ABOUT THE BOOK
When music producer Phil Rothstein sold his father’s song catalog without permission, he thought he was expanding their family business—now his father has dementia, and Phil will do anything to get those songs back.
Celebrity photographer turned photojournalist Claire Morgan returns to New York haunted by PTSD and desperate for work. She needs this job to honor a promise to a fallen friend. Her assignment? Photograph Phil Rothstein, the man she’s wanted for five years but could never have.
Their reunion ignites into something neither expected, but Phil’s enemy holds the key to everything—the catalog Phil desperately needs and the money Claire’s fighting for. One photoshoot could give them both what they want, but Claire’s unresolved trauma tests their newfound romance. Phil faces an impossible choice between protecting the woman he loves and recovering his father’s legacy before memory fades forever.
Sometimes, to win the love that matters most, you have to lose everything first.
Content note: This book contains references to sexual assault, PTSD, and dementia. These sensitive themes are handled with care and compassion, with the emotional journey of healing at the heart of the story. Reader discretion is advised.
MY REVIEW
Lose to Win is the fourth installment in the Hidden Hearts series and my first Kate McBrien novel. It features old friends Claire Morgan, photojournalist, and Phil Rothstein, music producer, who cannot fight their attraction any longer, but can they fight the forces that want to rip them apart?
Claire and Phil were pretty close friends once, sharing texts and unspoken feelings over the years but never really acting on them. Then fate throws them together. Phil’s on a mission to reclaim something important from his late father, and he’s paired with Claire for a photography shoot.
As they reconnect, things start to heat up. That spark they had never really went away, and the chemistry between them is undeniable! Claire is super strong and determined to work through her deep trauma that makes it hard for her to let people in. Meanwhile, Phil is juggling a crazy job, tough family responsibilities, and trying to honor his father’s legacy. The road ahead isn’t easy, which makes this slow burn relationship so appealing. You can feel the weight of their past and the potential for something new. But can they overcome the obstacles and make this work?
I’m a huge fan of friends-to-lovers stories, and Claire and Phil’s dynamic is so enjoyable to watch as they navigate their feelings with patience and care. Phil is definitely one of my favorite MMCs. He’s protective and super understanding, giving Claire the space she needs while also being there when it counts. Claire is fierce and resilient as she slowly heals, not just for herself but for those around her. I love their intimate moments together with their shared laughs and quiet conversations. It makes their relationship feel real and relatable.
If you’re into romances with complex characters, genuine emotions, and a heartfelt happily ever after, you definitely don’t want to miss out on Claire and Phil’s journey.
Thank you to to Ms. McBrien for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate McBrien writes sexy, witty contemporary romance.
She has an MA in art history, specializing in medieval manuscripts—which means she can decode a 14th-century Book of Hours at twenty paces.
Before turning to fiction, she spent years as a dental hygienist, offering gentle coaxing to reluctant flossers.
A friend once dared her to try National Novel Writing Month—and that dare turned into eight love stories (and counting). She meant to write historical fiction, but the romance kept cutting in.
Kate lives near Monterey Bay with her husband and their Labrador, who runs the house. When she’s not writing, she’s walking the beach, baking carbs, or deep in a Grateful Dead playlist.
Follow Kate on her website, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Bluesky, Amazon, Bookbub, and Goodreads.
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