Short Take Reviews: Fragile Sanctuary | Forgotten Desires | The Friendship Pact

 

Fragile Sanctuary

by Catherine Cowles

Series: Sparrow Falls #1

Published: 5/16/2024

Goodreads

4.25 stars

✔ Grumpy x Sunshine 🌞

✔ Brother's Best Friend 🤵

✔ Broken Hero 💔

✔ Found Family 👪

✔ Serial Killer 🗡

The big picture: Rhodes tragically lost her family in a fire. Anson walked away from his FBI career after a devastating loss. When Rhodes is targeted, Anson steps in to protect her and find who is behind the escalating incidents.

What I liked:

Catherine Cowles + small town + romantic suspense = a book I'm going to love. As always with a Catherine Cowles novel, the prologue provided the perfect set-up and had me invested immediately. I loved Rho and the way she focused on gratitude and did not let her past define her. Anson's back story was heartbreaking and explained his need to keep people at arms length. The mystery aspect had me suspicious of virtually everyone... and I still didn't get it right. I love that! Rho's found family was priceless and I adored them. I can't wait for future books with their stories.

But not so much:

I admit that Cowles has a formula and doesn't seem to stray from it. Damaged character(s), serial killer or stalker, heroine is held by the bad guy near the end until hero shows up and saves her, heroine often ends up in hospital but obviously pulls through. Formulaic? Yes. Does this stop me from inhaling each and every release? Not in the least. 😉

Forgotten Desires

by Corinne Michaels

Series: Whitlock Family #4

Published: 6/5/2024

Goodreads

4.5 stars

✔ Second Chance Romance 💕

✔ Single Dad 👧

✔ Marriage of Convenience💒

✔ Billionaire 💰

✔ He Falls First 🤵

The big picture: Brynlee and Carson met during college spring break and quickly fell in love. Carson left without saying goodbye. Ten years later they meet again. Brynlee agrees to marry Carson to help him gain custody of his 4-year-old daughter. The old feelings are still there.

What I Liked:

I loved it all! Brynlee was kind and generous and willing to help anyone (including donating an organ to her absentee father). She had a heart of gold. Carson was amazing. He fell first and he fell hard. This man would do anything for Brynlee and the lengths he went to to make her happy and protect her made my heart melt. I loved how their marriage of convenience felt real from the very start. Carson's daughter Layla was a sweetheart. And Brynlee's brothers (and their partners) loved, supported, and showed the true meaning of family. This is the way to end a series.

But Not So Much:

Um, nothing? If I'm going to nit-pick, I'll say that yes it is improbable that a one week affair that happened a decade ago would having such a lasting impact on both their lives, but I don't even care. I don't read romance for reality. lol I happily went with it because I loved these characters so hard.

The Friendship Pact

by Jill Shalvis

Series: Sunrise Cove #2

Published: 6/14/2022

Goodreads

3.5 stars

✔ Second Chance Romance 💕

✔ Small Town 🏡

✔ Military Veteran 🏅

✔ Childhood Trauma 😢

The big picture: 

April had Tae when she was just fifteen and they struggled for years. April said Tae's father was dead, but Tae learns otherwise. Riggs, Tae's high school friend/one night stand, just returned to town and they still have chemistry. Riggs has a complicated relationship with his brother.

What I Liked:

I admired Tae's independence and her ambition. Riggs had an interesting backstory and I applauded how far he had come. I loved the organization that his brother founded for wounded warriors and the opportunities they provided for both veterans and disadvantaged youth. I had such compassion for Andy and his quiet acceptance of decisions that were made by April. 

But Not So Much:

April and Tae's relationship was co-dependent to the point of toxicity. Theses two needed to put space between them and develop as individuals in the worst way. Tae could be prickly and stubborn and it meant her relationship with Riggs often felt like one step forward and two steps back. But it was April's choices concerning Andy that really left me infuriated. She altered the lives of two people and robbed them of a relationship. Regardless of her reasons, I couldn't get past that. 

Have you read any of these books?

Short Take Reviews: Tempting Promises | Stay With Me | Last Call at the Local

 

Tempting Promises

by Corinne Michaels

Series: Whitlock Family #3

Pub: 2/22/2024

4 stars

Rowan and Charlotte were neighbors with adjacent farms. Rowan also happened to be Charlotte's sister's ex so Charlotte was duty-bound to loathe him. A series of events threw the two of them together and, naturally, the sparks flew. And when Charlotte was in danger of losing her farm, it was Rowan who stepped in to help. Charlotte was left to wonder if Rowan was the unfeeling player her sister claimed, or if there was more to Rowan that good looks and snarky comebacks.

I'll admit that enemies to lovers is not my favorite trope, but I do trust Corinne Michaels to deliver a good story - and that she did. Rowan's reputation in their small town took a hit when Charlotte's sister dragged his name through the mud. People like a juicy story better than the truth, so he gave up trying to set the record straight. In additional to rising above petty gossip, Rowan also had a huge heart and I loved the bond he had with his niece, and his love for his family. It took Charlotte longer to come around than I would have liked - Rowan came to her rescue both literally and figuratively more than once, proving he was a good guy - and I wanted to shake her for blindly believing her sister when all the evidence showed that her story was faulty. As always, Corinne Michaels excelled at creating a believable family dynamic with strong ties. I liked how Charlotte's issues at the farm were resolved and getting more time with the rest of the Whitlock family was a bonus.

Stay With Me

by Brooke Montgomery

Series: Sugarland Creek #2

Pub: 2/7/2024

4.25 stars

Magnolia spent years in an on again-off again relationship with a total loser. She'd been crushing on her best friend's brother for years but he never showed any interest. Tripp pined for Magnolia but wouldn't interfere in her relationship and had long accepted his place in the friend zone. When Magnolia is finally single, she and Tripp can (finally!) act on their mutual feelings. When Magnolia learns she's pregnant from a drunken night with her ex (pre-Tripp), she worries that things might be over before they've even really began.

The prologue (which had me teary-eyed) really set up Tripp's background and explained the issues with guilt and anxiety that plagued him. He was an absolute sweetheart and I liked seeing him open up to Magnolia about his mental health, knowing that she provided a safe space for him. Magnolia was a wild one, and her decision-making skills (or lack thereof) sometimes made her seem immature for her age. But there was no denying their chemistry and their feelings for one another. I did feel this one lagged a bit and got bogged down in details that just weren't necessary (like lengthy descriptions of the 90's movies that they watched). At 400+ pages, it felt overly long, but even so I was invested in their story and loved the inclusion of the rest of the Hollis clan. The minor suspense plot was a nice touch but it was Tripp who was the shining star here. His devotion to Magnolia gave all the swoony feelings. 

Last Call at the Local

by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

Series: Love, Lists & Fancy Ships #3

Pub: 1/2/2024

4.5 stars

Raine walked away from medical school and a life she did not want to become a traveling musician, busking her way across Europe. When stranded in a small town in Ireland, she accepts a temporary job from pub owner Jack. Free-spirited Raine makes friends, revitalizes the pub, and in Jack she finds someone who accepts and appreciates her just as she is. 

I find it impossible not to gush over this charming tale. Raine and Jack were such perfectly crafted characters, and while they each had their struggles (Raine had ADHD and Jack had OCD), they were so much more than those labels. Where others struggled to understand, Jack and Raine simply accepted each other's foibles and quirks. I adored their banter, their inside jokes, and their easy and honest way of communicating (so refreshing!). Beyond Raine and Jack, the entire cast of secondary characters were an absolute delight, right down to Sebastian the cat (aka Princess Ugly). I listened to this one on audio and the narrators were sheer perfection. Karissa Vacker and Gary Furlong brought the story to life in a way that had me seeing every scene, laughing out loud, and feeling every heartfelt moment.

Have you read any of these books?

Review: Say I'm Yours by Corinne Michaels

SAY I'M YOURS

by Corinne Michaels

Publication date: 5/25/2017

Format: Audiobook

Source: Audible

3.75 Stars

I spent 20 years waiting for Trent Hennington to open his eyes and see me. But it was all for nothing. He chose to keep himself guarded and let me walk away, proving that my time and efforts were wasted.

I'm done being invisible.

It's time to move on.

A single dance sets my new reality into motion, and I welcome it. After all, Cooper Townsend is perfect. He's kind, sexy, and attentive - everything a girl could want.

I thought I got it right this time.

That my heart could mend, and I would be happy.

Apparently, some things really are just too hard to walk away from.

Trent is the eldest of the Hennington brothers and sheriff of his small hometown of Bell Buckle. Grace has been the one for him since he was a teenager, and they’ve been together for years, but he has pulled away from her time and time again. They have broken up before over the years, so when Grace tells him it’s over, he knows she just needs a break before they’ll be back together once again.

Grace has been in love with Trent Hennington for as long as she can remember. But after almost twenty years, she’s done. Trent’s unwillingness to fully commit has left her feeling as though she’s not enough. She wants marriage and, hopefully, if she hasn’t waited too late, children – and Trent has proven over and over that he is never going to be the man to give that to her. It breaks her heart, but she ends things with Trent, and this time she knows it’s for good.

In walks Cooper, brother of Grace’s best friend and someone she’s known her whole life. After much persuasion, Cooper gets her to agree to one date. Just one date so he can show her how she should be treated. Because it seems as though Cooper has had feelings for Grace all these years and has been waiting for his chance.

I’m not sure how successful Corinne Michaels was with this third and final book in the Hennington Brothers series, because while it was obvious that Trent was the end-game, and he and Grace would find their forever, I was solidly Team Cooper. To put it bluntly, Trent acted like a real jerk – to Grace, to Cooper, to his brothers. He had almost twenty years to sort out his issues and fully commit to Grace. The fact that he did not come to his senses until he heard that Grace was going out with Cooper did not sit well with me. He behaved atrociously, as if he still had some claim on her, and that only highlighted Cooper’s kindness, patience, and heart of gold. Throughout it all, I admired Grace and how she handled herself. I empathized with her as she tried to move on, despite still loving Trent. I admired her honesty with Cooper, always conscious of his feelings and not wanting to lead him on. She was careful with his heart and I loved her for that.

Corinne did manage to inject a twist that I didn’t see coming which added another layer of emotion to the story. While my heart hurt for Trent and what he found himself dealing with, I can’t say that it was enough to really pull me from Team Cooper.

Over the span of three books, I cared so much for the people in Bell Buckle. The Hennington family, the Townsend family, the other residents in town that served as secondary characters… they all made for a close-knit community that had me ready to pack my bags and head for the small (fictional) town in Tennessee. Even though I wasn’t as connected to this couple as I was to those in the previous two books, there was still so much to enjoy. Fans of small town, second chance romance are sure to enjoy this one.

 

Tropes: small town, high school sweethearts, second chance, family saga, HEA

Content warning (highlight to view): death of a parent

Have you read Say I'm Yours?

Review: Say You Want Me by Corinne Michaels

SAY YOU WANT ME

by Corinne Michaels

Publication date: 10/29/2016

Format: Audiobook

Source: Audible

4.5 Stars

There’s no way I’ll fall for Wyatt Hennington.

He can keep his Southern drawl, irresistible smile, and those pick-up lines all to himself. I made the mistake of sleeping with him not once, but twice. I’m not stupid enough to give him round three, especially after he left me in the middle of the night so I could see myself out. I vow to return to Philadelphia and forget him.

It proves easier said than done.

When the doctor informs me I’m the winner of door prize number two, I put my life on hold and head back to Bell Buckle. Three months and if we can’t make this work, I’m gone.

The problem is–when the cards are stacked against us, and I can’t bring myself to leave him, I’ll finally know if he truly loves me or if all my fears were real.

As much as I enjoyed Say You’ll Stay (the first book in the Hennington Brothers series), Corinne Michaels amped up every emotion in this one and all the feelings hit me hard. Angie’s sister-in-law/best friend, Presley, left Philadelphia with her two sons and returned to her hometown in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. Angie misses them terribly and visits when she can, but she also loves her city life, her bakery business, and her stylish downtown condo. On Angie’s first trip to Bell Buckle she meets Wyatt Hennington, a too-charming-for-his-own-good rancher, and they spend the night together. On her next trip, it happens again. Back home in Philadelphia, Angie gets news that shakes her unencumbered single life to its foundation. When she returns to Bell Buckle, she agrees to stay for three months, at Wyatt’s urging. Three months to figure out if there can be something real and lasting between them.

I seriously loved Angie and Wyatt. When they were all-in and learning to trust each other, and even when they weren’t. When it felt like Angie had one foot out of the door, and when Wyatt shut down just when Angie needed him most – even then I loved those two and pulled so hard for them to find their way. It often felt like they were never at the same place in their relationship at the same time, and that made for some growing pains as they found their way. But I was there for their journey – the good, the bittersweet, and the downright heartbreaking. I loved Wyatt’s persistence, his tenderness, and his willingness to do absolutely anything to make Angie happy. He was a man who, once he’d made up his mind, he was all in and he didn’t feel the need to hide his feelings.

With Corinne Michaels there is almost always heartbreak. I’ve been reading her books long enough to know to expect it. Yes, she’s going to crush my heart, but I also know she’ll always make it better. But in Say You’ll Stay, Corinne went where even I did not think she would go. She really twisted the knife in this one and listening to these characters become so broken had me full-on crying, wiping away tears, and hitting pause on the audiobook because my heart simply couldn’t take it.

Wyatt and Angie had plenty to work through and it took them both to fight for their happy ending. I was completely sold on these two characters and so deeply invested in their outcome. The Hennington family played a big role in their story and I loved the relationships that formed and strengthened over the course of the story. In particular, the love and acceptance Angie found with Wyatt’s mother, when the relationship with her own mother was so toxic, put such a smile on my face. The support she received from Presley was priceless, and the involvement of some of the women in town added some much needed lightness and humor.

After reading more than two dozen books by Michaels, I can easily say that this is one of my favorites. Angie and Wyatt’s story captured my heart and I felt like I experienced every high and low right along with them. Their journey had me feeling every emotion. If you love a romance with a hard-fought happily ever after, I highly recommend Say You Want Me... just have your tissues ready.

Tropes: small town, one night stand, friends to lovers, family saga

Content warning (highlight to view): loss of pregnancy

Have you read Say You Want Me?

Review: Say You'll Stay by Corinne Michaels

SAY YOU'LL STAY

by Corinne Michaels

Publication date: 6/20/2016

Format: Audiobook

Source: Audible

4.25 Stars

One word.

Stay.
It was all he had to do. Instead, he got on that bus and took my heart with him.

That was seventeen years ago.

I moved on. Marriage. Kids. White picket fence. Everything I ever wanted, but my husband betrayed me and I was left once again.

Alone, penniless, and with two boys, I had no choice but to return to Tennessee. He wasn’t supposed to be there. I should’ve been safe. However, fate has a way of stepping in.

This time around, the tables are turned. It’s my decision. Second chances do exist, but I don’t know if we can repair what’s already been broken.

Seeing as how I tend to inhale everything Corinne Michaels releases, and I’m up with all her more current novels, I’ve been diving deep into her backlist. Which brings me to the Hennington Brothers series and Say You’ll Stay. Corinne managed to get me teary-eyed in the very first chapter, so I knew I was in for an emotional story.

Presley and Zach grew up in the same small town in Tennessee and were inseparable. They had a first love that was the real thing and they knew it was forever - until it wasn’t. Presley followed Zach to college but when he was drafted to play professional baseball she was wasn’t going to keep following him across the country. From there, their dreams and their choices took them in different directions. For Presley, that meant marriage, children, and a burgeoning small business. Without warning her life came tumbling down around her. Her only option? Return to Tennessee with her twin boys and live with her parents until she could regroup and get her life back on track. What she didn’t count on was Zach being there, too.

I was instantly sympathetic to Presley and the situation she found herself in. She lost so much and was doing everything she could to make the best of her circumstances. Back in her small hometown of Bell Buckle, she found that she had relationships to repair, and that Zach was not going to rest until they’d come to terms with their past. Presley was keeping secrets and while I understood her motivation (in both cases), there was a reckoning that made my heart hurt for her all over again.

There was so much to love here. Presley’s sister-in-law/best friend was truly her ride or die and I loved their tell-it-like-it-is relationship. Presley’s childhood friend Grace helped strengthen her connection to home. The older women in town (including Presley’s and Zach’s mothers) were priceless with their scheming and meddling, and at heart they were all truly loving, kind, and supportive. And then there was Zach who, despite his circumstances, had never stopped loving Presley. His love for her was truly the forever kind and I loved that he was tenacious yet so patient, pushing her to give them another chance, but also giving her the time she needed to heal. His relationship with Presley’s sons melted my heart and seeing the boys slowly form bonds with Zach, their grandparents and their uncle was so rewarding.

Say You’ll Stay was touching and emotional, sweet and sexy, heartbreaking but also heartwarming. It was a great example of second chances, love after loss, and a love that was truly meant to be.

Tropes: second chance, small town, single parent, grief, HEA

Have you read Say You'll Stay?

Short Take Reviews: Consolation and Conviction by Corinne Michaels

 

About a year ago I decided to do a deep dive into Corinne Michaels' backlist. I love her books so why not go back to the beginning, right? So I read her first two published novels, Beloved and Beholden from her Salvation series, and well... let's say that I wasn't blown away. (You can read my thoughts here.) And I decided I would stick with her newer releases.

Fast forward one year and I've done a total 180. I've been on a major Corinne binge lately and that made me want to go back to the beginning... again. So I went back to the Salvation series. And I am hooked! I'm now six books into the series and I don't want it to end. I can't explain it. The characters that drove me crazy in those first two books, I now adore. *shrugs* Here are my short and sweet thoughts on the Consolation Duet, books three and four in the overall series. 

Consolation

by Corinne Michaels

Series: Consolation Duet #1/Salvation series #3

Format: Audio 

Source: Audible Plus

At 27, Natalie was married to her high school sweetheart and expecting their first child. Receiving the news that Aaron, a former Navy Seal, was killed while on a security mission overseas, left her devastated and grief-stricken. When Aaron’s best friend Liam showed up after the birth of her daughter, offering his help and support, she quickly came to lean on him. His friendship and support helped her come back from a dark place and feel like herself again. They’d been friends for years through Aaron, but now a bond was forming separate from him. They were both grieving the loss of Aaron while struggling with feelings that went beyond the bounds of friendship. Corinne Michaels has a knack for writing sympathetic characters and that meant I felt Natalie’s heartbreak and pain, as well as Liam’s conflict as he dealt with the loss of his best friend and his own feelings for his friend’s widow. This one ended on a major cliffhanger which had me starting the next book immediately. 4.25 stars

Conviction

by Corinne Michaels
Series: Consolation Duet #2/Salvation series #4
Format: Audio
Source: Audible Plus

There’s little I can say about the plot of Conviction without major spoilers, so this review will be intentionally vague. Natalie had been dealt some major, life-changing blows in Consolation. Unfortunately, her life continued to take some unexpected turns and she was forced to adjust yet again. I loved Natalie’s strength and resilience and was desperate to see her get her happy ending. She showed such grace under pressure and concern for the feelings of others – until she reached her limit and put herself and her own needs first. Natalie changed and grew as a character, and it was so satisfying to watch her journey. Beyond Natalie, Corinne Michaels created a hero unlike any other and he will, without a doubt, go down as one of my favorite fictional heroes. His situation was just as heart wrenching as Natalie’s and seeing his steadfastness and his vulnerability was touching. There was romance and laughter and tears, and an ending that could not have been more perfect. 4.25 stars

Have you read either of these books?

Short Take Reviews: Help Me Remember | Overkill

 

HELP ME REMEMBER

Corinne Michaels

Series: Rose Canyon #1
Format: Kindle

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Trope(s): Brother's best friend, memory loss

Brielle woke up in a hospital and learned that her beloved older brother, her best friend and protector, had been killed and she was the only witness. Making matters worse, the head injury she suffered left her with no memory of the attack. There was now a three-year gap in her memory. With no idea of why the attack happened, or who did it, Brielle was given a security detail to keep her safe. Her brother’s three best friends also surrounded her and supported her, including Spencer, a world-renowned investigative journalist who worked with Brie to uncover her past and regain her memories. As memories started to resurface, Brie was left with more questions than answers. I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say I was glued to this fast-paced romantic suspense. Michaels did a great job at planting a few red herrings and I had theories galore, only to be surprised. Fans of her earlier books will be thrilled by the appearance of several previous characters. The story is told through two points of view – Brie’s and one other – and I will say that reading the other POV broke my heart again and again and had me tearing up. The heartache was real. This was an entertaining yet emotional story with a great set-up for the next book in the series. 4 STARS

OVERKILL

Sandra Brown

Series: NA

Format: Audio

Genre: Suspense, Thriller, Romantic Suspense

Former NFL quarterback Zach Bridger had a brief but tumultuous marriage to Rachel. He’s not seen Rachel in five years so he’s shocked to receive a call that she is on life support and, since he still has medical power-of-attorney, he will have to make the impossible decisions about her care. Unwilling to deal with the scrutiny of the media, and the pressure from Rebecca’s parents, Zach walks away, allowing her parents to call the shots. Four years later, the man responsible for Rebecca’s violent assault is released from prison early. The privileged and spoiled son of a wealthy family, Eban has no remorse and intends to return to his indulgent life of debauchery. That is, until a savvy state prosecutor approaches Zach with surprising news. In the event of Rebecca’s death, Eban could be tried for murder and receive a sentence fitting of the crime. Once again, Zach is faced with an impossible decision. If Rebecca remains in her vegetative state, Eban walks free. In order for Eban to be tried properly for his crimes, Zach will face an unimaginable choice. Meanwhile, Eban is well aware how precarious his freedom is, and is willing to make sure neither Zach nor Kate will live to threaten that. This was my first by Sandra Brown and I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced tale. The mix of suspense, the moral and ethical dilemmas Zach faced, and the romantic tension between Zach and Kate all combined for a great ride. 4 STARS

HAVE YOU READ THESE BOOKS?

DO YOU ENJOY ROMANTIC SUSPENSE?

Release Blitz / Review: A Chance for Us by Corinne Michaels

I'm so excited to be taking part in the release blitz and blog tour for A Chance for Us! Corinne Michaels did not disappoint and provided the perfect ending to the Willow Creek Valley series. I adored Oliver and Maren's story and the inclusion of so many familiar faces (from this series and from previous series!). If you're already a fan of Corinne Michaels, or just love small town contemporary romance with a strong focus on family, this one is for you.

My marriage started as a lie.

But some lies are worth telling.

My father's dying wish was to walk me down the aisle, and I'd do anything for him.

Even marry a man I don't love.

So when my fiancé jilts me only days before the ceremony, I turn to my college friend, Oliver Parkerson, and convince him to marry me.

My family hasn't met either man, so I'm confident we can pull this off.

But the feelings, our touches, the way my heart beats for him... none of it feels pretend. The way he holds me at night and carries me through loss tells me he's not acting either.

I didn't mean to fall for my fake husband, but real love was the one thing I couldn't predict.

Except, nothing built on lies can last--I know that better than anyone.

But the truth might tear us apart forever.

When Maren's fiancé ends things just days before their wedding, she is desperate to find a way to keep the dream alive. Her father, quickly losing his battle with cancer, wants nothing more than to walk his daughter down the aisle and know that she is happy and loved. Maren turns to her college friend Oliver and pleads for his help. When he agrees, she's certain she can pull off the wedding without a hitch, give her father one last bit of joy, and then she and Oliver will go their separate ways. But you know what they say about the best laid plans.

I just want to say that you, Oliver Parkerson, are one of the most incredible men I've ever known, and it's an honor to be your fake bride.

 

Oliver was a hero with a heart of gold, but one that also hid feelings of unworthiness and being second best behind a smile and a self-deprecating remark. Burned twice in the past by women who ended up choosing the other guy, Oliver was done with attachments. But the more time he and Maren spent together, the more the line blurred between what was fake and what was real. When he was dealt a blow that shook him to his core, he had to decide whether to go his own way, or trust in what he and Maren had started to build.

I am the friend, the guy who's good at offering support but is never more. I've been nothing more than that over and over. I'm the best man, but not the best man for her.

 

While I wasn't ready to say goodbye to the Parkerson family, I loved that Michaels chose to end with Oliver's story. During his speech as the best man, Oliver's brother Josh said, "Oliver truly is the best of us." And that he was. I adored being pulled back into the Parkerson clan and getting Oliver's story was such a fitting ending to what has been a remarkable series. A Chance for Us, and the entire Willow Creek Valley series, is not to be missed. 4.5 stars

FIND A CHANCE FOR US HERE:

Amazon: https://geni.us/ACFUAmazon

Apple Books: https://geni.us/ACFU_Apple

Nook: https://geni.us/ACFUNook

Kobo: https://geni.us/ACFU_Kobo

Google Play: https://geni.us/ACFUGoogle

Audible: https://geni.us/ACFU_Audible

Narrated by: Zachary Webber & Vanessa Edwin

Goodreads: https://geni.us/ACFUGR

Meet Corinne:

Corinne Michaels is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of romance novels. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love, and she enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak before finding a way to heal them through their struggles.

Corinne is a former Navy wife and happily married to the man of her dreams. She began her writing career after spending months away from her husband while he was deployed--reading and writing were her escapes from the loneliness. Corinne now lives in Virginia with her husband and is the emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children.

Connect with Corinne

Website: http://corinnemichaels.com

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2N1H2Gb

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NVZmhv

Facebook: https://bit.ly/1iwLh6y

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/corinnemichaelsbooks/

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2L1Vzo6

Twitter: https://bit.ly/2Jcp29z

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@corinnemichaelsauthor

Bookbub: https://bit.ly/2yc6rss

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/2m7MkEL

Book+Main: https://bit.ly/2EibEEn

CMBOOKS TO 77948

Review: Beloved and Beholden | The Belonging Duet by Corinne Michaels

Corinne Michaels is one of those "it" authors for me. She writes just the kind of emotional contemporary romances that I love, and over the last two years I've devoured more than a dozen of her novels. Recently I decided to do a deep dive into her backlist and read the Belonging Duet, her first two published books, and I've gotta say: she's come a long way, baby. Sure, Corinne's signature romance and emotional impact was there, but without the polish and the remarkable characters that I've come to expect. It's obvious there's been a lot of growth and finesse over the last 7-8 years. So here are my rambly-ranty thoughts on Corinne's earliest work, The Belonging Duet.

     

BELOVED (The Belonging Duet #1)

Pub date: May 27, 2014

Format: Audio

3.25 Stars

Enough. That single word is all I’ve ever wanted to be. Enough to make someone stay. Enough for someone to love and cherish, but I’ve been burned every time.

Except at my job. I thrive there. In my office, I have the ability to fix things and command situations.

Until my new client walks in.

It shouldn’t matter that he fills out a suit better than any man I’ve ever seen. His dimples and blue-green eyes shouldn’t call to me on every level. I know men like him and they’re dangerous to trust.

But Jackson Cole is irresistible.

The pain of the past disappears when he’s around. With him, I’m more than enough, and I break every rule about dating a client. I fall desperately in love with him—only to realize I should’ve trusted my instincts because I’m no one’s beloved.

BEHOLDEN (The Belonging Duet #2)

Pub Date: 

Format: Audio

3 Stars

I tried resisting him. I fought to ensure history wouldn’t repeat itself. In the end, Jackson and I knew he would win. He broke down my walls, obliterated every excuse, and made me love him against all odds.

Then he shattered my heart into thousands of pieces.

I can’t let him back in. It was hard enough surrendering my heart the first time. If he hurts me again, I’ll never survive. No matter what he thinks, we’re beholden to our past.

Catherine - One of my favorite things about Corinne's books are her characters. The women are down to earth, strong, relatable, and someone you could imagine being friends with. Catherine was... eh, not quite those things. Those around her were forever telling her how strong she was but I beg to differ. Girlfriend played the victim very well. She used her Daddy issues and a bad break-up with her fiancé to color her outlook on virtually everything. I can't remember the last time I read about a character who was so in her feelings. I mean, she wallowed in some epic teenage-level angst. Her friendship with Ashley was pretty cringey. They called each other Biffle (as in BFL... yeah, I cringed, too) and their relationship just felt super immature. I will say that I really admired Catherine's ambition and her work ethic - she was quite the go-getter. And her loyalty to those around her was strong.

Jackson - I adore Corinne's heroes. She writes men who are strong, protective, and willing to go the distance for the women they love. There were glimpses of that in Jackson but he often missed the mark. Too often he crossed the line from alpha-male to alpha-hole. His mood swings, specifically in the first book, were annoying. I loved his loyalty to his friends and his former team members but this guy's guilt and savior complex was written with a heavy hand. I mean, you'd think Jackson was solely responsible for all the ills in the world, such was his angst.

Plot - First, this really could have been one book. There was no need to drag out the drama over two books. It made the overall story feel repetitive and I was starting to think: Oh FFS, will you two just sort it out already? I really enjoyed the times Jackson and Catherine were together and they did have great chemistry. I also liked the sub-plots with both of Jackson's companies and the conflict/sabotage that occurred with Catherine and a rival. Those aspects really added a lot to the story. But in the end, the characters felt weak and the drama and angst was overdone. Oh, and Jackson's Big Secret that finally came to light in the second book? Really? Why was it a secret (Jackson's explanation was pretty flimsy) and why did Catherine overreact so badly? Yeah, too much drama and angst.

So there you have it. My ranty thoughts on the Belonging Duet. If You've read Corinne Michaels before, what did you think of these? And if you're new to Corinne Michaels, some words of advice: Skip her earliest work and jump right into the Arrowood Brothers series or the Willow Creek Valley series, both of which are excellent.

HAVE YOU EVER READ A FAVORITE AUTHOR'S EARLIER WORK AND BEEN SURPRISED OR DISAPPOINTED?