Tessa Bailey is an author I generally enjoy. Some of her books are a miss for me, many are terrific. This book was definitely in the latter category. ITessa Bailey is an author I generally enjoy. Some of her books are a miss for me, many are terrific. This book was definitely in the latter category. If I were to sum this up, it is a sweet, yet dirty at times (this is Tessa Bailey, after all) modern love story, with a touch of comedy as the cherry on top. Our two protagonists, Beat and Melody, are the son and daughter, respectively, of two women who led a hard rock band 30 or so years ago. There was a very nasty break-up of the band and Melody and Beat, while knowing of each other, don’t actually meet for the first time until they are 16. Then they don’t meet again until….fast forward to today, where they are now thirty, and their story really begins.
Why modern? Because their story takes place under the lens of a camera and attached to a microphone- they have agreed to try and reunite their mothers for one last show and the process becomes a social media live-streamed production. (They both need the money that has been offered, but for different reasons). They are always miked up and followed by cameramen. They become an online sensation, mobbed wherever they go, all the while each of them struggling to overcome deep-seated personal issues and navigate the depth of feeling they are discovering they have for each other.
I wasn’t sure about the idea when I realised where this was going: I had to imagine what it must have been like for them growing up in the shadow of their rock legend mothers, and how this might have impacted them mentally and emotionally. Once I was able to connect to this, I was hooked.
Honestly, I wanted to slap Beat upside the head any number of times, and occasionally I would mutter out loud: that boy needs therapy. Stat! At first, I thought we were going down the kink road with his approach to sex. That I did not need, when I liked Melody so much. (#TeamMelody) I am not sure whether the author’s explanation for Beat’s sexual habits was valid from a psychological viewpoint, but I just went with it. And the sex scenes were very hot, just how Ms Bailey likes to write them. The dirty talk was definitely there! But really, Beat was pretty screwed up in the beginning.
I think what impressed me the most was how much Melody grew in the course of the book. She learned to value herself, so much so that when Beat mucked up AGAIN, she didn’t just cave at his first apology. She demanded what she felt she deserved: his trust. She made the point clearly to Beat that it wasn’t his job to look after her. It was their job to look after each other. (#Belody. Yes, really…) Beat took a while to finally see himself clearly, which did frustrate me. As that was probably the author’s intention, she was successful in achieving it!
Apart from a cracking good love story and clever incorporation of social media trends, I laughed out loud at some of the hilarious one-liners that Melody would blurt out, blithely ignorant of how funny she actually was. Definitely added to her cuteness factor, and confirmed her individuality and intelligence. She had a sweetness that was perfect.
Wreck the Halls is definitely a giant hit for me from Tessa Bailey. Sure, I had to suspend my disbelief at times, but we are reading a romance book. Disbelief suspension is generally required! The previous TB book I read was Unfortunately Yours, and I loved that one, too. The lady is on a roll.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book....more
Have you ever had the feeling that you are not sure why you grabbed a particular book on KU? It languishes on your shelf for months, and every time yoHave you ever had the feeling that you are not sure why you grabbed a particular book on KU? It languishes on your shelf for months, and every time you see the cover, you think: what was this about again? And: the title sounds a bit Mills and Boon- why did it get it again? Then you read it, and damn if it isn't actually really terrific!
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This is what happened here. I admit I am coming off some pretty superficial sports romance/NA books, so the bar might have been a tad low.
Firstly, I adore the fact that the FMC, Lina (Catalina) is Spanish and that part of the book takes place in a small town in Northern Spain. I also loved all the Spanish in the book- it was integrated so well, with clever ways of giving us the meaning of the sentences without just translating them, that I never felt it interrupted the flow. (I am bilingual and teach a foreign language, so perhaps that helped, too.) Part of my pleasure was also the fact that I had travelled to Spain only a few months before Covid hit, and loved my time there to bits.
Secondly, this new author did a wonderful job in providing depth of characterisation. Lina and Aaron were such appealing characters, with all the hang-ups and experiences that made them so interesting and explained so much about the way they navigated their relationship. They became real people to me, and that doesn't happen very often.
It was not a short book, yet I could not stop reading it. Their trials and Angst, the emotions they suppressed and the way they struggled for their HEA, all of this captured me. I was in love with Aaron myself, in the end, and I am notoriously hard on my heroes! The author got the balance just right, with an alpha, sexy, ex-footballer who was also sensitive and determined to win Lina over, even if it meant his pride took a hit again and again. His patience and consideration for her was impressive, and the way he supported her when she was with her large, noisy and intrusive family, or struggling with her ex, was very moving.
Indeed, Lina drove me a bit nuts at times, making him work so hard because she still couldn't get past what had happened to her many years before when she was in university in Spain. Once we were aware of what had gone down and why she ran to America, she suddenly made a lot more sense. It was really horrible. She was still bloody lucky that Aaron was not the type to give up. Many lesser men would have. As her father said, Lina certainly was a firecracker!
[image] This was a beautiful story, with so much humour, heartache and a very slow burn romance. Sexual tension through the roof is something I love in my romance. (Hence my dislike of ONS CR varieties- once the sex is done, the tension is gone). When it finally came to the sex, though, it was hot. Aaron was a master at gradual, very subtle, seduction. And then an absolute boss in bed.
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I sure kissed a lot of frogs, recently- but I think I finally found a prince. Congratulations to the author, Elena Armas. She nailed this- and I hope she writes more romance with this wonderful balance of passion, emotion and wit. And that's a big "yes, please" to the steamy Cavill-esque romance the author promised a friend in her Acknowledgements!...more
One of my favourite tropes is the enemies-to-lovers scenario. If well done, both MCs end up learning so much about themselves and each other, and the One of my favourite tropes is the enemies-to-lovers scenario. If well done, both MCs end up learning so much about themselves and each other, and the journey is both revelational and emotionally satisfying. Many are not done well, and the combination of immaturity and petty scoring against each other, with way to early capitulation by the wronged party (almost always the girl) makes for a dissatisfying, shallow read.
I have to say this one is well done. Macon and Delilah are complex people, a little older (thank goodness, no college drama here, although their history starts with school drama) and successful in their respective careers. They do still carry the scars of their childhood and teen years, and while Macon (view spoiler)[has been deeply damaged by a violent, bullying father (hide spoiler)], Delilah's scars have been caused to a large extent by Macon. And this is where the problem lies, for me.
I am not a fan of so-called "bully" romance. That is an oxymoron. I am no psychologist, but to me, a teen bully is someone without empathy, and I struggle to accept that they could ever have a healthy relationship, where they are not battering their partner either literally or psychologically. I don't care what the explanations or excuses are: my sympathies ultimately lie with the victim. So Macon, in this book, is someone I struggled to actually respect for a lot of the book, because he was incredibly cruel to Delilah in High School.
Delilah confronted me with another of my dislikes: the heroine who constantly allows people to take advantage of her because she loves them or because they are family, even when tough love would lead to a happier outcome for everyone concerned. Delilah's sister was an irredeemably manipulative, lying bitch, but it's always: Delilah to the rescue.
So I had to get over all that, and it took a while. But Macon and Delilah developed as characters over the course of the book, increasing in both self-awareness and self-esteem, and it was ultimately a very satisfying, mature novel about the stupidly cruel things we do as children and teenagers in an effort to protect ourselves, and how it is possible to acknowledge them and move on. It was as much about self-forgiveness as it was about forgiving each other.
A nicely crafted, well-written story by an author I always enjoy. It's not Darkest London (I'm a sucker for PNR set in Victorian England) but it was a great read.
Again, this was worthy addition to the series but nothing like her old ones.
I had trouble suspending my disbelief.
Adopting a street urchin from the rAgain, this was worthy addition to the series but nothing like her old ones.
I had trouble suspending my disbelief.
Adopting a street urchin from the rookery? Really? Victorian ladies are SO gonna be down with that. And the kid will have no problem at all integrating into and being accepted by the upper classes when he grows up.
Secondly, Tom, whose witty and acerbic comments and observations were often very funny, came across as way too callous and self-absorbed to be capable of actually reforming or developing empathy, compassion and a conscience. I could not help wondering why I should admire a man who rose from nothing, became endlessly rich, yet never gave back. Did he support orphans? Widows? Establish hospitals? No. He whined about being restless and bored and complained that getting even richer was not as satisfying as it once was. [image]
And if someone comes at me with that great (American Capitalist) bullshit of trickle-down economics, and that providing work (but no training or education, btw) gives people the means to "lift themselves up by their bootstraps", I will show them how this does not work. Just because Tom built railways and was super rich did not make him a good guy.
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Tom deserved a better story, not one where the chick helps him to get in touch with his feelings, he gets the girl and saves one kid from the work-house (or the morgue.)
Cassandra was imminently forgettable. Too soft, too forgiving, too milquetoast.. Her endless rabbiting on about being fat got on my last nerve. (If she didn't like how she looked and that her dresses were getting too tight, she should have stopped stuffing herself with all those sweets. Calories in, calories out, girlfriend.) And just a question: why is it always up to the woman to be the bloke's social conscience? Are men fundamentally inferior and incapable of caring abut the less fortunate? It seems to be the cliché running through many of these novels.
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Well, on International Women's Day (today) I'm saying the above is not true. A lot of us gals need a good man to make us better people. Just sayin'.
There is no doubt that the writing was immaculate as always. LK can write some awesome HR. I just felt the story went nowhere. Nothing much happened and I almost lost interest. Gah! I also freely admit that I bring my own social and economic perspective to my reviews.
But I miss heroes like Cam and Leo and Harry. I miss my gals Poppy, Bea and Kat. I miss Sebastian and Evie, Lillian and Marcus.
This was a little more like some of the earlier books by JT, although having a sportsman as the hero was unexpected. The writing is excellent, as alwaThis was a little more like some of the earlier books by JT, although having a sportsman as the hero was unexpected. The writing is excellent, as always. And I totally appreciate her releasing her books on KU!
Maddie is a relatively conservative young woman running a match-making service. He is a bad-tempered, promiscuous, jock-quarterback who, you guessed it, is told to clean up his image of drunken whoring by getting himself a fiancée/wife.
I liked Maddie- she was sweet. He, on the other hand, was so immature for a 28 year-old, I kept thinking I was reading a College Romance about a 20 year-old. His weirdly aggressive, man-ho attitude was apparently justified, because he had been rejected and unloved as a child, so didn’t trust anyone enough to be open to a real relationship. Hmmmm..... maybe time to get past that and move on at 28?
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Maddie had been dumped by a fiancé who was an aspiring Congressman. He also happened to be corrupt (art imitates life?).
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This dude creates issues for Maddie which force the hero to step in- and grow up.
I did not enjoy this story as much as the three book Slow Burn series, (I actually regularly make the Bianca's Old Cuban cocktail that was described in one of those books, and have discovered a love of bourbon!) but I much preferred this one to her weird CR/erotic romance Perfect Strangers.
By the way, is this matchmaking schtick actually a Thing in the US? Pretty sure it's not in Oz. I know there are heaps of online services that help people find partners, but an actual match-making business with a "match-maker" owner? Where you go in and meet the match-maker and discuss your needs? Fiddler on the Roof clearly resonated with American audiences!
I really like this author. She very generously releases via Kindle Unlimited, and while I like some of her books better than others, they are always wI really like this author. She very generously releases via Kindle Unlimited, and while I like some of her books better than others, they are always worth reading.
Asher as a definite type of hero and they are pretty alpha. Yet still interesting and layered. In the Killers series, we had very alpha men, very single-minded and protective of their woman. Yet despite their rough way of speaking and their bossy attitude, they were not afraid to commit emotionally, and to say so. That is the joy of those men- yes, there is a lot of sex, and copious bad language, but these guys are totally down for saying how they feel, and they NEVER disrespect their partners. So, when I read about alpha men who treat their women like children, I’m out, folks. Sadly, many authors cross that line and lose me.
There was one book, Athica Lane from the Carpino series, where the hero was borderline for me. He was so embittered, he became unkind and unattractive, and it took a long time for him to come halfway to redeeming himself. He ventured into full blown arse-hole territory first, and I did not like him, especially as the heroine was smart and sweet. Broken Halo began with a similar vibe- a very embittered hero who hated his former love with a passion. I was seriously worried: please, not another Cam. I worried unnecessarily.
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Trig is a hot shot attorney whose family was definitely from the wrong side of the tracks (dad had a meth lab, and not along the lines of Breaking Bad, either). When just 23, he embarked on a passionate affair with Ellie, the 17-year-old daughter of the Montgomerys, a monied, Texan clan. Things go to hell in a handcart, she dumps him and the two are separated for 10 years. Ellie marries someone else, just trying to get on with her life, and her husband is a Bad Man (I won’t say more- his story is in the previous book) who ends up dying violently. She is left with little Griffin, her not quite one-year-old. When Ellie gets into legal trouble (custody issues) with the ex-in-laws, Trig is appointed as her attorney, because his law firm is now working for the Montgomery company (I could say more here about them being the largest privately-owned oil company in the US, and that the attempts by this author to paint them GREEN had me laughing, because the only thing green about an oil company is in the words GREENhouse gases, but I won’t. At least she acknowledges the elephant in the room, which is more than Trump and his cabal do).
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The sparks fly, and Ellie is fantastic at giving as good as she gets. It ends up a rather complicated plot, because we also have Trig’s dad released (early) from jail on parole and returning to town, seeking vengeance on Trig and the Montgomery clan.
I have to say, I love a man who doesn’t give up despite constant rejection by a woman. The moment Trig found out what had actually happened 10 years ago and why Ellie did what she did, he was on a mission: he was going to apologise for his eff-up as often as she needed him to, and work as hard as he could for Ellie to forgive him and give the relationship a second chance. The bastard frog turns into a prince. Kinda.
Both MCs were well-drawn. The author’s characters have become quite complex and nuanced over the course of her books, especially the men, who are much more than just their physical hotness and masterful, sexy manner. Although I am shallow enough to appreciate that aspect, too!
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A major theme that comes through in her latest books is the importance of family and the value of relationships between parents and siblings. Such a nice change from the all too common CR scenario of successful alpha male taking over the life of the orphaned/abandoned/fostered out/friendless/even homeless heroine (you choose- sometimes they are more than one of these things!) Ellie has a family and it is very much present in her life, supporting her at all times.
Be warned, there is a LOT of bad language in these books, and Ellie has a potty mouth, no question. But it made me laugh, too. The texts they send each other are often screamingly funny.
There is only one little niggle I have with this author- her approach to food is problematic for me. That 30-something men (sometimes even over 40) can maintain an athlete’s fitness, Greek God’s body and be healthy on the diet they choose is, frankly, impossible. Pizza, chips, mountains of desserts, everything fried within an inch of its life and the complete absence of coloured vegetables does not a physical supreme being make. I wish she would tone down the junk food- you can be an alpha and have a sensible diet, folks. Even if your home is MacDonalds-land. You’ll live longer and so will our planet.
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As a footnote- The author’s warnings about the 18 plus rating she would give to her books are hilarious and refreshing. I love them!
Cannot wait for the next book in this series. Don’t make us wait too long, Brynne! [image]...more
This was an entertaining addition to this series, mostly because Maggie was a very strong and independent woman, at least for the first half or so of This was an entertaining addition to this series, mostly because Maggie was a very strong and independent woman, at least for the first half or so of the book, and it made a nice change from the sweet, vulnerable young things of the previous books. There was some good banter.
She was a virgin, however, and Sven was very much a hardened, sexist man-whore, (we get a scene with him and one of his quick screws at the beginning of the book, which was very unpalatable, and it took a while for me warm to him. He is pretty disgusting.) so we have that popular trope raising its ugly head here. And the way she then loses her virginity to him is not ideal. (view spoiler)[ She has been roofied, although not by him. She doesn’t remember the sex AT ALL! Her first time! (hide spoiler)]
There is some serious violence in this one- again- that I had to skip over. I am a bit squeamish when body parts are removed and where torture is graphically depicted. It was pretty disgusting, tbh. But there’s nothing like a good woman to reform a randy, immoral bloke, is there? And if your crack is drawn-out vigilante justice with a side-helping of mafia scumminess, then the violence shouldn’t bother you too much. ...more
This was everything an HR should be: subtle, charming, moving, sensual and witty.
When Lady Delilah Derring is widowed, she discovers that she is not This was everything an HR should be: subtle, charming, moving, sensual and witty.
When Lady Delilah Derring is widowed, she discovers that she is not the only one who has been left penniless and alone, as she discovers her husband’s estate was ruined. His mistress is also in a similar position, and the two women have the misfortune (or so she believes it to be, initially) to meet at the solicitor’s office where he has unctuously just informed her of her impecunious state. Her shock at there even being a mistress is tempered by a feeling of kinship, and when the women run into each other at an inn next to the only piece of property Delilah has been left with- a run-down former brothel on the docks- they begin an unlikely partnership. How refreshing to see them work together, instead of fighting over a man who was never worth it in the first place!
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Firstly, I had to leave my prejudices at the door. I don’t normally enjoy books about mistresses, as the power imbalance always makes me cross. In this case, both women are intelligent, sensitive people who have been battered by life and are determined to bounce back. Most of all, they plan to do it without a man. Having learned the hard way that a woman should not depend on a man, because he will invariably fail them, they turn the building into a boarding house and work hard to make the business a success. At the same time, the handsome but hardened Captain Hardy is hunting the smuggling gang that caused the death of a whole family, when they burnt down the family’s house. This, all because the father refused to allow them to use his property for their smuggling activities.
I have to say, the slow burn and sexual tension in this story was masterful. The contrast between this and a lot of CR, which is often all about the ONS and the determination to “hand in the V-card” (What the hell are these authors thinking- even the expression “V-card” is repugnant) is stark. And welcome.
Delilah and her friend Angelique’s relationship had an intriguing dynamic, with the cynical and disillusioned Angelique a foil for the more tender-hearted, kinder Delilah. Make no mistake, Delilah was not weak or bland. In many ways, she was fierce and passionate, even tough when required to be. Both she and Hardy longed for a place to call Home, for a family. Hardy refused to think of it initially, clashing as it did with what had always been his purpose in life. Delilah could not afford to think of it, now that she was no longer a lady but rather, the proprietress of a boarding house on the docks. She was determined to finally be true to herself and not beholden to any man for her happiness. After all, look how well that turned out last time.
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The two main characters are wonderfully complex. It was marvellous to read about a man who had finer feelings and a depth to his thinking that went beyond where to stick his penis. There were moments of great humour (I actually laughed out loud several times during reading, and that has not happened in a while) and the minor characters were lovingly drawn. I wiped away a quiet tear and struggled through the emotions tingling in my chest. And I smiled for the pair and their HEA.
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I have read most of JAL’s work, and have enjoyed much of it, but this book was a stand-out for me. How these two damaged, lonely, people find their Home in each other was truly moving. I warmly recommend it for lovers of high-quality HR. You won’t be disappointed.
4.5 stars. This was a real find! I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the writing was great- very witty and clever, but also poignant and moving- and the ch4.5 stars. This was a real find! I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the writing was great- very witty and clever, but also poignant and moving- and the characterisation excellent.
Cassandra is placed in an arranged marriage with Joshua, a self-made industrialist who has never got over the fact that he was the heir to a title, only to have it ripped away when he was a boy after it came out that his father’s marriage to his mother had been invalid- the man’s first wife was still alive and living in a convent! Suddenly, Joshua and his younger brother are kicked out on to the street, illegitimate, neither acknowledged nor supported by their selfish, bigamist father. Their mother bolts with their sister. To say Joshua is bitter and angry and has a gigantic chip on his shoulder is a huge understatement. But he refutes this, telling Cassandra: "I am not angry!"
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Poor Cassandra, married to an absent, self-absorbed man spends her days managing her family's estate and her very difficult younger sisters, effectively parenting them, as papa is dead and mama (view spoiler)[ is hooked on laudanum. (hide spoiler)] All the while, Joshua continues his busy, bachelor life in London. To all intents and purposes, he is still single and happy to have discreet liaisons with widows or dissatisfied wives. And apart from the necessary consummation, they have not had any physical contact in two years. So technically, safety gang, he is unfaithful to the marriage vows.
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Normally, the infidelity bit would be an automatic deal-breaker for me, but under the circumstances, I could see why Joshua did what he did, and his previous marriage had certainly been very different. From the moment Cassandra appears on his doorstep, however, he does not stray.
All the same, it is not an auspicious start to a marriage.
The complexity of the MCs was delicious. At first, I found Joshua to be a selfish, insensitive, sarcastic little boy. Gradually, his layers are stripped away, and bit by bit we see the hurting, angry, lonely man underneath the callous, irreverent façade. He is very funny- he teases Cassandra, he mocks her and tries to bully her, and when she doesn’t balk, becomes increasingly desperate to keep his distance and avoid his feelings. Cassandra, meanwhile, has worked him out.
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While I don’t think I would have been as forbearing and compassionate as she was, because, hey, I am more of a bitch, (we danced along the doormat border for a bit, but the author managed to retain Cassandra’s dignity and self-respect throughout the story) I loved how she refused to give up on him. It was very moving, too, to see Joshua' emerging self-awareness and also how well he came to understand Cassandra. he had never thought about - or cared about-what she had endured in the last couple of years. Lots of space in his heart for regret and guilt there!
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Even the minor characters are charming and lovingly drawn, with Joshua’s relationship to his servant, Das, a stand-out. Cassandra’s sister is also an interesting (and damaged) person- her book should be fascinating.
In the end, Joshua and Cassandra save each other. I can imagine their marriage would have its moments, but there would also be tons of laughter and passion.
I amso looking forward to the next book in the series.
BTW, the fact that this fab new author is an Aussie has nothing to do with how much I loved this book. (But I did appreciate the Botany Bay and wombat references!)...more
3.5 stars. I really love this author- she hasn't written a book I haven't liked. This one was a lovely story, with two complex and damaged people findi3.5 stars. I really love this author- she hasn't written a book I haven't liked. This one was a lovely story, with two complex and damaged people finding their HEA together. Noah featured in previous books as the slightly violent and rather aggressive young man training with Crew Vega and his team, who we met in Vines. Here, he has matured a bit and his character is nicely fleshed out. Gracie has many layers (or veils, hence the title) and Noah is determined to strip them all away to reveal the loving, vulnerable woman beneath. Did I enjoy it as much as some of her others in this series? Probably not. But I still loved it and Ms Asher absolutely remains on my auto-buy list! If you like alpha males who are very bossy but remain respectful and loving, then BA writes those kind of heroes. You might want to smack them when they get too bossy sometimes, but they always come through with the goods! ...more
These men of the haven brotherhood are just too cute. For domineering alpha types, that is.
Zeke is a doctor and he meets Gabrielle by chance, a shy meThese men of the haven brotherhood are just too cute. For domineering alpha types, that is.
Zeke is a doctor and he meets Gabrielle by chance, a shy mechanic who has an anxiety disorder. Their romance is so sweet, as he gradually breaks down her barriers and supports her attempts to deal with her problem. There is also some shady business going on in the neighbourhood, which calls for action on the part of the Brotherhood. And they know how to deal! An emotional and charming addition to the series. ...more
2.5 stars. Initially, this seemed like a funny story about an Irish rugby player dude who is hot, rich and a man-whore, but shite in bed. Sean has lots2.5 stars. Initially, this seemed like a funny story about an Irish rugby player dude who is hot, rich and a man-whore, but shite in bed. Sean has lots of ONS but can’t actually get any of the women to orgasm.
Ironically, he will never learn how to from those girls, because all they want is to add him to their trophy shelf (cue lots of series of naked Sean in his bed after said ONS)- they fake their orgasms all the way! Not sure which of the two I disliked more, the man-whore or his groupies. We do get to know Sean better, and there is much more to him than what he chooses to show the world. But I have a problem with angry young men who wallow in their self-pity and don't just get on with making their lives positive and productive. It just seems so self-indulgent.
My first problem with this was that, in this day and age of Internet porn and Youtube, you can watch a million How to give a woman an orgasm videos that go into graphic (I'm talking close-up) detail. So the scenario was rather implausible to begin with. I'm not saying that it doesn't make a nice change from all these accomplished lovers who go straight for the G spot and give multiple orgasms every time! But it was a bit OTT for me. I was also fascinated by Sean's need to get shit-faced drunk every time before sex- surely that would affect his performance? On-field and off-field.
Added to this strange plot: Lucy agrees to show him/coach him on how to get her off. Yup.
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Secondly where was Lucy's family loyalty? After Sean had behaved so badly towards her brother? It made me respect her just that little bit less.
In the end it became a bit sordid and just plain yuk. Sean might have been better off paying a high class prostitute to help him understand a woman’s lady-parts! That Lucy agreed to have sex with him -for teaching purposes only, no relationship, thank you very much- was off, especially given who he was. Even if she did have a lady-boner for him.
I understand what these authors were trying to do- flip the genre on its head a bit- but I'm afraid it didn’t really work for me. Good writing, and good sex scenes, though. Lady-boner, anyone? ...more
Our hero is another man-whore (the Irish rugby team seems to be full of them) who suffered from periodic back-outs/loss of memory due to his regular aOur hero is another man-whore (the Irish rugby team seems to be full of them) who suffered from periodic back-outs/loss of memory due to his regular and massive alcohol intake. I have to question whether the authors have done much research into how elite athletes in any sport train, because an alcoholic is not going to make it at that level, no matter how much natural talent he has. Be that as it may, Bryan was apparently able to do both- binge-drink and train/play at an elite level. Until he couldn't. So the nasty man who literally threw the heroine out the door after she spent the night (her first sexual experience, by the way) has absolutely no recollection of it, because he was hopelessly drunk and has actual memory loss of that encounter. What a darling. Just my type of hero. And he certainly doesn't know he has fathered a child with Eilish, who is just 19. How Bryan re-invents himself and manages to convince Eilish that he hasn't really forgotten her and wants to be there for her and his son is actually a rather sweet story. His about-face is quite phenomenal- a stay-at-home, tea-drinking bird-watcher, he proves himself worthy and becomes the man that Eilish needs him to be. This was by far the gentlest and most heart-warming of the books in this series, and the one I enjoyed the most. ...more
2.5 stars When this author is on point, she is wonderful. But I felt that this book badly needed editing- it was too long and actually became boring. T2.5 stars When this author is on point, she is wonderful. But I felt that this book badly needed editing- it was too long and actually became boring. The premise was good, and I loved the look inside the London theatre world, but the plot seemed to repeat itself. The hero was forever racing off in a snit (he had serious trust issues, but still) and the heroine was way too nice and forgiving. I don't think you should have to beg someone to listen to your explanation, when you are in a relationship. The constant lack of trust on his part drove me crazy and there were too many other manipulative characters circling around the pair. I am vaguely interested in how the male prostitute mate of hers will go in his story, which is the next one, I think. But I am taking a break from this author for a bit....more
This was my introduction to one of my favourite CR series, by an author I generally love.
Initially, I was reluctant to start these books- I mean, knitThis was my introduction to one of my favourite CR series, by an author I generally love.
Initially, I was reluctant to start these books- I mean, knitting? I can do crafts (I've even made a quilt or two and have knitted, embroidered etc), but I am not someone who is going to wax lyrical about a type of yarn, or fight someone for that discontinued alpaca wool. If that is also you, don't be put off. These are really just amusing peripheral aspects of a series about the deep friendship between different kinds of women, and how they meet their one-and-onlys.
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I adored the MCs in this story. Janie is brilliant but definitely on the spectrum. Weird in a cute way. Does that put Quinn off? Nope- Sir McHotpants is all in from the start. He is fascinated by her. I loved the push/pull nature of their relationship. I laughed out loud, I chuckled and I got a little hot under the collar. In many ways, they are the complete opposite of each other, and so complement each other perfectly.
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Just a delightful and even insightful romantic comedy about two engaging and unusual people that I will no doubt re-read again and again.
RE-READ April 2020: and I'm re-reading the edition that has a little extra raunch and the wedding book included. OMG I love this book. Why 4 stars- I'm adjusting it to 5 stars now! Especially after some of the god-awful schlock I've read lately- or dnf-ed. The intense, single-minded way Quinn is into Janie is to die for. And I still have to giggle at some of the trivial facts she spews. What struck me this time as how Quinn totally dedicated himself to winning her. Single-minded devotion to the cause. No hesitation, no playing coy or hiding his feelings. He said ILY first and meant it. Sublime. Add the gorgeous ladies from the knitting group and I am complete. Time for another one of these: [image]...more
3.5 stars. The second in this series, and we are now in NYC and no longer in College. Ava is trying to make a go of her clothing label with her best fri3.5 stars. The second in this series, and we are now in NYC and no longer in College. Ava is trying to make a go of her clothing label with her best friend Lex, but bumps heads with the lawyer, Nate, who has been charged with running a lawsuit against them: they are being sued for stealing another designer's ideas. It's great how these women are determined to be successful and work so hard to achieve their dreams. They don't need men to validate them or their efforts, but are still prepared to work towards happy relationships with the men they love. In many ways, much more realistic than this genre usually is. Another enjoyable, push-and-pull story, well-written and engaging....more
3.5 stars. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this CR/NA. I always wonder what I am doing reading college romances, but this was so much better than I 3.5 stars. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this CR/NA. I always wonder what I am doing reading college romances, but this was so much better than I thought it would be. Sexy but cute, with the protagonists more mature than usual. Also, Dylan is a couple of years younger than Lex, yet it works really well. Definitely worth a look!...more
I was pretty excited when this prequel came out- another book in this excellent series! Yay!! And it was a bit of a tear-jerker, I have to say.
The unI was pretty excited when this prequel came out- another book in this excellent series! Yay!! And it was a bit of a tear-jerker, I have to say.
The underlying thread in this story seems to be guilt. Annabelle cannot overcome her guilt that she caused the horrific damage to Robert's leg by behaving in her usual impetuous fashion, even though she was just a child at the time. And Robert has felt endless guilt about how he brutally excised her from his life after it happened, event though his motives were pure. (He refuses to let her saddle herself with the damaged man he is just because she feels she owes him.)
Yet there is also the sweetness that these two are simply meant for each other, and have loved each other almost all their lives. The letters that Annabelle writes over the years to a man who will never read them (she doesn't post them) are charming and heart-breaking. His gesture at the end (view spoiler)[ where he writes a response to each of those letters after she gives the bundle to him (hide spoiler)] is just perfect.
Under pressure from his grandfather, who has watched Robert work his arse off on the estate and would like to see him settled and with an heir before he dies, Robert goes to London to seek a wife. And sees Annabelle again for the first time in seven years.
In the meantime, Annabelle has put her sketching talents to good use and has been having her satirical caricatures published in a gossip paper, the Informer. Problem is, if the ton finds out who has been ridiculing them, her reputation will be shot.
So it's Robert to the rescue (The series IS called "Rescued from Ruin", after all!) I loved the incorporation of other plot threads from later books into this one. Knowing all the characters so well made it seem very real- like recalling old friends. In this instance, the saga of Atherbourne and Lady Victoria plays out at the same time.
As usual, Lady Wallingham is at her meddling best. She teases Robert with tidbits about Annabelle's many suitors (there aren't really any, because she has never made an effort to attract anyone) and arranges for Annabelle to assist Robert with his search for a wife. When Robert resists, insising that he is leaving London, she plays her trump card: his old, ill grandfather will be most disappointed. He must return with a wife.
Annabelle refuses to hep him so he follows her. everywhere. He is like a dog wit a bone. It's kinda cute- not stalkerish because, after all, he toldher he would follow her...
This was a charming story, even when I wanted to smack Robert's stubborn head. When Annabelle says: "Ha! That would be the first thing you say to me, wouldn't it?" She lowered her voice to mimic his 'Have you lost your mind?' Hmmph. A fine way to end a seven-year pout." I thought- exactly!
It didn't move me quite as much as the letter that Sarah's father wrote to her in Desperately Seeking a Scoundrel but still, a fine, emotional end to an intriguing series....more
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