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Unlikely Allies by C.C. Koen
What happens when a single mom’s four-year-old daughter falls in love with Mr. Right and she doesn’t?Maggie Tyson’s no bad boys. Her incarcerated ex-husband broke her of that attraction. Needing to escape his threats and the scrutiny of the people in her hometown, Maggie relocates to New York City. Determined to not make the same mistakes, she has a mile-long list of dos and don’ts. Unfortunately, her daughter, Cecily, doesn’t like to follow them. When Cecily wanders away from her and right into Rick Stone’s office, Maggie knows he’s the exact type she’s been trying to avoid. Can she resist him or will she succumb to his willful charm?Rick Stone’s bed them don’t wed them. Running a multibillion dollar business doesn’t leave him with much time to do anything else, particularly with an overbearing grandfather breathing down his neck. But when a man works hard, he needs to play even harder. Voted America’s most eligible bachelor, Rick doesn’t have any problems getting women into his bed—except one.Two auburn beauties stumble into his life.One will break his heart.The other—heal it.Will he love or leave them?
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First published June 13, 2015
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About the author
C.C. Koen
3 books172 followersC.C. Koen writes contemporary romance with a twist. An avid reader who enjoys mystery and suspense, her stories will never be what you expect. Determined to find adventure in her dreams and life, she enjoys skydiving, sailing and any activity that challenges her. Teacher by day, romance writer at night produce an active imagination that comes to life in her writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
August 27, 2015
**3.5 Stars**
Opening Lines
When I first came across Unlikely Allies it was the cover that grabbed my attention. I just loved the composition of colours and with a male having the child on his shoulders and I became curious as to know what this book would be about. After reading the synopsis I had to have this book in my hands! I just knew that I would be in for an emotional, at times funny read but romantic read.
Unlikely Allies was way longer than I wanted it to be. It was also a lot more serious than I expected it to be, which isn’t a bad thing! What I found really interesting was it seemed like the element of romance took a backseat in Unlikely Allies, I was mainly expected this to be a chick-lit kind of read. Although at times I can’t help but feel like there wasn’t enough time spent on Maggie and Rick together. The romance between them didn’t start to develop until more than halfway throughout the book.
That’s not to say readers weren’t left entertained! CeCe has to be one of my favourite characters! I really just want her to have her own book. *hint*hint*nudge*nudge* PLEASE CAN CECE HAVE A BOOK!?! Her cuteness and her automatic affection for Rick really helped move the story along. affected them.
Rick is the typical emotionally closed off workaholic, playboy. And Maggie has just escaped a HORRIBLE relationship and has her guard up, rightfully so. With dual POV’s from both Maggie and Rick C.C Koen spends a lot of time letting readers get to know Maggie and Rick, I enjoyed having the back story to each of them and seeing how past and current events/issues have impacted their lives.
Overall, Unlikely Allies was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed each characters POV and development between Rick and Maggie. CeCe is hands down my favourite character in this story, and the epilogue was a lovely wrap up. I look forward to the next novel by C.C. Koen *please let it be CeCe’s book, please!*. Would I recommend Unlikely Allies? YES!! This is the kind of read you bring with you for a long car ride, or one for a rainy day. I hope to get my hands on a paperback version so I can read it again and not have my face glued to my laptop!
Opening Lines
“Rick strolled into the office and collapsed into the leather chair behind his desk. Piles of manila folders spread across the top, reminding him of all the work he still had to do tonight. He reached for a file, and a movement to the right of his shoulder caught his eye. A pudgy white mouse was propped on the computer keyboard a few feet away. He stared in disbelief as the rodent licked its furry arm and scrubbed its face. Where did it come from?”Excerpt From: C.C. Koen. “CCKOEN UnlikelyAllies ARC.” iBooks.
When I first came across Unlikely Allies it was the cover that grabbed my attention. I just loved the composition of colours and with a male having the child on his shoulders and I became curious as to know what this book would be about. After reading the synopsis I had to have this book in my hands! I just knew that I would be in for an emotional, at times funny read but romantic read.
Unlikely Allies was way longer than I wanted it to be. It was also a lot more serious than I expected it to be, which isn’t a bad thing! What I found really interesting was it seemed like the element of romance took a backseat in Unlikely Allies, I was mainly expected this to be a chick-lit kind of read. Although at times I can’t help but feel like there wasn’t enough time spent on Maggie and Rick together. The romance between them didn’t start to develop until more than halfway throughout the book.
That’s not to say readers weren’t left entertained! CeCe has to be one of my favourite characters! I really just want her to have her own book. *hint*hint*nudge*nudge* PLEASE CAN CECE HAVE A BOOK!?! Her cuteness and her automatic affection for Rick really helped move the story along. affected them.
Rick is the typical emotionally closed off workaholic, playboy. And Maggie has just escaped a HORRIBLE relationship and has her guard up, rightfully so. With dual POV’s from both Maggie and Rick C.C Koen spends a lot of time letting readers get to know Maggie and Rick, I enjoyed having the back story to each of them and seeing how past and current events/issues have impacted their lives.
Overall, Unlikely Allies was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed each characters POV and development between Rick and Maggie. CeCe is hands down my favourite character in this story, and the epilogue was a lovely wrap up. I look forward to the next novel by C.C. Koen *please let it be CeCe’s book, please!*. Would I recommend Unlikely Allies? YES!! This is the kind of read you bring with you for a long car ride, or one for a rainy day. I hope to get my hands on a paperback version so I can read it again and not have my face glued to my laptop!
Read
August 3, 2015So at 50% I'm waving the white flag on this one. It's a long ass book and at 50% the h and H have had hardly any interactions. The little girl CeCe...is so damn cute and kept me reading. Her and Max/Rick together is what made me read this here book. Their scenes together are awesome! But come on...50% and no conversations with the h and H. They don't even know a thing about each other. How can the man have so many feelings for your daughter and hardly speak to the mom? I'm not feeling it any longer. Time to move on.
My book funk continues:((
My book funk continues:((
July 7, 2016
Maggie had been burned in love. She vowed never get too fired up and not get too close to any man ever again. She and her daughter moved to NYC for a change.
But fate had other ideas. And so was Cece. She was the one who found the man she might just need in her life. And she might just be the one Rick Stone needed in his.
This had been a breathtaking, heartwarming tale of love, family, choices and redemption. I think CeCe was my favorite in the story, she’s like an angel sent to bring Rick and Maggie together. Rick has a good heart and a good head on his shoulders. He was exactly the kind of man I would love Maggie & Cece to spend their lives with. But really, this book is all about Cece and I couldn’t find fault in her! I loved this feeling of lightheadedness and good vibes Cece brought in this book.
The ending was perfect. The story was great. The author was brilliant. C.C. Koen did a wonderful job!
But fate had other ideas. And so was Cece. She was the one who found the man she might just need in her life. And she might just be the one Rick Stone needed in his.
This had been a breathtaking, heartwarming tale of love, family, choices and redemption. I think CeCe was my favorite in the story, she’s like an angel sent to bring Rick and Maggie together. Rick has a good heart and a good head on his shoulders. He was exactly the kind of man I would love Maggie & Cece to spend their lives with. But really, this book is all about Cece and I couldn’t find fault in her! I loved this feeling of lightheadedness and good vibes Cece brought in this book.
The ending was perfect. The story was great. The author was brilliant. C.C. Koen did a wonderful job!
July 7, 2015
Review to come
August 29, 2015
The full review was up on August 17th as part of the Blog Tour on For The Love of Fictional Worlds
Actual Rating 4.5 Stars
I have always loved reading kids in a romance story! There something that is magical about being in the mind of kid, to see how they see the world and to understand how absolutely innocent their frame of mind is. It's so easier to fall in love with a child character because of how open and honest they actually are!
And that is what hooked on to this book - Cece! That's it! I adored her. She is this wonderful ball of energy who bought even the grumpiest of man down to his knees (Read: Rick's Grandpa!) with just her own pure little self.
Rick Stone is the first one to meet Cece - and he is still bowled over. A guy who has decided that having a family is definitely not on his bucket list is bowled over by the friendship band, the warm hugs and the genuine smiles that Cece had only for him. And that fact that her mom's a looker is not exactly a hardship for him - although to be fair their relationship wasn't exactly a bed of roses. But more on that later!
Rick is the ultimate workaholic and a playboy. He lost his father and since then has been emotionally closed off, especially since his grandfather has been been on his case to do things his way in business and trying to marry him off to a Grade I Witch! While I never could understand the reason for his emotional distance, I still liked, not loved, but liked him! He was in the end a stand up guy!
Maggie is the single mother of Cece - who is only just getting out of a really bad and f****d up situation. She is only now getting on her feet, providing a safe life for Cece and the last thing she wants or needs is to get involved with a playboy with serious control issues!
But here, I had a problem with Maggie as a character. She did basically come off as immature woman, even with a kid. Don't get me wrong, she was a kick ass mom, and she knew how to keep Rick on his toes but she still made decisions that honestly made me want to throw my iPad at the wall and that's saying a lot since I absolutely love my iPad.
Now after reading till now, you must be wondering why I have given this book a 4 Star rating - it's only because of Cece and the epilogue :D
The epilogue made up for any irritations I might have had with the book or the characters and I am really hoping and praying that Cece gets her own book because that epilogue was full of hints ;)
So, Ms. Koen, can we (I) please have an answer about Cece's story? :D :P
August 28, 2016
3.5 stars ...
June 16, 2015
So much potential but it fell flat for me until the very end. I really liked the epilogue. Where was that the previous 20+ chapters?
The h, while not stupid, wasn’t very likeable for me. The H adored her daughter and was very nice to her and attracted to her. Her response was to constantly push him away yet still let him befriend her daughter. She wasn’t a feel sorry for herself kind of girl but her responses (or lack of to her ex) were a 180 to her responses to Rick/Max. I just didn’t get her or like her. Her response in the scene when her daughter was sick – instead of focusing on the mama bear response – I wondered where was her embarrassment that her daughter threw up over multiple people and office furniture?
I liked the H but I didn’t quite get why his father’s death made him shy away from relationships. He and his father were very close and he loved and admired his dad. Didn’t quite make sense to me.
The story too often felt more about the H and the h’s young daughter and their relationship which was so damn sweet. There were moments of spark between the H and h which I liked and were well written and you could feel their chemistry. Unfortunately they were too few and too late in the story IMHO.
I’d read another story from this author but this one left me a little flat.
The h, while not stupid, wasn’t very likeable for me. The H adored her daughter and was very nice to her and attracted to her. Her response was to constantly push him away yet still let him befriend her daughter. She wasn’t a feel sorry for herself kind of girl but her responses (or lack of to her ex) were a 180 to her responses to Rick/Max. I just didn’t get her or like her. Her response in the scene when her daughter was sick – instead of focusing on the mama bear response – I wondered where was her embarrassment that her daughter threw up over multiple people and office furniture?
I liked the H but I didn’t quite get why his father’s death made him shy away from relationships. He and his father were very close and he loved and admired his dad. Didn’t quite make sense to me.
The story too often felt more about the H and the h’s young daughter and their relationship which was so damn sweet. There were moments of spark between the H and h which I liked and were well written and you could feel their chemistry. Unfortunately they were too few and too late in the story IMHO.
I’d read another story from this author but this one left me a little flat.
August 17, 2015
*Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
This was a very different and light romance and not what I was expecting from the blurb. It is a standalone read so no cliff-hangers, in fact the opposite as there were several epilogues given.
Maggie has come out of a turbulent relationship with her ex-husband who is now in prison so she has vowed her future will no longer include bad boys or men with deviant reputations. This is especially so now she has her young daughter Cece to protect and take care of. However it is through her daughter that she meets the enigmatic Rick Stone.
Rick is the CEO of a multimillion empire that was started by his late father. His focus is carrying on his Dad’s dream and nothing will stand in his way, especially not women. Oh no, for him his dalliance with romance are one night hook ups and nothing more. But then the cute as a button little girl comes into his life and with her, her gorgeous mother, Maggie.
I was really looking forward to a hot and passionate storyline mixed in with some cute from the enticing blurb but it didn’t really meet up with my expectations. The storyline was a slow burner and the romance was definitely secondary in this book. Cece was the winner though, especially the dialogue she had with Rick who was also the highlight. Kat on the other hand was a tad frustrating. Here was a hot, sexy gorgeous man who was also a hit with her child but she kept pushing him away.
The storyline jumps from one scene to another timeline and in some instances I got a little lost. The attention to detail was intricate but tended to be focused on the little things rather than the areas that the reader needed more clarification on. At times it felt like the reader was being held back and standing on the periphery. When reading I like to be thrown in right in the thick of it and getting a feel for the emotions and angst.
Saying all that the book did keep me invested and I just loved Rick and how sweet he really was as opposed to his tough businessman persona. Also how he always felt he should live his life for others rather than himself and the way he coped with his grandfather’s interference.
The romance aspect picks up at the 80% mark but I do wish it was much sooner as this would have made this an altogether much more emotive and involving read for me. I didn’t feel the connection between Rick and Maggie, until later on in the book, which was a shame. The story for me is more of Rick becoming the man his father always wanted him to be rather than a romance between him and Maggie. Which is not a bad thing but the blurb just set me in a different mind-set. Overall a nice entertaining story.
This was a very different and light romance and not what I was expecting from the blurb. It is a standalone read so no cliff-hangers, in fact the opposite as there were several epilogues given.
Maggie has come out of a turbulent relationship with her ex-husband who is now in prison so she has vowed her future will no longer include bad boys or men with deviant reputations. This is especially so now she has her young daughter Cece to protect and take care of. However it is through her daughter that she meets the enigmatic Rick Stone.
Rick is the CEO of a multimillion empire that was started by his late father. His focus is carrying on his Dad’s dream and nothing will stand in his way, especially not women. Oh no, for him his dalliance with romance are one night hook ups and nothing more. But then the cute as a button little girl comes into his life and with her, her gorgeous mother, Maggie.
I was really looking forward to a hot and passionate storyline mixed in with some cute from the enticing blurb but it didn’t really meet up with my expectations. The storyline was a slow burner and the romance was definitely secondary in this book. Cece was the winner though, especially the dialogue she had with Rick who was also the highlight. Kat on the other hand was a tad frustrating. Here was a hot, sexy gorgeous man who was also a hit with her child but she kept pushing him away.
The storyline jumps from one scene to another timeline and in some instances I got a little lost. The attention to detail was intricate but tended to be focused on the little things rather than the areas that the reader needed more clarification on. At times it felt like the reader was being held back and standing on the periphery. When reading I like to be thrown in right in the thick of it and getting a feel for the emotions and angst.
Saying all that the book did keep me invested and I just loved Rick and how sweet he really was as opposed to his tough businessman persona. Also how he always felt he should live his life for others rather than himself and the way he coped with his grandfather’s interference.
The romance aspect picks up at the 80% mark but I do wish it was much sooner as this would have made this an altogether much more emotive and involving read for me. I didn’t feel the connection between Rick and Maggie, until later on in the book, which was a shame. The story for me is more of Rick becoming the man his father always wanted him to be rather than a romance between him and Maggie. Which is not a bad thing but the blurb just set me in a different mind-set. Overall a nice entertaining story.
June 18, 2015
This book was ok..I read the whole thing, but it seemed more of a story about his relationship with her little girl. they spent almost no time together and barely spoke through half the book. That's not much of a romance if you ask me. All the good interactions were between him and the little girl, not her mother. Not sure how they can say they love each other. Even the sexual tension didn't seem all that tense. The writing was a bit choppy in places..it would go from one scene to another without any pause and was a bit confusing at times.
October 7, 2025
Great read
I really enjoyed reading the journey between Maggie and Rick and Cece sweetened the deal. A fun, sweet love story that packs a punch. Maggie has a long road ahead of her as a single mother and Rick doesn't realize he's missing out on life. When Cece stumbles into his life it turns him on his head and Rick gets the awakening he needs.
Full Review on bookcrack.com
I really enjoyed reading the journey between Maggie and Rick and Cece sweetened the deal. A fun, sweet love story that packs a punch. Maggie has a long road ahead of her as a single mother and Rick doesn't realize he's missing out on life. When Cece stumbles into his life it turns him on his head and Rick gets the awakening he needs.
Full Review on bookcrack.com
November 3, 2017
DNF 60%
AAARG!
I really wanted to like this one - I did! I mean, I like the story, it had some serious potential. But for the dead of me, I just couldn't do it. Already after 20-30%, was I ready to throw in the towel. The writing style was so far of what I like. I almost have whiplash from the insane fast scene changes. One moment they were talking in the kitchen, and in the next sentence a week had passed. The hell?!? I lost count of the times I had to page back to see what what the f*ck just happened.
One reviewer wrote:
“The writing was a bit choppy in places.. it would go from one scene to another without any pause and was a bit confusing at times.”
That is to put it mildly!
I'm so sorry, I truly wanted to like it.
AAARG!
I really wanted to like this one - I did! I mean, I like the story, it had some serious potential. But for the dead of me, I just couldn't do it. Already after 20-30%, was I ready to throw in the towel. The writing style was so far of what I like. I almost have whiplash from the insane fast scene changes. One moment they were talking in the kitchen, and in the next sentence a week had passed. The hell?!? I lost count of the times I had to page back to see what what the f*ck just happened.
One reviewer wrote:
“The writing was a bit choppy in places.. it would go from one scene to another without any pause and was a bit confusing at times.”
That is to put it mildly!
I'm so sorry, I truly wanted to like it.
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February 7, 2016
I'm having a real hard time with this review. I generally liked the book, both plot and characters, although it wasn't anything original, or all that breathtaking. It wasn't good enough to rave and recommend, and I think it could easily be considered lame by people who read this genre a lot, but it didn't turn me off, either.
Neither Rick nor Maggie were making me swoon, and I just hated Cece's baby talk. I know most pople think it's adorable, but it irks me. I think her character could've done without it, and that she was cute and amazing due to her actions and what she said, even though how she said it annoyed me. Maggie was getting on my nerves with her contradicting thoughts and actions, pushing Rick away and being all cautious around him for no reason, acting tough being mama bear, yet spoiling Cece senseless, crying at the slightest show of kindess towards her, and simply putting her head in the sand when it came to her ex. Seriously, I thought she was plain stupid, because she always refused help, although she knows there are good people out there who just want to help for the heck of it -- like herself, for example. I felt like she was just being a stubborn little shit, control-freakish at points, but didn't have the temper to back it up, and was more of a crybaby, really.
Rick was better, although he wasn't what I expected, since he turned out not to be a bad boy at all. His sexual preferences, being on the harsh side, were as much a stress relief as his drinking (only over the top once, and totally justified in my opinion) and him brawling with Matt, but neither a compulsion nor a life style choice. Thus, they don't have anything to do with his character, because he was a real family guy first to last page. I liked his polite grumbling against people who went on his nerves -- it just showed me how patient he is. No short temper for him, which just made him all the more perfect to be a dad/uncle, and a CEO. He wasn't pushy, he knew how to compromise, how to say sweet things without being embarressed, yet he was definitively on the alpha male scale. What an amazing guy. Yes, I can do fine without any bad-boy-excitement!
I liked all the other characters, especially the grumpy grandpa, and Matt. From the start, I loved how Rick was pulled in by Cece, I just loved the idea of them bonding and thus ganging up on Maggie, yet felt there was no real conspiracy to pull mama bear into her camp, that part fell short. On the other hand, Maggie fell from lust to love with Rick too fast. She only saw how he was being nice to her kid, and because he's hot, she's in love with him? Not. I missed the respect stage from her side, which generally gets skipped over way too often. I think the story could've even done without the psycho ex making an appearance. Not all thieves / convicts are psychos. What's so bad about sticking close to normal? His hassling, or even if he was easier intimitated - basically normal - would've been enough conflict, since there were also all the other people giving them a hard time throughout.
Stylewise, it was a lengthy read. There were some really unncessary scenes in there with Rick and Cece, or with the three women -- full points for cuteness, but not needed because we got the message in small dosages just fine, thank you. The sexier heart-throb moments weren't to my liking, either, and few and far between. However, I absolutely LOVED that last glimpse into the future, the wedding vows and Cece's first date. Couldn't the whole book have been that way?
Area Scan: Idea: 5/5 -- Style/Vocab: 2/5 -- Plot: 3/5 -- Heroine: 1/5 -- Hero: 5/5 -- Hearts: 3.5/5 -- Tears: 3/5 -- Heat: 2/5 -- Thrills: 2/5
Neither Rick nor Maggie were making me swoon, and I just hated Cece's baby talk. I know most pople think it's adorable, but it irks me. I think her character could've done without it, and that she was cute and amazing due to her actions and what she said, even though how she said it annoyed me. Maggie was getting on my nerves with her contradicting thoughts and actions, pushing Rick away and being all cautious around him for no reason, acting tough being mama bear, yet spoiling Cece senseless, crying at the slightest show of kindess towards her, and simply putting her head in the sand when it came to her ex. Seriously, I thought she was plain stupid, because she always refused help, although she knows there are good people out there who just want to help for the heck of it -- like herself, for example. I felt like she was just being a stubborn little shit, control-freakish at points, but didn't have the temper to back it up, and was more of a crybaby, really.
Rick was better, although he wasn't what I expected, since he turned out not to be a bad boy at all. His sexual preferences, being on the harsh side, were as much a stress relief as his drinking (only over the top once, and totally justified in my opinion) and him brawling with Matt, but neither a compulsion nor a life style choice. Thus, they don't have anything to do with his character, because he was a real family guy first to last page. I liked his polite grumbling against people who went on his nerves -- it just showed me how patient he is. No short temper for him, which just made him all the more perfect to be a dad/uncle, and a CEO. He wasn't pushy, he knew how to compromise, how to say sweet things without being embarressed, yet he was definitively on the alpha male scale. What an amazing guy. Yes, I can do fine without any bad-boy-excitement!
I liked all the other characters, especially the grumpy grandpa, and Matt. From the start, I loved how Rick was pulled in by Cece, I just loved the idea of them bonding and thus ganging up on Maggie, yet felt there was no real conspiracy to pull mama bear into her camp, that part fell short. On the other hand, Maggie fell from lust to love with Rick too fast. She only saw how he was being nice to her kid, and because he's hot, she's in love with him? Not. I missed the respect stage from her side, which generally gets skipped over way too often. I think the story could've even done without the psycho ex making an appearance. Not all thieves / convicts are psychos. What's so bad about sticking close to normal? His hassling, or even if he was easier intimitated - basically normal - would've been enough conflict, since there were also all the other people giving them a hard time throughout.
Stylewise, it was a lengthy read. There were some really unncessary scenes in there with Rick and Cece, or with the three women -- full points for cuteness, but not needed because we got the message in small dosages just fine, thank you. The sexier heart-throb moments weren't to my liking, either, and few and far between. However, I absolutely LOVED that last glimpse into the future, the wedding vows and Cece's first date. Couldn't the whole book have been that way?
Area Scan: Idea: 5/5 -- Style/Vocab: 2/5 -- Plot: 3/5 -- Heroine: 1/5 -- Hero: 5/5 -- Hearts: 3.5/5 -- Tears: 3/5 -- Heat: 2/5 -- Thrills: 2/5
September 14, 2015
Title: Unlikely Allies
Author: CC Koen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Year: 2015
Source: Arc was given for an honest review.
Rating: 4 Stars
Blurb
What happens when a single mom’s four-year-old daughter falls in love with Mr. Right and she doesn’t?
Maggie Tyson’s rule: no bad boys. Her incarcerated ex-husband broke her of that attraction. Needing to escape his threats and the scrutiny of the people in her hometown, Maggie relocates to New York City. Determined to not make the same mistakes, she has a mile-long list of dos and don’ts. Unfortunately, her daughter, Cecily, doesn’t like to follow them. When Cecily wanders away from her and right into Rick Stone’s office, Maggie knows he’s the exact type she’s been trying to avoid. Can she resist him or will she succumb to his willful charm?
Rick Stone’s rule: bed them don’t wed them. Running a multibillion dollar business doesn’t leave him with much time to do anything else, particularly with an overbearing grandfather breathing down his neck. But when a man works hard, he needs to play even harder. Voted America’s most eligible bachelor, Rick doesn’t have any problems getting women into his bed—except one.
Two auburn beauties stumble into his life.
One will break his heart.
The other—heal it.
Will he love or leave them?
Review
The novel is a romance story that revolves around Maggie and her four- year old daughter Cece as they meet the CEO Rick. Maggie relocated in New York after she divorce her toxic husband, when he s sent to jail. Now looking for a new start Maggie establish lots of rules that will keep she and her daughter safe from any bad guys that approach to them. Cede has problems with following her mother’s rule, so when she meets Rick she s determined to get to know him more. Rick has always been a playboy, but when Cece and her mother appear into his life, they will change him forever.
The book s the first one I read from the author and I really enjoy it. The story is like a cliche, but it is a an easy read and a book you will enjoy. Cede parts are the best for my choice. She is so lovely and has a sass that will make you laugh sometimes. Rick is sexy and very determined. In my case i didn't like Maggie a lot she is so stubborn.
The book in an overall view is full of many wonderful scenes that include family love and relationship goals. The thing I really loved about the book is the relationship between Rick and Cece, it is so wonderful how he treats that little girl and develops a love for her as if he was his real daddy. The epilogue is awesome and it has a great HEA.
Author: CC Koen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Year: 2015
Source: Arc was given for an honest review.
Rating: 4 Stars
Blurb
What happens when a single mom’s four-year-old daughter falls in love with Mr. Right and she doesn’t?
Maggie Tyson’s rule: no bad boys. Her incarcerated ex-husband broke her of that attraction. Needing to escape his threats and the scrutiny of the people in her hometown, Maggie relocates to New York City. Determined to not make the same mistakes, she has a mile-long list of dos and don’ts. Unfortunately, her daughter, Cecily, doesn’t like to follow them. When Cecily wanders away from her and right into Rick Stone’s office, Maggie knows he’s the exact type she’s been trying to avoid. Can she resist him or will she succumb to his willful charm?
Rick Stone’s rule: bed them don’t wed them. Running a multibillion dollar business doesn’t leave him with much time to do anything else, particularly with an overbearing grandfather breathing down his neck. But when a man works hard, he needs to play even harder. Voted America’s most eligible bachelor, Rick doesn’t have any problems getting women into his bed—except one.
Two auburn beauties stumble into his life.
One will break his heart.
The other—heal it.
Will he love or leave them?
Review
The novel is a romance story that revolves around Maggie and her four- year old daughter Cece as they meet the CEO Rick. Maggie relocated in New York after she divorce her toxic husband, when he s sent to jail. Now looking for a new start Maggie establish lots of rules that will keep she and her daughter safe from any bad guys that approach to them. Cede has problems with following her mother’s rule, so when she meets Rick she s determined to get to know him more. Rick has always been a playboy, but when Cece and her mother appear into his life, they will change him forever.
The book s the first one I read from the author and I really enjoy it. The story is like a cliche, but it is a an easy read and a book you will enjoy. Cede parts are the best for my choice. She is so lovely and has a sass that will make you laugh sometimes. Rick is sexy and very determined. In my case i didn't like Maggie a lot she is so stubborn.
The book in an overall view is full of many wonderful scenes that include family love and relationship goals. The thing I really loved about the book is the relationship between Rick and Cece, it is so wonderful how he treats that little girl and develops a love for her as if he was his real daddy. The epilogue is awesome and it has a great HEA.
February 8, 2017
What happens when a single mom’s four-year-old daughter falls in love with Mr. Right and she doesn’t?
Maggie Tyson’s rule: no bad boys. Her incarcerated ex-husband broke her of that attraction. Needing to escape his threats and the scrutiny of the people in her hometown, Maggie relocates to New York City. Determined to not make the same mistakes, she has a mile-long list of dos and don’ts. Unfortunately, her daughter, Cecily, doesn’t like to follow them. When Cecily wanders away from her and right into Rick Stone’s office, Maggie knows he’s the exact type she’s been trying to avoid. Can she resist him or will she succumb to his willful charm?
Rick Stone’s rule: bed them don’t wed them. Running a multibillion dollar business doesn’t leave him with much time to do anything else, particularly with an overbearing grandfather breathing down his neck. But when a man works hard, he needs to play even harder. Voted America’s most eligible bachelor, Rick doesn’t have any problems getting women into his bed—except one.
Two auburn beauties stumble into his life.
One will break his heart.
The other—heal it.
Will he love or leave them?
I fell utterly head over heels in love with the five year old Cecily!
Rick was torn between keeping a promise to his dad and following his own heart, so when he found Cece one evening in his office looking for her mouse, he fell too just like me.
Then he mom walks in, and he has to catch his breath.
Maggie is not ready for Rick; with her ex husband in jail with his non-stop calls of threats; her daughters fascination with her work neighbor; and just everything put together..she doesn't trust easily..
Rick was getting on my nerves at times with his cold/hot behavior but so was Maggie. Cece was adorezzzz but I actually couldn't put the book down!
August 10, 2015
Unlikely Allies was one of those books that was amazing and I recommend that everyone read it , it was such a heartfelt and touching story that just tugs at your heartstrings and you can't help but love the two main characters and their newfound relationship. Most contemporary romances stories are about the relationship between the adults and most books have you reading and focusing on that part of the story. They never really focus on the child's relationship with the new person that could possibly become their father figure for life. This book made me smile and fill with glee and emotion as it tells the story of the growing friendship between a little four year old girl Cece and a CEO Rick Stone whom Cece calls Max. A name that no-one has called him in a long time, in fact the only one who ever called him Max was his father. In this story, Max becomes great friends with Cece whose mother works in the office across from him and she goes to the preschool downstairs - the pair connect and become fast allies. Of course, their are sparks flying between Max and Cece's mother but can she afford to let Max into her life - especially when Cece's dad is in jail and she was the one who put him there and she has vowed against players and bad boys and Max falls into that category for her.
The only downside I found about this book is that the writing style and flow was quite difficult for me to read and it made me wonder if the author was writing it with the african-american language dialect in mind as it reminded of the writing style featured in The Help and The Secret Life of Bees which were told from the African-American's POV.
If you are wanting a emotional and happy go lucky story that will tug at heartstrings and make you go awhh :) then check out Unlikely Allies by CC Koen today.
The only downside I found about this book is that the writing style and flow was quite difficult for me to read and it made me wonder if the author was writing it with the african-american language dialect in mind as it reminded of the writing style featured in The Help and The Secret Life of Bees which were told from the African-American's POV.
If you are wanting a emotional and happy go lucky story that will tug at heartstrings and make you go awhh :) then check out Unlikely Allies by CC Koen today.
July 5, 2015
This is one of those books that has me on the fence, which means it's time for a pros and cons review...
Pros:
-The characters-even with their faults, I found them interesting and likable. Maggie's daughter CeCe truly steals the show, as does CeCe's relationship with Rick.
-The plot and storyline-it's solid, and not one of those overdone tropes.
-Every single scene between Rick and CeCe. Every. Single. One.
Cons:
-Those character faults-Maggie's attitude toward Rick and hot/cold inclination, as well as Rick's toward her, along with his seeming inability to really put Julia and his grandfather in their respective places...those things grated on me, especially for as long as they went on in the story.
-How drawn out the story was-it felt like a lot of the first half to two-thirds of the book could have been compressed and still have told the overall story just as well.
-The story didn't focus enough on Rick and Maggie, I felt their interactions were too few so I couldn't really feel them as a couple until the very end.
The epilogue makes up for a lot, and gives a lot more insight into Maggie and Rick's lifetime, which was a nice way to end. Overall, it was a nice read-just a little more drawn out than I would have liked. But everyone should wish for a sweet, precocious child like CeCe, and even more so that whoever they spend their life with should have a relationship with their children like Rick does with CeCe.
Pros:
-The characters-even with their faults, I found them interesting and likable. Maggie's daughter CeCe truly steals the show, as does CeCe's relationship with Rick.
-The plot and storyline-it's solid, and not one of those overdone tropes.
-Every single scene between Rick and CeCe. Every. Single. One.
Cons:
-Those character faults-Maggie's attitude toward Rick and hot/cold inclination, as well as Rick's toward her, along with his seeming inability to really put Julia and his grandfather in their respective places...those things grated on me, especially for as long as they went on in the story.
-How drawn out the story was-it felt like a lot of the first half to two-thirds of the book could have been compressed and still have told the overall story just as well.
-The story didn't focus enough on Rick and Maggie, I felt their interactions were too few so I couldn't really feel them as a couple until the very end.
The epilogue makes up for a lot, and gives a lot more insight into Maggie and Rick's lifetime, which was a nice way to end. Overall, it was a nice read-just a little more drawn out than I would have liked. But everyone should wish for a sweet, precocious child like CeCe, and even more so that whoever they spend their life with should have a relationship with their children like Rick does with CeCe.
August 11, 2015
4 Stars!
I really enjoyed this book. This is a newer author for me so I was pleasantly surprised with this book It was sweet, sexy, angsty, fun, suspenseful, emotional, and had a few twists along the way. This book is longer in length but still a great read. It captivated me from page one and I didn't stop until I finished. Get ready to swoon for Max and fall for a sweet little girl named Cece.
This is Max and Maggie's story. Maggie is broken and jaded With a less than desirable past and ex, she and her daughter have moved on to better things. She doesn't have time for men... especially sexy bad boys. Enter Max... captivated by sweet Cece from the beginning, he is a total playboy but he doesn't do relationships. And when he meets Cece's mom, he knows he is in trouble. One sweet little girl and one woman are going to steal his heart. It is not going to be easy and downright hard at times. Can they face the hurdles that lie ahead? Can Maggie learn to trust and love again?
I liked these two together when they were not butting heads. The push and pull between these two was frustrating at times but that's life. They both had baggage and hang ups. They both had their own demons they were fighting. When they did finally come together, it was sizzling and they had tons of zings! I was rooting for them even when they had doubts in themselves.
I recommend this book.
Blog Tour---> http://reneeentress.blogspot.com/2015...
I really enjoyed this book. This is a newer author for me so I was pleasantly surprised with this book It was sweet, sexy, angsty, fun, suspenseful, emotional, and had a few twists along the way. This book is longer in length but still a great read. It captivated me from page one and I didn't stop until I finished. Get ready to swoon for Max and fall for a sweet little girl named Cece.
This is Max and Maggie's story. Maggie is broken and jaded With a less than desirable past and ex, she and her daughter have moved on to better things. She doesn't have time for men... especially sexy bad boys. Enter Max... captivated by sweet Cece from the beginning, he is a total playboy but he doesn't do relationships. And when he meets Cece's mom, he knows he is in trouble. One sweet little girl and one woman are going to steal his heart. It is not going to be easy and downright hard at times. Can they face the hurdles that lie ahead? Can Maggie learn to trust and love again?
I liked these two together when they were not butting heads. The push and pull between these two was frustrating at times but that's life. They both had baggage and hang ups. They both had their own demons they were fighting. When they did finally come together, it was sizzling and they had tons of zings! I was rooting for them even when they had doubts in themselves.
I recommend this book.
Blog Tour---> http://reneeentress.blogspot.com/2015...
August 12, 2015
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I enjoyed watching Rick's fall in love with cute and rambunctious 4 year old Cece. I like that the story gives us a cast of characters both good and bad. The romance and interest between Cece's mother Maggie and Rick is really hard work which means that when heartbreaking events occur they hit me hard. I cried big tears.
I did have two issues with this book that held back my rating. The first was I didn't warm up to Rick until half way through the book. I'm kind of over rich, CEOs who don't want to marry and just use women for sex. The second issue is that the book went on far too long. I felt the story was never going to end and I wanted it to get to the point.
The author provides a nice ending as well as bonus material which lovers of a happily ever after will enjoy.
I enjoyed watching Rick's fall in love with cute and rambunctious 4 year old Cece. I like that the story gives us a cast of characters both good and bad. The romance and interest between Cece's mother Maggie and Rick is really hard work which means that when heartbreaking events occur they hit me hard. I cried big tears.
I did have two issues with this book that held back my rating. The first was I didn't warm up to Rick until half way through the book. I'm kind of over rich, CEOs who don't want to marry and just use women for sex. The second issue is that the book went on far too long. I felt the story was never going to end and I wanted it to get to the point.
The author provides a nice ending as well as bonus material which lovers of a happily ever after will enjoy.
June 21, 2015
4.5 stars!!
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!
I love the long drawn out drive that Max had for Maggie and CeCe. I love that he never gave up. Although, I did like Maggie and understood her mostly....I wished she was a little nicer or shown her breaking down for Max before their admittance. CeCe was the star for sure but she made Max the same. His falling made me such a happy reader. PS- their relationship isn't steamy, they don't want to want each other and Maggie run last much longer than Max's. It wasn't perfect but for me, books like this, I feel and connect so much better than the instant zaps and quick I love yous.
This was a ME type book!!!!!!!! Full review to come with LL!!!
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!
I love the long drawn out drive that Max had for Maggie and CeCe. I love that he never gave up. Although, I did like Maggie and understood her mostly....I wished she was a little nicer or shown her breaking down for Max before their admittance. CeCe was the star for sure but she made Max the same. His falling made me such a happy reader. PS- their relationship isn't steamy, they don't want to want each other and Maggie run last much longer than Max's. It wasn't perfect but for me, books like this, I feel and connect so much better than the instant zaps and quick I love yous.
This was a ME type book!!!!!!!! Full review to come with LL!!!
June 16, 2015
I loved it. Lost soul of a man has an unexpected encounter with a feisty, loud 4 year red headed princess. Then he sees her. The mother and exact older gorgeous version of the 4 year old except more demure, or so he thought.
God bless little 4 year old angels that see more than they should and say things they don't realise get to the heart of the matter.
God bless little 4 year old angels that see more than they should and say things they don't realise get to the heart of the matter.
June 15, 2015
loved this book HARD!! I love all the characters and the story line was wonderful. Rick and Maggie were so good together and then you throw CeCe into the mix and this couple was amazing. The ending in this book was probably the best ending ever.
June 22, 2015
I just loved this book.
What a bunch of wonderful characters.
What a bunch of wonderful characters.
June 19, 2018
I usually don't right reviews, but I felt the need with this one...
***SPOILER ALERT!!!!
Where to start, I loved little Cece, she's an adorable smart little girl, smarter than her mom and more mature than her mom and aunt together... To have an idea this is an example of what these two "adults" behave like they wrestle on the ground like kids, two 20+ women.
Other Max was that kind of guy, he tried, and tried, and she behaved like an ass most of the time, I couldn't see anything deep about their feels besides attraction. The fact that he had sex with other women after meeting her didn't bother me, because she failed many times in even aknowledge his presence, not even saying hello! Come on!!!!
Then the h, with her daughter in her arms kisses him at her boss' house, he grinds his erection between her legs and she just stops because Cece calls her name? She doesn't know where the kid is part of the time and gets offended when he points out.
Then she allows this happen -Now, with his eyes zeroed in on her rock-hard nipples, she determined that choice hadn’t been a wise decision. Yet, instead of doing what he said, she remained rooted in place, resisting his pull as he tugged his shirt, and her hand up, trying to cover her. Her libido kicked up to full blast and desire shoved her toward him—to tease, play a little.
he loosened her hold, and his hand rose, brushing a knuckle across her nipple, the exact spot he wanted to shield. -
All in front of her kid, coworker, boss and sister? A guy she keeps calling and thinking of as Mr. Stone? Give me a break!
And where is her backbone in dealing with the ex? She puts everyone in danger because she doesn't act out of guilt?! I hate when authors make me dislike the h this much... It had such a good plot, and fell flat 20% on... Really sucks!
***SPOILER ALERT!!!!
Where to start, I loved little Cece, she's an adorable smart little girl, smarter than her mom and more mature than her mom and aunt together... To have an idea this is an example of what these two "adults" behave like they wrestle on the ground like kids, two 20+ women.
Other Max was that kind of guy, he tried, and tried, and she behaved like an ass most of the time, I couldn't see anything deep about their feels besides attraction. The fact that he had sex with other women after meeting her didn't bother me, because she failed many times in even aknowledge his presence, not even saying hello! Come on!!!!
Then the h, with her daughter in her arms kisses him at her boss' house, he grinds his erection between her legs and she just stops because Cece calls her name? She doesn't know where the kid is part of the time and gets offended when he points out.
Then she allows this happen -Now, with his eyes zeroed in on her rock-hard nipples, she determined that choice hadn’t been a wise decision. Yet, instead of doing what he said, she remained rooted in place, resisting his pull as he tugged his shirt, and her hand up, trying to cover her. Her libido kicked up to full blast and desire shoved her toward him—to tease, play a little.
he loosened her hold, and his hand rose, brushing a knuckle across her nipple, the exact spot he wanted to shield. -
All in front of her kid, coworker, boss and sister? A guy she keeps calling and thinking of as Mr. Stone? Give me a break!
And where is her backbone in dealing with the ex? She puts everyone in danger because she doesn't act out of guilt?! I hate when authors make me dislike the h this much... It had such a good plot, and fell flat 20% on... Really sucks!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2024
4 1/2 stars!
When I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I had to read it. I was only about 1/2 way done with it when I posted in a author's FB group that I was going to gift someone a copy. I loved it that much and I wanted others to read it.
I love when the Hero forms a tight relationship with the heroine's children. In this case, Rick meets Cece before he meets her mother, Maggie. Cece wanders in his office looking for her pet rat and immediately starts talking to him like she has known him forever. Rick is immediately taken by this little girl and I knew right then and there that he was goner!
And just like Rick, I fell in love with Cece as soon she opened her mouth. That little girl made me laugh and the fact that she had Rick wrapped around her little finger was just icing on the cake. Rick never thought he wanted a family of his own, but that little girl managed to knock him of his axis and made him rethink what he really wanted out of life.
When it came to Maggie, Rick had to work to make her even think about going out with him. Despite the fact that Cece talked about Rick all the time and obviously loved him, Maggie was wary of starting anything. Her past has caused her to have all these rules on how to live her life and those rules sometime got in the way of doing the right thing. Eventually Maggie does give in and they start to get close. To say their relationship is rocky is an understatement, but Rick doesn't give up.
Cece and Rick were so adorable. More than once I found myself getting emotional because I was struck by how special their relationship was. Rick truly did think of her as his own and despite the fact that Maggie wanted nothing to do with him, she allowed Cece to spend time with Rick. It was just so freaking cute. Maggie made me crazy. Like her friends and family, I wanted to shake Maggie, yell at her to open her eyes and see what a wonderful man Rick was. He was nothing like her ex and comparing the two was just asinine.
There were so many wonderful moments, both funny and poignant, between Cece and Rick. Below is an excerpt of one of the more serious moments.
The author included a fantastic epilogue! I love epilogues, especially if the book is a stand alone. I like to imagine that everyone has a long and happy life, but when the author lays it out for the reader, that is even better. It was the perfect way to end the books. So thank you, CC, for the amazing epilogue!
When I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I had to read it. I was only about 1/2 way done with it when I posted in a author's FB group that I was going to gift someone a copy. I loved it that much and I wanted others to read it.
I love when the Hero forms a tight relationship with the heroine's children. In this case, Rick meets Cece before he meets her mother, Maggie. Cece wanders in his office looking for her pet rat and immediately starts talking to him like she has known him forever. Rick is immediately taken by this little girl and I knew right then and there that he was goner!
And just like Rick, I fell in love with Cece as soon she opened her mouth. That little girl made me laugh and the fact that she had Rick wrapped around her little finger was just icing on the cake. Rick never thought he wanted a family of his own, but that little girl managed to knock him of his axis and made him rethink what he really wanted out of life.
When it came to Maggie, Rick had to work to make her even think about going out with him. Despite the fact that Cece talked about Rick all the time and obviously loved him, Maggie was wary of starting anything. Her past has caused her to have all these rules on how to live her life and those rules sometime got in the way of doing the right thing. Eventually Maggie does give in and they start to get close. To say their relationship is rocky is an understatement, but Rick doesn't give up.
Cece and Rick were so adorable. More than once I found myself getting emotional because I was struck by how special their relationship was. Rick truly did think of her as his own and despite the fact that Maggie wanted nothing to do with him, she allowed Cece to spend time with Rick. It was just so freaking cute. Maggie made me crazy. Like her friends and family, I wanted to shake Maggie, yell at her to open her eyes and see what a wonderful man Rick was. He was nothing like her ex and comparing the two was just asinine.
There were so many wonderful moments, both funny and poignant, between Cece and Rick. Below is an excerpt of one of the more serious moments.
“Max.” Cece’s shout sounded farther away than right over Maggie’s shoulder, where she’d been a second ago. In an instant, Maggie jumped up from her knees and sprinted after her daughter galloping toward the street, and as Cece reached out to grab Rick, the balloons floated into the air.For me, the story was all about Cece and Rick, not Maggie and Rick. Scenes like the one above melted my heart on more than once occasion. But my heart also broke for Rick multiple times during the book because he really wanted to make a life with Maggie and Cece, but Maggie kept pushing him away. Rick had a lot of love to give and once he met Cece and Maggie, he realized that he wanted to give it to them. Being a father figure came natural to him, but it helped that Cece made it easy.
Parked on the other side of the road, Rick jogged across, yelling, “Stop,” at the same time Maggie did. All three of them came to a standstill at the curb. He swooped Cece into the safety of his protective arms before her feet touched the pavement. Maggie wrapped her arms around her daughter’s waist and caught a piece of his T-shirt too. Smashed together, one of his hands loosened from Cece’s back and captured the hollow of Maggie’s in a stranglehold. The cars passing by and her startled, heavy breathing faded away as she got lost in their heart-pounding embrace. A squeeze on her hip pulled her head off Cece’s shoulder and up to Rick’s enlarged and a little freaked-out eyes.
“It’s my birfday.” Cece grabbed both of his cheeks, smashing them together as her megawatt-level announcement ensured everyone within five blocks understood the significance of the all-about-me occasion.
“That’s why I’m here, sweet pea.” He placed an endearing kiss on Cece’s temple, resting there for quite a while.
Unaware of the potential tragedy or that she’d done something wrong, Cece asked, “Whatcha get me?”
The happy-go-lucky responses he used when talking to Cece hadn’t made an appearance yet. Instead, his serious business tone remained. “What do you see behind me, Cece?”
Her eyebrows scrunched together, and Cece shrugged, not understanding. But Maggie caught on. Curious how he might handle the matter, she let him take the lead. After the party, she’d take her turn at the lecture, which she’d given before.
“See the cars? See how fast they’re going?”
Cece ducked around his shoulder, bobbing her head as a mini-van and sedan passed by. Situated in a circular cul-de-sac, their neighborhood had a twenty-five-mile speed limit and didn’t have highway traffic. Regardless, Cece should have realized the possibility of being hit existed.
“What would happen if you went out there and a car didn’t see you or couldn’t stop?”
Her head tucked against his shoulder and face flushed as Cece whispered against his neck, “I get a booboo.”
He pressed his mouth to Cece’s ear and said with tears pooled in his eyes, “If you got a booboo, I’d be so sad. It would break my heart.”
Unable to contain her own waterworks, one after another trickled over Maggie’s cheeks and dripped off her quivering chin. She fell in love with him right then and there, nestled in his arms, emotions exploding all over the place. The seriousness of what might have happened and reeling from her overwhelming discovery, the realizations should’ve dropped her to her knees. Yet his firm hold steadied her and kept her on her feet.
The author included a fantastic epilogue! I love epilogues, especially if the book is a stand alone. I like to imagine that everyone has a long and happy life, but when the author lays it out for the reader, that is even better. It was the perfect way to end the books. So thank you, CC, for the amazing epilogue!
December 1, 2017
Took me three days to finish it because it was so damn long. The only reason why I kept reading is because of Cece. Not only did she and I share the same nickname, but she’s probably the most cutest, most adorable thing I’ve read. Her and Rick hit it off right away and it was the cutest I’ve ever seen. Maddie was a bit irritating to me as a character for a lot a reasons, especially how Rick’s grandfather bullied her the way he did. I understand the author wanted to come up with some kind of plot, but her reasons for keeping her mouth shut just didn’t do it for me. Their chemistry was frustrating to me because it seemed that Maddie was trying to make herself miserable. The epilogue was amazing and I got to see Cece grow up. Beautiful story, but captivating? Only when Cece and Rick was there. He was made to be a dad and all it took was a little mouse and a cuter little girl to capture his heart.
August 25, 2017
I don't know what it is but I enjoyed the relationship between Rick and CeCe more than I did with Rick and Maggie.
Maggie was so standoffish from the very beginning and she was hard to relate to. Even though I liked Rick there were moments when I really wanted to give up on him. He wasn't the kind of hero you usually read about in books. He seemed very weak at times. The things he would let his grandfather and past conquest get away with just frustrated me. I wanted him to grow a pair and let them know what he really felt instead of running when things got rough for him.
I think the best part of this book was the extra chapter at the end with the multiple epilogues. Really loved seeing how and where they were years down the road.
Maggie was so standoffish from the very beginning and she was hard to relate to. Even though I liked Rick there were moments when I really wanted to give up on him. He wasn't the kind of hero you usually read about in books. He seemed very weak at times. The things he would let his grandfather and past conquest get away with just frustrated me. I wanted him to grow a pair and let them know what he really felt instead of running when things got rough for him.
I think the best part of this book was the extra chapter at the end with the multiple epilogues. Really loved seeing how and where they were years down the road.
July 18, 2020
DNF at 25%
1 Star = DNF.
2 Star = Finished. Didn’t really enjoy.
3 Star = Finished. Story was neither good nor bad.
3.5 Star = Finished. Story was good. Will probably pick up next in series if there is one.
4 Star = Finished. Enjoyed story & will definitely pick up next in the series!
5 Star = Bloody LOVED it! ❤️
1 Star = DNF.
2 Star = Finished. Didn’t really enjoy.
3 Star = Finished. Story was neither good nor bad.
3.5 Star = Finished. Story was good. Will probably pick up next in series if there is one.
4 Star = Finished. Enjoyed story & will definitely pick up next in the series!
5 Star = Bloody LOVED it! ❤️
May 2, 2016
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
Unlikely Allies is a standalone contemporary romance from C.C. Koen, and I have to admit that I was excited to read this book based on it being one and done alone. It seems like everything I have read lately is a series, and sometimes I am just looking for a good story that is complete with no cliffhangers etc. I loved the blurb on this one, and was prepared for a cute story with a ton of sweetness. While there was a lot to enjoy here, I did have some things that didn't work for me and kept this one from being great.
Maggie Tyson is looking to start over after everything that her ex-husband put her through. Her only priority is to provide for her daughter and live her life according to the rules she has put in place. Unfortunately for Maggie, her daughter Cecily doesn't seem to adhere to them which is how she winds up meeting Rick Stone. Rick is a bachelor and likes his conquests to come with no strings, yet when Cecily comes barging into his office he finds himself drawn to her and her mother. But with him vowing never to get married or have a family, and Maggie looking to avoid bad boys at all costs, can they find a way to work things out?
I really liked Rick with Cece. I love that she called him by his middle name Max (like his father had before he passed) and that they had such a special relationship right away. I truly feel as though this story was more about these two than anything else. They were beyond adorable, and I couldn't get enough of them. That being said though, I didn't feel as though there was enough of Maggie and Rick. Rick for some reason had issues with getting to close to women and with someday settling down, and quite honestly it didn't make a bit of sense to me. He had grown up with a great mother and father who loved him and each other, and there was no big issue that would have caused him to turn away from relationships to me besides the fact that his father died. I just didn't get it. I also didn't see the connection between Rick and Maggie, and by the time that I started to see anything it was too little too late. Most of Rick's interactions were with her daughter rather than her. Because this book was so much about Max and Cecily, it was hard to really get to know Maggie or like her. I didn't feel like I could relate to her and this story didn't even seem to be hers.
Besides this story being about Max and Cecily, I also felt like it was very slow at times and didn't hold my interest. There were a lot of extra characters that sort of stole the show a little bit, and it seemed to focus more on them when I felt like extra time should have been devoted to developing the romantic relationship between Rick and Maggie. As much as I liked the secondary characters, this wasn't their story and I felt like it took precious pages away from the real story. I wanted to see something happening romantically, and I really didn't see any kind of development at all until well over half way through. At that point I just wasn't feeling it and I wasn't invested in them working things out beyond the fact that I wanted them together because of Max and Cecily. The reason that I kept reading and gave this book as many stars as I did was because of their relationship alone. Had it not been for how cute and sweet those two were, I am not sure that I would have finished this story. While I have read and enjoyed books from C.C. Koen before, this one was disappointing and wasn't what I had been expecting.
**ARC Provided by Xpresso Book Tours**
Unlikely Allies is a standalone contemporary romance from C.C. Koen, and I have to admit that I was excited to read this book based on it being one and done alone. It seems like everything I have read lately is a series, and sometimes I am just looking for a good story that is complete with no cliffhangers etc. I loved the blurb on this one, and was prepared for a cute story with a ton of sweetness. While there was a lot to enjoy here, I did have some things that didn't work for me and kept this one from being great.
Maggie Tyson is looking to start over after everything that her ex-husband put her through. Her only priority is to provide for her daughter and live her life according to the rules she has put in place. Unfortunately for Maggie, her daughter Cecily doesn't seem to adhere to them which is how she winds up meeting Rick Stone. Rick is a bachelor and likes his conquests to come with no strings, yet when Cecily comes barging into his office he finds himself drawn to her and her mother. But with him vowing never to get married or have a family, and Maggie looking to avoid bad boys at all costs, can they find a way to work things out?
I really liked Rick with Cece. I love that she called him by his middle name Max (like his father had before he passed) and that they had such a special relationship right away. I truly feel as though this story was more about these two than anything else. They were beyond adorable, and I couldn't get enough of them. That being said though, I didn't feel as though there was enough of Maggie and Rick. Rick for some reason had issues with getting to close to women and with someday settling down, and quite honestly it didn't make a bit of sense to me. He had grown up with a great mother and father who loved him and each other, and there was no big issue that would have caused him to turn away from relationships to me besides the fact that his father died. I just didn't get it. I also didn't see the connection between Rick and Maggie, and by the time that I started to see anything it was too little too late. Most of Rick's interactions were with her daughter rather than her. Because this book was so much about Max and Cecily, it was hard to really get to know Maggie or like her. I didn't feel like I could relate to her and this story didn't even seem to be hers.
Besides this story being about Max and Cecily, I also felt like it was very slow at times and didn't hold my interest. There were a lot of extra characters that sort of stole the show a little bit, and it seemed to focus more on them when I felt like extra time should have been devoted to developing the romantic relationship between Rick and Maggie. As much as I liked the secondary characters, this wasn't their story and I felt like it took precious pages away from the real story. I wanted to see something happening romantically, and I really didn't see any kind of development at all until well over half way through. At that point I just wasn't feeling it and I wasn't invested in them working things out beyond the fact that I wanted them together because of Max and Cecily. The reason that I kept reading and gave this book as many stars as I did was because of their relationship alone. Had it not been for how cute and sweet those two were, I am not sure that I would have finished this story. While I have read and enjoyed books from C.C. Koen before, this one was disappointing and wasn't what I had been expecting.
**ARC Provided by Xpresso Book Tours**
July 8, 2015
**MEGAN'S 4.5 STAR REVIEW**
I do not need instant gratification when reading. I love that long traveled road to the happy finale. I don’t want all the flirting and wanting and owning the heart to happen too quickly that I don’t get to enjoy it enough. With that, I can see how this book will have a varied amount of ratings. I can see how readers may say it was good but….
There is no but for me. I loved it. There were a few small issues that I envisioned going a bit different but nothing, nothing too terrible that would make me downgrade my rating. I enjoyed Mr. Moody Max and his future counterpart Maggie. MMMmmmm!!!
I fell instantly for CeCe and love that her wonderful shining spirit brought Max out of his suit wearing statue of a life to smiling and heart pounding when they were around. I love that they didn’t instantly jump into anything. Not even friendship. Sure, cordial is one thing, they had that- ha, sort of!! But they didn’t fall into bed because each of them stirred something in the other that they had never felt before. All the while, always being thrown together in functions.
Full disclosure here, although I did get where Maggie was coming from I didn’t enjoy her character to the extent I enjoyed Max. There was something about his mind, his voice, his movements that really did it for me. He was definitely a show rather than tell kind of guy. There is no question when his feelings started to change and no question when he would lay down his life for them.
“Mr. Stone, I-“
“Say my name. You have to use the right one, and then I’ll let you go.”
I never look for books with kids in them, but instantly in Chapter 1 I was smiling and completely smitten with CeCe. Those cutie pies tend to do a good job with making me fall harder along with giving me multiple smiles along the way. I love to see a big ole manly man who swears he hates kids, melt when a good one comes along- just like a good woman!! Or the kids mother. Am I right!!!!!!! CeCe gave Max just what he never dreamed he wanted. She showed him what real is and how easy it is to love the right people.
“How you feeling?”
“My tummy hurts.”
“Yeah? Mine would too if I spun like that.”
“I take care a ya.”
Now, I know you’re probably wondering with all this goodness I’m giving out why isn’t my rating a 5. Well, even though I can easily say I loved this story and is going on my year list of loved books, it wasn’t perfect. Remember those small issues I mentioned? For me it was rather wordy at times. The in-between talking… the mind chatter I like to call it. There were a few scenes I had to reread because after the explanation or the telling I forgot what was happening when the next character spoke. The other little issue is Maggie. As stated I got her, I only wished she thawed out a little, more prior to her epiphany. It would have made her much more real. Max finally breaking down her walls. He worked diligently for them and I wished she would have melted a few of those hard layers before their shared feelings were out on the table.
“Come here, let me hold you.”
“No.”
“Yes. I need to hold you as much as you need someone to. So please, give me this. Let me be there for you… for CeCe"
But, even without perfectness, this story speaks for itself. The guts of the characters and their bonds. The smiles I had, the heart fluttering happiness and the right out feeling this book had, this is why it deserves to be read and loved.
“I need to see you before I close my eyes every night, Maggie.”
I do not need instant gratification when reading. I love that long traveled road to the happy finale. I don’t want all the flirting and wanting and owning the heart to happen too quickly that I don’t get to enjoy it enough. With that, I can see how this book will have a varied amount of ratings. I can see how readers may say it was good but….
There is no but for me. I loved it. There were a few small issues that I envisioned going a bit different but nothing, nothing too terrible that would make me downgrade my rating. I enjoyed Mr. Moody Max and his future counterpart Maggie. MMMmmmm!!!
I fell instantly for CeCe and love that her wonderful shining spirit brought Max out of his suit wearing statue of a life to smiling and heart pounding when they were around. I love that they didn’t instantly jump into anything. Not even friendship. Sure, cordial is one thing, they had that- ha, sort of!! But they didn’t fall into bed because each of them stirred something in the other that they had never felt before. All the while, always being thrown together in functions.
Full disclosure here, although I did get where Maggie was coming from I didn’t enjoy her character to the extent I enjoyed Max. There was something about his mind, his voice, his movements that really did it for me. He was definitely a show rather than tell kind of guy. There is no question when his feelings started to change and no question when he would lay down his life for them.
“Mr. Stone, I-“
“Say my name. You have to use the right one, and then I’ll let you go.”
I never look for books with kids in them, but instantly in Chapter 1 I was smiling and completely smitten with CeCe. Those cutie pies tend to do a good job with making me fall harder along with giving me multiple smiles along the way. I love to see a big ole manly man who swears he hates kids, melt when a good one comes along- just like a good woman!! Or the kids mother. Am I right!!!!!!! CeCe gave Max just what he never dreamed he wanted. She showed him what real is and how easy it is to love the right people.
“How you feeling?”
“My tummy hurts.”
“Yeah? Mine would too if I spun like that.”
“I take care a ya.”
Now, I know you’re probably wondering with all this goodness I’m giving out why isn’t my rating a 5. Well, even though I can easily say I loved this story and is going on my year list of loved books, it wasn’t perfect. Remember those small issues I mentioned? For me it was rather wordy at times. The in-between talking… the mind chatter I like to call it. There were a few scenes I had to reread because after the explanation or the telling I forgot what was happening when the next character spoke. The other little issue is Maggie. As stated I got her, I only wished she thawed out a little, more prior to her epiphany. It would have made her much more real. Max finally breaking down her walls. He worked diligently for them and I wished she would have melted a few of those hard layers before their shared feelings were out on the table.
“Come here, let me hold you.”
“No.”
“Yes. I need to hold you as much as you need someone to. So please, give me this. Let me be there for you… for CeCe"
But, even without perfectness, this story speaks for itself. The guts of the characters and their bonds. The smiles I had, the heart fluttering happiness and the right out feeling this book had, this is why it deserves to be read and loved.
“I need to see you before I close my eyes every night, Maggie.”
August 17, 2015
3.75 out of 5
There is one star of this show and it Cece, she knocks spots off the other characters and that is a shame because I think I would have liked the whole story a lot more if I had been able to find more about Rick ( AKA Max to Cece) and Maggie to like earlier on.
Sorry, I should rephrase that actually, I did like Maggie for fairly early on it was Rick that I had a problem with. It took me half the book and I have to say it is a long book to get to grips with what was making this guy tick.
The connection between him and Cece was delightful but initially I found him more calculating than I would have liked, he was a use them and lose them man and that is not someone that I found easy to understand.
So apart from the beautiful friendship that Rick (Max) and Cece form, what is the book about?
Cece’s mum Maggie has been had her life shattered at the hands of her ex, he really pulled a number on them but she has taken control and taken the steps she needs to make in order to build a future for not only her daughter but herself. But needless to say she is sworn off men for the long term!
Enter Rick, the sexy CEO that happens to work near Maggie- everything going for him, this seriously sexy man is a walking wet dream but she is not interested. And in some respects I thought she was doing the right thing because he wasn’t the type of man that I thought she was going to be able to hold on to – if she could nail him down in the first place!
Rick has absolutely no interest in getting into a relationship with anyone, but when he meets Maggie, his opinion quickly changed. He knew from the outset that not only was his heart lost to the cutest 4 year old that you will ever read but also to her fantastic mother, he just had to learn what he was going to do about it.
The journey was rocky – and I think that is putting it nicely, really they were hard work and at times, I wasn’t exactly sure they were going to be worth the effort.
I kept reading for Cece because I wanted to know that this little lady was going to get her happy ever after, even if I had to reach in and beat the two of them around the head.
I mean I was honestly screaming at the two of them to grow up!!
The story was as you would expect but the inclusion of Cece’s point of view was delightful. I loved seeing her little heart welcome Rick (Max) and I couldn’t help but smile at her musings.
I loved the way Rick was with her, he had a heart in there somewhere, although at times I was beginning to have my doubts.
A solid read, even if in my opinion it was a little too wordy – I think it could have easily been condensed slightly but that is not to say that it was not a pleasant read, the characters took time to connect with – well the grownups did!
There is one star of this show and it Cece, she knocks spots off the other characters and that is a shame because I think I would have liked the whole story a lot more if I had been able to find more about Rick ( AKA Max to Cece) and Maggie to like earlier on.
Sorry, I should rephrase that actually, I did like Maggie for fairly early on it was Rick that I had a problem with. It took me half the book and I have to say it is a long book to get to grips with what was making this guy tick.
The connection between him and Cece was delightful but initially I found him more calculating than I would have liked, he was a use them and lose them man and that is not someone that I found easy to understand.
So apart from the beautiful friendship that Rick (Max) and Cece form, what is the book about?
Cece’s mum Maggie has been had her life shattered at the hands of her ex, he really pulled a number on them but she has taken control and taken the steps she needs to make in order to build a future for not only her daughter but herself. But needless to say she is sworn off men for the long term!
Enter Rick, the sexy CEO that happens to work near Maggie- everything going for him, this seriously sexy man is a walking wet dream but she is not interested. And in some respects I thought she was doing the right thing because he wasn’t the type of man that I thought she was going to be able to hold on to – if she could nail him down in the first place!
Rick has absolutely no interest in getting into a relationship with anyone, but when he meets Maggie, his opinion quickly changed. He knew from the outset that not only was his heart lost to the cutest 4 year old that you will ever read but also to her fantastic mother, he just had to learn what he was going to do about it.
The journey was rocky – and I think that is putting it nicely, really they were hard work and at times, I wasn’t exactly sure they were going to be worth the effort.
I kept reading for Cece because I wanted to know that this little lady was going to get her happy ever after, even if I had to reach in and beat the two of them around the head.
I mean I was honestly screaming at the two of them to grow up!!
The story was as you would expect but the inclusion of Cece’s point of view was delightful. I loved seeing her little heart welcome Rick (Max) and I couldn’t help but smile at her musings.
I loved the way Rick was with her, he had a heart in there somewhere, although at times I was beginning to have my doubts.
A solid read, even if in my opinion it was a little too wordy – I think it could have easily been condensed slightly but that is not to say that it was not a pleasant read, the characters took time to connect with – well the grownups did!
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