Painted Hearts by Bec George with Flora Ogilvy (Narrator); Mat Dwyer (Narrator) (Book 1 of Indigo Lake)

 

Description

A whiskey bar owner clashes with his rival after she paints her half of their building pink in this small-town romance, from Australian author Bec George.

Two rival businesses. One very inconvenient address.

Winnie is starting over. After arriving in Indigo Lake, she's ready for a fresh chapter – beginning with Bubbles & Brushes, the charming paint-and-sip art studio she's always dreamed of opening. 

But there's one thing in her way.

Everett. Her gruff, no-nonsense next-door neighbour, whose whiskey bar shares a wall with Winnie.

When Winnie paints her side of the building a bright bubblegum pink, chaos (and competition) takes hold. Not only do they share the same building – they also share the same customer base.

As the pair butt heads over everything from noise levels to paint swatches, an undeniable spark begins to smoulder. But both have reasons for guarding their hearts, and Everett is harbouring secrets of his own.

As their rivalry spills from business into their apartments (that are also awkwardly connected), sparks fly in this laugh-out-loud grumpy/sunshine romance about two people who need therapy – but find each other instead.

A grumpy/sunshine, rivals-to-lovers, small-town romance perfect for fans of B.K. Borison, Lucy Score, and Catherine Cowles.

Painted Hearts is a charming blend of sharp banter, slow‑burn tension, and shadowy suspense. What drew me in immediately was Winnie and Everett's bickering. It had that irresistible old‑school flavour, full of teasing notes, mischievous gifts, and an undercurrent of flirtation that never feels forced. Their chemistry is playful, prickly, and wonderfully endearing.

Although the romance takes centre stage, the story threads in heavier themes that sit quietly in the background. They add depth without ever weighing down the narrative or pulling focus from the developing relationship. The sense of threat lingering at the edges of the plot keeps the tension simmering, giving the book a subtle, suspenseful pulse.

Winnie’s new circle of friends is a delight, injecting humour and warmth into the story. One of my favourite parts was the night they decided to torment Everett at his bar. It ended up being chaotic, funny, and perfectly timed to show how much life Winnie has found in her new surroundings.

The dual narration works beautifully here. Both narrators capture the characters’ personalities and emotional beats with real nuance, making the banter sharper, the tension tighter, and the quieter moments more intimate.

Overall, Painted Hearts is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It is fun, flirty, atmospheric, and surprisingly heartfelt. I loved it.

Painted Hearts is out now. Audible