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The McKenna Brothers #2
How the Playboy Got Serious
Riley McKenna has led a charmed life—until now! Cut off from the family trust fund, he's out on his ear and fending for himself.
When he applies for a job at Stace Kettering's diner, she's not impressed by his blue eyes and easy smile. She has a strict zero-tolerance policy toward pampered playboys, having learned her lesson once already!
Riley thinks Stace will fall for him like all the others—but he's about to discover that his playboy ways just don't cut it in the real world….
When he applies for a job at Stace Kettering's diner, she's not impressed by his blue eyes and easy smile. She has a strict zero-tolerance policy toward pampered playboys, having learned her lesson once already!
Riley thinks Stace will fall for him like all the others—but he's about to discover that his playboy ways just don't cut it in the real world….
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2012
7 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Jump
442 books743 followersShirley Jump is a writing instructor and an award-winning, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and USA Today bestselling author who has published more than 80 books in 24 countries. She has spoken all over the world about the power of narrative and how to create compelling books. A former reporter and communications director for a marketing agency, she uses her diverse background to help clients create impactful books that readers can’t down.
She knows the path to publication isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, so to help writers write their best possible book, she offers monthly Manuscript Masterminds through her website, www.WritingCompellingFiction.com.
On her channel, https://YouTube.com/@WritingCompellin..., she unlocks the secrets behind compelling novels and delves into the psychological aspect of overcoming creativity-stoppers like doubt and perfectionism. Follow her channel for more writing exercises, classes, and behind-the-scenes writing lessons or join her Manuscript Mastermind to build your tribe of like-minded writers and receive crucial feedback on your pages.
She knows the path to publication isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, so to help writers write their best possible book, she offers monthly Manuscript Masterminds through her website, www.WritingCompellingFiction.com.
On her channel, https://YouTube.com/@WritingCompellin..., she unlocks the secrets behind compelling novels and delves into the psychological aspect of overcoming creativity-stoppers like doubt and perfectionism. Follow her channel for more writing exercises, classes, and behind-the-scenes writing lessons or join her Manuscript Mastermind to build your tribe of like-minded writers and receive crucial feedback on your pages.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 11, 2012
Very good book. Riley is the youngest of the three brothers and has been very good at just having a good time. He's employed at the family business, but doesn't actually do anything there. He spends his time partying and avoiding responsibility. Finally, his grandmother has enough and tells him it's time for him to grow up. So she cuts off his funds and tells him to go find a real job. He ends up at Stace's diner, where he has been a customer, and is hired as a waiter by the cook/owner. He figures it will be easy to do for a few days until he can talk his grandmother around. Boy, does he get a rude awakening. Stace doesn't want him there. She's familiar with his type and wants nothing to do with him. She figures he hasn't done a day's honest work in his life and won't be able to depend on him. She is also taking care of her teenage nephew and trying to keep her home from falling apart. It takes awhile, but Riley finally starts to realize that he can't just charm his way through this job, and he begins to actually do the job. He moves Stace and Jeremy into his house when they have a roofing emergency, and starts to feel things for her that he's never felt before. I really liked both Riley and Stace. Once he learned the job, he started to feel the satisfaction of doing it well, something he had never felt before. He also kept running away from his feelings because of his fear of loss. I loved seeing him mature and find his place in his world. He was also very good with Jeremy and was able to help him also. Stace was an independent person who hated to ask for help. She had been the dependable one for so long that she no longer knew how to accept help from someone else. She fought her feelings for Riley because she had been hurt by someone like him and didn't want to go through that again. I loved seeing her change also, and loved the way things went at the diner at the end.
July 17, 2012
How the Playboy Got Serious, Shirley Jump
Stace Kettering is overworked and they don't have another server just yet.
Riley McKenna is a playboy and is the grandson of the mega media company and he's been told no more hand outs. He's worked in every job at the family business and still just wants to date women and do nothing else.
She was only at the diner to work, save money and provide for her nephew Jeremy.
He was only there to prove to his grandmother that he could do this job and be good at it, and he wanted Stace to be his next girlfriend.
He wants to try to help Jeremy with his art work but the kid doesn't wanna go to school, no point in it.
He also wants to help boost the diner's revenue but keeps going to their house and forgets to bring it up.
House is in total disrepair and she has no money to fix anything.
Riley takes them to his grandmother's guest house where he stays for a few nights til they can get the roof fixed. He lives in the elegant section of town and it has a house and all the amenities where she lives in the slums of Boston.
Sights in Boston are a treat! Love how the diner got it's name!
He talks to his grandmother and she agrees to help the situation with the nephew. Now he's in good graces with Stace, he needs to make his move ...
Stace Kettering is overworked and they don't have another server just yet.
Riley McKenna is a playboy and is the grandson of the mega media company and he's been told no more hand outs. He's worked in every job at the family business and still just wants to date women and do nothing else.
She was only at the diner to work, save money and provide for her nephew Jeremy.
He was only there to prove to his grandmother that he could do this job and be good at it, and he wanted Stace to be his next girlfriend.
He wants to try to help Jeremy with his art work but the kid doesn't wanna go to school, no point in it.
He also wants to help boost the diner's revenue but keeps going to their house and forgets to bring it up.
House is in total disrepair and she has no money to fix anything.
Riley takes them to his grandmother's guest house where he stays for a few nights til they can get the roof fixed. He lives in the elegant section of town and it has a house and all the amenities where she lives in the slums of Boston.
Sights in Boston are a treat! Love how the diner got it's name!
He talks to his grandmother and she agrees to help the situation with the nephew. Now he's in good graces with Stace, he needs to make his move ...
August 11, 2019
Novel in a nutshell - Riley McKenna is from a priviliged background and does as little work as possible in the family business, safe in the knowledge he will never need worry about money. When his grandma cuts him off from his trust fund, he finds work in a busy diner run by Stace, who has many problems of her own, though of a very different kind. They work together and find themselves falling in love despite their different backgrounds.
Review - I enjoyed reading this book, I really like Shirley Jump's writing and the characters she creates. Even if at first you feel they may not be likeable (Riley in this case!) Shirley helps you get into their minds and you end up rooting for them! Well written and I look forward to reading the next installment of the McKenna series.
Review - I enjoyed reading this book, I really like Shirley Jump's writing and the characters she creates. Even if at first you feel they may not be likeable (Riley in this case!) Shirley helps you get into their minds and you end up rooting for them! Well written and I look forward to reading the next installment of the McKenna series.
August 21, 2019
Another fun read!
August 8, 2012
This story is sure to steal your heart! Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:
Riley McKenna and his two brothers lost their parents at a young age and were brought up by their grandparents. Now his brother Finn is married with a child and another on the way, while his other brother Brody is a doctor and is taking his talents overseas to help the disadvantaged. Meanwhile, Riley works for his grandparents’ company, McKenna Media, and goofs off most of the day while still drawing a paycheck. Although the family tradition is that of meaningful works and charitable organizations, Riley is known for being a partier and a playboy. His antics often show up in the newspapers, but his latest scandal is the breaking point for his grandmother Mary, who now runs McKenna Media. To save the family name and force Riley to grow up, she cuts him off – firing him from McKenna Media and informing him that from now on he will be paying rent on the guesthouse where he lives. At first, he is ecstatic, seeing this as a challenge, but he soon discovers that this is not as easy as he thought it would be. After all, he is used to everything being handed to him, not working for it.
Stace Kettering works at Morning Glory Diner, which was owned by her father and his best friend Frank, but now her father is dead. The place is filled with memories for her and she cannot imagine working anywhere else. Her tips are good, but sometimes the long hours get to her. Frank is like a second father to her and has always been there for her, especially since the death of her father. He frequently talks about traveling so Stace has been saving her pennies, hoping to one day buy him out, so he will have the time to travel. Recently, her sister, who has a drug problem, dropped her son Jeremy off at Stace’s house, and now Stace is doing the best she can for her nephew, who seems to have a chip on his shoulder. Fortunately, she has Frank to lend a helping hand with the boy.
Tired of the long hours since they are short a server, Stace threatens to quit once more, so Frank promises to hire the next person that comes in. Then she sees Riley, who is a frequent customer, come through the door. She knows his reputation and that of his family. After almost marrying a playboy like him, she steers clear of Riley, despite his good looks and charm. She had made a lucky escape by not marrying her fiancé. But she could not help being betrayed and devastated when, two days after proposing to her, he ran off and married a girl that he had just met. She is determined not to let it happen again.
Seeing the ‘help wanted’ sign in the diner window, Riley inquires about the job. Frank, true to his word, hires him. At first, he finds the job more difficult than he expected but soon catches on. Although he only took the job to prove to his grandmother that he could do it, he finds himself falling for Stace and looking for ways to build business at the diner as well as help Stace with her nephew. When the roof in Stace’s ramshackle home, which is in a poor part of town, collapses, Riley convinces her to move into the guesthouse with him temporarily along with her nephew. As they spend time together, Stace begins to see a different side of Riley and knows she is falling for him. But can she depend on him to be there for the long haul, or is she only setting herself up for more heartache?
An emotion-packed story, HOW THE PLAYBOY GOT SERIOUS, the second novel in gifted author Shirley Jump’s MCKENNA BROTHERS series, is a witty, engaging contemporary romance that will have you eagerly turning the pages to see how things turn out. Even as Riley begins falling for Stace, he gets skittish and longs to escape. But slowly he begins to grow up and this growth is a delight to witness. The McKenna Brothers series is about three billionaire brothers who, despite guarding their hearts, still find love. Each book can be read as a standalone, but for additional enjoyment, be sure to read all three, beginning with the first book; ONE DAY TO FIND A HUSBAND, which is Finn’s story. Through it all, the guys have their grandmother to love and they come to appreciate her attempts to guide them. Combining sexual tension, engaging characters, passion, humor, clever banter, family dynamics, romance and love, Ms. Jump has once more penned a winner. I highly recommend HOW THE PLAYBOY GOT SERIOUS and look forward to reading the third book in this trilogy, RETURN OF THE MCKENNA, which is due out in September. Do not miss HOW THE PLAYBOY GOT SERIOUS or any of the books in this entertaining series.
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
Riley McKenna and his two brothers lost their parents at a young age and were brought up by their grandparents. Now his brother Finn is married with a child and another on the way, while his other brother Brody is a doctor and is taking his talents overseas to help the disadvantaged. Meanwhile, Riley works for his grandparents’ company, McKenna Media, and goofs off most of the day while still drawing a paycheck. Although the family tradition is that of meaningful works and charitable organizations, Riley is known for being a partier and a playboy. His antics often show up in the newspapers, but his latest scandal is the breaking point for his grandmother Mary, who now runs McKenna Media. To save the family name and force Riley to grow up, she cuts him off – firing him from McKenna Media and informing him that from now on he will be paying rent on the guesthouse where he lives. At first, he is ecstatic, seeing this as a challenge, but he soon discovers that this is not as easy as he thought it would be. After all, he is used to everything being handed to him, not working for it.
Stace Kettering works at Morning Glory Diner, which was owned by her father and his best friend Frank, but now her father is dead. The place is filled with memories for her and she cannot imagine working anywhere else. Her tips are good, but sometimes the long hours get to her. Frank is like a second father to her and has always been there for her, especially since the death of her father. He frequently talks about traveling so Stace has been saving her pennies, hoping to one day buy him out, so he will have the time to travel. Recently, her sister, who has a drug problem, dropped her son Jeremy off at Stace’s house, and now Stace is doing the best she can for her nephew, who seems to have a chip on his shoulder. Fortunately, she has Frank to lend a helping hand with the boy.
Tired of the long hours since they are short a server, Stace threatens to quit once more, so Frank promises to hire the next person that comes in. Then she sees Riley, who is a frequent customer, come through the door. She knows his reputation and that of his family. After almost marrying a playboy like him, she steers clear of Riley, despite his good looks and charm. She had made a lucky escape by not marrying her fiancé. But she could not help being betrayed and devastated when, two days after proposing to her, he ran off and married a girl that he had just met. She is determined not to let it happen again.
Seeing the ‘help wanted’ sign in the diner window, Riley inquires about the job. Frank, true to his word, hires him. At first, he finds the job more difficult than he expected but soon catches on. Although he only took the job to prove to his grandmother that he could do it, he finds himself falling for Stace and looking for ways to build business at the diner as well as help Stace with her nephew. When the roof in Stace’s ramshackle home, which is in a poor part of town, collapses, Riley convinces her to move into the guesthouse with him temporarily along with her nephew. As they spend time together, Stace begins to see a different side of Riley and knows she is falling for him. But can she depend on him to be there for the long haul, or is she only setting herself up for more heartache?
An emotion-packed story, HOW THE PLAYBOY GOT SERIOUS, the second novel in gifted author Shirley Jump’s MCKENNA BROTHERS series, is a witty, engaging contemporary romance that will have you eagerly turning the pages to see how things turn out. Even as Riley begins falling for Stace, he gets skittish and longs to escape. But slowly he begins to grow up and this growth is a delight to witness. The McKenna Brothers series is about three billionaire brothers who, despite guarding their hearts, still find love. Each book can be read as a standalone, but for additional enjoyment, be sure to read all three, beginning with the first book; ONE DAY TO FIND A HUSBAND, which is Finn’s story. Through it all, the guys have their grandmother to love and they come to appreciate her attempts to guide them. Combining sexual tension, engaging characters, passion, humor, clever banter, family dynamics, romance and love, Ms. Jump has once more penned a winner. I highly recommend HOW THE PLAYBOY GOT SERIOUS and look forward to reading the third book in this trilogy, RETURN OF THE MCKENNA, which is due out in September. Do not miss HOW THE PLAYBOY GOT SERIOUS or any of the books in this entertaining series.
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
July 12, 2012
'How the Playboy Got Serious' is the second installment of the McKenna Trilogy,
I have got to say that I loved this book from the get go. Riley McKenna is the youngest sibling of the three brothers. He drifts from girlfriend to girlfriend and only does the minimum am amount of work he possibly can and still gets a paycheck at the end of it. Until his Grandmother who owns Mckenna Media and his employer.
By sacking him it makes him finally stand on his own two feet. I laughed out loud where he is being told off by his grandma and he takes it without argument. Paying rent and finding his own employment which he does at the Morning Glory diner. Frank one of the owners of the Diner believes Riley to be a good person. He has a harder job convincing Stace the second owner and his love interest.
He helps Stace repair her house and Riley lets her stay at his home whilst her damaged roof is repaired. Giving him chance to get to know her better but each time either get close to the other one they both back away.
Jeremy's mother abandoned him Stace is angry that her sister has just left her soon and entrusted him into the her care. Unbeknown to Jeremy or Stace Lisa has gone into rehab to get clean so she can be a better mother to her son.
From start to finish this book was an enthralling read. I loved the hero from page one and Stace and her nephew Jeremy could both make you laugh and cry.
I have got to say that I loved this book from the get go. Riley McKenna is the youngest sibling of the three brothers. He drifts from girlfriend to girlfriend and only does the minimum am amount of work he possibly can and still gets a paycheck at the end of it. Until his Grandmother who owns Mckenna Media and his employer.
By sacking him it makes him finally stand on his own two feet. I laughed out loud where he is being told off by his grandma and he takes it without argument. Paying rent and finding his own employment which he does at the Morning Glory diner. Frank one of the owners of the Diner believes Riley to be a good person. He has a harder job convincing Stace the second owner and his love interest.
He helps Stace repair her house and Riley lets her stay at his home whilst her damaged roof is repaired. Giving him chance to get to know her better but each time either get close to the other one they both back away.
Jeremy's mother abandoned him Stace is angry that her sister has just left her soon and entrusted him into the her care. Unbeknown to Jeremy or Stace Lisa has gone into rehab to get clean so she can be a better mother to her son.
From start to finish this book was an enthralling read. I loved the hero from page one and Stace and her nephew Jeremy could both make you laugh and cry.
August 13, 2012
Reviewd by HarlequinJunkie Romance Reviews
In 'How the Playboy Got Serious' the author takes two very different people and pushes them both into the deep end of life and love.
Partying, drinking, woman and going to work when he feels like and most importantly never getting serious is the perfect life of Riley, but what happens when he is left to fend for himself?
Stace works hard to earn her keep and build a life for herself,but she never ever has any fun.
From the beginning of the book the story seemed intriguing the character of Riley's grandmother was a real lady and a true good old fashioned tough woman from the old world and she sure does know exactly what to do with her playboy grandson.
Co -owner of the dinner where this unique love blossoms,Franks was one of those characters that you simply fall in love with just because he is such a kind and kindred soul. The added unique twist of "leadership" that Riley's gives to Stace's nephew made for a very nice touch and definitely touched my heart.
Dynamic characters that each unfolded throughout the book into memorable, reliable characters made a definite impact on me. Well written in true Jump form.
In 'How the Playboy Got Serious' the author takes two very different people and pushes them both into the deep end of life and love.
Partying, drinking, woman and going to work when he feels like and most importantly never getting serious is the perfect life of Riley, but what happens when he is left to fend for himself?
Stace works hard to earn her keep and build a life for herself,but she never ever has any fun.
From the beginning of the book the story seemed intriguing the character of Riley's grandmother was a real lady and a true good old fashioned tough woman from the old world and she sure does know exactly what to do with her playboy grandson.
Co -owner of the dinner where this unique love blossoms,Franks was one of those characters that you simply fall in love with just because he is such a kind and kindred soul. The added unique twist of "leadership" that Riley's gives to Stace's nephew made for a very nice touch and definitely touched my heart.
Dynamic characters that each unfolded throughout the book into memorable, reliable characters made a definite impact on me. Well written in true Jump form.
August 19, 2012
This book carries the issue of commitment message and it tell the story of Stace and Riley. Riley is from a well to do family and used to being able to have all the things that he ever wanted and commitment to one is not something that he have in his book. Stace struggling to meet end needs what more when her younger sister dump her child to her. When Riley being fired and cut from his monthly allowance and was told to earn his own living by his grandmother, he ended up waitressing at the diner where Stace work. His presence was something that she least expecting and she dislikes his appearance and refuse to accept his presence. Yet, Riley preservere and soon Stace begin to realise that Riley is serious in his job and is not one who just work for fun.
I find the story started very slowly and it took me awhile to be absorb into the story. I like Stace for her no nonsence attitude but at the same time feel that she is too serious in her life. Riley is the one that she needed in her life and is the perfect match for her although she tries to resist it. Overall, this book is an easy to read book albeit the slow start.
I find the story started very slowly and it took me awhile to be absorb into the story. I like Stace for her no nonsence attitude but at the same time feel that she is too serious in her life. Riley is the one that she needed in her life and is the perfect match for her although she tries to resist it. Overall, this book is an easy to read book albeit the slow start.
August 26, 2012
This is another of those stories where the wealthy son gets cut off from his family because all he is doing is causing a problem for himself and his family. Riley is a playboy, he likes his women his drinking and his friends. But now he has nothing, and has to pay rent to stay at the family home. So he goes out searching for a job, and he gets one working in a diner. This is the story of how Riley grows up, of how he sees that you just cant cut work. Because when you do someone has to pick up your slack. Riley isn't a bad guy, he's just a guy without a real purpose in life. His grandmother sees this as a time for Riley to find that purpose. Stace is so used to counting on herself she knows that she can depend on herself. And when Riley enters her life she sees him as he portrays himself to the world. So not only does Riley need to find himself he needs to prove to Stace that he is in it for the long hall.
This is a quick read, and an entertaining one. I am sure that you will enjoy this story.
Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley. The rating, review, and all opinions are my own
This is a quick read, and an entertaining one. I am sure that you will enjoy this story.
Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley. The rating, review, and all opinions are my own
September 7, 2012
This is the second book in The McKenna Brothers series and straightaway, I preferred it to the first book in the series.
Immediately, you bond with Riley and although he is a bit of a playboy, you can't help loving him and wanting to get to know him. He is going some through emotional changes and doing his best to ignore it but he gets a real wake-up call from the two leading ladies in this book, Stace and Grandma.
I raced through this book and then charged onto the third. Well worth a read...
Immediately, you bond with Riley and although he is a bit of a playboy, you can't help loving him and wanting to get to know him. He is going some through emotional changes and doing his best to ignore it but he gets a real wake-up call from the two leading ladies in this book, Stace and Grandma.
I raced through this book and then charged onto the third. Well worth a read...
January 9, 2015
laugh out loud story of a rich boy who gets cut off from family money until he learns the value of work and earning money. rich boy learns lesson about responsibility and expectations from others before he realizes how unaware he was of the working stiffs and his treatment towards them. As he goes about trying to show one young woman that he can be dependalbe he falls in love and will do anything to be worthy of her. I love this story.
July 26, 2012
"Riley McKenna is used to having it all, money, women, whatever job suits his fancy until he gets bored. When his Grandmother decides to cut him off in order for him to learn the hard way about commitment and responsibilities."
Full review on cataromance.com
http://cataromance.com/2012/07/review...
Full review on cataromance.com
http://cataromance.com/2012/07/review...
August 21, 2012
Ugh now I want a McKenna boy. Great love story. I really enjoyed it. A little too short though. Wish it was longer and maybe throw in a steamy scene? Yes please. It got a little hot once, but then was killed off. Needs more steam to really light my fire haha
But if you want to read a great love story, I recommend this one :)
Another great find thanks to Walmart!
But if you want to read a great love story, I recommend this one :)
Another great find thanks to Walmart!
Read
December 27, 2014Miniseries: The McKenna Brothers
Category: Classic Romance
Category: Classic Romance
Read
December 27, 2014Miniseries: The McKenna Brothers
Category: Classic Romance
Category: Classic Romance
June 19, 2015
Um i are they are a serious to this book and if so can you tell me the chronological order of the serious thank you!!
April 7, 2017
Sweet and fun
Grandma is amazing. I really enjoyed her character and would have loved to see more of her. The underlying story involving Jeremy and his mom(and its effect on Stace) was incredibly real. I was really blown away by the way real issues provided the background for this love story.
Grandma is amazing. I really enjoyed her character and would have loved to see more of her. The underlying story involving Jeremy and his mom(and its effect on Stace) was incredibly real. I was really blown away by the way real issues provided the background for this love story.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews