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The Blaines and the McCalls of Crockett, Texas #5
Building Dreams
Still burning from a painful divorce, contractor Ryan McCall is finished with women. That is until his thirteen-year-old son befriends their new neighbor—widowed high-school teacher Tess Benson. But she is seven months pregnant.
Tess finds Ryan rude, and his assuming and egocentric behavior is starting to grate on her nerves. Unfortunately, she needs a new Lamaze coach and he is the only person available. Worse still, she's even starting to like him—a lot. Is it possible to have a relationship with someone who doesn't even like you…or any woman for that matter?
Tess finds Ryan rude, and his assuming and egocentric behavior is starting to grate on her nerves. Unfortunately, she needs a new Lamaze coach and he is the only person available. Worse still, she's even starting to like him—a lot. Is it possible to have a relationship with someone who doesn't even like you…or any woman for that matter?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
14 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Ginna Gray
89 books46 followersGinna sold her first novel in 1983, after winning the Golden Heart Award, given by Romance Writers of America for the best unpublished novel in a category. She has been working as a full-time writer ever since. When she finishes her current contracts, Ginna will have written 33 books. She has also given many lectures and writing workshops, and judged in writing contests.
A native Texan, Ginna lived in Houston all her life — until 1993, when she and her husband Brad built their "dream home" and moved to the mountains of Colorado. Ginna also enjoys other creative activities such as oil painting, sewing, sketching, knitting, and needlepoint. "But my first love will always be writing. It is simply part of who I am."
A native Texan, Ginna lived in Houston all her life — until 1993, when she and her husband Brad built their "dream home" and moved to the mountains of Colorado. Ginna also enjoys other creative activities such as oil painting, sewing, sketching, knitting, and needlepoint. "But my first love will always be writing. It is simply part of who I am."
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 17, 2021
You can never go wrong with a Romance by Ginna Gray!I must say that i do not regret reading this series out of order but "Building Dreams" has definitely made me interested in the other books about the McCall Family. This instalment however follows the love-story of the cynical contractor Ryan McCall and the pregnant widow next door Tess Benson with whom his son has become enchanted with. It doesn`t take long for Tess to melt the ice around Ryan`s tortured heart.
Ah,i love slow burn romances and this one was so delicious.Ryan is a woman-hater and trusts nobody especially the woman next door his son always spends time with.But what a wonderful father he is to Mike and how wonderful he was when he helped Tess give birth to her daughter!That scene was so touching!Tess is a strong independent woman who sought out to take care of her child.Tess with her warmth and Ryan with his brooding exterior made for a entertaining couple.Ryan`s twin-brother Reilly McCall and his son Mike made for awesome fun in this story and i love how intrigued Reilly was over Tess friend Amanda-i also know they have their book in Forever.Ryan`s 13 year old son Mike also have his own story many years later in Meant for Each Other.So much to look forward to!
Ah,i love slow burn romances and this one was so delicious.Ryan is a woman-hater and trusts nobody especially the woman next door his son always spends time with.But what a wonderful father he is to Mike and how wonderful he was when he helped Tess give birth to her daughter!That scene was so touching!Tess is a strong independent woman who sought out to take care of her child.Tess with her warmth and Ryan with his brooding exterior made for a entertaining couple.Ryan`s twin-brother Reilly McCall and his son Mike made for awesome fun in this story and i love how intrigued Reilly was over Tess friend Amanda-i also know they have their book in Forever.Ryan`s 13 year old son Mike also have his own story many years later in Meant for Each Other.So much to look forward to!
March 13, 2017
Great story! I would've loved an epilogue though.
April 1, 2019
3.5 stars
Single father of a 13-year-old and once burnt and now a woman-hating hero meets his pregnant and widowed neighbour who his son adores. Of course he doesn't find out for a while she is preggers and is a judgy ass thinking she is a single woman on the look-out for a man and is using his son to do that. The hero is quite insufferable at first, his wife walked out on him and his 5-yr-old-son when the hero's fortunes took a dive and he takes it out on all women. What a prince right? But then of course when the heroine needs him he is there, grudgingly at first but she wins him over just being who she is, no hidden motives or agenda. I liked the heroine, how she called out the hero on his shit and how she was trying to make a life for herself and her baby.
Single father of a 13-year-old and once burnt and now a woman-hating hero meets his pregnant and widowed neighbour who his son adores. Of course he doesn't find out for a while she is preggers and is a judgy ass thinking she is a single woman on the look-out for a man and is using his son to do that. The hero is quite insufferable at first, his wife walked out on him and his 5-yr-old-son when the hero's fortunes took a dive and he takes it out on all women. What a prince right? But then of course when the heroine needs him he is there, grudgingly at first but she wins him over just being who she is, no hidden motives or agenda. I liked the heroine, how she called out the hero on his shit and how she was trying to make a life for herself and her baby.
November 13, 2022
An extremely bitter, divorced single dad reluctantly falls for his next door neighbour, a pregnant widow. However he is still nursing the old wounds of betrayal and abandonment by his first wife and tends to take out his irrational feelings on his current one. Things were going along fine until the ending, which was ridiculous and not in keeping with the somewhat more realistic tone of the story.
May 17, 2025
It is a good read with emotions but why not 5 stars?
Firstly, I don't think title is appropriate it should be something else. Secondly, Ryan behavior against women was too much like after 8 years of divorce he was still grumpy and had trust issues ok we understand her ex left him when he was facing financial issue. Beside this it was clear hos 1st marriage was not exceptional it was just ok lingering by ropes. Thirdly, I need little more bonding time b/w Tess, Ryan, Mike and Molly. Bcz I was not sure how Mike felt after his father remarried like there should be some emotional time with Mike and Tess. Moreover, ending seemed incomplete or abrupt. I hope I haven't missed it bcz I have read it online.
Firstly, I don't think title is appropriate it should be something else. Secondly, Ryan behavior against women was too much like after 8 years of divorce he was still grumpy and had trust issues ok we understand her ex left him when he was facing financial issue. Beside this it was clear hos 1st marriage was not exceptional it was just ok lingering by ropes. Thirdly, I need little more bonding time b/w Tess, Ryan, Mike and Molly. Bcz I was not sure how Mike felt after his father remarried like there should be some emotional time with Mike and Tess. Moreover, ending seemed incomplete or abrupt. I hope I haven't missed it bcz I have read it online.
May 19, 2018
This was an ok book. I liked the characters and the plot. This was written well and had plenty of emotions, some tenseness, courage, strength, good characters and personalities, a little sass and a good HEA. I would like to get to know the other characters and their stories but I would search them out. Good for passing time or the snuggle-in kinda read. Enjoy
June 17, 2025
I didn’t fall madly in love with the book overall. I did love parts of it however.
Mostly I found it a little bland in the romance area. The mmc was just a joyless pain! The mfc was bland. Lots of action just not my cup of tea I guess. Seemed to lack that something to pull me in.
Mostly I found it a little bland in the romance area. The mmc was just a joyless pain! The mfc was bland. Lots of action just not my cup of tea I guess. Seemed to lack that something to pull me in.
July 22, 2013
I started reading this older contemporary romance all along thinking that it felt like a series. After completing the story I learned that it is but it can be read alone.
Ryan McCall's wife left him eight years earlier for an older man who was better off financially. His former wife did a number on him and he was still bitter about trusting women even though it had been a long time. The one saving grace from his marriage was his son Mike and he was given full custody. As a father, he was wonderful, and Mike's personality shined when he was around others.
In the apartment complex, Tess Benson moved in next door and Mike becomes enamored with her. Of course, Ryan sees what he wants to see and treats her pretty shabbily when they are first introduced. In a vehicle with her friend, Ryan is unaware that Tess is seven months pregnant.
Long story short, Tess's easy going nature is given a run for the money when she butts heads with Ryan McCall. There is a stretch of the imagination when a hurricane visits Houston, Texas but this is a Harlequin. You have to remember that. For those of you that love the A's: angst, alpha males, anger with trust issues, this is for you. Surprisingly, for the most part, I found that I liked it. The chemistry is good with sexual tension hovering in the background and only a few misunderstandings on Ryan's part. At 282 pages, you can read it in a day or two.
Ryan McCall's wife left him eight years earlier for an older man who was better off financially. His former wife did a number on him and he was still bitter about trusting women even though it had been a long time. The one saving grace from his marriage was his son Mike and he was given full custody. As a father, he was wonderful, and Mike's personality shined when he was around others.
In the apartment complex, Tess Benson moved in next door and Mike becomes enamored with her. Of course, Ryan sees what he wants to see and treats her pretty shabbily when they are first introduced. In a vehicle with her friend, Ryan is unaware that Tess is seven months pregnant.
Long story short, Tess's easy going nature is given a run for the money when she butts heads with Ryan McCall. There is a stretch of the imagination when a hurricane visits Houston, Texas but this is a Harlequin. You have to remember that. For those of you that love the A's: angst, alpha males, anger with trust issues, this is for you. Surprisingly, for the most part, I found that I liked it. The chemistry is good with sexual tension hovering in the background and only a few misunderstandings on Ryan's part. At 282 pages, you can read it in a day or two.
January 10, 2025
This is one that I read time and time again. I'm not sure what it is about Tess and Ryan but I really enjoy watching them fall in love. Tess is prepared to raise her new baby alone after the tragic death of her husband but is so grateful for her new neighbor's help--even if he is rude and crusty. Ryan was nearly destroyed when his wife left him and their young son and has decided to measure all women by her actions. But he didn't count on Tess. Even Mike, the gangly teenage son, makes me enjoy this story all the more. He is so open and fun, I find myself rooting for him to get the happy home he deserves. This is a sweet, sometimes funny, sometimes tearful, romance with the perfect HEA.
February 2, 2008
Not bad, not great. A mindless read that goes quickly.
December 26, 2015
One of my all time favorite romance books. I just love the characters in this book, from the leading couple to all the little players that make up the entire story!
January 1, 2017
Reread May 7, 2016
Read
April 22, 2018Still burning from a painful divorce, contractor Ryan McCall is finished with women. That is until his thirteen-year-old son befriends their new neighbor--widowed high-school teacher Tess Benson. But she is seven months pregnant.
Tess finds Ryan rude, and his assuming and egocentric behavior is starting to grate on her nerves. Unfortunately, she needs a new Lamaze coach and he is the only person available. Worse still, she's even starting to "like" him--a lot. Is it possible to have a relationship with someone who doesn't even like you... or "any" woman for that matter?
Tess finds Ryan rude, and his assuming and egocentric behavior is starting to grate on her nerves. Unfortunately, she needs a new Lamaze coach and he is the only person available. Worse still, she's even starting to "like" him--a lot. Is it possible to have a relationship with someone who doesn't even like you... or "any" woman for that matter?
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews