Guilty Hearts by Jade Winters | Goodreads
Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Guilty Hearts

Rate this book
When a doting husband becomes suspicious of his gorgeous wife’s true sexuality, he decides to set a honey trap to reveal the truth, however painful. Little does he realise that the honey trap is to leave a bitter-sweet taste for everyone…

Central London. The honey trap is set. The bait: the young, uninhibited Rachel is in every way the perfect temptress. Intelligent and attractive, she is no stranger to sexual encounters and relishes the thought of her latest challenge: the unsuspecting wife Kathryn. When the two women meet, the attraction is instant and electric. However, Rachel soon realises her ‘love-target’ Kathryn is more than just a bi-curious wife, she is in fact a revered and successful Interior Designer, someone who Rachel has long admired.

As genuine feelings between the two women intensify, will their chance of happiness be destroyed by the truth?

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 4, 2014

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Jade Winters

65 books214 followers
While Jade Winters has been putting words together since she was a child, it wasn’t until 2010 that she became a serious writer. Today, as a full-time author, she has published four novels in the lesbian fiction genre as well as several short stories. Jade was born and educated in London where she studied journalism for three years at a London University. She is the youngest of 6 children born to a Nigerian father and English mother and blames her love of spicy food on her African heritage. Jade now makes her home in Dorset in the South of England with her partner and furry companions Zorro, Buttons and Zeus.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
119 (32%)
4 stars
130 (35%)
3 stars
91 (24%)
2 stars
20 (5%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Geo (rain).
224 reviews22 followers
May 31, 2016
So... the premise is this: a husband suspicious of his wife's sexuality gets in touch with a lesbian through a dating website, asking her to meet and "flirt" with his wife to see if he's right about her. How can he even get the answer he wants, though? If Kathryn falls for the woman, she might be bisexual (do they even exist? Apparently not in this book), so it doesn't really answer his question. If she doesn't, fine, she might be straight, or she might be gay/bisexual but just not interested in that woman. If you like women, does it mean you like all women? So again, I don't think it proves anything to him. But anyway...

I really liked the two women. Rachel is a journalist, and a player, of course. She loves being with women without the drama of relationships, so you can expect to find her at a bar looking for her next conquest. But she's quite likable as a character, and we also get a bit of her backstory. I really liked her friendship with her roommate Zoe, a therapist who kind of serves as her moral compass.

On the other hand, Kathryn is a very successful interior designer. She married her husband when she was just eighteen and the two have being together for ten years, so she has had a very different life from Rachel. From the beginning you can see she's not really happy, but she doesn't give much thought to it, dedicating her time to her work.

Her husband notices, of course, and he begins to suspect his wife might be a lesbian, so he tries to set her up with another woman he contacts on a dating website. This woman turns out to be Rachel, who accepts to meet and flirt with his unsuspecting wife to see how she reacts. And when they meet, Rachel discovers Kathryn is actually a famous interior designer whose work she admires and sees the opportunity to ask her permission for an interview for the magazine she (Rachel) works for. So the two women agree to meet again for said interview, and after that feelings start to grow between them, with Rachel finding it hard to come clean about their "coincidental" encounter.

A few clichés here and there, but I did like the story, it was sweet, believable and I love the way their relationship progressed. It wasn't rushed, it felt honest . In similar stories the husband is usually portrayed as unlikable, but I don't think it was really the case here (if you get past the whole setting his wife up), so I think that was also a nice change.

I'm not sure why bisexuality was erased here, though! If every character is a lesbian, fine, but I find it weird no one even thinks Kathryn might be bisexual. If she likes women it automatically means she's a lesbian and it explains why her marriage is falling apart (!). An enjoyable read anyway.
Profile Image for Kennedy.
1,031 reviews73 followers
October 3, 2016
Trapped. This was my first thought while reading the beginning of the story. The Clash: should I stay or should I go was my second thought. Rachel is young, outgoing and her life is fun and filled with one night stands just the way she likes it. Kathryn is young, introverted and her life is boring and unfulfilled. When Kathryn and Rachel meet under contrived circumstances, the attraction is immediate and meaningful. A surprise to no one reading this story, their attraction turns to love. Now what? Will the truth come out? Will they get and stay together? This read sounds so familiar because I believe there are numerous people stuck for various reasons in a should I stay or should I go relationship. To me that made this read interesting to see what would happen.
Profile Image for Musa.
256 reviews7 followers
March 30, 2014
I have a feeling that this is going to be the start of many books which I'll read from this author. The whole story is so realistic, and you can almost see Rachel's struggle through the book, having attracted to Kathryn and trying to do the right thing. And Kathryn... gosh, I just love her. I like it that in the end, they're finally together and being true to themselves
Profile Image for Hesch Aut.
74 reviews2 followers
June 22, 2014
A very sweet (and very hot!) love story with likeable characters and an enjoyable storyline. You'll keep wishing they wouldn't have met the way they have, and you'll keep wondering how the heck they are going to deal with the problematic secret of their first encounter once everything comes out - and the truth will have to surface eventually. But you are grateful they had met at all, because it would have been a shame had they never. It will leave you sad when you've finished the book, though. Because the main characters had felt so real. And because they were so cute. And because it would have been nice to have stayed in their world a little longer.
290 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2021
Love finds a way …

Kathryn’s journey to herself was plagued with self doubt and fear. Rachel appears and brings those feelings to the surface and alerts Kathryn to who she genuinely is. Her husband was self serving and cared only about keeping his “prize”! Love emerges despite the women’s pasts and blossoms into a fierce love. A good read. I heartily recommend this and any other works by this author. I’m looking forward to reading more of her novels. Thank you
Peace
966 reviews
April 9, 2020
Loved It!

I have to say that I really enjoyed this story. The chemistry between Kathryn and Rachel was written so well you could feel their love already coming to the surface. I love the little twists in the story. It was definitely a do not put down book. Sometimes you have to go with what you feel and Kathryn did. Once again great story telling from Jade Winters.
Profile Image for Devoncatt.
298 reviews3 followers
June 10, 2020
A lovely quirky romance

The premise is a little ubsurd a husband suspected his wife liked women so he asked a lesbian to try to bed her thinking it would get it out of her system. Of course they hit it off (but she didn't seduce her because she liked her). They became friends. There are a few scattered side plots that try to explain done actions but the husband in question actually groomed his naive wife in the first place to become his wife. I've deleted what I thought of him, because it's not relevant. It's a good novel for romance and gciming out of a marriage and not doing what society expects you to do but to be yourself instead. This is a very good novel you may cringe in parts and want to yell at a few of the characters for being dense but that is what makes it a good read. Spoiler there us an HEA but it's a romance novel do you expect that...




21 reviews
October 1, 2018
I've probably read this book 6 or 7 times

Sure it has typos, missing words, etc. But for me anyway, that isn't too distracting. It's still a good story.

There's not much sex, but with Kathryn's situation I really didn't expect there to be. Being a "latent" lesbian myself, I can relate to her marriage, her actions, just all of it.

Getting out of a loveless marriage is tricky without totally destroying your spouse. I'm glad my ex didn't resort to what Gareth did, but mine certainly didn't escape unscathed. Wasting 12+ years was bad enough. And years later I found out he blamed himself, thankfully I set the record straight while he was still alive.

Lol, I didn't get away unscathed either, I'm still working on my Karmic redemption...
Profile Image for Jaclyn.
Author 5 books5 followers
January 15, 2018
This was an interesting read. The story had an intriguing "twist" of a divorce and the truth coming out (sorry, spoilers!) and actually ended up with a happy ending.
29 reviews
August 27, 2018
Hmm...... It's a OK.
Try to have some plots but nothing new.
Fun read. Enjoy!
Profile Image for Amy Withnall.
21 reviews6 followers
May 12, 2014
Guilty Hearts follows the lives of two women, Rachel & Kathryn. Rachel is a journalist for a new women’s magazine & Kathryn is an interior designer to the rich & famous.

The book starts with Rachel going on a date with a girl she has met on a dating website, she just wants a bit of ‘fun’ nothing serious, Rachel is not the relationship type.

Rachel’s meeting with Kathryn is not by chance, she is contacted (through the website) by Kathryn’s husband who has a feeling his wife might be a lesbian. He wants Rachel to flirt with her and report back to him how she responds. Rachel agrees to this, against the advice of her best friend, on the basis that she feels sorry for the guy.

What happens after that takes Rachel completely by suprise. They spend a lot of time together as Kathryn has agreed to be interviewed by Rachel for the magazine. Rachel realises she is falling in love with this woman but knows there is nothing she can do about it. She has to keep this relationship professional and Kathryn is a married woman...

I love the way Jade Winters builds up the relationship between these two women. They are both going through private issues of their own: Kathryn with her husband & Rachel with something that happened in the past. The emotions of the two women are very well written, as I was reading this book I actually felt like I was there, living right beside them. I laughed when they laughed, cried when they cried & wanted them both to hurry up & realise they wanted to be together. There was however, the problem of the way in which they met. How will Kathryn react if/when she finds out it wasn’t the chance meeting she thought it was? Will she forgive Rachel & they live happily ever after or will that deceit end the relationship forever? You’ll have to read the book to find out. In fact, at times I had to force myself to slow down because I was enjoying the book that much I wanted to know how it ended.

This is a fantastic story, it is very well written with great character portrayal & sub-plots. I had never read any of Jade Winters’ work before but after reading this I will definitely be added more of her books to my reading list.
220 reviews
February 2, 2014
As a successful interior designer, Kathryn’s life shouldn’t just be ambling along in a mundane manner. But it is. She’s trapped in a loveless, boring marriage and she is in dire need of some excitement.

Rachel is a young, out going journalist and her life is fun filled. Mainly filled with one night stands, but exciting none the less.

When Kathryn and Rachel meet under contrived circumstances, the attraction between them is immediate, mutual and deep. If only their meeting had been coincidental things between them may have not taken the turn for the worse it did.

As time passes and attraction turns to love, will their chance of a happy ever after be lost when the truth finally comes out?

A lovely well written story of a deception with a slow and tender romance burning brightly throughout. There are a number of exciting twists and turns along the way, making this book more than just a simple romance.

The two main characters, Kathryn and Rachel, are fully developed and backed up by a wonderful cast of characters all essential in progressing the story forward.

From the outset I felt an affinity with all the characters and their lives. Although Kathryn is closeted, married and successful, she’s also a novice where love is concerned. Rachel is a bit of a player, but is also a novice at love. When these two women meet and begin to get to know one another, I felt their yearning and vulnerability shine through the pages. In my minds eye I was egging them on to get together.

I would dearly love to see a sequel with these characters. The book ended all too soon for me.

Profile Image for Angie.
2,348 reviews255 followers
November 16, 2015
I really enjoyed Guilty Hearts! It all starts when Gareth feels his wife, Kathryn, pulling away. He senses that she's unhappy in their marriage, and after some "suspicious" behavior, he believes she may be a lesbian. So, he jumps online, finds a woman, and pays her to flirt with Kathryn and report back. Rachel does so, but she also immediately hits it off with Kathryn, and to her surprise she's a notorious interior designer who could give her magazine the boost it needs. She certainly doesn't expect to fall in love.

Guilty Hearts was great! And don't worry, it's not a cheating story despite how it sounds. Kathryn and Rachel spend a lot of time together working on the magazine article, but Rachel is determined to keep things professional. Plus, Kathryn is quite confused. She knows she's attracted to women, but it's a feeling that she's always suppressed for the security of her marriage. Needless to say, that's the reason she's unhappy. And Gareth is an unsupportive dick, who was clearly just trying to assign all of the blame onto her for their failing marriage. Nice try, loser!

Guilty Hearts was just a really enjoyable read. I loved that Rachel didn't continue to deceive Kathryn, although she doesn't tell her about their initial meeting being a set up, so drama ahoy! They genuinely get to know each other, and she also never pressures her into doing anything that Kathryn isn't comfortable with. I did really want to punch Gareth in the face though, because seriously. Who does that!? Obviously the story kept me really engaged!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
Profile Image for moxieBK.
1,708 reviews4 followers
August 5, 2019
I thought I had reviewed this story already, but apparently now.

Jade Winters is one of my all-time favorite lesbian romance writers. She has about three books I rank as being five stars. I have bought/downloaded seven on her books. All are charmers. This book is in the five star category.

This is a story of Kathryn and Rachel. One is an interior designer, the other is young and uninhibited. They meet "accidentally," and the journey to their happiness is an interesting one. In this story, the reader is, thankfully, allowed in on the "secret," from the start. This helped give me a higher rating for this book, because it is uncommon for authors to do that. Ms. Winters did and she pulled it off in fantastic order.

The writing is tight; the characters are real/believable. This reader was pulled in from page on and couldn't let go until the end...which was interesting, because the story is one of her longer ones, and it was read over lunches/breaks and evenings.

If you haven;t checked out Jade Winters, this is a good book to begin with. Also check out "143," "Caught By Love," and "Say Something." You can't go wrong with any of those stories.

Five stars.
Profile Image for Helen Gee.
56 reviews3 followers
January 11, 2015
Yet another gripping story by Jade Winters.

Guilty hearts is a story of two women's lives, Rachel and Kathryn who meet under controversial circumstance unbeknownst to Kathryn.

Kathryn is a married interior designer and Rachel a single journalist. Rachel's magazine is struggling with sales and an interview with Kathryn is just what her magazine needs.

Throughout the story Jade Winters keep you hooked with the will they, won't they tension which comes between these two likeable characters. Kathryn is married and trying to fight off feelings that's she wants to deny and Rachel, a commitment phobe can't understand why she can't go back to her life of one night stands after setting eyes on Kathyrn.

Excellent read, can't wait to read another of Jade Winters books.
221 reviews11 followers
December 9, 2015
It was okay.

It's quite a slow burner, and it has a lot of events and sub-plots going on, despite the main plot being quite simple.

But it's an excellent read, and the characters are quite likeable, and it's nicely written.

It's missing a bit more explosion or something to be truly captivating. The whole set-up of Rachel being a temptress, Kathryn being the innocent victim, and Gareth setting it all up, never really feels like a big deal that threatens the chance for a happy ending. It's too innocent, and you can't help but think "What's the big deal?".

But it's a nice, pleasant story. Well worth it.
Profile Image for All Rialed Up.
19 reviews
May 9, 2016

Story: 7
M/C Kathryn: 6.5
M/C Rachel: 7
Sweet: 5.5
Heat: 4 there is very little sex in this book
Angst: 2.5
Setting: 5
World Building/Details: 6
Secondary Characters: 7
Humor/Snark/Banter: 3
HEA: More like HFN IMO
Epilogue: N/A
Distracted by the editing: 3
Do Your Research Please: 0
AYFKM: 0

Loved: the chemistry of the two women when they were together. The trip they took together.

Hated: That Kathryn kept lying to Gareth, and then got so mad at Rachel when the secret was revealed. I mean, come on.

Overall: I liked it, didn't love it. I wanted more of a conclusion or an epilogue to tie things up.
1 review
February 16, 2014
Wow

Wow

I love this book so much so it shouldn't of ended so quickly. I wanted more! I want there to be another book. I felt like Rachel in this story. Flirting all the time and not wanting a relationship. But in reality I want one (a relationship) but the right person hasn't come along yet. When she does I want this to happen to me ... love! The kind of love that you don't want to end for that one person.
Profile Image for Heather Henkel.
1,404 reviews23 followers
May 10, 2016
Fun story

I always enjoy reading stories set in the UK as I don't live there. Thus was a great story to read and I liked the interactions between Katherine and Rachel as well as Zoe and Cody.
Profile Image for Dani.
25 reviews2 followers
January 13, 2014
Loved it!!! Stayed up till 1:30 this morning to finish it.
Profile Image for Tracy Hall.
12 reviews2 followers
September 10, 2016
Like the book alot but felt like once we finally made it to the culmination of the plot it was rushed. However it was an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Maxine.
19 reviews
May 3, 2014
Quite a good read, definitely not the best I've ever read but it wasn't bad. worth a read.
Profile Image for TOMO.
13 reviews
June 5, 2014
i don't wanna type much but i must say this book is sooo my taste.. so cute.. ugh god i have no words. lol
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.