Dating a Saint

Never Too Late #3

by Donna McDonald

Who's the sinner and who's the saint?

Regardless of all the rumors about her, Lauren McCarthy knows she is not a saint. James Gallagher is hiding something and she intends to find out what it is.

After divorcing her cheating ex-husband years ago, 42 yr old Lauren McCarthy is upset to find herself attracted to a married man. Or at least, 42 yr old James Gallagher says he's married, even though Lauren has never seen a wife.Every time Jim puts his hands on her, she thinks if Jim would only trust her with his secrets, she might be willing to risk her saintly reputation to be in his arms.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Audiobook, Adult

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 15, 2011

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author

I am an active dreamer and find writing to be the best way to use my creativity. Needing to satisfy both sides of my brain, I have become a cross-genre author of contemporary, romantic comedy, fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal romances.

I feel blessed that my books appear on bestseller lists for humor, romantic comedy, space opera, and more. I crave laughter from all my readers and focus my attention on making that happen as often as possible.

I love to hear from anyone who has read my books. Each reader is a hero or heroine to me. I am inspired by you.

Reviews

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a complicated story with several characters. Even though the evidence that’s first presented about the hero is damning, he’s an honorable man with A LOT on his plate.

Quite a few conversations were held in public venues. I must admit I got tired of reading about the reactions of people around them. Even the big reveal/grand declaration between the hero and heroine took place at her launch party within earshot of family, friends, and colleagues. This group didn’t seem to understand the need for discretion when discussing certain topics. I suppose this would only bug you if you’re an extremely private person like me.

There’s a sort of “Jane Eyre” twist that’s presented later in the story. It explains the mystery and makes one wonder how this mess will ever be sorted.

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren and Jim were fire ready to spark and the slightest chance of ignition. They were both wanting but not satisfying. Jim kissed her with a reach to her soul and then nothing. He just would nothing. Lauren was once divorced and had a mother that was the very definition of pain in the arse. She was a nightmare. Lauren was more than anyone could see or believe. She had skills not even her closest friends knew about. She desired one man and how better to get him then have her friends send her on dates she don't want to be on. I had lots of fun with the read and a few of the scenes were just priceless.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series! Jim and Lauren's story was awesome! I think this is my favorite so far in this series! Lauren hasn't really dated or anything and has been named "Saint" by her two notorious friends. But when she is around Jim, everything saint about her goes out the window. Jim is a married man but things aren't as they seem. He wants Lauren but keeps feeling guilt and Lauren has about had enough of that. Considering she can kick most men's butt, Jim better get his feelings sorted out soon. This book was just amazing. On to book 4!

[Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I got a free ARC of this book from Manic Readers in exchange of an honest review*

These books get better and better as the series goes forward! I loved Jim and Lauren! They both really deserve happiness, and their finally getting together was like fireworks!

Full review to come soon.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

~Listened via Audible Romance Package, but the audio version is not available to mark as edition here on GRs

This has been my favorite of the series so far. Jim is A-Mazing. Like truly. There really can't be men out there like him. If so, DAMN.

Ok my only real complaint was that Lauren is 42 but the narrator has her portrayed like she's 60. Well not sure if it was the reading/voice or the author/words. I'm 41 maybe that is why. Also what 42 yr old would let their mother treat/talk to them that way? I'm no socialite and maybe that is the norm, but it just felt wrong in a way.

Also not sure how I feel about all the drunk sex these couples have had. Not sure if I feel it crosses a consent line or not.

I do love that we are keeping up with the other couples in the series.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story with all of my heart, but it leaves me feeling really conflicted. I have a history and a couple steamer trunks worth of emotional baggage that mean I’m always going to have a rough go with books that have cheating in them. And when it involves our leading couple engaging in the questionable ethics, I’m put to an even harsher test. This book took me to places I wasn’t expecting to go. The twist in the tale was something I never saw coming. For as much as I already loved Lauren and was falling in love with Jim, I was desperate for any kind of explanation that would allow my heart and emotions to rest easy. This story gave me that. I also let me watch Lauren become notorious in her own right. Which was way too much fun.

[Victoria Sturlini · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT STORY!!!!

LOVED this book! Such an interesting twist on a story. I have never read a romance with such a fascinating plot. I really like the books in this series. All of them are very different and hold your attention and leave you with the satisfied feeling a prolific reader gets at the end of a good book! This one is so sexy and romantic and sweet all at the same time. I love the interactions and support between all of the friends....... I highly recommend this book..... You will absolutely adore the hero Jim and wish you knew him in real life!!!!!

[Arpita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Loved the complexities involved.

[Eloica Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

dating a saint

Had so much fun reading Dating a Saint. Love conquers all. The quiet ones are most deadly - that’s our Lauren.

[Pattianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dating A Saint - Never Too Late #3 (Jim and Lauren)

After divorcing her cheating ex-husband years ago, 42 yr old Lauren McCarthy is pleased with herself for finding ways to be happy that don't involve dating and men. Who needs that kind of headache or heartache anyway? Her best friends call her a saint for choosing a celibate life over a man in her bed, but Lauren considers it just self-preservation. It took a lot of therapy to deal with being married to a man habitually sleeping with other women. That's why it's so painful now to find herself seriously attracted to a married man. Or at least, James Gallagher says he's married, but Lauren has never actually seen him with a wife. His answers to her questions about it are vague and frustrating. Lauren doesn't want to risk getting to know Jim only to find out he's as bad as her ex. In fact, there are many reasons not to get involved with the mysterious man, but desire for him keeps overriding her common sense. Every single time Jim puts his desperate and needy hands on her, the only thought Lauren has is that Jim belongs to her. If he would only trust her with his secrets, she might be willing to risk her saintly reputation if it meant ending up in Jim's arms.

It's true 42 yr old James Gallagher is keeping some secrets, but whether or not he is married is not one of them. He freely admits to being legally married, but figures the details of the situation are his business alone. Besides, what difference does it make anyway? There isn't a line of women waiting to have affairs with him, and he's not interested anyway. He learned a hard lesson a few years ago, learned he couldn't live a normal life, not even a notorious one. Labeled by his conservative town as a womanizing cheater, the judgment seems a bit harsh to Jim for a single moment of weakness he never repeated. Still Jim has mostly learned to live with what he assumes he can never change. It is only when his attraction to Lauren McCarthy turns into a gut wrenching reality that Jim starts regretting his situation. One thing for sure, Jim knows Lauren's history pretty much guarantees she could never settle for what little he can offer her, not that he would actually ask her to sleep with him. The last thing in the world Jim wants is an affair with the woman he fantasizes about being his wife

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirstin's Review:

Dating A Saint by Donna McDonald, book 3 in the Never Too Late series.

Lauren is a curvy 42 year old socialite known for her giving heart and amazing fund raising capabilities. Unfortunately her cheating slime of an ex-husband has had her practically swearing off men for the past seven years. That is until she met James Gallagher.

Jim is a big hunky older guy with an undeserved reputation as a cheating husband even though nobody has seen his wife in years. Meanwhile his attraction to Lauren and the guilt that accompanies it have been killing him for years...and he just can't seem to come to terms with his desires and his legal responsibilities.

So, will these two soul mates finally find a way to accept their fate and be together? Or will Jim's secretive past and legal relationship with his "wife" keep them apart? .......Oh come on! It's a romance novel! Of course it all works out in the end. The fun part is all the twists and turns in between!

So if you like a good romance with a healthy dose of emotional angst, love, and steamy sex scenes, then this is the book for you!

12/29/2013

[Mary L Calhoun · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bait and switch older romance with YA Pregnancy Angst Formula

For those of you looking for pregnancy angst free stories... this one is not for you.

When a 42-year old divorced woman (predictable cheating husband) who is actively dating but is "too busy" to schedule an appointment for birth control for her still fertile uterus, the reader already knows the outcome for this kind of selectively ridiculous stupidity.

I started looking for older/Boomer-focused romances so that I wouldn't have to waste my time reading a romance genre (pregnancy/baby) that I have no interest in reading.

This could have been an inspiring fun read. The main characters were engaging, gleefully quirky as only adults in their mid and late 40s can be, and likeable. You wanted them to get past all the emotional and moral junk and just give it all up for Love.

But, no. The focus on these two wonderfully complex characters was pimp slapped into the background and the pregnancy threat formula was dumped in at around 40% into the book and became the recurring focus of the story.

I gave this story a 1-star rating for it 42-year old woman's "accidental pregnancy nonsense.

[Kimberlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a sea of romance novels that appear to be aiming to shock the pants off me, McDonald's characters are a welcome buoy. She has what many lack -- the ability to write well crafted characters, plausible (& intelligent) conflicts, and full story arcs (no absentee falling actions & 2-page resolutions) with the bonus of steamy scenes. I have definitely found a favorite with her Never too Late series.

With Dating a Saint, we focus on Lauren & Jim. These two are unquestionably the least interesting at the start of the novel. However, two things save the read: (1) the other stories that are interwoven and (2) the subtle changes in Lauren toward the last quarter of the book. Of course, just because they are boring individually, I don't mean to imply that their story is uninteresting. On the contrary, I was intrigued by their depth of devotion & the subtle fire that smolders between them. Only 3 stars where the other 3 I've read score 4, but still a good read.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew from the previous book Dating Dr. Notorious Never Too Late Series that Laura and Jim had a thing for each other, so it was gr8 to read about them acting on their emotions in this book. The story line about Jim and his wife really very touching and really humanized this story. I just wish Jim would have gotten over his moral dilemma sooner so him and Lauren could have gotten together quicker, but it all worked out in the end. I wouldnt mind reading more about these two as they star their family. If you haven't read th 1st two books in the series definitely read them first because these books easily flow into eachother which is refreshing and how a series should work.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book.
I enjoyed this story as much as the first two in the series.
I loved the banter between the characters and the chemistry between the various couples being portrayed.
When a married man, James, wants to date Lauren, "the saint", Mccarthy, people in their social circle are scandalized. Even if the man's wife hadn't lived with him for 6 or more years and Lauren had never dated since her divorce 7 long years ago.
There is a reason why James had never gone out with anyone other than one date many years ago. Ms McDonald tells the story better than I do, I can only recommend this book to you.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren and Jim's story was romantic in every way. Jim was more of a saint than Lauren. Finding out the reason Jim was still married and how he handled things is definitely not the way men handle things. The cat and mouse game was getting kind of old, but they finally sealed the deal. I am excited to read Jenna and Seth's story next. I like her books and how she doesn't let the story end with the first book. Jenna and Seth's story was introduced in the first book. Surprised they were the last book in the series actually.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun story in the Never too late series! I loved the fact that the Lauren is not your average girl next door, but a very tall and capable woman! In life so many times, the stereotypes of what a woman is supposed to look like, makes a lot of women out there who do not fit into that mould feel like they are not worth it! Well, Donna McDonald has a way to make us see, that it takes all kinds of women to make the world interesting!

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, these books in this series keep getting better and better!! So Lauren is the good girl who always does everything right and tries to keep the peace with her mother who is a real piece of work! Lauren meets James and the sparks fly! She is scared that he may be like her dog ex husband, but then she throws the good girl out if the window & becomes notorious like her friends!! Loved this book!!!

[Ash Field-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to finally see lauren get her happy ending, was not expecting some of the twists in this book at all, particularly about his wife. Hated lauren's mother lydia though! I know there's another book set about her but I don't intend to read that one since I can't see myself warming to her at all!
Going to read the next one soon, then thats probably the last of the series I will read, since the rest are on other characters not head of before. Great read!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a woman who finally becomes completely who she is meant to be and the man who decides that he deserves to love her. Their challenge is not the typical romance issue which made this book more rewarding for me.

[Tamaria Soana · Rating 5 out of 5]

To watch Miss Lauren come out of her shell was awesome!! Jim, what can I say about Jim except that he is so yummy! I'm having a heard time figuring out what couple I like the most and I love the friendship that these three amazing have.

[Lidia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren is really a saint, I have been so mad at Jim almost for whole book, but I liked very much this story, so complex, romantic, intense without losing the verve, the brio and the fun that is characteristic of this series .

[Cara Schwarz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donna is a saint, or so everyone thought. All she needs is the correct person to bring it out, and that is Jim. Yes, this is a light chick lit story but it is still enjoyable with plausable characters.

[Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this series.

[Roxanne clury · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved book no 3 as well i think i like this one the best so far :)

[Jade aka MrsTosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these book and am so sad there is only one more left in the series for me to read.

This series will have you in stiches, tears and leave you with a smile on your face.

[Amalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so sweet. Le sigh! I enjoyed every minute of this book.

[Linda Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cyed a lot reading this book it was also funny.This series of 4 books (Never to Late )is very good.

[Tania Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the light heartedness of this book, & am enjoying the characters as they develop through the series

[Louise Tranborg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much of a saint! But funny as the devil ;-)