Hello Trouble – Kelsie Hoss

The latest book in the Hello Series. An emotionally rich slow-burn romance that doesn’t just tug the heartstrings – it tunes them to real life’s messy, tender notes.

Sometimes, a romance novel doesn’t just serve you chemistry and banter; it offers reflection, quiet growth, and emotional resonance. Hello Trouble by Kelsie Hoss is exactly that kind of book. It’s a return visit to Cottonwood Falls, and while it’s perfectly enjoyable as a standalone, readers familiar with the series will appreciate the added depth and continuity, this time with Heyes Madigan – the notorious, womanising, bad boy mechanic and outgoing optimist Della, Liv’s best friend.

Following Hoss’s signature formula, this is another heartfelt HEA (Happily Ever After) tale that centres on a plus-sized female main character, which continues to feel refreshing in a genre that often sidelines diversity in body types. What stands out here is the age dynamic: this is a rare reverse age gap romance, offering a welcome shift from the often overused older-man-younger-woman trope. The dual POV allows readers to experience the emotional pull from both sides, capturing the full “he falls first” charm with vulnerability and nuance.

But Hello Trouble is more than a slow-burn romance. Beneath the swoon-worthy moments and flirty banter lies a story layered with thoughtful introspection and emotional honesty. Hoss deftly explores issues that will strike a chord with many readers, especially those who’ve ever felt judged or unseen. Themes of self-esteem, the quiet ache of a ticking biological clock, and the intimacy and suffocation of small-town life are sensitively portrayed. There’s also the deeper, more poignant thread of childhood grief and the ways early loss shapes adult relationships and self-worth.

At its heart, this is a story about change, whether people can evolve, whether love is enough to heal old wounds, and how the legacy of trauma quietly echoes through our lives. Hoss approaches these weighty themes with a light yet respectful touch, ensuring the emotional beats land without ever overwhelming the reader.

Hello Trouble is ultimately a story of connection – between lovers, yes, but also within families, friendships, and the communities we’re part of, whether we like it or not. It’s a romance that doesn’t just deliver butterflies but offers a quiet kind of catharsis, too.

If you’re after a book that will give you all the warm, fuzzy feelings while also asking you to sit with real, human complexity, then this one deserves a place on your TBR. It’s tender, thoughtful, and completely captivating.

Thank you to Kelsie Hoss for an ARC copy.

Read my Hello Tease Review here.

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