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Welcome to Paradise #2
Take Me Home Tonight
One unforgettable night…a lifetime of regret?
Three years. That’s how long Maddie’s been running the reception desk at Owen Bishop’s construction company—and waiting for her sexy boss to wake up and realize she’s more woman than the airhead bimbos he seems to prefer.
Even after her friends spring an ambush makeover on her, Owen barely notices. Apparently shedding her one-of-the-guys, tomboy looks isn’t enough. Looks like it’s time to step up her game, even if it means looking for lessons in all the wrong places.
While Owen can’t help but notice Maddie’s stunning transformation, the truth is, he likes her just the way she is—polished up or dressed down. Like his playboy father, though, he’s always been restless when it comes to women. Maddie’s friendship is too important to risk hurting her.
When Maddie shows up at his door ready to rock his world, all his resistance crumbles. But in the back of his mind, the question remains…how can she trust him with her vulnerable heart, when he’s not sure he can trust himself?
Warning: Contains a girl who’ll do anything to please her man, even if it means signing up for a master class in seduction with the town bad boy. Plus a man who may let the “sins of the father” stop him from accepting the gift of a lifetime.
Three years. That’s how long Maddie’s been running the reception desk at Owen Bishop’s construction company—and waiting for her sexy boss to wake up and realize she’s more woman than the airhead bimbos he seems to prefer.
Even after her friends spring an ambush makeover on her, Owen barely notices. Apparently shedding her one-of-the-guys, tomboy looks isn’t enough. Looks like it’s time to step up her game, even if it means looking for lessons in all the wrong places.
While Owen can’t help but notice Maddie’s stunning transformation, the truth is, he likes her just the way she is—polished up or dressed down. Like his playboy father, though, he’s always been restless when it comes to women. Maddie’s friendship is too important to risk hurting her.
When Maddie shows up at his door ready to rock his world, all his resistance crumbles. But in the back of his mind, the question remains…how can she trust him with her vulnerable heart, when he’s not sure he can trust himself?
Warning: Contains a girl who’ll do anything to please her man, even if it means signing up for a master class in seduction with the town bad boy. Plus a man who may let the “sins of the father” stop him from accepting the gift of a lifetime.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2011
13 people are currently reading
1491 people want to read
About the author
Elle Kennedy
184 books90.7k followersA New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.
Elle currently writes for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!
Elle currently writes for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 18, 2011
This one was a short sexy read and this time we had another Bishop brother Owen , who is involved in the construction business.
Owen saw his father cheat on his mother again and again and when he felt that he too had that gene, started seeing women who knew the score.
Maddie has been in love with her boss and best friend Owen for the past three years but he only sees her as a buddy and the tomboy she is, so when Nate's to be wife and Lexie make her get her a make-over and she sees Owen's tongue hanging out she is pleased.
Owen can't believe what Maddie was hiding and he hates being attracted to her, she is his best friend and tries to sabotage her date and one night in the office these two get it on with Owen stopping at a crucial moment.
Maddie is hurt and feels unwanted and thinks Owen stopped because of her inexperience so what does she do? She goes and asks Cooper for some help, at this point I was like huh? So, she goes and boinks another guy, really? I get it that she wasn't in a relationship with Owen and hence had no obligation to him but I normally don't read romances where things like these happen.
Maddie then goes on to seduce Owen and things go great but Owen has a freak out moment but makes up nicely for it. And yeah he does find out about Cooper.
The book was a lot better than the first one.
Owen saw his father cheat on his mother again and again and when he felt that he too had that gene, started seeing women who knew the score.
Maddie has been in love with her boss and best friend Owen for the past three years but he only sees her as a buddy and the tomboy she is, so when Nate's to be wife and Lexie make her get her a make-over and she sees Owen's tongue hanging out she is pleased.
Owen can't believe what Maddie was hiding and he hates being attracted to her, she is his best friend and tries to sabotage her date and one night in the office these two get it on with Owen stopping at a crucial moment.
Maddie is hurt and feels unwanted and thinks Owen stopped because of her inexperience so what does she do? She goes and asks Cooper for some help, at this point I was like huh? So, she goes and boinks another guy, really? I get it that she wasn't in a relationship with Owen and hence had no obligation to him but I normally don't read romances where things like these happen.
Maddie then goes on to seduce Owen and things go great but Owen has a freak out moment but makes up nicely for it. And yeah he does find out about Cooper.
The book was a lot better than the first one.
November 23, 2014
Blue Ribbon Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Original Review Link
For three long years Maddie Wilson has waited for her boss, Owen Bishop, to see her as more than his tomboy best friend. With a little help from some new friends, Maddie gets a makeover that knocks Owen off his feet.
Whether she’s dressed up, dressed down or not dressed at all, Maddie leaves Owen breathless. But having grown up with a father who constantly cheated on his mother, Owen’s paranoid that he’s inherited the tendency to stray. There’s no way he’d ever hurt Maddie like that, so he tries to keep his distance…and fails. Maddie believes he’s the one for her, but Owen has to learn to trust himself before he can embark on any kind of relationship with the woman he’s crazy about.
Return to author Elle Kennedy’s delightful town of Paradise in TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT. Maddie is a heroine who is so incredibly likeable, she’s sure to charm any readers’ socks off. Owen, in turn, is a good man who is so convinced he’ll hurt Maddie that he manages to do just that by trying to avoid hurting her. Ms. Kennedy makes it hard to stay mad at Owen, though the man definitely needed a few kicks in the behind. And he gets those from Maddie. She may be blindly in love with him, but she’s no doormat. Even when Owen inadvertently damages her self esteem, Maddie picks herself back up and – in a way that sure as heck surprised me – regains and even strengthens her confidence. Though I won’t spoil what she does, Ms. Kennedy definitely had me saying “Go Maddie!”
TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT is the second story in Ms. Kennedy’s WELCOME TO PARADISE series, but it can be read as a standalone. Nate and Charlotte, the hero and heroine from the first book, WELCOME TO PARADISE, do play supporting roles, but it’s two other supporting characters that threaten to steal the show from Maddie and Owen. The ongoing series subplot involving Nate and Charlotte’s friend Lexie and Maddie’s friend Cooper have me ready to beg Ms. Kennedy for their story. Cooper actually manages to out-sexy Owen in TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT, and it’s not an easy feat to be more drool-worthy than a book’s hero.
TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT is Ms. Kennedy’s fresh take on the classic friends-to-lovers storyline. I enjoyed Maddie and Owen’s story, and I absolutely cannot wait for more WELCOME TO PARADISE stories!
Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here courtesy of Romance Junkies
Original Review Link
For three long years Maddie Wilson has waited for her boss, Owen Bishop, to see her as more than his tomboy best friend. With a little help from some new friends, Maddie gets a makeover that knocks Owen off his feet.
Whether she’s dressed up, dressed down or not dressed at all, Maddie leaves Owen breathless. But having grown up with a father who constantly cheated on his mother, Owen’s paranoid that he’s inherited the tendency to stray. There’s no way he’d ever hurt Maddie like that, so he tries to keep his distance…and fails. Maddie believes he’s the one for her, but Owen has to learn to trust himself before he can embark on any kind of relationship with the woman he’s crazy about.
Return to author Elle Kennedy’s delightful town of Paradise in TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT. Maddie is a heroine who is so incredibly likeable, she’s sure to charm any readers’ socks off. Owen, in turn, is a good man who is so convinced he’ll hurt Maddie that he manages to do just that by trying to avoid hurting her. Ms. Kennedy makes it hard to stay mad at Owen, though the man definitely needed a few kicks in the behind. And he gets those from Maddie. She may be blindly in love with him, but she’s no doormat. Even when Owen inadvertently damages her self esteem, Maddie picks herself back up and – in a way that sure as heck surprised me – regains and even strengthens her confidence. Though I won’t spoil what she does, Ms. Kennedy definitely had me saying “Go Maddie!”
TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT is the second story in Ms. Kennedy’s WELCOME TO PARADISE series, but it can be read as a standalone. Nate and Charlotte, the hero and heroine from the first book, WELCOME TO PARADISE, do play supporting roles, but it’s two other supporting characters that threaten to steal the show from Maddie and Owen. The ongoing series subplot involving Nate and Charlotte’s friend Lexie and Maddie’s friend Cooper have me ready to beg Ms. Kennedy for their story. Cooper actually manages to out-sexy Owen in TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT, and it’s not an easy feat to be more drool-worthy than a book’s hero.
TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT is Ms. Kennedy’s fresh take on the classic friends-to-lovers storyline. I enjoyed Maddie and Owen’s story, and I absolutely cannot wait for more WELCOME TO PARADISE stories!
Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here courtesy of Romance Junkies
December 30, 2015
Owen was an idiot. But I totally understand his concerns. He just didn't go about it the way he should have.
I don't think there was anything about Maddie that bothered me. She was likable, and as a tomboy, I understood her pretty well.
The relationship between Lexie and Cooper was also nice.
However, I DID like that
I look forward to the next one.
I don't think there was anything about Maddie that bothered me. She was likable, and as a tomboy, I understood her pretty well.
The relationship between Lexie and Cooper was also nice.
However, I DID like that
I look forward to the next one.
April 5, 2015
I loved it!
Even though I kind of hate Maddie's impromptu "action" with Cooper, I still liked this book. Owen is definitely in need of push and I'm glad that Maddie's finally make a move. No, it's not shameful, in fact it's awesome because she's taking charge of her life and I'm proud of her.
Look forward to read the next installment of this series!!
Even though I kind of hate Maddie's impromptu "action" with Cooper, I still liked this book. Owen is definitely in need of push and I'm glad that Maddie's finally make a move. No, it's not shameful, in fact it's awesome because she's taking charge of her life and I'm proud of her.
Look forward to read the next installment of this series!!
December 5, 2021
Good book to read during my winter break!
November 21, 2022
Unoriginal. Boring. Predictable. This book was drowning in superficial characters, stereotypical settings and boring dialogues. I didn't care for it.
October 14, 2024
Had the potential to be a great best friends to lovers but something just got me ehhh
March 4, 2017
I thought Owen was a bit of a butthead.
December 10, 2013
This book is for all the girls out there who have pined over a guy who has never even looked at you twice. This is exactly the case that Maddie finds herself in. After a makeover, Maddie is sure that Owen will see her for an actual girl but finds that this is not the case (or so she thinks.)
What I liked about this book was that the moment that Maddie walked in the office all gussied up, Owen didn’t have an instant transformation into wanting her, the plot took its time with letting the attraction show. It wasn’t a “oh, you have a skirt on so that means you are a girl and we should have sex,” kind of story. It was more like a “I have always seen you as a woman but I truly value our friendship to take this farther right now.” It made me like Owen a whole lot more for taking his time.
What I would have liked Kennedy adding into this plot…more meat! Lately, her other stories have more meat to the plot. ‘Something that has happened and has made this character the way that they are’ kind of meat but unfortunately, this story didn’t have that. However, it was a good, quick, heated read so you can’t pass that up. ☺
What I liked about this book was that the moment that Maddie walked in the office all gussied up, Owen didn’t have an instant transformation into wanting her, the plot took its time with letting the attraction show. It wasn’t a “oh, you have a skirt on so that means you are a girl and we should have sex,” kind of story. It was more like a “I have always seen you as a woman but I truly value our friendship to take this farther right now.” It made me like Owen a whole lot more for taking his time.
What I would have liked Kennedy adding into this plot…more meat! Lately, her other stories have more meat to the plot. ‘Something that has happened and has made this character the way that they are’ kind of meat but unfortunately, this story didn’t have that. However, it was a good, quick, heated read so you can’t pass that up. ☺
August 25, 2017
Not one of Elle Kennedy's best.
This is a sweet small town romance about Maddie a tomboy-esque woman who has been in love with her boss Owen for years. Owen only dates bimbos with big boobs and doesn't think of Maddie that way. She's his best friend and a great assistant.
Maddie goes for the makeover. Never mind that short skirts and high heels on a construction site are plain dangerous. And Owen (because he's dumb as a bag of rocks) suddenly sees her as a woman. But he has 'issues' because his father was a cheating husband, despite apparently being madly in love with Owen's mother, and Owen is scared that he had inherited the cheating gene. 'Cos there is such a thing!
There's also the 'teach me to seduce a man' by sleeping with a colleague trope which is complicated by the fact that the colleague is actually in love with the town's ice queen. Honestly I wanted to read their story more.
It was ok, much tamer than practically anything else I have read by Elle Kennedy, fine if you can overlook the fact that Owen is a hypocrite and MDdie is a doormat (in my opinion).
This is a sweet small town romance about Maddie a tomboy-esque woman who has been in love with her boss Owen for years. Owen only dates bimbos with big boobs and doesn't think of Maddie that way. She's his best friend and a great assistant.
Maddie goes for the makeover. Never mind that short skirts and high heels on a construction site are plain dangerous. And Owen (because he's dumb as a bag of rocks) suddenly sees her as a woman. But he has 'issues' because his father was a cheating husband, despite apparently being madly in love with Owen's mother, and Owen is scared that he had inherited the cheating gene. 'Cos there is such a thing!
There's also the 'teach me to seduce a man' by sleeping with a colleague trope which is complicated by the fact that the colleague is actually in love with the town's ice queen. Honestly I wanted to read their story more.
It was ok, much tamer than practically anything else I have read by Elle Kennedy, fine if you can overlook the fact that Owen is a hypocrite and MDdie is a doormat (in my opinion).
June 11, 2013
The beginning was not original, but nevertheless quite funny and well managed: poor Maddie is a tomboy whom nobody seems to be attracted, especially not her hunky and womanizing boss. After a more than needed makeover, she finally manages to attract attentions, including that of Owen...
I had some big problem with one action that Maddie undertook, after being rejected by Owen, to regain her self-confidence . The timing of the story was a bit rushed to be totally realistic. However I liked the rather rushed ending, that corresponded really well to both characters.
I had some big problem with one action that Maddie undertook, after being rejected by Owen, to regain her self-confidence . The timing of the story was a bit rushed to be totally realistic. However I liked the rather rushed ending, that corresponded really well to both characters.
Want to read
February 8, 2016Esto fue:
Para nada me esperaba el super desenlace sobre la investigación del asesinato!! Fue sorpresivo...
Para nada esperaba eso... y eso fue interesante!!! Porque en un principio, todo apuntaba a que fue Valerie, pero luego... zas!!! El buenazo del doc... fue muy chan!!!
Fue como si ni la autora misma lo supiera, entonces... culpemos al médico que por cierto, estuvo?? interesado en Sarah... yep!! muuuy rarooo!!!
Para nada me esperaba el super desenlace sobre la investigación del asesinato!! Fue sorpresivo...
Para nada esperaba eso... y eso fue interesante!!! Porque en un principio, todo apuntaba a que fue Valerie, pero luego... zas!!! El buenazo del doc... fue muy chan!!!
Fue como si ni la autora misma lo supiera, entonces... culpemos al médico que por cierto, estuvo?? interesado en Sarah... yep!! muuuy rarooo!!!
November 8, 2012
i loved this book, loved Maddie in all her tomboy glory. I'm not sure i like the whole cooper and Maddie bit but it did work really well in story. It had awesome HEA ending just the way I like them.
Part of me doesn't want to like Lexie and her whole ice princess character but i really want her to find someone to bring out her happier loving side, if she has one?
Still don't know what's going on with Della Bishop (mother) and Austin, its killing me i hope i find out in next book because I'm not sure how long i can wait for next in series
Part of me doesn't want to like Lexie and her whole ice princess character but i really want her to find someone to bring out her happier loving side, if she has one?
Still don't know what's going on with Della Bishop (mother) and Austin, its killing me i hope i find out in next book because I'm not sure how long i can wait for next in series
October 29, 2012
I didn't realize when I read this book, it was part of a series, until I was almost done. Should read book 1, some spoilers in Book 2 if you didn't read book 1 first.
Maddy has worked for Owen Bishop for three years and has been in love with him since day one.
Owen owns the company that Maddy works for but considers her only a friend.
One makeover later, and BAM sparks are flying.
I definitely will read book 1 and the rest of the series to see how the rest of the HOT Bishop men turn out.
Maddy has worked for Owen Bishop for three years and has been in love with him since day one.
Owen owns the company that Maddy works for but considers her only a friend.
One makeover later, and BAM sparks are flying.
I definitely will read book 1 and the rest of the series to see how the rest of the HOT Bishop men turn out.
November 29, 2012
I enjoyed this second book in the Welcome to Paradise series much better than the first. Our heroine has a longtime crush on the hero and is determined to catch his attention. I really enjoyed the humor in this book, it had me laughing out loud at times. However, as much as I liked Owen and Maddie, it was Maddie's build-up-my-confidence scene with Cooper that I liked the best. These are def, short, fun, fluff reads. I read this in about 1.5 hours. So, if you're looking for some short and fun fluff, this is it :)
March 31, 2014
I don't know what to think. On the one hand, the heroine's wonder-makeover didn't result in instant lure from the hero; he had to readjust, which I found refreshing. On the other,
February 27, 2013
Owen and Maddie's story with a little of Nate and Charlotte thrown in from book one. I would recommend reading these stories in order. While they are stand alones, they are better when read as a group.
Maddie is an awesome heroine -- she does not realize her own power before Charlotte and Lexie help her out. Then, look out Owen.
Great book. Recommended.
Maddie is an awesome heroine -- she does not realize her own power before Charlotte and Lexie help her out. Then, look out Owen.
Great book. Recommended.
April 20, 2015
Walaupun sudah ada warning:
Aku tetap gak rela si Maddie-nya begitu. Walaupun Owen-nya yang rese' sih. Huhuhuhuh.. Tapi secara keseluruhan cerita, aku enjoy sih, bagian itu aja yang gak sreg.
Warning: Contains a girl who’ll do anything to please her man, even if it means signing up for a master class in seduction with the town bad boy.
Aku tetap gak rela si Maddie-nya begitu. Walaupun Owen-nya yang rese' sih. Huhuhuhuh.. Tapi secara keseluruhan cerita, aku enjoy sih, bagian itu aja yang gak sreg.
March 20, 2015
I really could read this in a couple of hours and loved it but my favorite books are usually have more substance and substantial story and character interactions. Its all good. Maddie and Cooper bit was disappointing.
February 24, 2016
enamora de su mejor amigo y f
jefe por fin se decide a hacer algo al respecto y el parece inmune a sus cambios, en realidad el se esta deteniendo por que piensa que no es capas de ser fiel.
una vez aclaran sus sentimiento todo esta bien.
poco
jefe por fin se decide a hacer algo al respecto y el parece inmune a sus cambios, en realidad el se esta deteniendo por que piensa que no es capas de ser fiel.
una vez aclaran sus sentimiento todo esta bien.
poco
October 13, 2011
OMG Owen is hot!!
to see my full review at Book Pimps' Reviews
http://www.bookpimpsreviews.com/2011/...
to see my full review at Book Pimps' Reviews
http://www.bookpimpsreviews.com/2011/...
October 30, 2011
Another Hot romance book from Elle! She writes them so well. Loved the characters in this book. Loved the ending! A great, easy read!
September 12, 2012
A little hotter, but still short and fun! :)
January 30, 2013
By the cover, I had thought it would be paranormal like
January 10, 2015
I had to read about Owen even though I wasn't all that enthusiastic about the other two books I've read...I liked this book most right up until wtf
August 4, 2014
3.5 stars
June 17, 2015
Wow
Would have been great if she did not ruin it for me. Not cheating per se, but whoring it up definitely. Just felt icky.
Would have been great if she did not ruin it for me. Not cheating per se, but whoring it up definitely. Just felt icky.
January 24, 2015
Friends to lovers. One of my favorite genres. Really enjoyed this one.
January 27, 2016
awwwww Owen and Maddie were adorable
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews