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NY! NY! #4
Rhys's Redemption
Rhys Wolfe's demanding job left no time for romance, and that was just how he liked it! He was close friends with Mariah, his beautiful neighbor, but that was all they were. Friends. Their one night of passion had been a mistake . . . Mariah knew that. She knew Rhys had been hurt and would never risk his heart again. The fact that she'd been in love with him for three years couldn't be helped! Only now she was expecting and Rhys had mere months to learn to trust again.
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2001
1 person is currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Anne McAllister
348 books124 followersAnne McAllister has written nearly 70 romance novels for Tule Publishing and Harlequin Books.
She has won two RITA awards from the Romance Writers of America — for COWBOY PRIDE and THE STARDUST COWBOY — and has had nine other books which were RITA finalists.
Her books have also been finalists for the National Readers’ Choice Award. She was named Midwest Fiction Writers “Writer of the Year” and also received Romantic Times’ Career Achievement Award as “Series Author of the Year.”
But while the awards and sales are wonderful, Anne thinks the best part of writing is telling the story. With every new book she writes, she meets new characters – or gets to know old ones even better – and discovers what makes them and their relationships tick.
It’s the relationships that interest her most and the question about “where do you get your ideas?” has always astonished her as she has more ideas than she knows what to do with!
She has won two RITA awards from the Romance Writers of America — for COWBOY PRIDE and THE STARDUST COWBOY — and has had nine other books which were RITA finalists.
Her books have also been finalists for the National Readers’ Choice Award. She was named Midwest Fiction Writers “Writer of the Year” and also received Romantic Times’ Career Achievement Award as “Series Author of the Year.”
But while the awards and sales are wonderful, Anne thinks the best part of writing is telling the story. With every new book she writes, she meets new characters – or gets to know old ones even better – and discovers what makes them and their relationships tick.
It’s the relationships that interest her most and the question about “where do you get your ideas?” has always astonished her as she has more ideas than she knows what to do with!
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 4, 2013
Rating 3.5 stars
I have mixed feelings about this book because the hero doesn't come around for a long, long time, he is too mired in the memories of losing his young wife and unborn son(eight years back), which made him quit his family business and become a fire-fighter. One night of grief changes his friendship with the heroine, who he has known for three years. When he comes back from his assignment he thinks we will go back to being friends but that doesn't happen because the heroine is pregnant from the one night they spent together.
The hero acts like a douche, ignoring her and telling her he would be there for her financially only because he cannot risk himself again but the heroine loves him and waits and holds hope. I don't know how the heroine could wait around for him, even when she gave up, she was too fast to forgive him IMO,when he screwed his head on straight. I would have liked to see him work at getting her back, or maybe just going slow.
I have mixed feelings about this book because the hero doesn't come around for a long, long time, he is too mired in the memories of losing his young wife and unborn son(eight years back), which made him quit his family business and become a fire-fighter. One night of grief changes his friendship with the heroine, who he has known for three years. When he comes back from his assignment he thinks we will go back to being friends but that doesn't happen because the heroine is pregnant from the one night they spent together.
The hero acts like a douche, ignoring her and telling her he would be there for her financially only because he cannot risk himself again but the heroine loves him and waits and holds hope. I don't know how the heroine could wait around for him, even when she gave up, she was too fast to forgive him IMO,when he screwed his head on straight. I would have liked to see him work at getting her back, or maybe just going slow.
February 6, 2022
The “Hero” took much too long to be anything but a self-absorbed a**. He didn’t come around until page 179, so their happy part of the romance lasted 5 pages... and it wasn’t that happy. I’d never say he was redeemed... it was much too late and too brief to be convincing. His rejection of her and the babies had been thorough, deliberate, and steadfast.
They had been good friends before the book started but after she accidentally gets pregnant during a one-night stand where she was comforting him over the loss of one of his close friends, he’s absent. He left town for work for long stretches, he avoided her, he ignored her. Oh, and he wallowed and reminisced and pined for his wife and unborn son, lost in a fire eight years ago.
That he loved the wife and son was never in doubt. He thought about them through the whole book. That he loved the heroine...? Well, if he did, it was in a second place, mediocre type of way.
Ironically, all he’d offered was financial support, but I’ll be darned if I recall him even once getting a check in the bank for her. :)
I’d rate him as one of the worst “Heroes” I’ve ever read. The book shared his POV quite a bit, as if us knowing what an emotional coward and damaged bastard he was inside would help. It didn’t. She was strong and you were there for the emotional ride through all the rejections.
If you read these novels for any type of upbeat escapism, this is not the story to try.
They had been good friends before the book started but after she accidentally gets pregnant during a one-night stand where she was comforting him over the loss of one of his close friends, he’s absent. He left town for work for long stretches, he avoided her, he ignored her. Oh, and he wallowed and reminisced and pined for his wife and unborn son, lost in a fire eight years ago.
That he loved the wife and son was never in doubt. He thought about them through the whole book. That he loved the heroine...? Well, if he did, it was in a second place, mediocre type of way.
Ironically, all he’d offered was financial support, but I’ll be darned if I recall him even once getting a check in the bank for her. :)
I’d rate him as one of the worst “Heroes” I’ve ever read. The book shared his POV quite a bit, as if us knowing what an emotional coward and damaged bastard he was inside would help. It didn’t. She was strong and you were there for the emotional ride through all the rejections.
If you read these novels for any type of upbeat escapism, this is not the story to try.
June 8, 2013
Not much of AM's humor in this read but the characters development is great and realistic, especially Rhys's.
Rhys doesn't do love, marriage or children. Been there, done that and still suffering the pain of losing his wife and unborn child.
Mariah is a great heroine. Very tolerant and forgiving. She loves Rhys but hides her feelings. She knows he only wants friendship from her so its what she shows him. Friendship. Except for one passionate night. When , losing a colleague, all Rhys's pent up pain at losing his wife resurfaces and he only finds respite in Mariah's arms.
So in the circumstances, Rhys's reaction to her pregnancy is selfish but understandable. I wanted to smack him on the head more times than i care to count. Its painfully obvious that he loves Mariah but he is running scared. And he doesn't change overnight as we see in lots of HP. He takes the long road to redemption. And comes out redeemed before its too late.
Rhys doesn't do love, marriage or children. Been there, done that and still suffering the pain of losing his wife and unborn child.
Mariah is a great heroine. Very tolerant and forgiving. She loves Rhys but hides her feelings. She knows he only wants friendship from her so its what she shows him. Friendship. Except for one passionate night. When , losing a colleague, all Rhys's pent up pain at losing his wife resurfaces and he only finds respite in Mariah's arms.
So in the circumstances, Rhys's reaction to her pregnancy is selfish but understandable. I wanted to smack him on the head more times than i care to count. Its painfully obvious that he loves Mariah but he is running scared. And he doesn't change overnight as we see in lots of HP. He takes the long road to redemption. And comes out redeemed before its too late.
December 16, 2010
I first discovered Anne McAllister years ago when I read her Harlequin novel Fletcher’s Baby. That was the time during which I had just discovered the amazing abundance of romance novels that Harlequin provides for voracious readers and Fletcher’s Baby was one of those reads that you remember even after a long time. The impact the story has on the senses (not because of any explicit or otherwise sexual content in the story) but rather because of the emotional wrangling content of the book, even my elder sister who has never been much of a fan of romances read and liked the story that unfolded. The dogeared copy of Fletcher’s Baby on our bookshelf is a testament to how well liked the story is. Even though this is a review of Rhys’s Redemption, my second book from Anne McAllister, if you haven’t already read Fletcher’s Baby, I highly advise you to do so. It is a great book for a good cry!
I liked:
1- Mariah Kelly. I loved her for so many things as this story unfolded. Her unchanging love for a man who has immersed himself so deeply in his gut wrenching pain over the loss of the only woman he has ever loved, a love that doesn’t turn into resentment because Rhys is unwilling to give her his everything once he learns of her pregnancy. I loved her because she doesn’t turn bitter, nor does she hold it against Rhys that he is selfish enough to want to protect his heart from being broken to pieces all over again. Her courage, unwavering love and hope that Rhys would turn around makes her one of the most endearing heroines I have come across.
2- The magic that this story weaves as it is told from both Rhys and Mariah’s viewpoints. There is so much emotion packed into it that the lump that applied for permanent residency in my throat refused to fade away even long after the story was through. Even though I cannot afford to pull an all-nighter reading a book these days, I couldn’t bring myself to part with the story and get my much needed sleep before work today. And thank God for the fact that this one is not a long novel or otherwise I would have found myself in a whole lot of trouble reporting to work all bleary-eyed today. ^_^
3- How this book made me all teary-eyed – in a good way. Honestly, I am not one to cry and bawl over a story, well most of the time anyway. But last night, I found myself with tears in my eyes as I reached towards the end, tears of frustration at times on Rhys’s stubbornness in refusing to let go of Sarah, tears of sorrow for Mariah who loves Rhys quietly all along and in the end, tears of happiness for the happily ever after.
4- This story definitely whetted my appetite to read Dominic’s story, the calm and controlled older brother of Rhys, and Sierra the younger sister of Mariah and her exact opposite in every way. That book is definitely going to end up in my wish list!
I disliked:
Though I loved this story to bits, I found myself at times a bit disappointed because Rhys and Mariah spends so much time apart from one another in the story. But in the end it all works out because this story ends up being different to your usual Harlequin pregnancy romances such that the hero doesn’t find himself just a changed man overnight, but rather takes the long road to find himself taking the second chance he has been offered at loving and being loved once again. But I would have loved a bit more interaction between Rhys and Mariah, just a tad more.
Full review with quotes: http://bit.ly/hD1VTz
I liked:
1- Mariah Kelly. I loved her for so many things as this story unfolded. Her unchanging love for a man who has immersed himself so deeply in his gut wrenching pain over the loss of the only woman he has ever loved, a love that doesn’t turn into resentment because Rhys is unwilling to give her his everything once he learns of her pregnancy. I loved her because she doesn’t turn bitter, nor does she hold it against Rhys that he is selfish enough to want to protect his heart from being broken to pieces all over again. Her courage, unwavering love and hope that Rhys would turn around makes her one of the most endearing heroines I have come across.
2- The magic that this story weaves as it is told from both Rhys and Mariah’s viewpoints. There is so much emotion packed into it that the lump that applied for permanent residency in my throat refused to fade away even long after the story was through. Even though I cannot afford to pull an all-nighter reading a book these days, I couldn’t bring myself to part with the story and get my much needed sleep before work today. And thank God for the fact that this one is not a long novel or otherwise I would have found myself in a whole lot of trouble reporting to work all bleary-eyed today. ^_^
3- How this book made me all teary-eyed – in a good way. Honestly, I am not one to cry and bawl over a story, well most of the time anyway. But last night, I found myself with tears in my eyes as I reached towards the end, tears of frustration at times on Rhys’s stubbornness in refusing to let go of Sarah, tears of sorrow for Mariah who loves Rhys quietly all along and in the end, tears of happiness for the happily ever after.
4- This story definitely whetted my appetite to read Dominic’s story, the calm and controlled older brother of Rhys, and Sierra the younger sister of Mariah and her exact opposite in every way. That book is definitely going to end up in my wish list!
I disliked:
Though I loved this story to bits, I found myself at times a bit disappointed because Rhys and Mariah spends so much time apart from one another in the story. But in the end it all works out because this story ends up being different to your usual Harlequin pregnancy romances such that the hero doesn’t find himself just a changed man overnight, but rather takes the long road to find himself taking the second chance he has been offered at loving and being loved once again. But I would have loved a bit more interaction between Rhys and Mariah, just a tad more.
Full review with quotes: http://bit.ly/hD1VTz
May 21, 2013
2.8 stars
It was really good, as good as Harlequin can get. Exactly the way I like it, with a jerk-ass hero and a heroine in love with him. I didn't like the fact that there wasn't much passion and some of how the story progressed. The writing wasn't good either. But again, it was really good for a Harlequin.
It was really good, as good as Harlequin can get. Exactly the way I like it, with a jerk-ass hero and a heroine in love with him. I didn't like the fact that there wasn't much passion and some of how the story progressed. The writing wasn't good either. But again, it was really good for a Harlequin.
November 27, 2020
4th in a series....The hero, Rhys gets an A+ for being determined...to stay away that is. Basically, he has a sad story of love from his past and refuses to love again...way too painful for him. Mariah his next door neighbor has been in love with him for years. They are very compatible as friends, and for one night as lovers. She spends the whole book being pregnant while he keeps running off over the world to fight fires. He will give her monetary support, but nothing else. She tries to be Uber independent and move on with her new reality but in the back of her head she is always hoping he will come around. He doesn’t really step up until the last 1/4 of the book...but even that isn’t smooth sailing. I was starting to think that the big declaration of love was being saved until the last page...I actually was worried as I realized I was on page 179 of 184 on the book 😬😬! It was wrapped up and we see a glimpse into their HEA. This book had some angst, and surprises along the way as well as some predictable moments. If you have read the previous 3 books, we get to see past characters come together again! I have one more book to go(I accidentally started with the last book🤷🏻♀️)
Hero: 👩🚒firefighter calendar of the month good looks, emotionally unavailable, won’t commit his heart✅
Heroine: Head over heals in love with Hero but willing to go it alone while hoping hero comes to his senses✅
OW- yes and no...the ow in this book is a memory✅
OM- yes and no....the om is never a threat to the H, but the H doesn’t know that...he and the h are in a mutually beneficial relationship ✅
Babies: there are babies throughout the book...while the h and H are expecting their own bundle✅
Friends: Supportive characters from previous books✅
Family: brother to H and sister to h...their story is next😜🎆✅
HEA: I believe so....wrapped up in the last few pages✅
Hero: 👩🚒firefighter calendar of the month good looks, emotionally unavailable, won’t commit his heart✅
Heroine: Head over heals in love with Hero but willing to go it alone while hoping hero comes to his senses✅
OW- yes and no...the ow in this book is a memory✅
OM- yes and no....the om is never a threat to the H, but the H doesn’t know that...he and the h are in a mutually beneficial relationship ✅
Babies: there are babies throughout the book...while the h and H are expecting their own bundle✅
Friends: Supportive characters from previous books✅
Family: brother to H and sister to h...their story is next😜🎆✅
HEA: I believe so....wrapped up in the last few pages✅
March 2, 2019
Leído en Mayo 2013
Me gusto bastante!
UN CORAZÓN ATORMENTADO
Argumento:
El exigente trabajo de Rhys Wolfe no le dejaba tiempo para el romance -lo cual le venía muy bien. Tenía una amistad muy estrecha con su bellísima vecina, Mariah. Pero eso era todo lo que eran: amigos. Su única noche de pasión había sido un error...
Rhys no sabía ni la mitad. Ya era bastante malo que ella hubiera estado enamorada de él por años. ¡Ahora Mariah estaba embarazada de su hijo! Ella sabía que Rhys había sido herido antes, pero su bebé necesitaba un padre. Mariah estaba empeñada en enseñar a Rhys a amar otra vez, aunque tenía menos de nueve meses para lograrlo.
Me gusto bastante!
UN CORAZÓN ATORMENTADO
Argumento:
El exigente trabajo de Rhys Wolfe no le dejaba tiempo para el romance -lo cual le venía muy bien. Tenía una amistad muy estrecha con su bellísima vecina, Mariah. Pero eso era todo lo que eran: amigos. Su única noche de pasión había sido un error...
Rhys no sabía ni la mitad. Ya era bastante malo que ella hubiera estado enamorada de él por años. ¡Ahora Mariah estaba embarazada de su hijo! Ella sabía que Rhys había sido herido antes, pero su bebé necesitaba un padre. Mariah estaba empeñada en enseñar a Rhys a amar otra vez, aunque tenía menos de nueve meses para lograrlo.
abrierto-to-read-hr-other
November 13, 2019Rhys Wolfe's demanding job left no time for romance, and that was just how he liked it! He was close friends with Mariah, his beautiful neighbor, but that was all they were. Friends. Their one night of passion had been a mistake . . . Mariah knew that. She knew Rhys had been hurt and would never risk his heart again. The fact that she'd been in love with him for three years couldn't be helped! Only now she was expecting and Rhys had mere months to learn to trust again. (less)
September 25, 2024
This is among my favorite books to borrow from the library back when they had it on their shelves. Now I have a paperback copy of my own, but I’d like to have it on Kindle to save space. It’s a good read if you love romance, heartache, renewal and happy endings. I’d recommend it to anyone.
August 17, 2021
This was so good. Loved the angst. I also love the character interaction. Just love everything about it.
October 10, 2021
Lovely book with happy ending <3
September 13, 2021
Although it took a long for the hero to come around, I enjoyed it. A story that proves love is truly the greatest redeemer.
Rhys Wolfe , your typical hero. Hot and gorgeous with a past that made him promised not to fall in love again and get married. He'd been there, done that. And it brought him so much pain when his wife and unborn child died. So he made sure not to let himself get close to anyone again.
And he's sticking with his promise until he messed up.
Big time.
He slept with a woman he cared about. His friend and neighbor, Mariah. And he knew that things between them would never be the same.
Mariah is kind, pretty generous, and has been in love with her neighbor Rhys for the past three years. But didn't do anything about it. She had been what he wanted her to be; his friend. His buddy.
So as much as it pained her to know that Rhys would never love her, she accepted the fact that they'll probably remain friends for the rest of her life.
But again, another unexpected thing happened.
I absolutely loved both Maria and Rhys. Their love story totally moved me. Friends to Lovers? Huh! Yeah, I know it was a common theme/plot, but there's something in the story that you won't be able to find/see in other books.
But I admit there was a time I was not too fond of Rhys. I totally understand where he's coming from. He lost his wife and unborn child. Big deal. But he doesn't have any right to hurt Mariah's feelings. And another reason for hating him was when he abandoned Mariah after he learned about her condition. And then tried to pass his responsibility to another man. What a jerk!
As for Maria, well, I do sympathize with her. I know exactly how it felt if you're suffering from unrequited love. It's somewhat hard and painful, and it keeps you hoping and wishing, but you always end up disappointed. I truly admired her for being unselfish and understanding of Rhys's situation/dilemma. Her courage, unwavering love, and hope that Rhys would finally accept her and turn around make her one of the most lovable heroines I have come across.
And like another love story, the characters eventually have their happy ending.
Rhys Redemption showed us that it's okay to love again. And that love is sweeter the second time around.
I enjoyed reading Rhys and Mariah's love story. And I'm looking forward to read Dominic and Nathan's.
Happy reading!
Rhys Wolfe , your typical hero. Hot and gorgeous with a past that made him promised not to fall in love again and get married. He'd been there, done that. And it brought him so much pain when his wife and unborn child died. So he made sure not to let himself get close to anyone again.
And he's sticking with his promise until he messed up.
Big time.
He slept with a woman he cared about. His friend and neighbor, Mariah. And he knew that things between them would never be the same.
Mariah is kind, pretty generous, and has been in love with her neighbor Rhys for the past three years. But didn't do anything about it. She had been what he wanted her to be; his friend. His buddy.
So as much as it pained her to know that Rhys would never love her, she accepted the fact that they'll probably remain friends for the rest of her life.
But again, another unexpected thing happened.
I absolutely loved both Maria and Rhys. Their love story totally moved me. Friends to Lovers? Huh! Yeah, I know it was a common theme/plot, but there's something in the story that you won't be able to find/see in other books.
But I admit there was a time I was not too fond of Rhys. I totally understand where he's coming from. He lost his wife and unborn child. Big deal. But he doesn't have any right to hurt Mariah's feelings. And another reason for hating him was when he abandoned Mariah after he learned about her condition. And then tried to pass his responsibility to another man. What a jerk!
As for Maria, well, I do sympathize with her. I know exactly how it felt if you're suffering from unrequited love. It's somewhat hard and painful, and it keeps you hoping and wishing, but you always end up disappointed. I truly admired her for being unselfish and understanding of Rhys's situation/dilemma. Her courage, unwavering love, and hope that Rhys would finally accept her and turn around make her one of the most lovable heroines I have come across.
And like another love story, the characters eventually have their happy ending.
Rhys Redemption showed us that it's okay to love again. And that love is sweeter the second time around.
I enjoyed reading Rhys and Mariah's love story. And I'm looking forward to read Dominic and Nathan's.
Happy reading!
January 5, 2017
Its a good book because the writing is good. I liked where the storyline was going but i think it needed 100 pages to be great.
The book starts 3 year into their friendship and after their one night stand and she's pregnant. The minute she tells him of her state he pulls away and she goes through the biggest part of her pregnancy alone. When things turn risky with the pregnancy he comes and takes over those few weeks then she gets the babies and he goes again.
The whole book was him trying HARD not to support her because he lost his first family, after he realizes he loves her there is no groveling or anything, they are great friends but that doesn't mean that they make a great couple, it felt like she would always have to take his past into consideration and forgive him when he yet again makes everything about him and his dead wife and child.
The book starts 3 year into their friendship and after their one night stand and she's pregnant. The minute she tells him of her state he pulls away and she goes through the biggest part of her pregnancy alone. When things turn risky with the pregnancy he comes and takes over those few weeks then she gets the babies and he goes again.
The whole book was him trying HARD not to support her because he lost his first family, after he realizes he loves her there is no groveling or anything, they are great friends but that doesn't mean that they make a great couple, it felt like she would always have to take his past into consideration and forgive him when he yet again makes everything about him and his dead wife and child.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2013
I'm supposed to be reading Allegiant by Veronica Roth, when I decided to start reading this book. Since the paperback was in my bag...calling, screaming for my attention and, well, Allegiant was stored in my tablet (which was in front of me by the way)and since I'm not in the mood to burn my eyes from the gadget's radiation...I chose it.
I forgot how nice it feels to actually read a novel in paper. No shit.
Well, it was good...a bit clean...yeah, and a very nice distraction from the destruction that's happening in Allegiant. (Oh, wow! destruction and distraction lol)
I forgot how nice it feels to actually read a novel in paper. No shit.
Well, it was good...a bit clean...yeah, and a very nice distraction from the destruction that's happening in Allegiant. (Oh, wow! destruction and distraction lol)
February 5, 2013
While the hero took a long time to come around, I did enjoy the novel immensely. It was written well, showing how the heroine struggled to let the hero go and the hero struggled not to be with the heroine. I love that the heroine was a sweet but still strong character. It was great.
May 6, 2011
Best friends and an accidental pregancy. The first half was a quick read, but the second half tended to drag.
November 2, 2012
L'un des rares Azur que j'ai entièrement, complètement, totalement détesté et que je déconseille fortement !
November 4, 2012
hub mucho momentos en los cuales quise golpear a Wolfe :(
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August 25, 2016Great Read
August 23, 2020
Serie NY! NY! #4 (Fratello Wolfe 01)
January 15, 2010
'tis interesting that this book mentions visiting the World Trade Center ... pre 2001
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews