Sweet Little Hearts by Shanora Williams: A Grief-Centered Sports Romance That Heals Gently
- deeheartsbooks
- Jan 4
- 3 min read
There are authors you casually enjoy. And then there are authors you will defend with your whole chest.
I am firmly in the “Shanora Williams cannot write a bad book” camp, and her latest release Sweet Little Hearts, only made me dig my heels in deeper.
I had the pleasure of listening to an advanced copy of the Sweet Little Hearts audiobook, and let me tell you now: this story settled into my spirit. Quietly powerful. Tender without being cheesy. Emotional without being manipulative.
Sweet Little Hearts is the second book in Shanora Williams’ grief-centered romance world, following Beautiful Broken Love, which introduced us to Davina and Deke. This time,
the focus shifts to Octavia and Javier, and the story asks a simple but heavy question:
What does love look like after loss?
A Grieving Hero Who Feels Real
Javier is an NBA player, yes, but this is not a flashy, over-the-top sports romance.
His success doesn’t shield him from grief.
Javier lost his wife, and the mother of his child, during childbirth.
That loss has frozen him emotionally. He’s surviving, not living. Parenting out of necessity. Loving his daughter fiercely, but unsure how to move forward when grief still sits so heavy in his chest.
During the height of the NBA season, Javier hires Octavia as a caretaker for his daughter, Aleesa, and this is where Sweet Little Hearts really opens up.
Octavia: Warm, Bubbly… and Carrying Her Own Pain
Octavia is light. She’s vibrant. She brings warmth into a home that desperately needs it.
But Shanora Williams doesn’t write perfect women, and that’s one of her greatest strengths.
Octavia is dealing with her own unresolved trauma and deep-seated trust issues. She shows up with love and laughter, but she’s guarded.
Watching her navigate her emotions while caring for a grieving man and his daughter feels authentic, layered, and incredibly human.
She isn’t there to “fix” Javier. And he isn’t there to save her. They’re simply two people learning how to exist again.
Aleesa Is the Heartbeat of This Story
Javier’s daughter, Aleesa, is not just a plot device; she is the emotional bridge of Sweet Little Hearts.
Her presence softens Javier. Her bond with Octavia shifts the energy of the entire household.
Through her, both adults begin to heal in ways they didn’t expect or plan for.
This is a story where love doesn’t arrive fully formed. It grows. It stumbles. It hesitates.
And that’s what makes it beautiful.
Grief, Romance, and Healing Done Right
What Shanora Williams does so well in Sweet Little Hearts is balance:
grief without drowning the story
romance without erasing the pain
spice without cheapening the emotional journey
This is a sports romance rooted in emotional realism. It’s beautiful, complicated, heartfelt, and deeply satisfying. It’s about finding joy again without guilt. About letting love in when your heart has already been broken once.
Shanora Williams’ Range Remains Untouchable
I’ve been a fan of Shanora Williams for a very long time, and what continues to amaze me is her range.
From her psychological thrillers (The Perfect Ruin, The Wife Before, The Bitter Truth )to her fantasy romance world (The Tethered Series), to now this sports-centered interracial romance
She moves across genres effortlessly, without losing her voice or emotional depth.
Sweet Little Hearts by Shanora Williams is proof that she can do anything and do it well.
Should You Read Sweet Little Hearts?
If you love:
grief-centered romance
slow, emotional healing
found family energy
sports romance with substance
This one absolutely belongs on your list.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Image Credit & Disclosure:
All character images featured in this post are from official artwork shared by Shanora Williams via her platforms. These images are the creative property of the author and/or commissioned artists and are used here for review and promotional purposes only. Official artwork, books, and related items may be available for purchase through www.ShanoraWilliams.com.
