! I’m a huge sucker for series! This was a short Christmas novella to get The Westwoods series started and I’m officially hooked. This was about the grandparents and parents of The Westwood. Which is nice but I feel like I needed more about Malcolm and Evelyn. Instead of the two timeline jumps in the epilogue, I feel like this could have been a much more in depth book about the lives of the parents, Malcolm and Evelyn. I can’t wait to see what happens in the rest of the series.

Tropes:
🎄Slow Burn
☕️Boss/Employee
🎄Office Romance
☕️Found Family
🎄Rags-To-Riches

The VP Playboy and The Office Assistant

Naughty Heart (The Westwoods) by A.K. Evans introduces a new romance series of a family that runs a business that makes chocolate. Playboy Malcomb, VP of the company, was given an ultimatum by his parents that he has three weeks to act together and take his job seriously, or running the company will default to his sister. While in a coffee shop contemplating how to convince his parents in the time frame that his job is essential to him, the answer to his problems landed in his lap when a beautiful woman accidentally fell on him. Being his snarky self, Malcomb insulted Evelyn when she accidentally fell into his lap when two boys ran into her. Evelyn was giving out her resumes as she began her job search after her boss terminated all workers on her factory shift yesterday. Embarrassed and near tears, Evelyn ran out of the coffee shop, but Malcomb followed her and invited her to come to his company the following Monday morning for a job interview. Unbeknownst to Evelyn, Malcomb hired her as his assistant only to secure his position and carry on the family legacy in the company. Evelyn surprises Malcomb with her spot-on insights and suggestions to help improve employee/employer relationships within the company. Both are attracted to the other, but will they blur boss and assistant lines and find love? Will Malcomb appease his parents’ requirements to secure his inheritance? What will happen to Evelyn? Is her position disposable again?
I am looking forward to reading the new Westwood series by A. K. Evans. Her books are spicy, slow-burn romance books with realistic stories and characters. I can’t wait to read or listen to any of A. K. Evans’ romance stories regardless of the trope written.
Aaron Shedock and Savannah Peachwood narrate Naughty Heart (The Westwoods) on audiobook. Aaron Shedlock and Savannah Peachwood found the sweet spot in their narration by bringing to life A. K. Evan’s unforgettable characters in Naughty Hearts.

Great start to a new series!!

SOOO excited for this new series. Naughty Heart was a wonderful start & gives me so much excitement for what’s to come!
Evelyn hasn’t had it easy and just needs a job. Malcolm has had everything handed to him and stands to lose it all if he doesn’t shape up and tame his carefree life. After his parents give him an ultimatum, he thinks giving Evelyn a job will solve his problems. Little does he know Evelyn may just be the answer to more than his work problems. Can he convinced Evelyn that she wasn’t just a pawn in his game? This was such a beautiful love story of chance. Malcolm’s character development was amazing to watch. I think the Westwoods will be a new favorite for me.