Divorced, Desperate and Deceived

Divorced and Desperate #3

by Christie Craig

An undercover DEA agent and a feisty divorcee fight their impossible attraction-and to stay alive as they're chased by a drug lord intent on keeping his case from coming to trial.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Romantic Suspense, Humor, Mystery

322 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2009

About the author

Pseudonym for C. C. Hunter.

Photojournalist, Author and Speaker

Christie Craig, an Alabama native, is an award-winning, multi-published writer, multi-published photo journalist, motivational speaker, and writing teacher.. Her non-fiction articles and photography have appeared in almost three thousand national magazines. A Golden Heart finalist, and a finalist in more than fifty RWA-sponsored contests, she has gained a well-deserved reputation for writing romance fiction that has both witty humor and a suspenseful, sexy tone. Published by Silhouette in the 90s, she recently broke back into fiction in a big way, making four book sales in one day. Her seventh humorous single title romance novel, published by Dorchester, will hit the stands in June 2010. Her non-fiction book, co-authored by Faye Hughes, released September 08, is The Everything Guide To Writing A Romance Novel and their second non-fiction book, a humorous self-help relationship book, Wild, Wicked and Wanton: 101 Ways to Love Like You Are in a Romance Novel is scheduled to be released December 2010. Craig’s latest writing adventure is the sale of a young adult paranormal romance series, Shadow Falls Camp, that will be published by St. Martins Press in the near future.

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally we get the last member of the Divorced, Desperate and Delicious club’s book. For almost three years now Kathy Callahan has been fantasising about her very sexy plumber Stan Bradley. They’ve flirted and he’s asked her out so many times, but Kathy was just never ready, until now. But Kathy’s timing couldn’t be worse, because there is more to Stan than just being good with his tools. A lot more.

Luke Hunter aka Stan Bradley is an FBI agent who has been under witness protection for the last three years. And it’s almost time for him to go back to his old life which is a relief but also a complication because he’s not ready to say goodbye to the woman he’s wanted for the last three years. And just when it seems she’s finally ready to give him a chance, the mobster he has to testify against finds his location which puts both of them in the crosshairs. And what ensues is lots of action, bullets flying, and a toilet tank lid used as a weapon, the rescue of a dirty and sweet puppy and these two finally giving into their hot chemistry.

Kathy Callahan was under his skin, heating his blood, and he liked having her there.

I have wanted Kathy and Luke’s book since the first instalment and I must say Luke definitely lived up to my expectations and is my favorite hero of this series so far. I love a hero who knows what he wants and who doesn’t settle for anything less. For three years Luke has been trying to get Kathy to take a chance on him and even though she always refused him, he never stopped trying. He wanted Kathy and no one else would do, and that was so very sexy!! I loved how sweet he was with her little boy and the new puppy and how take charge he was with protecting them.

I must say Kathy was definitely my least favorite heroine of the series so far. She came across as bitchy and stubborn, even going so far as putting her and Luke’s lives in danger a few times because she thought she knew better than him, which was just stupid. I did love how protective she was over Goodwill, the little pug puppy and how much she loved her son, so in the end I did like her, but I definitely didn’t love her.

The romance was great because I loved how hard Luke pursued Kathy, and even though Kathy annoyed me at times, I could understand why she was so reluctant to trust another guy after what happened with her ex. And it was fun seeing how little she could resist Luke in the end.

I enjoyed the plot and especially the part of Joey, one of the baddies who wasn’t bad at all.

This is a very entertaining and funny series and I’ve enjoyed myself immensely.

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one, in the past books the hero a plumber has been dancing around the heroine, who wants her but has been burned badly by her ex(even her friends don't know how bad since he left her for a woman twice his age), she also has childhood scars because of what happened to her dad, but she's one of those people who bottles things up.

The hero as it turns out isn't who he says he is, he's an FBI agent who has been in WITSEC since he needs to testify and when the heroine is finally ready to make a move on him, he isn't, he needs to leave. But things don't go as planned, they get hot & heavy & then there are bullets and they have to run with the heroine really angry and asks him to start spilling & he does.

This book was a like a mad-caper, with a bad guy with a heart of gold who is really trying to help them, Kathy's friends and their husbands and a dog who joins the gang.

It was kind of fun & I loved that the hero was celibate.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall rating: 5 stars!

Triggers:
Cheating: No
Love triangle: No
Sex with om/ow: No
Intimate pasts: Luke (hero) - he was divorced prior to the start of the book. It had to have been over 3 years ago? And it is alluded to that he hasn't slept with anyone since. He most definitely hasn't slept with anyone since being paced in the Witness Protection Program and setting his eyes on Kathy. Yes, you heard me, he has been celibate for almost 3 years while waiting on her to give him a chance. Kathy (heroine) - she hasn't slept with anyone since her divorce. I am not sure how long that's been - definitely since before the hero moved to town.

HEA: Yes, very very sweet

My review:

If anyone has read book 1 or even book 2 of this series, you know that our plumber Stan aka Luke has been trying to start something with Kathy for YEARS. Ever since he lays eyes on her, he wants her and then he gets to know her and her 7 year old son and he wants the whole package. He only wants her to give him a chance. He never gives up, until Kathy FINALLY decides she is ready, well now he is not.

So in the beginning of this book, Kathy is going out on a limb trying to get the hero's attention again. Or so she thinks. She thinks that all of a sudden Stan isn't interested, but that can't be further from the truth. The TRUTH is that Stan isn't Stan, he is Luke an FBI agent that was forced into witness protection following a dangerous undercover stent to bring down a drug lord known as Lorenzo. Luke signs up for this mission directly after signing divorce papers. He lost his parents, sister, nieces and nephews in a dreadful accident and he grieves for two years. He isn't there for his wife, so she gets pregnant and has an abortion. I cannot even tell you the rage I felt at hearing that. So he feels like he has nothing left to live for. When an undercover job comes up that nobody wants a part of, he jumps right in. Well, the job doesn't go well and witnesses of what happened are dropping left and right. Now, Luke is forced into witness protection. He uses skills he learned from his father to create the illusion that he is a plumber with his own business. Once there, he sees Kathy and never stops wanting to pursue her. At first, it's attraction and then like I said, he falls for her and her son and feels like maybe he could be happy again. So even as his court date approaches, he realizes that he could maybe convince her to take a chance and he would come back for her and her son, but Kathy has her own demons. Her husband had an affair and left her .... for an older woman. A woman, twice her age actually. Talk about getting a complex after that. That's why she gives "Stan" such a hard time, until she sees her friends finding happiness - she decides it's time for some of her own. But her timing couldn't be more terrible.

So Luke's plan was to blow her off and come back, but that is not how it went at all. LOL It was very funny - especially when Kathy assumes he is having an affair with his landlady Claire ... who is in her 70's. It was so amazing to meet a hero who ACTUALLY WAITS for the heroine for a change. My only complaint was that I really wished for more time spent with Luke and little Tommy. I liked the twist at the end and ALSO ...

I LOVED the secondary romance of the bad guy turned good - Joey. Gosh that was so sweet. I really enjoyed that.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Christie Craig's books, and I enjoyed this one, but I admit I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to. The story of Kathy and Luke could have been a really interesting one, but it turned out just mildly enjoyable for several reasons. First, Ms. Craig switched the narrative between two, and sometimes three, different stories. While this is a technique that can work, in this case the switches happened so frequently in spots that it made it impossible to become immersed in the story. I was always aware I was reading a book, unable to get totally caught up in the story. She broke the big seduction/love scenes into four or five parts interspersing it with the sub-plot about the would-be killers. There was no way to keep the tension or anticipation up when I kept being interrupted by the other storyline. The fact is, the secondary storyline was really interesting. But I would have preferred to read both in larger chunks with less choppiness.

Secondly, since a large part of the book followed the secondary storyline, and parts were dedicated to Kathy's two friends and their spouses (who are cops and were looking for Luke and Kathy), we end up with a less developed storyline about the main characters. Or at least that's how it felt to me.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosalie's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4.5 stars

Stan/Luke is a former undercover agent that had to be put into witness protection after a trying to take down a drug lord went horribly wrong. Going undercover, as now Stan, he ends up a plumber that goes to work in Kathy's home. HUBBA BUBBA. After one trip, she is all he can think of! However, trying to wrap everything up, with a nasty divorce and all the trying not to get killed by the bad guys, his main idea is to come back to Kathy. At that point, however, Kathy feels scorned and is worried that he is well, being a part of a robbing the cradle scenario (seriously laughed out loud at this scene!),

This book connected the first two and tied it right in nicely. Being in a divorced club started out badly, but through these reads quickly showed that you just need the right one to be happy! I loved watching Kathy and Luke spar back in forth (all the while knowing they were perfect for each other!). The two were a match made and were perfect to heal each others wounds.

Review copy provided for an honest review.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me awhile to get into the story, but it finally hooked me half way through. Nice wrap up to the entire "divorced" series. There is plenty of mention of Chase, Lacy, Jason & Sue from the first two books, so I would suggest reading those first before this one (just to get the background of the entire "club"). Plus "Stan" the plumber is first mentioned in the very first book and then again in the second, so that helps with the background of his relationship with Kathy.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/14/2019)! 🎁

[Gwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 etoiles
sympa mais pas génial.

[May · Rating 2 out of 5]

The back cover promises too much, that's a key problem with this book. I was looking forward to some Statham-esque action and badassery, instead got a bumbling trying to hard to be funny dud of a book. There were so many problems I can't find something good to say here.

A total lack of action and plot, unsatisfying uber predictable ending (pretty much same as previous book in series), and lame main characters were all huge issues for me. All of the promised "action" tended to happen without the main characters. Essentially they drove around, then shacked up for the night in a cabin that would (duh) get them found since it's owner is the guy's landlord. I also had major issues with all the issues.

What I mean is, if you're going to have people with serious traumatic pasts, major mental issues and walls and such that need to come tumbling down... then do it. Make them deal. But here in this book - it's all skimmed over and it felt too clean - too cookie cutter for all the past drama and all.

This is the first time I've really disliked one of Christie Craig's books - I'd advise skipping this altogether.

[Jacqueline J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another nice book from C. Craig. Well written and enjoyable. I've read these out of order. I've read 2 and 3. I need to go back and read number 1 now.

I liked both Kathy and Luke. This book was light hearted while also being realistic. It wasn't one of those that went for laughs over believability. The heroine wasn't running around endangering herself and everyone else by ignoring good advice and common sense etc. The hero did a good job protecting her without being superman. The sex scenes were good, hot without being too long or unnecessarily graphic. I have nothing against graphic but they belong more in a book that is erotica or leans that way rather than a light hearted romp. So well done there. I loved the character of Joey, the sort of bad guy who didn't really want to be bad.

[Paige Bookdragon]

Not feeling it at the moment .

[Gaele · Rating 3 out of 5]

AudioBook Review:
Stars: Overall 3 Narration 4 Story 2

Not having read the first two in this series, I did have a bit of disconnect with previous events, but this isn’t a requirement to understanding most of the events here. And the simple breakdown of plot here, the three friends finding support and healing in their little group. Now, with two of the three having found new love and happiness, the only person left to find a new path is Kathy – and she’s convinced that her past relationships have left her too damaged to dare and try again.

Enter Stan – a plumber and rather all-around decent guy, and it’s pretty obvious he’s got a crush on her. But, like most of Kathy’s life – all isn’t what it seems: in fact, Stan isn’t simply a plumber, he’s an FBI agent under protection these past years – and he’s got a conflict. The mobster he’s to testify against has found him, and Kathy – the Kathy he’s tried to convince for years to give him a chance, is still undecided. Oh there are issues and challenges galore here, and there shouldn’t have been a problem between set-up and execution. But there was. Oh was there ever. The plot struggled - a lack of tension, characters who’s backstories reflected their behavior and an actual sense of danger and chemistry were missing. While I didn’t expect huge surprises in the ending – the almost pat, expected conclusion to this story, while wrapping up all of the threads, felt simply adjacent, not connected.

Narration for this story was provided by Wendy Tremont King, and while she always presents character voices that are unique and distinct, the story let her down somewhat. Mixing a “keystone cops” frenetic energy through repeated samey actions with the attempts to build “gravitas’ with a dangerous ‘adversary’ that felt more show than tell makes this a difficult opponent for a narrator, despite their talent. King did everything possible to wring out the emotion and tension, unfortunately the depth of the story was puddle-shallow, and this story doesn’t encourage my investigating further in the series.

I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at I am, Indeed

[Zel Polev · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

I thought this was a lot better than the previous books. It starts off great, loses a lot of steam, and ends alright.

My favourite part of this book is the thug turned guardian angel. I liked that he was the wolf among sheep in his criminal pack. I liked that he settled down with Lola in her restaurant.

The book was largely about Kathy and Luke. Luke was under witness protection. He was to testify against this big criminal. The witnesses started disappearing nearing the court date and he was being hunted down as well. Kathy finally decided to make a move on him. Unfortunately, she did it when he was about to be killed. She got caught in the crossfire and had to go on a run with him.

I wasn't a fan of their dynamic. She blew hot and cold. It wasn't annoying as it is her character. She has a reason to be wary. Her husband left her for an older woman and developed self-esteem issues over it. As such, for two years, she enjoyed his flirtations but wasn't willing to take it any further. When it's too late, then she chases him. I wasn't a fan of it.

So the story is about Kathy and Luke being on the run. There was a thug that was assigned to kill them but he had a soft heart. He decided that he wasn't going to hurt Kathy and saved her numerous times. He ended up killing a corrupt cop who was going to extort sexual favours from Lola in exchange for not calling immigration services on her. They ended up opening a restaurant and served the club members of the divorced club.

[Sonia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Curiosamente no es la pareja protagonista la que hace este libro interesante, sino el tercer protagonista, Joey - un portero de disco reconvertido en matón de un mafioso, sin estómago para seguir las instrucciones de su jefe y el cual se convierte en el ángel custodio de la sosainas de Kathie, su amiga Sue (el episodio que me falta de la trilogía) y en última instancia de Luke-. Su arco dramático es emocionalmente satisfactorio y te alegras de su "buena estrella".

No puedo decir lo mismo de Luke y Kathie.
Luke no parece un agente infiltrado salvo en las primeras escenas de la escapada, luego parece que está de picnic en el campo con su novia sin vigilar por si les encuentran. De todas maneras si me ha gustado su personalidad y como se adapta a su nueva situación vital.
Kathie tiene comentarios inmaduros a cada paso, y no soporto las afirmaciones del tipo "todos los X son..." para echar por tierra a todo un sector de la población, tomando al todo por la parte, en este caso los hombres que según su documentada opinión sacada de las páginas de revistas "femeninas", son lo más básico y estúpido pero a quienes hay que complacer... Simplificación simplificación.
En lugar de una mujer madura parece una preadolescente enfurruñada y asustada por sus sentimientos.

Otro punto en contra de la novela, la gerontofobia, tira por tierra a las mujeres de más de 60 como si nada. Otro caso de simplificación insultante.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt like it dragged the action out too far and the constant switching of perspective was a little jarring - but necessary as the story wouldn’t have made much sense otherwise.

But the biggest problem I found was that the threat was never really established. He was just sort of calling the shots from afar then died off screen. It was anticlimactic.

[Chanel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5. Stars This book covers many genres. It’s a suspenseful, action-pack, romantic comedy with hot sex. By the end of Chapter 1, I was totally engaged in Kathy’s plight.
Kathy and her plumber, Stan, have flirted and lusted after each other forever. After almost three years, Kathy is finally ready to explore their attraction up-close and personal, but all heck breaks out. Kathy finds herself in the middle of a very dangerous situation with only a toilet tank lid for protection. She quickly realizes she doesn’t really know Stan, which isn’t even his real name. She hesitates to trust Luke, but as danger closes in on them, Luke leaves her no choice. His main priority is to protect this single mother, the woman he has been falling in love with.
There is a great cast of supporting characters that enhance this unpredictable story, especially Joey and Goodwill. The ladies from the “Divorced, Desperate, and Delicious” club are there to support their girl, Kathy. Of course Sue’s hubby, Jason, and Lacy’s husband, Chase, lend a hand to bring Kathy safely back home. The Epilogue was the perfect way to end this entertaining series.

[Sofia Lazaridou · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last chapter in the divorced series and it was amazing as the other 2 books and it had the best end the series could get.Divorced,desperate and Deceived is the 3rd and final book of the series and the main characters is Kathy and her plumber Stan Bradley or should I say Luke Hunter?.Summary

The book starts 2 years and 9 months after Luke and Kathys first meeting.The attraction still lingers between them and the book stars with Kathy deciding that she wants to have sex with Stan(as she thought that Stan was his name at the time)after all this time.But as I like to say things don't alwyas come as you plan them.Plus we see two pregnant ladies.Yeap Lacy and Sue got pregnant with a few weeks apart!

Luke is a witness in a case with drugs or didrty money(sorry but I don't remember exactly)as he was an undercover agent who work with the bads guys as an accountant.The the big boss sents two guys to kill Luke the things get out of hand because Kathy was at his place and they were about to have sex before Lukes old neighbor comes into his apartment

A major part of the book happens in less than 36 hours but that doesn't mean we don't get a lot of action as Kathy and Luke trying not to get killed.The sort of fun thing was that the killers always were close to them but they didn't knew it.

The part after the 36 hours was very interesting and it was ice to see our characters getting over their problems.

The epilogue of the book had me in tears and as I said before it was the best end we could get.It was amazing to see what happend to our characters 12 months after Luke and Kathys story.

The epilogue shows us how close the three couples are and how Joey(I didn't believe that I would come to like this character but I did) found love in the eyes of a Mexican woman with the name Lola and opened their own restaurant(this is the place where the epilogue takes place.

The book had the whole package.Humor,romance,gunshots,babies,hot guys,grand theft auto,a cabin in the woods,lots of love,only 2 condoms,dad issues,TOW issues,an eldery secretary and a eldery neighbor,sort of drugs and a puppie who likes peeing of Luke's shoes and bitting his big toe.

I loved the series and I'm sure everyone else will love the books too

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 3/4 stars

This is the third of the Divorced, Desperate, and series following Divorced, Desperate and Delicious and Divorced, Desperate and Dating. I read "Dating," but have not gotten around to "Delicious" just yet. It isn't necessary to have read either one of them to get this book, but the other characters from those books do play big roles in this one.

I admit that I am a sucker for books with pugs on the cover. I love when animals, especially dogs, add to a story. The pug in this one is a 1-year-old puppy who sounds so cute. Makes me miss when my pug was just a pup. It added some good laughs.

I really enjoyed a lot of things about this book. It had some suspense and danger and also some good chemistry between the two main characters, Kathy and Luke (aka Stan). The addition of the "bad guy" point of view from Joey was well developed and added humor and humanity to the "other side." Besides the adorable pug, Joey's point of view was probably my favorite part of the story. I liked how it all came together.

What I didn't like was the portrayal of Jason & Chase (heroes from the 2 previous books). I don't remember them being so whipped. It was a little over-the-top with them being the protective husbands and conceding to their wives. They both needed a little more backbone. Luke ended up being linked in with them and it just didn't work for me. Overall this is a small nit to the story, but it made the book a little less enjoyable to me.

This is a humorous and fun book, but I liked "and Dating" better.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know why this author choses to write her heroines as such ninny's. I read an earlier review which read that the heroes from previous books also turned into whipped puppy dogs - which is correct. It's never a good thing when reading a romance that you aren't pulling for the main characters to end up together. I think that pretty much says it all.

[2shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by 2shay……….🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟…..

I first read this book years ago when it first released. I have intended to reread the whole series several times, but haven’t until now. I remember this particular book in the series because it has the best multi-level HEA ever.

Stan Bradley, plumber…aka Luke Hunter, FBI agent…has been chasing and trying to romance Kathy Callahan for more than two years. There is flirting and sexual tension, but every time Luke is ready to lean on in and take it further, Kathy backs off. Luke knows he might have to leave his “Stan” persona behind at any time, so he doesn’t press, just bides his time. What he doesn’t know is that Kathy has her own secrets, secrets that led her straight to Sue and Lacy and their Divorced, Desperate and Delicious Club where they swore to leave men alone forever.

When Kathy changes her mind and decides to give herself permission to enjoy what “Stan” has to offer..without starting a relationship…her decision to drop in on Stan plops her straight into a flight for her life. And boy, oh boy, she is pissed off! She blames Stan/Luke for the mess they’re in, for lying to her and being a cop. She does not like cops. She has her reasons, and they are doozies!

If you’re a fan of rollicking good adventures, this book, this series will make you a happy reader! Christie Craig the best at creating strong, interesting characters, putting them in danger, getting them out again while ramping up the sexual tension and providing hilarity along the way! Also, in this story, there is the redemption of a bad guy. Grab a copy…wait, grab the whole series!!…and…

Enjoy!

[Bette Stanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christie Craig has been one of my go-to authors when I’m looking for a lighthearted read with plenty of humor and intrigue. Once again, she’s proved herself reliable! This is the third book in the Divorced and Desperate series and it wraps up the stories of the original trio who started the Divorced, Desperate, and Delicious club. Kathy Callahan was the last member standing who hadn’t found her HEA and she was pretty sure she’d remain that way forever.

Oh, sure, she’s had some pretty good dreams about her plumber, Stan, but she intended to keep them dreams. Well, until Lacy and Sue talked her into something she knew she’d regret. In one afternoon, Kathy’s entire life is turned upside down and things she thought she knew she figured out she didn’t have a clue about. It’s a wild ride that may involve the WitSec program, mobsters, and a really ugly dog.

Even though this is the third in a series, you don’t have to read the previous books to enjoy this one. I have read them in order, but honestly? It’s been a couple of years since I finished the second book and so there were things I definitely don’t remember. The main point of the book isn’t the who-dunnit, but it does have some surprises you may not see coming.

[Larissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catch it in full at

[...]

Deceived was exactly what I was expecting: humor, craziness, and sex. And the added adrenaline and the feeling like I was about to fall off the couch. Yes, that nervewracking. At the edge of my seat for a whole long while. Not to mention the extra introductions to future books (yes, there’s more, even though Kathy is the last in the club, a new club is rising!).
This book brought you not only 2 POV’s but 4. Get ready to be inside Kathy’s mind and learn everything there’s to know about her, and the apparent dislike she’s had on cops for years. Besides Kathy, a strong plumber Marshall, Luke, will probably get a few things right, because the woman of his dreams is finally up for some play. Not to mention, that this playtime will have to take place while being chased by mob bodyguards/killers and corrupted cops, and a rescued dog with a shoe/feet fetish.
The other 2 POV’s will be a certain A+ to Jason Dodd. Remember when I said he wasn’t super efficient? Well, maybe he’s got some experience now. And that’s the third POV. The fourth, and last, will certainly be weird but, nonetheless, the bodyguard/killer, who will save the day, well, mostly, the woman he’s found himself while drinking some coffee with a corpse not 10 feet away, the funny and very attached to a toilet lid Kathy, a very pregnant suspense ugly-crier, and a federal agent. Yup, the bad guy… not so bad after all. And another pregnancy. And another.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This turned out to be playful and fun conclusion to the divorced and desperate women's group. One by one they found their men despite swearing off the species entirely. Kathy Callahan, single mother, has had the hots for her plumber since she met him, but it turns out that Stan Bradley is more than a plumber. Stan is hiding a very big secret, something he hadn't planned on on revealing until his life was no longer in danger. Stan is actually Jason, a former accountant to a mob boss. Jason is in witness protection and the mob has found him. Unfortunately, they found him at Kathy's. While Jason had no desire to take Kathy on the run, he didn't have a choice once the bullets started started flying. What sets this book apart is the mobster enforcer who has a soft spot for pregnant woman and who wants a better life for himself than what he has. He doesn't think he's that smart but it turns out he has a lot to offer. The book was cute but it took at least 30% of the way through before it became compelling.

[Victoria Sturlini · Rating 5 out of 5]

OUTSTANDING BOOK!!!!!!😁

I absolutely unequivocally loved this book!!!! Once I started it I did not want to put it down!!! At 2AM I was up reading it even though I had to get up in the morning early.... But who needs sleep I decided!!! This storyline was one of the cleverest I have ever read.... I adored the way Christie Craig kept us on pins and needles with the twists and turns.... The suspense of what was going to happen next never let up.... I got so anxious I wanted to do a no-no and turn to the last couple of pages to make sure it ended the way I wanted it to.... Which, of course, it did. Exactly, wonderfully, and with an epilogue that was so heartwarming and touching it made me want to do a happy dance. I have almost 3,000 e-books but I have to say this was one of the most enjoyable, endearing, funny, sweet, sexy, riveting and perfect books! If you are looking for a great read that will make you swoon, laugh, hold your breath and just totally entertain you for hours I highly recommend you give this gem a try!!!!😊

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Kathy Callahan wanted was to get to know Stan Bradley on a more personal level. It had taken all of her nerve to march over to his house and confront him. She wasn't prepared for the O.K. Corral shootout that happened the minute things were getting interesting between and her and her special plumber. The next thing she knew, they were physically running for their very lives and she had no earthly idea why. This book takes off from the very start drawing the reader into Kathy's world with her son visiting her cheating ex and his new wife and her faithful friends trying to tempt and prod Kathy back into a normal life. The stress and anxiety of Kathy and Stan as they tried to evade danger and serious bodily harm was evident in the text of this story. A little extra surprise was the story within the story as Joey and Lola made a brief appearance. This was an amazing, engrossing tale with very likable characters. I loved everything about this book!!!!!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Kathy Callahan needed a man, but Hell would be renting ice skates and serving bubblegum-flavored snow cones before she chose one of the three specimens presently being offered to her". This is how the book, Divorced, Desperate and Deceived, by Christie Craig begins! Craig's writing is composed of humor, romance, adventure/suspense, and likable characters. Kathy Callahan is the only surviving member of the Divorced, Desperate and Delicious club. Her two pregnant besties, Sue and Lacy, are now happily on their second marriages. Yet, Kathy is just and ex-wife and mother of one son. Is she ready to starting dating again? This book was an easy read and now I want to read more books by this author!

[SylviaV · Rating 3 out of 5]

Divorced, Desperate and Deceived (Divorced and Desperate Book 3) by Christie Craig
This is book 3 in this series, but can be read as a stand alone book. It was a nice combination of mystery/mild suspense and romance. Both main characters had a lot of baggage and at times I felt disconnected from their story by their internal dialogue. The main characters in book 1 and book 2 make an appearance in this book and you get a bit of an update on where their lives are at. The happy ever after was for me a little too predictable and sappy. A nice read. 3 stars.

[Jo-Ann Carson]

I know Christie Craig has already received more than 100 reviews for this book, but I have to add mine.
The book is hilarious and expertly written. Every page made me laugh. Well, not exactly. I didn't laugh during the sex scenes. They were hot! But most pages made me laugh. The twists and turns kept me flipping pages. I loved the two main characters. They were so authentic I felt like I knew them.
This is the first Craig book I've read, but it sure won't be my last. What an amazing writer.
I recommend this book for anyone who likes funny, romantic suspense.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the humor of this book! They say that laughter is the best medicine and I believe that's true; when you have had a bad situation or you are in one, if you can find some small humor; it may be able to diffuse the pain and change the atmosphere!

This story of three divorced women, who have in their own ways, removed the broken pieces of their self-esteem and worth; and found themselves again. With the help of their good friends, they learn to trust little by little and let go of past hurts.

This is for mature 18+! Contains some violence; steamy, erotic situations.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series about three divorced women who for various reasons have been traumatized and sworn off men. The other two have their HEAs and begin this story quite pregnant. That leaves Kathy, a florist whose backstory was so upsetting she hasn't even told the other two. She is finally convinced to make a play for Stan the plumber who has been hanging around for two years now. The rest of the story has twists and turns, humor and romance along with suspense.
I loved it!