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Joey and Adora Duet #1

Arranged Hearts

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Joey

I married, and I did all the things asked of me.

Then she ran away.

That was the end of it, or so I thought.

Until I found her again.

This time, should I let her get away so easily?

Adora

I was falling for my arranged husband hook, line, and sinker.

He was everything I was not.

And yet everything I didn’t know I needed.

Until I was forced to run.

I just hoped he didn’t catch me.


Arranged Hearts is the 6th installment, in the Chained Hearts Duet world. This can be read as a second in the series after Reckless Hands.

227 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 26, 2022

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About the author

T.L. Smith

63 books5,137 followers
USA Today Best Selling Author T.L. Smith loves to write her characters with flaws so beautiful and dark that you can’t turn away from. Her books have been translated into several languages. If you don’t find her in her home town of Queensland, Australia you can usually find her travelling around the world to sitting on a beach in Bali, to exploring Alcatraz in San Francisco or walking the streets of New York.



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5 stars
431 (37%)
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355 (30%)
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258 (22%)
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73 (6%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
Profile Image for  Sonya ♕Chatterbooks book blog♕.
987 reviews1,140 followers
October 1, 2022
Photo-Room-20220930-204229

I have not been so patiently waiting for the conclusion to this duet and even though I was a bit disappointed with this one, this author does one heck of a job of sucking you into all the drama.

After the cliffhanger in Reckless Hands that damn near gave me heart palpitations, I was desperate to see what was going to happen to Adora and Joey. You don't always necessarily come back from a betrayal like that and in their world, you will never be around again to repeat it. Now coming to terms with her actions and the shocking secret, Joey has to decide just how far he’s going to go to not only find Adora, but to undo everything that she’s done. But there’s something else that he never saw coming that is going to hinder all of his plans.


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I really enjoyed the first book in this duet and I loved the heroine's fierceness and the all consuming raging fire chemistry between the main characters. You felt it on every page and though there was this hate/love thing going on, it didn't feel forced or exhausting. Unfortunately for this one, I got tired of the back and forth and I just wanted off of this merry go round. The heroine became a completely different woman in this book and I got tired of her doormat attitude.

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Now don't get me wrong, there were some things that I did like in the story especially when it came to the side characters but overall, I was just expecting much more from this one. If you’re in the mood for a quick mafia duet, then you might enjoy this one. What didn't work for me in the final book, just might be the thing you loved the most.



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Profile Image for NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books}.
1,415 reviews85 followers
October 2, 2022
***4,25 "Non-wife!!!" stars***



"Have you ever felt like you're in a nightmare that you just can't escape???"

After the ending of the first part, I was anticipating the second one and now, that I finished it, I can say that this story was perfect!!!
As I was reading the previous two duets, I was often wondering about Joey and what kind of woman will manage to steal his heart and I couldn't have imagine a better partner for him than Adora!!!
Yep, they had a rocky and forced beginning, their middle was full of betrayal and secrets, but their ending was pure perfection!!!!

"The price we pay for love!"

When Adora and Joey managed to dip their right foot into their marriage, Adora betrayed Joey in the worst way...
Now, Joey needs to find her and kill her, but can he do this hideous action to the only woman that makes his heart beat wildly???
The only sure thing is that Joey can not trust her again with his heart!!!

"Do you still love her?"
"I do... But I also despise her."


Adora had to do what she did in order to survive, but her husband had become a very big part of herself... She can't stop wanting him, even though he is pushing her away...
But she is not alone in this world and she has to take care of her loved ones, even if it is against her own heart...

"I've ruined us. I have to accept that. I did this, and that's okay because I would do it again if needed."

These two were perfect for each other... I enjoyed very much their back and forth and sometimes, my heart was aching for how they had turned out to be...
They were feeling strongly for each other, but betrayal had messed up their bond and had broken them apart...
Is there a chance for these two, when Joey is refusing to give Adore his heart when she is begging for him to let her in???

"I feel the distance like a gaping chasm immediately, and I hate it. I know he wants me. He's just better at fighting it than me."

I have loved this world so freakin' much and I am wishing for the author to give us more stories in this world!!! Piper and Jake are some of the secondary characters that I would love to see more of them...
Also, I loved that I saw my favorite characters from before and the weird bromance between Joey and Lucas was making me laugh all the time...

"My heart may have been disarranged when I met him. But now we have arranged hearts. Hearts that beat as one."

**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
197 reviews9 followers
January 17, 2023
The absolute utter lack of a back bone in FMCs in most dark romances shouldn't disappoint me. But it does. It still does.

Not to mention my favourite fucking trope (heavy sarcasm) slut shaming and bimbo-fying the FMC's sister/acquaintance/friend.

I can never understand the mentality of female writers who write sisterhood like this while building up brotherhood in the same breath. Slut shaming your own sister! Man you must be fucked up to excuse that.

Literally why was every fucking woman coddling this bitch ass man? What the hell is so special about him? If I were Abigail I would fucking stab him (can you tell I am very mad?) like he treated the FMC like trash, where tf was that high ground he was preaching to Abigail from?
Profile Image for lowkeyreader.
4,653 reviews45 followers
September 30, 2022
3.5⭐️

Joey and Adora’s story continues after the first book ended. Not going to lie, these two frustrate me with their back and forth. And I still don't understand why. And the fact that Adora keeps getting pulled and easily gives into him. I need him to grovel so much more than he did. If that's even him grovelling. I enjoyed this duet but it's not my favourite.
September 22, 2022
I received an arc to give an honest opinion.

I can’t tell you how f@&$ excited I was to have this in my kindle but I’ve been salivating at reading it since I finished the first book. TL SMITH YOU ARE BRILLIANT. I can’t even tell you how much I loved this book. This series has kept me on a rollercoaster and having read the second book of adora and Joey and loved every bit of it. I hope I make sense because my brain worked overdrive while reading it. I read it in a day between work and sleep lol. I could not at any point put it down. I felt every emotion, I cried and I sometimes didn’t know how to feel because there was so much going on but in the long run I knew how much Joey loved adora and even though she had done what she did he would do anything in his power to protect her like he protects his family with so much love. Out of all the books on the series Joey is the ultimate book husband with a mix of killer, sweetness and such a big heart. Adora is sassy, knows how to hold her own and she’s just the mirror image of Joey. YOU NEED YO READ BOOK 1 as book two starts right after.

I’m intrigued by one of the side characters Jake and I hope he gets his own book. The book was perfect and I need more from Joey and Adora.
Profile Image for MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog.
1,049 reviews207 followers
September 20, 2022
Well, after the whopper of an ending with the previous book we pick right up where we were left. Joey is confused and enraged with the truths uncovered about his new runaway bride. Adora needs to come clean with herself and her past to find her true freedom but is it too late? Can Joey ever forgive her? What a wild ride of deceit, survival and forgiveness. Joey is frustrating at times but understandable so and Adora is so strong she just needs to see that in herself. I also, absolutely love all the side characters too and their witty banter together. Go Mama Rossi!! LOL you’ll see ;) Absolutely love these too together! A must read For dark romance lovers. Told In Dual POV

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Profile Image for book.aholic♡.
10 reviews8 followers
December 27, 2022
A great ending to the duets collection. It was thrilling to see how Adora and Joey managed to reconnect, with all the push and pulls. And it was interesting to see Adora go back to her son after leaving him (because that was the best solution) and actively fight for him. I haven't read many books with such realistic seriousness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cindy Fong.
1,743 reviews
September 23, 2022
Love is messy and emotional. That is a fitting description of Adora and Joey. They have this constant push - pull relationship that makes you want to shake them to wake up and enjoy what is right in front of them. This story is dark and Gritty and proves that love is a double edged sword but is worth the effort in the end.sometimes you don't have a choice in who your heart loves. Joey and Adora are a couple that will last because of all they went through to get there.
587 reviews3 followers
September 22, 2022
Talk about giving you whip lash with Joey and Adora - one minute they love each other, then hate each other, he wants her, she doesn’t want him and then the other way around but they definitely keep you wanting to know if they will stay together and if they will survive being together. A great way to finish their duet in this amazing series!
Profile Image for Tanvi.
77 reviews1 follower
October 15, 2022
Story could've been better. h was not strong enough as she was in 1st book. I didn't understand why wouldn't she just killed him in the end when he at her home. She fucking stitched him!!!
I read some reviews and people are saying that she became doormat. NO. She was not. Joey and Adora's emotions were just all over the place. I feel like if events wouldn't have happened the way they were, they would've eventually gotten back together somehow....
Profile Image for Keri Loves Books.
1,243 reviews192 followers
September 26, 2022
An angsty mafia romance with fantastic banter and off-the-charts chemistry!

Adora did what she had to do, but she broke her own heart and his, in the process. Now she’ll have to win him back and Joey is not going to fold easily.

She is fierce and strong. She has survived a nightmare, but now it’s coming for her. Running was only temporary. Now she has to fight for her future and his.

Great bromance dialogue between Lucas and Joey. Their love-hate relationship is truly entertaining. The back and forth between Joey and Adora will keep you edged. They are absolute fire. No two people have ever needed and desired another more. You will be dragged through their wreckage as they sort themselves out.

Book two sucked me in and kept me invested. It’s definitely a roller coaster of a ride and I was a willing passenger. Loved it.
Profile Image for Giovana.
26 reviews
September 28, 2022
The illusion of a strong woman in the first book? That’s what it was..an f*cking ILLUSION. Seriously, in some parts, I couldn’t believe the way she acted… absolutely doormat. I had to read all the bullsh*t, thinking her dumbness would be over, but no...in the end she enters the room and our darling Joey is holding hands with other women, nothing sexual or whatever, but SHE DIDN'T KNOW THAT!! She does all the act "I’m a strong woman, don't need you”, although the MINUTE THIS MAN TOUCHES HER... THIS BITCH IS KISSING HIM!!! COME ON!!! And more, this was after a time without seeing or talking with each other. UNBELIEVABLE


Annnnd I didn’t feel the burning love between the main characters
Profile Image for Galina G..
9 reviews
September 28, 2022
I was hoping this part would be better . I didn't like '"Adora". Аlso didn't like that every time it was Joey's fault, how evryone is saying he is the one f@cking up and he had to chase her down to make things right. Nope. It should have been her. I love the series. but this was disappointing.
Profile Image for Amy.
1,076 reviews16 followers
September 23, 2022
“When someone tries to take everything from you, you never want to give any of yourself.”

Arranged Hearts is the thrilling conclusion to Joey and Adora’s story and it definitely does not disappoint. Joey and Adora are not easy characters and their story is fast paced and full of secrets and lies and betrayal.

“This man knows just what to say to have my heart beating only for him and crumbling to pieces in the same breath.”

Both these characters are dark, psychotic and damaged, but there’s something about them that you just can’t but feel for them. Joey is having a difficult time reconciling his feelings for Adora after she betrayed him and he’s determined to protect himself. We see a softer side of Adora this time around, but there’s still that underlying steel and strength to her that won’t back down. New challenges arise and there’s still violence and danger around every corner, but their desire for each other is as strong as it ever was.

“I fell in love with her strength before I fell in love with anything else about her.”

Full of dark, steamy romance and thrilling romantic suspense, Arranged Heart will keep you on your toes. Although the entire Rossi family is off the chart, I love their family dynamic and their banter with each other. This book seems to showcase that dynamic even more and I loved it. The chemistry between Joey and Adora is powerful and passionate yet they also show a tender and possessive side that will melt your heart.
Profile Image for Melissa J (Book Addicts Reviews).
1,076 reviews90 followers
September 29, 2022
4.5 stars!!

This is the second book in the “Joey & Adora Duet” and the 6th book the “Chained Hearts Duet Series”. This book can not be read as a stand alone.



Wow. We took off right where we left off. Shit was going crazy. I was ready for this book and boy did she show up. Let me just say there is no saving grace for the P. O. S., Scott. Adora I love you girl. Joey is perfect. He is just like all the other amazing men in this series. Yummy!!




This author never ceases to amaze me. I love her work. Each book I say no way she can make characters this good or even better. Well I am wrong every time. Get ready for a steamy ride!!

**I received this book as an ARC and in return gave my honest opinion**




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Profile Image for Kristen.
247 reviews13 followers
September 27, 2022
If God created perfection with the devil, made someone so magnificent in every way yet so fucked-up, it would be her. She is a mixture of both. My redemption and my sin. I shouldn’t be doing this. But like a fool, I can’t help myself. I need her like air. I want her like the heat of a fire. And I’ll take her as the flames take life.

The conclusion to Joey and Adora’s story is pure perfection. It picks up right where that crazy cliffhanger from part 1 leaves off and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Part 2 shows us a different, softer side of Adora and it made me love her so much more! The chemistry and banter between Joey and Adora is as intense as ever and they both have some character growth. I absolutely LOVED the Rossi family dynamics and we get even more of that in this part.

When I look at him, I see him for what he truly is—ruthless with a heart of a gold. How can the two exist together within him?

“Tell me you want me to fuck you, darling. That this cunt only wants me. And I’ll let you sit on it all day long.” “Yes, it’s you, Joey. Only you!” “See, good girls are rewarded. Now, sit on my cock. Slowly.”

“When did I last tell you I love you?” he asks, thrusting up into me, and a squeal leaves my lips at the force. “I…” I shake my head with all words lost to me right now. “Remember that I do when I fuck you like you’re my whore.”
Profile Image for Dee 🤍.
190 reviews7 followers
September 26, 2022
“A part of me doesn’t want to be with you, Adora.” I bite my lip at his words. “Another part is screaming at me whenever you are near me because I want you so much.”

Book 2, Arranged Hearts, picks up just where Book 1 left off and gives us a deeper understanding of Joey’s feelings. Joey feels enraged and completely let down by Adora’s actions. He can’t believe she suddenly ran away. He’s s upset and pretty much heartbroken that all he wants is revenge. Adora has been keeping a secret from her new husband and when her old secrets and past resurface, she knows she must go back to her old life.
TL just knows how to bring the action and the unexpected plot twists. I was flying through these pages trying to find out if Joey would go after Adora or if he would let her go. What a rollercoaster ride of emotions!! I wanted Joey to be the Joey from book 1, the loveable Joey, the one that was charming but evil. His actions frustrated me and I felt bad for Adora. I was all over the place! I do need to mention that I absolutely loved how we still get insights of our other favorite couples. Lucas was hilarious and I loved how involved he was in this book. I couldn’t help but laugh during the worst parts lol. This was the a great conclusion to the arranged hearts duet.
Profile Image for Amber.
989 reviews7 followers
September 22, 2022
I was in suspense after the cliffhanger at the end of the previous book. I really wasn’t sure how I felt about Adora so I was so excited to see this book on my iPad! I needed to know what happened after those bombshells.

This book gave us a more honest and vulnerable Adora. She is still incredibly strong but she really showed her true self in this book. I liked Adora in this book and loved how she refused to give up on what she truly wanted in her life. I still absolutely loved Joey in this book. He’s my favorite MC from this series! He is stubborn almost to a fault but I understand he is just trying to protect himself. I loved his protectiveness in this book and just wanted more of him!

If you enjoy books that are a little dark, include some mafia family dynamics, and some steamy scenes then you need to grab this book!
64 reviews
September 22, 2022
absolutely smashed it out of the park as usual!
Absolutely bloody love Joeyy and Adora!
I think joey has seriously taken the crown in this series i just lovee him!
Well i love them all but joey has a slight push ahead 🤣
I love when authors can get you so invested in characters that you just dont want it to end and when it does you feel kind of lost..

I have LOVED this whole series and im kind of gutted its over

I cant wait for whatever comes next as im sure it will be amazing too!

So grateful to have found this author because ebery series i read is always just so well written and gripping it makes you want more and its hard to put down when stuff needs doing 🤣
Profile Image for Mandyloves2read.
1,514 reviews165 followers
September 26, 2022
This was the perfect conclusion for this couples story it starts right where the last book left off and gets right to it this one is full of betrayal lies and secrets it’s dark and gritty the writing is excellent I was rooting for this couple from the very beginning I loved every word of this wild ride it’s addicting dangerous and everything I love about this authors writing definitely worth the read ! Loved it!
Profile Image for Donna.
1,324 reviews22 followers
September 26, 2022
I knew this book was gonna go off when it started and I knew Adora was gonna be more than a match for Joey but I never expected her to be as brave and bold as she was. The conclusion of this story is brilliant. Its a fight to death that I really never thought would happen the way it did.

Joey was a different kind of man than I expected him to be and in this book you see him find in Adora exactly what he didn't know he needed. I can't and won't go into detail, in regard to the story, just know it's the normal emotional fuelled, sit on the edge of your seat and roll with the punches story.

This book makes this duet brilliant and concludes the story in the best way possible. This book is a huge recommend for me.
Profile Image for Jenny B.
1,273 reviews26 followers
October 1, 2022
Joey and Adora's story was truly a perfect mafia read packed with all the chemistry and a fabulous storyline! Another seductive emotional roller coaster!
Profile Image for Teresa Lara.
3,114 reviews47 followers
September 21, 2022
Love this series
Love the Rossi family
Joey and Adoras broken dark heartstopping love story
Twisted
All the feels
Whos next
Profile Image for aryanna.
102 reviews
August 5, 2023
mixed feelings again. i do think this one was more interesting than the first simply bc the angst was done better. i felt like the becca storyline was weird in the first one so i liked the conflict more in this. however, i wish adora had kept her backbone but it seemed to disappear once her sister showed up. the back and forth drove me crazy as well bc nothing was changing and then everything was magically fine by the end
Profile Image for Tersia Eloff.
525 reviews2 followers
September 26, 2022
I said in my review of Reckless Hands that I loved Joey, jury was still out on Adora at that stage. Well Adora "redeemed" :) herself. And TL Smith delivered, yet again. I have no idea how she does that all the time, but here we go. Another 5 star read. Loved it!
Profile Image for Lauren.
323 reviews9 followers
October 5, 2022
Oh Joeyyyy

I didn't enjoy this as much as I did the first book but I still loved it and read it in one sitting. I was desperate to know where Joey and Adora go from the cliffhanger of the previous book and was not disappointed by fast paced plot and se×y smūt.

My heart hurt for Joey, he is struggling with his feelings towards Adora and his unsureness of the state of their "marriage" because she has something he never wanted: a kid. Adora wants Joey to want all of her, Jerome included, and this back and forth, having the same conversations became a little tiresome but these are two v stubborn characters who could never work it all out quickly.

I really loved all the background characters again within this duet. I especially loved Bianca, I love a strong matriarchal character knowing that her big scary sons are absolute Mummy's Boys makes me weak. I also loved Lucas' inappropriate comments and Adora's friendship with Merci and Sailor.

Overall, it was a great duet with tropes I absolutely love: arranged marriaged, mafia romance, hate-to-love.
Profile Image for Erin Figueiredo.
3,028 reviews63 followers
September 29, 2022
WOW! Talk about a messy, emotional and sometimes toxic relationship! Joey and Adora continue to have our head spinning, our hearts aching and our panties melting.

Joey and Adora continue to take us on a very bumpy rollercoaster ride filled some very intense pushing and pulling for dominance and power between them. I needed to hang on tight to my kindle for fear of smashing it against the wall as these two continue to give me whiplash. I loved their back and forth banter and the fact that they actually do love each other even through all of the lies, betrayals and secrets.

This was a dark, gritty and emotionally raw whirlwind love story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails like crazy over all of the anxiety inducing drama between Adora and Joey, and crossing your fingers that they don’t end up killing each other in the end.

Fantastic conclusion to this crazy emotional duet.
February 1, 2023
Better writing than Lucas and Chanel book 2 duet. Joey has character developments and I love how all the female characters of the series is strong and boss girl. Mad that Joey and Adora is like a rocking boat, these two went back and forth but tbh understandable.
Profile Image for Hannah Vucina.
213 reviews
October 4, 2022
3.5⭐️ 3🌶️.

Book would have gotten more stars, but I felt as if it was rushed and things were looked over too quickly. Still a great read though!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews

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