A successful sports agent searching for family. A woman at a crossroads in her career. Two people from very different worlds who meet—and find they need one another desperately …

Jace Tanner, who owns a top sports management agency in Dallas, longs to reconnect with the brother he was separated from when they were small children. He hires an investigator to locate Eli after his adopted parents pass on. Upon learning that Eli serves as the medical director of a hospital in the small town of Hawthorne, Texas, Jace decides to reach out, meeting Eli on his wedding day.

Darby Montgomery is the bride’s cousin, visiting her former hometown and ready to change careers after ten years. An opportunity to teach at her alma mater gives Darby the chance she’s been looking for, but crossing paths with Jace leaves her utterly confused. She believes they are too different from one another to pursue a romantic relationship—but Jace is ready to try and convince Darby that she’s wrong.

Drawn to Darby’s positive outlook and outgoing, friendly nature, Jace thinks he’s finally found a woman who can hold his interest—and his heart. As he sees his brother’s happiness, Jace begins to want the same for himself.

As Jace and Darby’s relationship blossoms, they must navigate the challenges of balancing their professional lives with their growing feelings for one another. Jace opens up about his past and tries to overcome his fears of settling down with one woman. Darby, on the other hand, thinks they ultimately want different things out of life, and she is reluctant to risk her heart, while desperate to ignore the chemistry between them.

Will Jace and Darby set aside their differences and take a leap of faith, finding the courage to choose each other?

Titles in the Hearts in Hawthorne series include: Heartstrings and Helmets ~ Heartbeat Harmony ~ Agent of the Heart ~ Hearts and Hooves ~ Hoops and Hearts ~

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  Agent of the Heart
Series:  Hearts in Hawthorne #3
Author:  Alexa Aston
Published:  August 12, 2025
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Agent of the Heart is the third title in the Hearts in Hawthorne series, this time featuring Darby and Jace, whose intense romance is going to hit a few roadblocks before they find their happy ending.  Their intense attraction might be off the charts hot, but when one is moving back home to a small town, and the other lives on the edge in the big city, then that old pesky “location” matters comes into play big time.  Darby and Jace are going to have to decide if the wide gulf between their lifestyles and the physical distance keeping them apart can be overcome, or at least a compromise made.  And as easy as that decision might sound… There really are several complications that will factor into this couple’s reality.

As the author promised, I did indeed absolutely love Darby and Jace together. 

Jace has been searching for his older brother, Eli, for some time now.  Separated when they were put into the foster care system when they were barely more than a toddler and a young boy, they each knew that their brother was “out there in the world somewhere”.  One was adopted, the other, a genius, was eventually aged out of the system, each to go on to create successful careers… and each still searching for the other.  One promising lead, one wedding will lead to a reunion that will change worlds, not only for the brothers but for the woman who is friends with, and a cousin to, the bride.

Darby has a successful career that she’s loved since she was a high school cheerleader.  But, eventually, the constant travel, the time away from friends and family, has led to a bit of burnout.  She wants more, more for herself than the work she loves.  On a trip home, she’s about to see how she can have that dream of a simpler life, challenging in a different way.

I loved Darby and Jace, individually and as a couple.  Yet they have some serious challenges ahead of them.  Jace is a driven sports agent; he’s successful, wealthy, and his professional life is somewhat tied to the big city.  He’s also sadly clueless when it comes to romance, as he’s lived a life without romantic entanglements, only plus-one situations.  He mistakenly believes (without malice) that Darby can easily fit herself and her needs into his life on his terms only.  He’s ignoring signs that she’s not exactly comfortable in his world.  His single-minded approach, that works so well in business, isn’t allowing him to see reality… until it hits him upside the head like a brick.  He and Darby are going to have to decide what is most important to them, perhaps take a few risks before their happy ever after ending comes true.

If you love an engaging, realistic romance that’s well-written, has all the feels you could possibly desire with challenges that will factor into this couple’s happiness, then you’re going to love Agent of the Heart by Alexa Aston.  Summer and Chance are up next, and I cannot wait to dive into their story.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)