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Polaris #4

Hearts Aligned

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“There’s plenty of fish in the sea.”
Great advice if you’re a fisherman. I wasn’t. I also wasn’t a player. I wasn’t a ‘love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy. I wasn’t scared of commitment. That is, until Melissa Cross showed up, stole my heart, and then disappeared with the pieces. It took awhile, but I made a new life for myself, one that didn’t include any part of her. Except, it turned out, it did. Our lives are more connected now than they ever were…and maybe my heart wasn’t as disconnected as I fooled myself into believing.

***

“Keep your friends close and your heart closer.”
I always assumed this little pearl of wisdom from my mother meant to treasure the man I fell in love with more than anyone. Until the day I learned that it really meant to hold tight to your heart, because once you gave it away, nothing in the world hurt more than leaving it behind when the relationship had to end. I thought I’d moved on. I thought I’d built a new life that didn’t—couldn’t—include Chris Matthews; until the man I’d never forgotten showed back up in my life. Turns out I must still own a piece of my heart otherwise I never would have been able to feel it shatter all over again.

Our lives seemed destined to be aligned, but would there ever come a time when our hearts would as well?

*This is a STANDALONE NOVELLA*

Published December 8, 2016

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About the author

M.E. Montgomery

19 books218 followers
M.E. Montgomery can’t remember a time she hasn’t had at least one book on the go to read. After years of falling headfirst into the lives and loves of other author’s characters, M.E. decided to write her own. She enjoys creating the kind of realistic storybook friends you wish you could actually meet, and sometimes she finds herself wondering what those characters are up to once she’s delivered their happily ever after.
She’s married to her best friend and has four children and two Boxer dogs. They live wherever the Navy sends her husband, usually the East coast of the U.S., but also once in Japan.
Whenever she’s not writing or substitute teaching, she often ponders the riddle of how the kitchen sink appears to automatically refill with dirty dishes as soon as her back is turned. On the occasions it stays empty, you can find her with a glass of wine or Scotch outside at their fireplace or curled up inside with a book, binge watching TV, or chatting with readers.

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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Samantha Ortegon.
Author 1 book50 followers
December 8, 2016
Hearts Aligned is the second book I have read by M.E. Montgomery, it is the fourth book in the Polar Series but can be read as a standalone. I for one will tell you that I now want to read this series starting with book one. I shouldn't be surprised after reading Yesterday's Tomorrows on how beautiful Montgomery's writing is. I was grabbed from the start and hated any moment I had to walk away and put my tablet down.

Chris Matthews finds himself getting a second chance at love, but is it really what he wants after she is the one that broke his heart and walked out of his life two years ago. Chris has finally been able to move on with his career and a girlfriend, he can see his future. That is until the woman in his dreams is right in front of him and he finds himself questioning his heart. He is not a guy to play with a woman's emotions, he wants that family life and that is why I as a reader fell in love with this character. If only he can get the answers to why the woman that stole his heart walked away from him and never looked back, maybe that could make his decision easier.

Melissa Cross walked out on the man she truly loved to return home, she believed it was to protect him. Now, the love of her life is right in front of her and all the feelings she pushed aside are surfacing. Will she be able to stand by and watch him have a future with someone else? Melissa knows Chris needs answers but will telling him about her past and the reason she walked out of his life be the closure they both need?

Hearts Aligned left my heart so happy, I loved everything about this story and with not reading the other books in the series I was still able to get that connection with all the characters. This is one heart touching, sexy and loving read which includes a wonderful family holiday story. M.E. Montgomery has a fan in me and I will definitely have a Polar Series marathon soon. 5 heartfelt stars!
Profile Image for Jillian.
171 reviews12 followers
December 2, 2016
When you read a series and you love it, you just want to keep seeing it roll into characters stories. They each need a turn right?
I have been in love with this series since I first started reading this authors books. The more she adds, the more I love.
Chris and Melissa's story is full of heart, full of love and scared hearts as well.
You never know when fate decides to take your life on a joy ride. Things you though you may have lost in life may not stay that way.
You just have to detour and get broken in the process. It's the roadmap of life really.
Of course I always love visiting with the characters from previous books and seeing what they are up to.
I think we may be able to get this author to squeeze a few more character books out of this series.
I for one cannot wait for more!
Must read, and the entire series is so worth it!
210 reviews6 followers
December 8, 2016
As always with Ms. Montgomery's books I could not put this down. Hearts Aligned brings us back to the Polaris Series gang, which I absolutely adore. It felt like coming home to be able to visit with Alex and Kayla, and Tyler and Jen. This book centered around Chris, Kayla's beloved brother and a past love gone wrong. Two years ago Melissa left Chris broken hearted, with no answers as to her disappearance. When a chance meeting reunites the two will Chris finally get the answers he needs to move on, or will those answers draw them closer together than ever?
Oh, Lissa, such a strong leading lady. I could see parts of myself in her, and her reasons for leaving Chris sound like something I would have done myself. It's always exciting to visit the worlds that ME Montgomery creates, and to feel a part of the family dynamics.
225 reviews6 followers
December 14, 2017
Love is never, ever easy. There will always be roadblocks, speedbumps and it will constantly be under construction. It is impossible to love and not to be hurt. Because when you love you entrust your heart to someone else. And inevitably, that person will make a mistake- small, or great- that will leave a mark on your heart. But if you're very, very lucky, then section by section the roadway is mended, and you can carry on towards your destination- a happily ever after.

In Hearts Aligned, M.E. Montgomery gives us the story of Chris and Melissa. Once enmeshed in a love that was all encompassing, time, tragedy, and pain have separated them. When the story begins, the two have not seen each other for years.

Chris Matthews is in a pretty good place in his life. He co-owns a construction company with his brother-in-law and works daily doing what he loves. He's in a relationship with a woman who's caring, considerate, and fun. His relocation back to his hometown has helped him feel closer to his siblings, his nieces and nephews and the friends who are like family. He's finally started to forget the girl from his past, and to mend his broken heart and move on with his life. So everything is going really well for him. Until it isn't. 

Melissa Cross is tired. She left behind- no, more like, abandoned- the man she loved, in order to come home and play mom to her troubled stepbrother and to deal with the fallout from her stepfather's incarceration. She works hard, she takes classes at night, she cleans the house obsessively and she worries about her brother, Joshua. And that's pretty much her life in a nutshell. Until Josh gets hurt on a job site at his construction internship. And Melissa comes face to face with a blast from the past.

The pair have a LOT to figure out. Chris is in a happy relationship. Melissa is still convinced she needs to focus on Joshua and protect those she loves from anything and everything potentially upsetting. But the love that existed between the two in the past hasn't necessarily dissolved. It's only been hibernating. And spring is just about here...

Ms. Montgomery weaves a tale of second chances, of making choices, and of how strong true love really can be if it's let free. 
Profile Image for Shelley.
673 reviews4 followers
November 3, 2018
This is the fourth, and final, book in the Polaris series. It can be read as a stand-alone book. It does include characters, and the resulting children, from the first two series. Some minor spoilers for the first three books might happen starting here.

Chris and Lissa were college sweethearts who were sure that they found their forever in each other. One day Chris came home to a note that Lissa had to leave. He went from I wonder where she had to go, to how long until she comes back to me, to a million what happened to her scenarios, to anger that he obviously didn't mean as much to her as she did to him.

Fast forward and Chris has started his own business with his brother-in-law, is in his first serious relationship in years and their business has agreed to a work study in construction with the local high school. When one of the kids is hurt, guess who walks in as his guardian - Lissa!

They have a lot of hurt feelings, anger, insecurity and doubt to work through before they can have peace with the past. Now the question is, do they want to see if all the feelings they still hold for each other can have a future? Sexy and sweet second chance love story.
December 8, 2016
I know I've read a great book when I'm in tears at the end. Not because of the ending but because I didn't want it to end. That's exactly how I felt reading Hearts Aligned by Montgomery. Having loved every book in The Polaris Series I knew this one would also win my heart. I loved everything about Chris and Melissa's journey. Together these two bring us a second chance love story that's, real, raw and epic. I'll go in record now as saying I've literally begged for more. Yep I'm not ashamed. Make sure you grab Hearts Aligned and fall in love with this story like I did!
Profile Image for Joyce.
885 reviews27 followers
December 15, 2017
What would you do if a second chance with the love of your life dropped in your lap? You would do it right this time, that’s what. This is that story. Chris and Melissa had the lovely start to a beautiful relationship when circumstances and misguided good intentions left them both reeling and alone. They run into each other years later and after the anger, the tears, the recriminations, and the hurt has been cleared off the table Chris and Melissa have to decide if a long remembered love is enough to sustain them. An emotional second chance story!
Profile Image for Andrea Britton.
1,804 reviews36 followers
December 8, 2016
How a second chance romance should be written!!!

What happens when someone who was in your past finds you in the future. Duty called for Melissa so she had to leave. Chris is still a bit bitter about the way Lissa left him, now they are back in each other's lives and Lissa has some explaining to do. Chris doesn't make it easy for her but the heart wants what the hearts wants and theirs want each other. Come along and enjoy their journey of getting their second chance. Add to your TBR list ASAP. Highly recommended. ***ARC provided by author***
1,155 reviews
August 2, 2018
The final book of the four book Polaris Series. Wow! I read, no, actually, I ripped through the entire series. In many ways, the last book was the best as Chris has provided a supporting role in the previous books.Well done ! The story of Chris and Lissa was heartwarming and empowering.
Profile Image for KM RdS.
13 reviews
October 19, 2021
A second chance romance, it is a very sweet story. Not so much troubles like the first two couple in the series, so I like that it is a mellow, feel good book. I like how it rounded up the series.
July 17, 2023
Great end to this series

Enjoyed Chris and Lisa’s story. Having all the members of this family included was a great wrap to this series.
Profile Image for Rae Sontheyon.
263 reviews19 followers
December 19, 2016
"It Was only Ever You" . . .

If you haven't read any of the Polaris Novels please do, but for this story it could be as a standalone. However, past characters are greatly apart of this story and this possible new couple adds to the amazing group. The main characters for this book are hilarious, sweet, real and true, I loved their story.

Moving on from the woman that destroyed his heart wasn't easy, but just as Chris Matthews was finding happiness with someone else his world gets surprisingly small. After wondering why the woman he deeply loved left him, Chris suddenly finds himself face to face with the very woman that broke his heart. Melissa Cross never believed she'd see the love of her life ever again, but Chris still makes her breath hitch and heart stop. With secretary's and reasons  Melissa never told anyone, she hides why she so suddenly left Chris and returned home. The only excuse Melissa offers to Chris is that she wanted to have him hate her enough to forget her, but Chris is beginning to realize he may never forget the love he feels for his lissa. 

Overall, oh so good, I loved it! When I saw there was going to be another Polaris novel I got extremely excited because 1) it's a novel from this series and 2) this author is giving the world another book. Seriously, loved this new couple. Melissa is self sacrificing to a fault and Chris needed to learn to forgive. So when the two of them finally open their eyes, and hearts, to what went wrong, Chris and Melissa chance for love again gives way to clarity about their past, which is key to any possible future together. Seeing Chris and Melissa fit into the family of characters already developed in the series, was too precious at times, like hallmark cute. But seriously I enjoyed the sense of levity in this novel and the value of family which is a highlight in this series. So if you're looking to read about a girl trying to solve her own problems and protect those she loves while running from genuine love only to be reunited for a possible second chance at happiness, then this story will be great.

------Read more of my reviews at: http://heyitwasfree.blogspot.com/------
December 8, 2016
Another great read by M.E. Montgomery! I have read books by this author before but I haven't read this series yet and if you haven't as well don't let that keep you from reading this book. You don't have to read it although now I am curious and want the others stories as well. This book is about two characters who are living with broken hearts. One whom had theirs broken and the other who had done the breaking. Things are as they seem though.

Its a been a couple years since Chris had his heart broken when Melissa disappeared. he thinks it is finally time to move on but all of a sudden they are thrown into each others lives and it has him questioning everything but the anger and hurt is something he isn't sure he can move past. Will he keep his current girlfriend or will he break it off now that Melissa is back into his life again? Will he be able to get over his hurt and anger and listen to her reasons for leaving? Will they be explanation enough?

Melissa hasn't had it easy always and when she finally finds someone she has fallen for and she is finally happy she gets a call and decides to leave. She doesn't tell Chris why and has regretted the way things ended even knowing that she thinks it was the best choice. She has always hoped to be able to explain and possibly be together again but time and life got away from her and now she figures it would be too late. Imagine her surprise when she runs into him again. He is full or hurt and anger and is lashing out instead of listening. Will she be able to get him to understand her reasons for leaving? Will she be able to move on knowing he is with someone else?

I highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading the first two books of this series. The characters are ones that you will love and you'll want their stories as well.
Profile Image for Christine Frieseke-Miller.
1,500 reviews4 followers
December 6, 2016
From the first book of the Polaris series, this author has pulled me into the lives of these characters. I was wondering if we would get Chris's story since I loved him in the other books. This was the perfect second chance romance story. You can read this book as a stand alone if you haven't read the other books, but the series is so good, I'd highly recommend the series. This is a close knit group of friends.

Chris is in a spot in his life where he feels like he should move on. He has a great girlfriend who is perfect in every way, except she isn't the girl who broke his heart a few years ago. The girl who Chris has never gotten over. Then just like that she comes crashing back into his life. Lissa walks into her brother's hospital room and Chris's life changes in an instant. Everything he thought he had come to terms with comes crashing down around him.

Melissa ran from Chris a few years ago because she didn't want to burden him. She wanted him to be happy and live the life he deserved. She felt she would only drag him down. When her brother gets hurt at a job site where he is interning at, she had no idea that his boss was the man she left a few years back. The feelings that have never left come raging to the surface when she sees Chris again.

This was a heart felt story about second chance love. Chris and Lissa have gone through so much, can they find their way back together and align their hearts once again?

Love these characters and will be sad if there are no more stories about this crew. They have a permanent place in my heart. I love when not just one character grabs your heart, but the whole group does. This series is one of my favorites.
January 6, 2017
Hearts Aligned was such a sweet, refreshing story to read. It was my first M.E. Montgomery book, and it didn’t disappoint. Hearts Aligned is a novella from The Polaris Series, and can be read as a standalone. After reading this, I’ll need to go back and read the others!

“He’s mouth twisted as he leaned forward. “You were one of my dreams, Lissa. I’d have done anything for you.”

I’m a sucker for second chance love, and that’s exactly what this book was about. Chris seems to have the perfect life--job, girlfriend, and loving family. But there’s always been the one who broke his heart and has never known why. Melissa did what she thought was best when responsibility called—even if it meant leaving a big part of her heart behind. However, fate has a way of stepping in, but they both have scares to heal from.

“In his eyes reflected all the love and hope that I craved, had longed for my entire life. He held my heart, just as my mother had once said someone would. Only this time I gave it freely—no conditions, no trepidation, no assumptions.”

I loved going on Chris and Melissa’s journey of finding their way back to each other. Hearts Aligned was a PERFECT story of beautifully shattered hearts finding the strength to mend!

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Profile Image for Jill Badker.
732 reviews7 followers
February 13, 2017
Another amazing story

Wonderful way to wrap up this series. Happy everyone found their loves and made a family out of it. Nothing better than love.
Profile Image for Sarah.
367 reviews26 followers
February 7, 2017
Melissa up and left town without any explanation 2 years ago and devastated then-boyfriend Chris in the process. A few coincidences later, the 2 meet up again and find that the world is smaller than they realized. Neither really got over the other, but Chris harbors resentment, and Melissa has secrets. I won't got into any farther detail than that because you should read the book for yourself to find out what happens, but I am happy to report that there is a satisfying HEA for all involved.

Although M.E. Montgomery has been on my radar and my TBR list for a while, this is the first of her books that I've had the opportunity to enjoy. I blew through this book quickly, enjoying the interaction and banter between the characters and the back and forth narrative.

Having seen good reviews and finally having a fire lit under my butt, I decided to read this, the 4th book in the series (though can be read as stand-alone, as my read proves), first. Guess what I'm reading next? The first 3 books in the series--- which are also on KU! :)
Profile Image for Socially Book Nerd .
511 reviews48 followers
December 6, 2016
Second Chance romance always get me and I crave to read them. Chris has the seemingly perfect life, but he never got over the one who broke his heart. Lissa broke Chris' heart to spare him, but when it's ment to be it's glorious.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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