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Turner Twins #1
Turn It Up
She wants it. He’s got it…and a whole lot more.
Maxwell Turner considers his stubborn and resourceful attitude a plus. After all, it usually gets him what he wants—except for Natasha Bellingham. The long-time family friend may be ten years older than he, but so what? He’s plenty old enough to know they belong together. Now all he has to do is convince her.
Over the past few years Natasha’s love life has degenerated into a series of bad clichés. Her biological clock is ticking—loudly. As a proven architect with her own house-design company, she’s financially ready for a baby. Who says she needs a permanent man in her life for that? She just needs a “donation”.
When Max discovers Natasha’s future plans include artificial insemination, he’s outraged. She wants to get pregnant? No problem. He’s more than willing to volunteer—no turkey basters involved. But there’s one non-negotiable clause: He wants forever. And he intends to do everything in his power—fair and unfair—to make it happen.
Warning: This title contains one younger man ready, aimed and hell bent on giving one woman everything she wants. Includes interludes against the wall, in a Jacuzzi, on a car hood and even—shockingly enough—on a bed or two. Oh, and about that porch swing? Yup…
Maxwell Turner considers his stubborn and resourceful attitude a plus. After all, it usually gets him what he wants—except for Natasha Bellingham. The long-time family friend may be ten years older than he, but so what? He’s plenty old enough to know they belong together. Now all he has to do is convince her.
Over the past few years Natasha’s love life has degenerated into a series of bad clichés. Her biological clock is ticking—loudly. As a proven architect with her own house-design company, she’s financially ready for a baby. Who says she needs a permanent man in her life for that? She just needs a “donation”.
When Max discovers Natasha’s future plans include artificial insemination, he’s outraged. She wants to get pregnant? No problem. He’s more than willing to volunteer—no turkey basters involved. But there’s one non-negotiable clause: He wants forever. And he intends to do everything in his power—fair and unfair—to make it happen.
Warning: This title contains one younger man ready, aimed and hell bent on giving one woman everything she wants. Includes interludes against the wall, in a Jacuzzi, on a car hood and even—shockingly enough—on a bed or two. Oh, and about that porch swing? Yup…
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2010
113 people are currently reading
824 people want to read
About the author
Vivian Arend
158 books2,628 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Vivian Arend loves to share the products of her over-active imagination with her readers. She writes contemporary, western, and light-hearted paranormal romances. The stories are humorous yet emotional, usually with a large cast of family or friends, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. Vivian lives in British Columbia, Canada, with her husband of many years—her inspiration for every hero and a willing companion for all sorts of adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
February 8, 2011
You know, I'm not usually a fan of the "I want a baby" storyline, but Turn It Up was so much more than that. I really enjoyed it.
Natasha "Tasha" Bellingham is a 34-year-old architect who's decided she needs to have a baby before she's 35. Since her string of loser boyfriends hasn't been very promising, she's decided to go a more "clinical" route. As the story opens, she's hung over from her "last hurrah" before she settles down and begins a more healthy and pregnancy-centric lifestyle.
Maxwell Turner is the 24-year-old cousin of Natasha's best friend, Lila. He's had his sights set on Tasha since he graduated from college at age 17, but she's always rebuffed him. Last night, however, after he drove them home from their evening out, Tasha was so drunk she told him everything about Operation Baby. Max knows this is his chance to prove to her that he's the man for her.
Oh, these two were so perfect together! Max was so earnest and has loved Tasha for so long, and Tasha has been burned too many times to let her heart get broken again. Max's large and boisterous family contrasts with Tasha's estranged mother and absent father. Max does everything he can to show her that he can give her child, their child - if she agrees, so much love and devotion and a large, loving family.
When Max and Natasha finally got together, they were hot! Super sexy doesn't begin to cover it - these two were on fire in the bedroom! And I love that Max used that heat for all it was worth to wear down her self-imposed emotional walls.
There wasn't any sort of villain or "horrible event" in the story, only Tasha's self-doubts about getting involved with a younger man and thinking she can never love again. Her situation with her best friend Lila was unresolved, which I found frustrating, but I can also see where that could happen in real life. I really liked Max's big family, especially his twin sister Maxy, and hope we'll be reading her story soon.
All in all, Turn It Up was a super-sweet romance with lots of passion, a charming hero and a heroine who thinks she'll never find love.
Natasha "Tasha" Bellingham is a 34-year-old architect who's decided she needs to have a baby before she's 35. Since her string of loser boyfriends hasn't been very promising, she's decided to go a more "clinical" route. As the story opens, she's hung over from her "last hurrah" before she settles down and begins a more healthy and pregnancy-centric lifestyle.
Maxwell Turner is the 24-year-old cousin of Natasha's best friend, Lila. He's had his sights set on Tasha since he graduated from college at age 17, but she's always rebuffed him. Last night, however, after he drove them home from their evening out, Tasha was so drunk she told him everything about Operation Baby. Max knows this is his chance to prove to her that he's the man for her.
Oh, these two were so perfect together! Max was so earnest and has loved Tasha for so long, and Tasha has been burned too many times to let her heart get broken again. Max's large and boisterous family contrasts with Tasha's estranged mother and absent father. Max does everything he can to show her that he can give her child, their child - if she agrees, so much love and devotion and a large, loving family.
When Max and Natasha finally got together, they were hot! Super sexy doesn't begin to cover it - these two were on fire in the bedroom! And I love that Max used that heat for all it was worth to wear down her self-imposed emotional walls.
There wasn't any sort of villain or "horrible event" in the story, only Tasha's self-doubts about getting involved with a younger man and thinking she can never love again. Her situation with her best friend Lila was unresolved, which I found frustrating, but I can also see where that could happen in real life. I really liked Max's big family, especially his twin sister Maxy, and hope we'll be reading her story soon.
All in all, Turn It Up was a super-sweet romance with lots of passion, a charming hero and a heroine who thinks she'll never find love.
February 18, 2011
4.5 stars. Older woman/younger man is one of my least favorite tropes. In general, I hate it with a thousand passions. Because the woman is always freaking out about how the man is too young for her. Ugh.
So, worried as I was, I was thrilled to see that that wasn't the case with Turn It Up. Tasha had issues, oh yes she did, but they stemmed from abandonment issues rather than age issues. And it thrilled me to see that she consciously tried to open herself up to Max. Usually the women are trying to come up with excuses to keep themselves closed off, and while she did a tiny bit of that, more often she was convincing herself to let him in, to open up, to experience life with him.
And Max. Ahhh, what a gem he was. Smart, funny, workaholic but willing to make time for his woman, and hot. Believe me, he had to be super hot if I could overcome the name Max. Totally committed to Tasha and their baby and their life together. And so patient, too.
If you've ever been pregnant, you appreciate the accuracy of the descriptions and feelings of being pregnant described. The push and pull of a schizophrenic sex drive - there one minute and soooo not there the next. Of nesting. Of awkward positions in sex. And I loved the scene where they had the ultrasound, and while wanting so badly to share the warm fuzzies with Max, Tasha simply said hang on and ran off to pee.
To me, it was very odd that this book came 2nd in the series, as it takes place before book 1 and also serves to put Maxy's (max's sister - don't ask) innocence and situation into some perspective. Still, if I hadn't read book 1 first, I never would have had any issues. I highly recommend reading these two books out of order. I liked them both, but this one especially.
So, worried as I was, I was thrilled to see that that wasn't the case with Turn It Up. Tasha had issues, oh yes she did, but they stemmed from abandonment issues rather than age issues. And it thrilled me to see that she consciously tried to open herself up to Max. Usually the women are trying to come up with excuses to keep themselves closed off, and while she did a tiny bit of that, more often she was convincing herself to let him in, to open up, to experience life with him.
And Max. Ahhh, what a gem he was. Smart, funny, workaholic but willing to make time for his woman, and hot. Believe me, he had to be super hot if I could overcome the name Max. Totally committed to Tasha and their baby and their life together. And so patient, too.
If you've ever been pregnant, you appreciate the accuracy of the descriptions and feelings of being pregnant described. The push and pull of a schizophrenic sex drive - there one minute and soooo not there the next. Of nesting. Of awkward positions in sex. And I loved the scene where they had the ultrasound, and while wanting so badly to share the warm fuzzies with Max, Tasha simply said hang on and ran off to pee.
To me, it was very odd that this book came 2nd in the series, as it takes place before book 1 and also serves to put Maxy's (max's sister - don't ask) innocence and situation into some perspective. Still, if I hadn't read book 1 first, I never would have had any issues. I highly recommend reading these two books out of order. I liked them both, but this one especially.
October 4, 2015
4.5 stars!
March 25, 2011
Towards the end of this book, I was wondering how I'd describe it and the word "average" popped into my mind. In many ways this book is solid, it has everything it needs to have and is written well enough that I kept reading and was interested for most of the book. Yet, it never really touched me. To me, a really amazing book well suck me into the point that when I look up it takes me a minute to readjust to my surroundings and figure out where the heck I am. This book didn't do that. It didn't even come close. The entire read I was always completely aware that I was sitting there reading this off my ereader, that I should clean the surface of my ereader because it's gettin' a bit gross, and that my neck (or arm or leg) was in an uncomfortable position.
So "average" is the perfect description of this story. I have never quite categorized a book in this way before. It is well written in terms of mechanics, the plot was mildly interesting and the characters were enjoyable but I was always on the outside (in the cold) peering in through the window, instead of actually being a fly on the wall. Apparently, that small distinction makes a big difference for me.
Oddly, it appears that the two books in this series are in reverse order. I haven't read book 1 but I looked at the sneak peek at the back of this story. Book 1 is about the hero's sister and her love story, but in book 2 she is single and has just acquired the house that appears to play a large role in book 1. I don't know how I feel about this, I think if I had read book 1 first I might actually like the setup in the same way I liked the past scenes in the second Godfather movie. Seeing the past after seeing a bit of the present seems to carry more meaning then when you see them in their proper order. This is something to keep in mind if you want to read book 2, perhaps it will read differently if you read book 1 first.
I need to note that the male hero in this book is very much in the style of Vivian Arend. Her heroes, while being main characters, never seem to be the focal point like the heroine is. We see much more of the heroine's struggle and the story seems to revolve completely around her even when the perspective changes to the hero. I'm not saying that all Arend books are like this, just some (most?) and this book falls into that category.
At the end of the day, I'll still read Vivian Arend when she comes out with something that catches me eye. I won't be reading the first book in this series, and if there are other books in the series I doubt I will read them either So what does that say? I think it reiterates that this book was average, and suggest that I am much more interest in the above average reads.
So "average" is the perfect description of this story. I have never quite categorized a book in this way before. It is well written in terms of mechanics, the plot was mildly interesting and the characters were enjoyable but I was always on the outside (in the cold) peering in through the window, instead of actually being a fly on the wall. Apparently, that small distinction makes a big difference for me.
Oddly, it appears that the two books in this series are in reverse order. I haven't read book 1 but I looked at the sneak peek at the back of this story. Book 1 is about the hero's sister and her love story, but in book 2 she is single and has just acquired the house that appears to play a large role in book 1. I don't know how I feel about this, I think if I had read book 1 first I might actually like the setup in the same way I liked the past scenes in the second Godfather movie. Seeing the past after seeing a bit of the present seems to carry more meaning then when you see them in their proper order. This is something to keep in mind if you want to read book 2, perhaps it will read differently if you read book 1 first.
I need to note that the male hero in this book is very much in the style of Vivian Arend. Her heroes, while being main characters, never seem to be the focal point like the heroine is. We see much more of the heroine's struggle and the story seems to revolve completely around her even when the perspective changes to the hero. I'm not saying that all Arend books are like this, just some (most?) and this book falls into that category.
At the end of the day, I'll still read Vivian Arend when she comes out with something that catches me eye. I won't be reading the first book in this series, and if there are other books in the series I doubt I will read them either So what does that say? I think it reiterates that this book was average, and suggest that I am much more interest in the above average reads.
December 28, 2019
I would strongly recommend reading in wrong order.I read this book first. This first couple of pages lets slip of the brothers story. So I decided to read them in reverse that way one story led to the next. Both amazing story's. if u like this def try her wolf series out.
Ryan is a contractor and after Maxine is broken into and she hires Ryan to make her home safe. Maxine has some ptsd from a previous relationship and Ryan helps to work out these issues.
This series could go anywhere with the fact there millions of Max’s. To inherit money from her grandfather all heirs must be called Max.
Love story. Great HEA.
Ryan is a contractor and after Maxine is broken into and she hires Ryan to make her home safe. Maxine has some ptsd from a previous relationship and Ryan helps to work out these issues.
This series could go anywhere with the fact there millions of Max’s. To inherit money from her grandfather all heirs must be called Max.
Love story. Great HEA.
February 15, 2011
LOVED Junior and Tasha's story. Junior is a very sexy, determined male. I loved the porch swing. Makes me think of the old country song "Just A Swinging" in a new light ;-)
I am anal about reading books in order. So even though this is book #2, I would read it before Turn It On - Book #1, which is about Maxine, Junior's sister and takes place after Junior and Tasha's story. Both are awesome books.
I am anal about reading books in order. So even though this is book #2, I would read it before Turn It On - Book #1, which is about Maxine, Junior's sister and takes place after Junior and Tasha's story. Both are awesome books.
Want to read
June 27, 2018
February 17, 2011
Published: February 8th, 2011
Publisher: Samhain
How I got this book: Purchased
I’m not usually a big fan of baby stories, but I’ve come to learn that with Arend, what you see is not always what you get. We first met Max and Natasha in Turn It On, the first book in the Turner Twin Series. Although this one is a prequel, it was great to see Max and Natasha in a different light.
Natasha is starting to feel her biological clock ticking, and when she has one last night on the town, her drunken self accidently reveals her plan to Max. Since Max has always wanted to be with Natasha, he puts together a very impressive business plan to try and convince her to marry him and start that family with him. After much debating Natasha finally decides to give it a chance, and agrees to his proposal.
Although love wasn’t part of his original plan, Max does everything he can think of to woo Natasha, getting her to fall in love with him. But with the stress of his over bearing family, Natasha’s angry best friend, and hormones, will she be able to admit she feel in love?
I really enjoyed this one, despite a few things that really grated on me. I loved that Natasha was a cougar, although it was the one thing she really didn’t want to be. Her struggle with admitting her feelings for Max, and dealing with him being younger than her was a constant throughout. And while I normally agree that men mature at a much slower rate than woman, it was also painfully obvious to me that Max was not the “typical” guy. He was responsible and wanted nothing more than to be with Natasha day in and day out. Her inability to recognize that, or at least acknowledge that had me doubting her own intelligence.
I enjoyed getting an even better insight into the Turner family, and in this we get to see a lot more of the family dynamic. Every time Max’s family came into play, I remembered thinking… this is my family in a nut shell. LOL.
The big thing that really rankled on me was Max’s cousin and Natasha’s best friend Lila. The two girls are thick as thieves at the beginning of the story, and when Natasha tells Lila about her upcoming nuptials to Max, Lila freaks out. She berates Natasha, refuses to take her calls, won’t speak to her at family events and acts like an overall baby. Now, I speculate that there is something in Lila’s past that brought this about, but the fact that she doesn’t redeem herself and is a total bitch throughout the story really drives me nuts. She was given every chance to come clean with both Max and Natasha, but refused to be an adult and talk about it, instead acted like a two year old throwing a tantrum. I can only hope Arend will continue the series and give Lila a chance to redeem herself. (Yes, I’m talking to you Viv. Let Lila redeem herself… PLEASE?)
I thought the way that Max relentlessly pursued Natasha was great, the dates he set up for them, the way he helped her achieve her dream house, the way he took care of her once she got knocked up… Max really is a great hero, super in tune with his heroines needs. Loved that about them. This was a great addition to the Turner Twins Series, and like I said, I hope (pray) that Arend continues on with this series.
All in all, I give Turn It Up 4 out of 5 pregnant cougars. RAWR!
Publisher: Samhain
How I got this book: Purchased
I’m not usually a big fan of baby stories, but I’ve come to learn that with Arend, what you see is not always what you get. We first met Max and Natasha in Turn It On, the first book in the Turner Twin Series. Although this one is a prequel, it was great to see Max and Natasha in a different light.
Natasha is starting to feel her biological clock ticking, and when she has one last night on the town, her drunken self accidently reveals her plan to Max. Since Max has always wanted to be with Natasha, he puts together a very impressive business plan to try and convince her to marry him and start that family with him. After much debating Natasha finally decides to give it a chance, and agrees to his proposal.
Although love wasn’t part of his original plan, Max does everything he can think of to woo Natasha, getting her to fall in love with him. But with the stress of his over bearing family, Natasha’s angry best friend, and hormones, will she be able to admit she feel in love?
I really enjoyed this one, despite a few things that really grated on me. I loved that Natasha was a cougar, although it was the one thing she really didn’t want to be. Her struggle with admitting her feelings for Max, and dealing with him being younger than her was a constant throughout. And while I normally agree that men mature at a much slower rate than woman, it was also painfully obvious to me that Max was not the “typical” guy. He was responsible and wanted nothing more than to be with Natasha day in and day out. Her inability to recognize that, or at least acknowledge that had me doubting her own intelligence.
I enjoyed getting an even better insight into the Turner family, and in this we get to see a lot more of the family dynamic. Every time Max’s family came into play, I remembered thinking… this is my family in a nut shell. LOL.
The big thing that really rankled on me was Max’s cousin and Natasha’s best friend Lila. The two girls are thick as thieves at the beginning of the story, and when Natasha tells Lila about her upcoming nuptials to Max, Lila freaks out. She berates Natasha, refuses to take her calls, won’t speak to her at family events and acts like an overall baby. Now, I speculate that there is something in Lila’s past that brought this about, but the fact that she doesn’t redeem herself and is a total bitch throughout the story really drives me nuts. She was given every chance to come clean with both Max and Natasha, but refused to be an adult and talk about it, instead acted like a two year old throwing a tantrum. I can only hope Arend will continue the series and give Lila a chance to redeem herself. (Yes, I’m talking to you Viv. Let Lila redeem herself… PLEASE?)
I thought the way that Max relentlessly pursued Natasha was great, the dates he set up for them, the way he helped her achieve her dream house, the way he took care of her once she got knocked up… Max really is a great hero, super in tune with his heroines needs. Loved that about them. This was a great addition to the Turner Twins Series, and like I said, I hope (pray) that Arend continues on with this series.
All in all, I give Turn It Up 4 out of 5 pregnant cougars. RAWR!
March 11, 2011
Favorite Quote: “Damn you for being a sex god, Maxwell Turner. Let’s do it.”
Tasha can hear her biological clock ticking. At 34 years old, she wants to have a baby and has decided to go at it alone. As one last hurrah before she gives up coffee, sweets and alcohol, she goes out and drinks way too much. Very drunk, she spills her secret about her plans for having a child to her good friend Maxwell Turner.
Max has been very attracted to Tasha for a long time. But because he is only 24 and his family is good friends with her, he has never initiated a romantic relationship. But he now sees an opportunity. He offers himself to be the father – but he also offers marriage. He secretly wants this agreement to eventually turn to love, but tries to keep it low key as to not scare off Tasha. Tasha is very hesitant about this arrangement, but the stability for her and the eventual baby is too much for her to pass up
I’ve been wanting to try something by Vivian Arend for a long time so when Turn It Up came my way I grabbed it, even though this type of set up is not really my favorite. The idea of two best friends getting married so the girl can achieve her goal of having a baby is a little silly to me. Especially with their intent to remain in this marriage as friends for the rest of their lives (even though this is a romance book so you know that is not going to happen).
That aside, I really did find Turn It Up to be a cute book. I think the cover makes it look a little dark but this is definitely not the case. This is more light-hearted with a geeky hero. Win!
I enjoy Vivian Arend’s writing style. The characters are funny, very sexy, and entertaining. It took me a good while to warm up to Tasha. I needed a better understanding of why she is so scared of commitment sooner in the story. It wasn’t until about 70% in until I realized or comprehended why she was afraid to show her true feelings to Max. Until then she came across as immature and confusing to me. She is the one that has been planning to have this baby for quite some time, Max learns about it in one night, and the next day he is the one with the plan and the one that never freaks out.
I enjoyed Max from the start. I love geeky heroes – he finished college when he was 17 and is into computers and games. But he is also super sexy and pursues and seduces Tasha in the most wicked of ways. I was surprised at how dirty, dirty the sex scenes are in this book. Tasha and Max have great chemistry and their romance is very cute yet very naughty. Hello to smex on Grandma’s porch swing!
Tasha’s best friend Lila is a great character in this book. She vehemently opposes their marriage and overall situation and I really enjoyed bringing that conflict in since everyone else in Max’s large family seemed perfectly content with this sudden marriage and baby. I assume Lila is getting her own book and I look forward to it!
Turn It Up definitely turned me on to Vivian Arend. Cute story and I look forward to more.
Rating: B
Tasha can hear her biological clock ticking. At 34 years old, she wants to have a baby and has decided to go at it alone. As one last hurrah before she gives up coffee, sweets and alcohol, she goes out and drinks way too much. Very drunk, she spills her secret about her plans for having a child to her good friend Maxwell Turner.
Max has been very attracted to Tasha for a long time. But because he is only 24 and his family is good friends with her, he has never initiated a romantic relationship. But he now sees an opportunity. He offers himself to be the father – but he also offers marriage. He secretly wants this agreement to eventually turn to love, but tries to keep it low key as to not scare off Tasha. Tasha is very hesitant about this arrangement, but the stability for her and the eventual baby is too much for her to pass up
I’ve been wanting to try something by Vivian Arend for a long time so when Turn It Up came my way I grabbed it, even though this type of set up is not really my favorite. The idea of two best friends getting married so the girl can achieve her goal of having a baby is a little silly to me. Especially with their intent to remain in this marriage as friends for the rest of their lives (even though this is a romance book so you know that is not going to happen).
That aside, I really did find Turn It Up to be a cute book. I think the cover makes it look a little dark but this is definitely not the case. This is more light-hearted with a geeky hero. Win!
I enjoy Vivian Arend’s writing style. The characters are funny, very sexy, and entertaining. It took me a good while to warm up to Tasha. I needed a better understanding of why she is so scared of commitment sooner in the story. It wasn’t until about 70% in until I realized or comprehended why she was afraid to show her true feelings to Max. Until then she came across as immature and confusing to me. She is the one that has been planning to have this baby for quite some time, Max learns about it in one night, and the next day he is the one with the plan and the one that never freaks out.
I enjoyed Max from the start. I love geeky heroes – he finished college when he was 17 and is into computers and games. But he is also super sexy and pursues and seduces Tasha in the most wicked of ways. I was surprised at how dirty, dirty the sex scenes are in this book. Tasha and Max have great chemistry and their romance is very cute yet very naughty. Hello to smex on Grandma’s porch swing!
Tasha’s best friend Lila is a great character in this book. She vehemently opposes their marriage and overall situation and I really enjoyed bringing that conflict in since everyone else in Max’s large family seemed perfectly content with this sudden marriage and baby. I assume Lila is getting her own book and I look forward to it!
Turn It Up definitely turned me on to Vivian Arend. Cute story and I look forward to more.
Rating: B
May 29, 2012
I wish that I had read this book before Turn it On, as the action that takes place happens before it, even though this one is listed as #2.
I really liked Max, loved that he knew at a really young age that he loved and wanted Tasha and that he took advantage of what Tasha wanted, a baby, to get what he wanted, Tasha. He went about it with a ruthlessness that was subtle and sneaky. I was even charmed by Tasha's reticence and understood why she had it.
There were so many great parts that had me tearing up, the ultra sound and the grave yard come to mind right away. I hated another moment, one with Lila and Tasha. I feel like Lila was being selfish.
All in all this was a fun read, I wish we would see more with the Turner clan.
I really liked Max, loved that he knew at a really young age that he loved and wanted Tasha and that he took advantage of what Tasha wanted, a baby, to get what he wanted, Tasha. He went about it with a ruthlessness that was subtle and sneaky. I was even charmed by Tasha's reticence and understood why she had it.
There were so many great parts that had me tearing up, the ultra sound and the grave yard come to mind right away. I hated another moment, one with Lila and Tasha. I feel like Lila was being selfish.
All in all this was a fun read, I wish we would see more with the Turner clan.
July 2, 2012
I could have sworn I already posted a review of this. Oh well I'll do it again.
The older woman trope is a favorite of mine beings as I'm an 'older woman' to my husband.
This one was well done. I'm sure that many women can relate to the baby hunger the heroine suffers from. The hero is super sweet and super determined that they are going to be together.
The fact that everyone didn't think they should be together seems fairly realistic but I wish that the naysayer would have had a better rationale.
All in all well written and charming.
The older woman trope is a favorite of mine beings as I'm an 'older woman' to my husband.
This one was well done. I'm sure that many women can relate to the baby hunger the heroine suffers from. The hero is super sweet and super determined that they are going to be together.
The fact that everyone didn't think they should be together seems fairly realistic but I wish that the naysayer would have had a better rationale.
All in all well written and charming.
February 25, 2011
I really like Arend's writing style. Her stories are very readable.
I enjoyed this one, though not as much as the first in the series. Tasha's hang-ups about relationships made sense in the beginning, but the longer she held herself back the more I questioned the fact that she was 34 years old. Even though men mature a lot slower than women, Max was definitely the more mature of the two when it came to love.
I liked that Max knew what he wanted and went about getting it. He didn't screw around or play games - he stated his intentions and followed through.
Overall a solid read.
I enjoyed this one, though not as much as the first in the series. Tasha's hang-ups about relationships made sense in the beginning, but the longer she held herself back the more I questioned the fact that she was 34 years old. Even though men mature a lot slower than women, Max was definitely the more mature of the two when it came to love.
I liked that Max knew what he wanted and went about getting it. He didn't screw around or play games - he stated his intentions and followed through.
Overall a solid read.
March 9, 2011
Give me a younger man like Max Turner and I will not have one problem with the age difference! I enjoyed this story so much more than Turn It On! Loved the chemistry between Max and Tasha. Max is a horny, sexy devil that is so passionate and loving to Tasha. Storyline focused more on Tasha's insecurities to trust love and commitment as opposed to the whole I want a baby story. This was a short and sweet romance with plenty of sizzle!
March 23, 2011
this is book 2, but a prequel i'm assuming...
another 3.5 stars for the second book in the series. pretty solid, just not a 4 star for me. her books are always entertaining though, hot sex and likeable characters.
another 3.5 stars for the second book in the series. pretty solid, just not a 4 star for me. her books are always entertaining though, hot sex and likeable characters.
June 21, 2012
Loved the older woman, younger man dynamic. It was touching in parts and hot as hell in others. The book is one that I pick up every now and again because I love it so much. Max and Natasha, just love them!
February 8, 2011
amazing read. I want a man just like Max ^_^
October 6, 2016
Maxwell Turner has been in love with Natasha Bellingham for a while, however, due to their age difference she refuses to see him as anything more than a friend. So, when she drunkenly confesses to him one night that she is planning to have a baby via artificial insemination, he knows he has got to stop her. After all, she has a man right here willing to give her anything she wants, including children, all he has to do is convince her...
Before I start this review, I'm giving you a disclaimer: this isn't my usual type of book, the blurb didn't really attract me and apart from certain authors contemporary romance isn't normally my type of read. I hear you cry "so why the hell did you read it?!", that's a fair question, every now and then I like to shake up what I read, tastes change after all and I do sometimes go back and read and enjoy something I never thought I would. Hence, this book, it was an experiment. Sadly for me it wasn't a very successful one.
There wasn't anything wrong with this book, the main problem I had with it was that it never captured or maintained my interest, if it wasn't for the fact that it's quite short I doubt I would have finished it. Just out of boredom. But, I did finish it and I know other girls on the blog really like Vivian Arend, which I why I added that disclaimer at the beginning of this review.
Max, the hero was ten years younger than Tasha, the heroine - 24 to her 34, however, although that is an obstacle in the book, what they really need to over come is Tasha's mistrust of men and her fear that she isn't lovable. A matter that Max, by the end of the book, by being incredibly, sickeningly perfect and sweet, has managed to put to rest. They were nice together, however, I felt like I was missing something that I had missed an essential step in their romance, they went from friends to old married couple in a matter of pages. It almost felt like I was halfway through a long series and I had missed a lot of back story.
As I said, this wasn't my type of read and I won't be in a rush to read the other book in this series, this experiment in trying new things was definitely a failure!
Reviewed by Suzanne
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August 3, 2021
Read in the box set.
Natasha seems more emotionally immature than Max, who is ten years her junior. She continually comes across as selfish and cowardly in her thinking and has a cool attitude. She is not cold but I don’t feel she is invested at all for too long and just cannot like her.
If Max and Maxine are twins, why is it only Max seems to have the high IQ?
Really didn’t understand why Lila behaved as she did. Wish we had a solid reason but we don’t get one as Lila herself doesn’t know.
The whole MAX name thing, ludicrous but funny.
Really fun ending.
Natasha seems more emotionally immature than Max, who is ten years her junior. She continually comes across as selfish and cowardly in her thinking and has a cool attitude. She is not cold but I don’t feel she is invested at all for too long and just cannot like her.
If Max and Maxine are twins, why is it only Max seems to have the high IQ?
Really didn’t understand why Lila behaved as she did. Wish we had a solid reason but we don’t get one as Lila herself doesn’t know.
The whole MAX name thing, ludicrous but funny.
Really fun ending.
May 24, 2025
Great older woman book
Tasha has been turning down Max every time he asked her out for many years. She says it's because she is ten years older. Max has been in love with Tasha for years and when he finds out she wants a baby he makes a case for him to be the one to get her pregnant instead of insemination. The finally come to an agreement but will her past relationships keep her from truly falling in love? Will she ever believe that she is truly loveable and that Max really does want her forever? How will everyone react to them being together with the age difference?
Tasha has been turning down Max every time he asked her out for many years. She says it's because she is ten years older. Max has been in love with Tasha for years and when he finds out she wants a baby he makes a case for him to be the one to get her pregnant instead of insemination. The finally come to an agreement but will her past relationships keep her from truly falling in love? Will she ever believe that she is truly loveable and that Max really does want her forever? How will everyone react to them being together with the age difference?
July 3, 2018
A good read about a driven man, driven for one particular girl. Problem is, she's a family friend, the problem is, she sees him as a baby, the problem is, she has horrible taste in men. Max wants her and has always wanted her. He gives her a ride home one night and in her drunken stupor she tells him of her plans-to give up on men and to get artificially inseminated. Max sees no reason for a 'turkey baster".
August 6, 2018
Max deserves a medal! His unwavering love (thus patience) towards Tasha knows no bounds. Tasha, on the other hand, is reserved and cautious.
I like that the Lila situation was not resolved in the end, although I don't get her disapproval (/disappointment?) towards Tasha.
This "reversed" May-December story was charming, mostly because of Max.
3.5☆
I like that the Lila situation was not resolved in the end, although I don't get her disapproval (/disappointment?) towards Tasha.
This "reversed" May-December story was charming, mostly because of Max.
3.5☆
September 19, 2020
Good read
Enjoyable set of books but I’d read the second book in another set. So first book you get younger guy older woman. Loved it, not sure why Lila ended up being so horrible but am sure its story for another day.
Enjoyable set of books but I’d read the second book in another set. So first book you get younger guy older woman. Loved it, not sure why Lila ended up being so horrible but am sure its story for another day.
May 13, 2017
Nice story of learning to trust in the now and future and not get bogged down in past -Max was great
October 1, 2017
Perfect. Enjoyable. Exactly what I wanted to read, without knowing what would happen.
January 12, 2018
Another winner
I guess you have me spoiled , the city life the country mix them and what a ride, so let's ride
I guess you have me spoiled , the city life the country mix them and what a ride, so let's ride
March 3, 2018
A bit rushed but I liked it. Max was a sweetheart.
June 25, 2018
What beginning
What a beginning. They were always wanting more. But the timing was ever right. He finally found a way. And went for it.
What a beginning. They were always wanting more. But the timing was ever right. He finally found a way. And went for it.
June 30, 2018
Turn it over
A new series, great author with a lot of talent. I enjoyed this book but love her Cowboy series.
💜💜💜💜💜💜
A new series, great author with a lot of talent. I enjoyed this book but love her Cowboy series.
💜💜💜💜💜💜
July 22, 2019
The Heroine's doubts became wearisome at times, but I loved Hero Maxwell - his sexy, loving gentleness and steadfastness made the book for me. Final Rating: 3 Stars
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