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Bad Boys of Crystal Lake #1
The Summer He Came Home
Sometimes the best place to find love is right back where you started…
Falling asleep in a different bed every night has made it easy for Cain Black to forget his past. It’s been ten years since he packed his guitar and left Crystal Lake to chase his dreams. Now tragedy has forced him home again. And though Cain relishes the freedom of the road, one stolen moment with Maggie O’Rourke makes him wonder if he’s missing out on something bigger than fame.
For Maggie—single mother and newly settled in Crystal Lake—love is a luxury she just can’t afford. Sure, she appreciates the tall, dark and handsome looks of prodigal son Cain Black. But how long can she expect the notorious hellion to stay?
The last thing either of them wants is something complicated. But sometimes love has its own plans.
Falling asleep in a different bed every night has made it easy for Cain Black to forget his past. It’s been ten years since he packed his guitar and left Crystal Lake to chase his dreams. Now tragedy has forced him home again. And though Cain relishes the freedom of the road, one stolen moment with Maggie O’Rourke makes him wonder if he’s missing out on something bigger than fame.
For Maggie—single mother and newly settled in Crystal Lake—love is a luxury she just can’t afford. Sure, she appreciates the tall, dark and handsome looks of prodigal son Cain Black. But how long can she expect the notorious hellion to stay?
The last thing either of them wants is something complicated. But sometimes love has its own plans.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 2, 2013
96 people are currently reading
1962 people want to read
About the author
Juliana Stone
70 books1,293 followersJuliana Stone is also known as J.A. Stone.
USA Today bestselling author and 2015 RITA® winner JULIANA STONE fell in love with books in the fifth grade when her teacher introduced her to Tom Sawyer. A tomboy at heart, she splits her time between baseball, books, and music. When she’s not singing with her band, she’s thrilled to be writing young adult as well as adult contemporary romance—books that have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly & Booklist—from somewhere in the wilds of Canada.
USA Today bestselling author and 2015 RITA® winner JULIANA STONE fell in love with books in the fifth grade when her teacher introduced her to Tom Sawyer. A tomboy at heart, she splits her time between baseball, books, and music. When she’s not singing with her band, she’s thrilled to be writing young adult as well as adult contemporary romance—books that have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly & Booklist—from somewhere in the wilds of Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
March 24, 2013
Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance
4 Stars!! What a pleasant surprise! I WANT MORE!!
This was one of those books that you think to yourself, the cover looks good, but will the inside match the goodness on the outside?! The answer is a resounding YES!!! I was drawn in immediately and barely came up for air. The story captivated me and the characters clutched at my heart and didn’t let go.
Cain Black has come home after 10 years, and it’s a homecoming that he’s not looking forward too. The town is mourning a loss, one that Cain feels very deeply, but he’s been away so long that he’s unsure if his presence will be welcome. His doubts go unfounded, as he’s welcomed back with open arms. What he doesn’t expect is to feel a sense of comfort and familiarity in being home, and he likes it, he needs it, begins to thrive on it. On top of that, he meets a woman that has him wondering if life on the road is wearing thin for him and maybe it’s time to settle down.
Maggie O’Rourke is an enigma, she settled suddenly in Crystal Lake with her young son, Michael, and no one knows much about her. People suspect she’s on the run from something, but despite that, the town has embraced her. Now Cain can’t keep his eyes and hands off this feisty little redhead who is trying to keep him at arm’s length.
Cain and Maggie’s relationship developed very nicely. She was resistant, but oh my, he was quite the charmer, a real heart-stopper and I rather enjoyed his character. Once she surrenders herself to him, the heat was on, and it was sensual and passionate, the chemistry was good between these two, as was the writing.
Michael’s attachment to Cain was rather sweet and added another layer to the story, it felt very real. Plus, the reader gets a healthy dose of some of the other characters, namely Mac and Jake, Cain’s buddies, the other Bad Boys of Crystal Lake. We get a sense of what they are about, and it sets the tone for their stories going forward, and I can tell you, they are just as appealing as Cain, and I want to know more about them.
Maggie’s predicament always hovered in the background, and I wished it would have played out sooner. It was a rush to the end when the drama finally came to a head. I feel that somehow had it presented itself sooner, it might have made for a better read. Also, there seemed to be a few inconsistencies in the story and I didn’t get all the information regarding some characters that I wanted, one of them being Maggie’s ex-husband and also facts that would have dealt with her past.
Bottom line, a very good read, and a series that I’m looking forward to sinking my teeth into! The Christmas He Loved Her, Jake’s book, is due out October 2013, too far away for me *sigh*! It should be a good one.
Cain Black...my bad boy...all mine...RAWRRRR!!
ARC kindly provided by Sourcebooks Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
March 21, 2013
4 Stars
What a happy surprise this was!! Juliana Stone has a winner here. SUMMER HE CAME HOME was a well-done and fun first book in this new series!
Cain Black is a rocker. More precisely, he's the front man of the band BlackRock. He's used to and enjoys the freedom he has, and, for more than one reason, he isn't looking forward to returning to his hometown of Crystal Lake in Michigan. Maggie O'Rourke is a young, single mother, and new to Crystal Lake. She's hired herself out to clean the homes of the town's wealthiest families in order to keep a roof over head and food on the table. For both, a complicated relationship is the very last thing they want. Each has a past still to be dealt with and a future with more questions than answers. Sometimes love sneaks in so easily, though, despite all the hurdles and barricades.
As I said in the beginning, SUMMER HE CAME HOME turned out to be quite a surprise for me, and a great surprise at that! I expected a very light, simple read that was, honestly, much more fluff than substance. I'm happy to say I actually got a whole lot more. While the plot may not be new, it IS one of my favorites, and the author took the opportunity to leave her mark on the storyline and the characters.
I'm an unabashed lover of almost any story involving a band and/or rock star. A well-written rocker is where I find my bliss. I very *nearly*found it with Cain Black! He's swoony and dreamy and HOT!! What was even better? There was some substance and depth underneath all of the rocker front! This is no one-dimensional rocker, friends;) I do wish that I had been able to delve even deeper into Cain Black.
Maggie O'Rourke is a lovely character. She puts one foot in front of the other and simply carries on, no matter what. I could identify with certain aspects of her character, and was interested to get to know Maggie better. I do feel, though, as if the opportunity to get to know her as I would have liked to never fully materialized. That was a true shame.
Cain and Maggie do have wonderful chemistry together, and, for me, that was one of the highlights of this story. I enjoyed their conversations, and I *really* enjoyed the attraction they couldn't fight;)
I would be remiss if I didn't point out the fantastic secondary characters in SUMMER HE CAME HOME. I grew to love Mac, Jake and Raine so very much, and I cannot wait for their stories to be told!!
While I do feel like parts of the book, in particular the last third, were rushed and could have used a little bit more exploration AND explanation, for the most part, Juliana Stone did a great job bringing these characters and this story to life. Bring on the next book, that's what I say!
**ARC provided by Sourcebooks via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
What a happy surprise this was!! Juliana Stone has a winner here. SUMMER HE CAME HOME was a well-done and fun first book in this new series!
Cain Black is a rocker. More precisely, he's the front man of the band BlackRock. He's used to and enjoys the freedom he has, and, for more than one reason, he isn't looking forward to returning to his hometown of Crystal Lake in Michigan. Maggie O'Rourke is a young, single mother, and new to Crystal Lake. She's hired herself out to clean the homes of the town's wealthiest families in order to keep a roof over head and food on the table. For both, a complicated relationship is the very last thing they want. Each has a past still to be dealt with and a future with more questions than answers. Sometimes love sneaks in so easily, though, despite all the hurdles and barricades.
As I said in the beginning, SUMMER HE CAME HOME turned out to be quite a surprise for me, and a great surprise at that! I expected a very light, simple read that was, honestly, much more fluff than substance. I'm happy to say I actually got a whole lot more. While the plot may not be new, it IS one of my favorites, and the author took the opportunity to leave her mark on the storyline and the characters.
I'm an unabashed lover of almost any story involving a band and/or rock star. A well-written rocker is where I find my bliss. I very *nearly*found it with Cain Black! He's swoony and dreamy and HOT!! What was even better? There was some substance and depth underneath all of the rocker front! This is no one-dimensional rocker, friends;) I do wish that I had been able to delve even deeper into Cain Black.
Maggie O'Rourke is a lovely character. She puts one foot in front of the other and simply carries on, no matter what. I could identify with certain aspects of her character, and was interested to get to know Maggie better. I do feel, though, as if the opportunity to get to know her as I would have liked to never fully materialized. That was a true shame.
Cain and Maggie do have wonderful chemistry together, and, for me, that was one of the highlights of this story. I enjoyed their conversations, and I *really* enjoyed the attraction they couldn't fight;)
I would be remiss if I didn't point out the fantastic secondary characters in SUMMER HE CAME HOME. I grew to love Mac, Jake and Raine so very much, and I cannot wait for their stories to be told!!
While I do feel like parts of the book, in particular the last third, were rushed and could have used a little bit more exploration AND explanation, for the most part, Juliana Stone did a great job bringing these characters and this story to life. Bring on the next book, that's what I say!
**ARC provided by Sourcebooks via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
August 13, 2013
3.5 stars
The Bad Boys
Cain Black - singer/songwriter who left his hometown at 18 to find success in the rock industry and is on the verge of fame
Jake Edwards - the light-hearted twin to Jesse; secretly in love with his sister-law, Raine; promised a mortally-wounded Jesse he to look after Raine; seems to have other dark secrets
Jesse Edwards - Jake's serious (fraternal) twin; Raine's husband; killed in action
Mackensie Draper - left physically abusive to attend college to become very successful; can't convince his mother to leave his father, even after the father has beaten her; is spiraling into alcoholism
An enjoyable romance with steamy love scenes. Typical story of woman and child on the run from abusive man. I read this book to prepare for The Christmas He Loved Her (Jake's story).
The Bad Boys
Cain Black - singer/songwriter who left his hometown at 18 to find success in the rock industry and is on the verge of fame
Jake Edwards - the light-hearted twin to Jesse; secretly in love with his sister-law, Raine; promised a mortally-wounded Jesse he to look after Raine; seems to have other dark secrets
Jesse Edwards - Jake's serious (fraternal) twin; Raine's husband; killed in action
Mackensie Draper - left physically abusive to attend college to become very successful; can't convince his mother to leave his father, even after the father has beaten her; is spiraling into alcoholism
An enjoyable romance with steamy love scenes. Typical story of woman and child on the run from abusive man. I read this book to prepare for The Christmas He Loved Her (Jake's story).
March 8, 2013
-- A Romantic Book Affairs Review
Instead of going off to college like everyone expected him to, Cain Black leaves Crystal Lake to pursue his music career. After saying his goodbyes, Cain takes off with his beat-up Gibson Les Paul and heads to LA. Now, ten years later, Cain is in a band called BlackRock and is on this rise to international fame. When he receives news of his friend’s death, he goes back home for the first time since he left. The last place Cain wants to be is back at the house where all his friends and family have gathered after the funeral of his friend – a friend who was part of the four the town called the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake. Cain was also one of those guys. This tight knit group of guys did everything together. Cain tried to remain in touch with his friends but, as time goes by, they grew apart. Unfortunately, being reunited with the bad boys was not a joyous occasion.
As he walks up to the house where his deceased friend grew up, he meets a spunky kid named Michael. Not long after this meet and greet with Michael, Maggie O’Rourke walks out on the porch looking for her son. And, in that instant, Cain felt an immediate connection with this woman. Not only is she is delicately beautiful, but she isn’t a familiar face in a town where everyone knows everyone.
Now that Cain is away from LA, his foggy head begins to clear and he begins to question things about himself. Does he want to go back to LA where his life feels empty? And now that he’s met Maggie, he’s determined to get to know her more intimately. He even starts to think about settling down. As Cain slowly insinuates himself into her life, convincing her to go out with him, he realizes Maggie has a secret that she holds close to her heart. If this secret gets out to the wrong person, Maggie and Michael could essentially be in danger.
This secret complicates things between Cain and Maggie. She keeps a wall up between them even though it’s apparent they have incredible chemistry. Maggie is conflicted by her feelings over Cain. She is afraid to get involved too deep with this bad boy, tattooed rock star that could eventually break her heart when he leaves to go back to LA. Plus, dating Cain isn’t smart considering his reputation of being a womanizer and the attention that comes with being around Cain. She fears her secret getting out which, means it’s important for Maggie to remain anonymous in a small town where everyone knows your name and your business. However, Cain does not give up that easily. He pursues Maggie to the point that she can no longer deny the combustible chemistry between them. She wants him. He wants her. And she eventually gives in to him.
Juliana Stone brings these two people together with an intense, slow burn and it’s very sensually romantic. I love all of the sweet and tender and sexually charged moments before these two actually get together.
“Open your eyes, Maggie.” His voice was so low, she barely heard him. But the feel of his hands on her face was urgent, and his muscles bunched against her palms as he shifted beneath her. She opened her eyes and ate the groan that sat at the back of her throat. Cain stared down at her as if he was starving. AS if he needed her to breathe. His right hand slid into her hair, and his lips brushed the softness of hers. His eyes never left hers as he whispered against her mouth. “I want…you.”
See what I mean. Miz Stone definitely has a way with building up the anticipation between these two.
Cain and Maggie are both broken by the lives they’ve lead and are conflicted by the feelings they have for one another. Cain has been burned by a friend, lost a friend, and recently divorced from a woman who broke his heart. But being with Maggie makes him feel whole again. She fills the void he’s been missing for a long time. Not only that, she doesn’t care about his rock star status. But Maggie is scared of Cain, almost skittish, and with good reason. Being with Cain means letting him in, and when she finally does, it’s like a breath of fresh air. He makes her feel sexy, sensual, and alive. With the way Cain handles Maggie with care, he shows her exactly the kind of man he truly is beyond the rock star persona. He’s kind, funny, good with her son, and a gentle lover. He proves that he can be worthy to be the man in both her and her son’s life.
I will admit, it took me a minute to warm up to Maggie. She’s a very closed off and stubborn woman. Her personality didn’t really shine through at first. However, I did come to understand her reasons for being so stand-offish. She was trying to protect herself and her son.
I do wish the ending wasn’t so rushed. I would’ve liked to see how Maggie and her son adjusted to the trauma they went through, and how different their lives become as they settle in with Cain. Perhaps an epilogue would’ve helped. Hopefully we will get to see more of Maggie and Cain in the second book and learn more about their lives.
This is the first book in a trilogy, where three friends reunite because of the death of a brother and a friend. As time has taken its toll, they all have personal issues to overcome. I’m definitely looking forward to Jake (the brother to Jesse who died) and Raine's (Jesse’s wife) story. I have a feeling that story is going to be loaded with guilt and angst.
The Summer He Came Home is a sweet and romantic contemporary that has just about everything – small town lovin’, humor, bad boy rock star, and drama. It’s true what they say about opposites attract. These two very different people find solace, happiness, and love within each other when they both never expected to feel whole again.
Rating: B
Heat: Hot
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December 28, 2015
Review copy provided via NetGalley
Why I Read this Book: I hadn’t read anything by this author yet and The Summer He Came Home sounded like a good book to start with. I also have a thing for celebrity/commoner love stories and small town romance.
What I Liked: The Summer He Came Home had a well-rounded group of characters. Cain Black, the frontman for an up and coming rock band, returns back home due to unfortunate circumstances. Maggie had moved to Crystal Lake for a fresh start with her son. I was a little hesitant about Maggie being a single mother, as I’m not a fan of kids being in my romance novels, but Michael was a great character. I didn’t feel like he was used as a plot moppet in any way and he wasn’t the least bit annoying.
Jake and Raine stole a bit of the spotlight from Cain and Maggie but I welcomed it. Theirs (Jake and Raine) seems to be a strained relationship. There is a lot of tension between them; I think there is so much more going on between these two than what we see on the surface. This will be an interesting, and different, romance if it works out between them.
There were some hilarious, laugh out loud moments that made The Summer He Came Home a fun and enjoyable read.
What I Didn’t Like: There was something that didn’t make sense to me, something I can’t elaborate on because I don’t want to give too much away. I will say that Maggie lets her son do something that contradicted her feelings/fears, and at a pivotal moment in the book. And Maggie’s cell phone doesn’t have caller ID. Whose cell phone doesn’t have caller ID these days?
Memorable Moment:
Overall Impression: The Summer He Came Home was an enjoyable celebrity/commoner love story with a dash of suspense and danger. I look forward to reading the next book in this series, The Christmas He Loved Her, which is Jake’s book. I can’t wait to see how his story is going to pan out.
Why I Read this Book: I hadn’t read anything by this author yet and The Summer He Came Home sounded like a good book to start with. I also have a thing for celebrity/commoner love stories and small town romance.
What I Liked: The Summer He Came Home had a well-rounded group of characters. Cain Black, the frontman for an up and coming rock band, returns back home due to unfortunate circumstances. Maggie had moved to Crystal Lake for a fresh start with her son. I was a little hesitant about Maggie being a single mother, as I’m not a fan of kids being in my romance novels, but Michael was a great character. I didn’t feel like he was used as a plot moppet in any way and he wasn’t the least bit annoying.
Jake and Raine stole a bit of the spotlight from Cain and Maggie but I welcomed it. Theirs (Jake and Raine) seems to be a strained relationship. There is a lot of tension between them; I think there is so much more going on between these two than what we see on the surface. This will be an interesting, and different, romance if it works out between them.
There were some hilarious, laugh out loud moments that made The Summer He Came Home a fun and enjoyable read.
What I Didn’t Like: There was something that didn’t make sense to me, something I can’t elaborate on because I don’t want to give too much away. I will say that Maggie lets her son do something that contradicted her feelings/fears, and at a pivotal moment in the book. And Maggie’s cell phone doesn’t have caller ID. Whose cell phone doesn’t have caller ID these days?
Memorable Moment:
“What’s that?” Her voice was throaty, seductive.
His grin was wicked. “It’s a condom ring thing. A vibrating condom ring.”
Okay, she wasn’t expecting that. “Oh, I’ve never…”
He peeled the wrapper back and winked. “Me neither” – he leaned toward her – “but I’m thinking we’re going to like it.”“Quote.”
Overall Impression: The Summer He Came Home was an enjoyable celebrity/commoner love story with a dash of suspense and danger. I look forward to reading the next book in this series, The Christmas He Loved Her, which is Jake’s book. I can’t wait to see how his story is going to pan out.
March 25, 2013
I adored this book, and it left me hungry for more of the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for a story set in Michigan, which is and has always been my home. This story takes place in Crystal Lake, which is in Northwestern Michigan and absolutely beautiful!
Cain Black is a yummy tattooed rock star, I know, I could stop there and you would read this book, but I will give you a little more just in case :) - Anyway, Cain Black is an international rock star and has come home for his friends funeral - this friend was one of the four so called Bad Boys of Crystal Lake - he comes home after apparently a long time away and he immediately meets Maggie, well, her son Michael first and then Maggie, but he is immediately intrigued. Not only because she is a beautiful fiery red head but because she is a new face in a town where everyone knows everyone.
Cain begins to question whether he even wants to leave Michigan to return to his home in LA, especially the more he gets to know Maggie. He knows she has run from something in her past but she holds her cards very close and doesn't share much. But, once Michael lets a little something slip Cain knows that Maggie could very well be in danger and he will do anything to keep her safe.
This books was a little predictable, but wonderful nonetheless! As wonderful as Cain, Maggie and Michael were the author was able to tease you with just enough about the other characters, who I can only assume will have their own books soon, to leave me begging for more about them! This story has a little bit of everything- love, sex, suspense and humor - honestly I laughed right out loud during the scene where Cain is attempting to buy condoms and runs into the pastors wife and she starts asking him about jock itch and what to buy for it because her husband has it something awful!! hahaha - I am smiling just thinking about it :)
***This book was provided to me by Netgalley
Cain Black is a yummy tattooed rock star, I know, I could stop there and you would read this book, but I will give you a little more just in case :) - Anyway, Cain Black is an international rock star and has come home for his friends funeral - this friend was one of the four so called Bad Boys of Crystal Lake - he comes home after apparently a long time away and he immediately meets Maggie, well, her son Michael first and then Maggie, but he is immediately intrigued. Not only because she is a beautiful fiery red head but because she is a new face in a town where everyone knows everyone.
Cain begins to question whether he even wants to leave Michigan to return to his home in LA, especially the more he gets to know Maggie. He knows she has run from something in her past but she holds her cards very close and doesn't share much. But, once Michael lets a little something slip Cain knows that Maggie could very well be in danger and he will do anything to keep her safe.
This books was a little predictable, but wonderful nonetheless! As wonderful as Cain, Maggie and Michael were the author was able to tease you with just enough about the other characters, who I can only assume will have their own books soon, to leave me begging for more about them! This story has a little bit of everything- love, sex, suspense and humor - honestly I laughed right out loud during the scene where Cain is attempting to buy condoms and runs into the pastors wife and she starts asking him about jock itch and what to buy for it because her husband has it something awful!! hahaha - I am smiling just thinking about it :)
***This book was provided to me by Netgalley
April 3, 2013
Review also posted at
”The Summer He Came Home is the first I’ve read of Ms. Stone’s work and it will not be my last. She delivered a small town themed romance with a hint of rock star and a suspenseful storyline that had me intrigued from the cover page until end.” ~Under the Covers
The Summer He Came Home is the first I’ve read of Ms. Stone’s work and it will not be my last. She delivered a small town themed romance with a hint of rock star and a suspenseful storyline that had me intrigued from the cover page until end.
One of the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake had passed away, and Cain Black is back to attend his funeral. It will be a sad reunion but it’s an even he will not miss. It’s been ten years since he left and coming back to his old town will bring back all kinds of memories. To his surprise, this trip will make him realize what he has been missing, and it will come in a form of a single mom and her son.
Maggie and her son Michael had just moved to Crystal Lake. Everyone in town knows that she has been working as a household maid, making an honest living and trying to raise her son in peace. But what they don’t know is that she has a dark past that will follow her to this small town.
I enjoyed the romance between Cain and Maggie. I love that Maggie had her priorities straight, and romantic relations was the least of her concerns. Knowing she’s not interested made her more intriguing to Cain since he is used to having women at his beck and call. Of course, Cain, the ever sexy and romantic tried even harder to woo her. From setting up dates, babysitting her son so she can rest, and even standing up for her. I love the alpha in him. Watching this tattooed ex football player now a successful rock star do all the courting was such a treat. And let me tell you, Cain brought a lot of sexy to this book. An unexpected scene had me clutching my ereader as it was the lifeline of the story. I expected this to be a typical small town story line which is true enough but I did not expect the suspense element to be strong. Don’t’ get me wrong, it was a pleasant surprise and I thought it brought a good balance to the rest of the story.
Michael, Maggie’s son was adorable and he just broke my heart. Poor boy had to experience a whole lot for his age but finding a HEA for him was a relief. Cain’s mom was a biggie. She was his foundation and I think she did a great job trying to keep him grounded. There were issues as any family would but overall I thought she contributed a great deal to Cain’s character. As far as the rest of the Bad Boys, I’m not quite sure how I feel about them yet. They definitely have stories to tell and I’m guessing both dark and disturbed. I can’t wait for the next book to see what they are about. I’m hoping it will be as enjoyable as this one.
*ARC provided by Netgalley
”The Summer He Came Home is the first I’ve read of Ms. Stone’s work and it will not be my last. She delivered a small town themed romance with a hint of rock star and a suspenseful storyline that had me intrigued from the cover page until end.” ~Under the Covers
The Summer He Came Home is the first I’ve read of Ms. Stone’s work and it will not be my last. She delivered a small town themed romance with a hint of rock star and a suspenseful storyline that had me intrigued from the cover page until end.
One of the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake had passed away, and Cain Black is back to attend his funeral. It will be a sad reunion but it’s an even he will not miss. It’s been ten years since he left and coming back to his old town will bring back all kinds of memories. To his surprise, this trip will make him realize what he has been missing, and it will come in a form of a single mom and her son.
Maggie and her son Michael had just moved to Crystal Lake. Everyone in town knows that she has been working as a household maid, making an honest living and trying to raise her son in peace. But what they don’t know is that she has a dark past that will follow her to this small town.
I enjoyed the romance between Cain and Maggie. I love that Maggie had her priorities straight, and romantic relations was the least of her concerns. Knowing she’s not interested made her more intriguing to Cain since he is used to having women at his beck and call. Of course, Cain, the ever sexy and romantic tried even harder to woo her. From setting up dates, babysitting her son so she can rest, and even standing up for her. I love the alpha in him. Watching this tattooed ex football player now a successful rock star do all the courting was such a treat. And let me tell you, Cain brought a lot of sexy to this book. An unexpected scene had me clutching my ereader as it was the lifeline of the story. I expected this to be a typical small town story line which is true enough but I did not expect the suspense element to be strong. Don’t’ get me wrong, it was a pleasant surprise and I thought it brought a good balance to the rest of the story.
Michael, Maggie’s son was adorable and he just broke my heart. Poor boy had to experience a whole lot for his age but finding a HEA for him was a relief. Cain’s mom was a biggie. She was his foundation and I think she did a great job trying to keep him grounded. There were issues as any family would but overall I thought she contributed a great deal to Cain’s character. As far as the rest of the Bad Boys, I’m not quite sure how I feel about them yet. They definitely have stories to tell and I’m guessing both dark and disturbed. I can’t wait for the next book to see what they are about. I’m hoping it will be as enjoyable as this one.
*ARC provided by Netgalley
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April 8, 2013Rhayne's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4 Stars
What a great start to a guaranteed emotional, sexy, intriguing series. This book delivers a variety of highly charged situations mixed with a little suspense and lots of romance. Add to the mix an adorable seven year old, some life-long friends, and a small town full of many nosy neighbors and that will give you a pretty good idea of the story line backdrop.
Cane has been gone for 10 years. He threw away a full ride football scholarship in exchange for a guitar and a chance to live out his musical dreams. He lived the high life and is on the brink of making it big when he heads back to town for his buddies funeral. He has no definitive plans for his future. He is trying to find himself, take a break, and decide what his next step is going to be.
Maggie and her son, Michael moved to Crystal Lake in hopes of re-starting their life. She has a past that she would like to forget and her only concern now is her son. She is a strong willed woman and is determined to never be dependent on anyone for anything.
From the moment Cane and Maggie meet their attraction is igniting. Neither one is prepared for the feelings they both have, but there is a connection that can’t be denied. She tries time and time again to push him away, until her willpower is gone and she can’t fight it. Their relationship is not typical. She needs to lie low and he is a famous musician. They are as opposite as night and day. Once they finally give in to their desires, they are truly magic together.
Just when they get to a good place in their lives, all hell breaks loose when their pasts and their ex’s come crashing in full force. Cane has to lay it all on the line to fight for his girl and she has to find a way to trust and believe that what they have is important enough to hold on to. Maggie has a lot of struggles as she comes to accept that she deserves happiness. When you find the right one love definitely is worth fighting for. She just realizes this a little too late.
Ms. Stone does a superb job introducing this new series. We get a lot of back story and character introduction where this is the first in the series, but it’s not done in an overbearing way. It flows really nicely with the current plot line. She is very talented in descriptive writer. She has the ability to make the characters jump off the pages and land right into your heart. I will definitely read the following books that are in this series. I can’t wait to see what is in store next.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4 Stars
What a great start to a guaranteed emotional, sexy, intriguing series. This book delivers a variety of highly charged situations mixed with a little suspense and lots of romance. Add to the mix an adorable seven year old, some life-long friends, and a small town full of many nosy neighbors and that will give you a pretty good idea of the story line backdrop.
Cane has been gone for 10 years. He threw away a full ride football scholarship in exchange for a guitar and a chance to live out his musical dreams. He lived the high life and is on the brink of making it big when he heads back to town for his buddies funeral. He has no definitive plans for his future. He is trying to find himself, take a break, and decide what his next step is going to be.
Maggie and her son, Michael moved to Crystal Lake in hopes of re-starting their life. She has a past that she would like to forget and her only concern now is her son. She is a strong willed woman and is determined to never be dependent on anyone for anything.
From the moment Cane and Maggie meet their attraction is igniting. Neither one is prepared for the feelings they both have, but there is a connection that can’t be denied. She tries time and time again to push him away, until her willpower is gone and she can’t fight it. Their relationship is not typical. She needs to lie low and he is a famous musician. They are as opposite as night and day. Once they finally give in to their desires, they are truly magic together.
Just when they get to a good place in their lives, all hell breaks loose when their pasts and their ex’s come crashing in full force. Cane has to lay it all on the line to fight for his girl and she has to find a way to trust and believe that what they have is important enough to hold on to. Maggie has a lot of struggles as she comes to accept that she deserves happiness. When you find the right one love definitely is worth fighting for. She just realizes this a little too late.
Ms. Stone does a superb job introducing this new series. We get a lot of back story and character introduction where this is the first in the series, but it’s not done in an overbearing way. It flows really nicely with the current plot line. She is very talented in descriptive writer. She has the ability to make the characters jump off the pages and land right into your heart. I will definitely read the following books that are in this series. I can’t wait to see what is in store next.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
March 22, 2013
Summer He Came Home does exactly what it says on the tin, it is a very sweet and entertaining romance but offers no more than that. It is a book you can snuggle up with on a blustery winter’s day and forget about life for a little while, and sometimes that is all you need.
There was a lot to like about this book. I really liked that the main character was a mother, and that she was a good and thoughtful mum. She always worries about her boy, which makes her a little uptight where the romance is concerned but that is the way it should be. Maggie is not always the easiest person to like. She has a lot to contend with and is always looked over her shoulder in case her past comes back to haunt her. I cannot blame her for her caution or concerns given her situation.
I liked Cain immediately, I think he was supposed to be a bit of a bad boy but to be honest I never really thought that. He was so smitten with Maggie and determined to make it work with her. His interaction with Maggie’s son was adorable and the love he clearly has for his friends was admirable. The romance was nice and I liked them together, but it didn’t blow my mind.
I did think that it was a little bit boring in places and needed something to get it going but it wasn’t a major problem. My only other complaint was that I felt the ending was very rushed, Maggie has spent most of the novel keeping Cain at a distance but then suddenly she was ready to marry him, that didn’t quite work for me. Also, the big relationship issue about the fact that Cain lives and has a career elsewhere was never resolved was a shame.
I would not rave about Summer He Came Home, it did not change my life, but for fans of the genre it is a very enjoyable read that I would recommend.
The publisher provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for and honest review
There was a lot to like about this book. I really liked that the main character was a mother, and that she was a good and thoughtful mum. She always worries about her boy, which makes her a little uptight where the romance is concerned but that is the way it should be. Maggie is not always the easiest person to like. She has a lot to contend with and is always looked over her shoulder in case her past comes back to haunt her. I cannot blame her for her caution or concerns given her situation.
I liked Cain immediately, I think he was supposed to be a bit of a bad boy but to be honest I never really thought that. He was so smitten with Maggie and determined to make it work with her. His interaction with Maggie’s son was adorable and the love he clearly has for his friends was admirable. The romance was nice and I liked them together, but it didn’t blow my mind.
I did think that it was a little bit boring in places and needed something to get it going but it wasn’t a major problem. My only other complaint was that I felt the ending was very rushed, Maggie has spent most of the novel keeping Cain at a distance but then suddenly she was ready to marry him, that didn’t quite work for me. Also, the big relationship issue about the fact that Cain lives and has a career elsewhere was never resolved was a shame.
I would not rave about Summer He Came Home, it did not change my life, but for fans of the genre it is a very enjoyable read that I would recommend.
The publisher provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for and honest review
February 21, 2013
Closer than brothers, that’s what the bad boys of Crystal Lake where. Now, three of the bad boys have returned home to Crystal Lake to attend the funeral of the fourth.
Cain Black left Crystal Lake 10 years ago in search of fame and fortune. Returning home to bury one of his dearest friends, might just be the last straw. Cain is a musician in an up and coming band...he is on his way to stardom but his life is unsettled. He just divorced his movie star wife and could use some rest and relaxation of home.
Maggie O’Rouke is a single mom and maid to pretty much all in Crystal Lake. She is instantly attracted to Cain Black, but she won’t let an attraction upset her carefully constructed life for her and her son. She definitely doesn’t need any rock star complications.
Cain sees something in Maggie that his life has been missing. But will he be able to make a place for Maggie and her son in his life. Can Maggie risk giving her heart to the notorious play boy?
What an incredible premise for a new series...3 friends return to their home town with some personal issues after they bury the forth friend/brother. All three of these men have extremely intriguing stories and I can’t wait to read them.
I loved this story. It was heartfelt, sweet and romantic. Two people with extremely different and dark circumstances find themselves and love in each other, what a perfect romance!
This ARC copy of The Summer He Came Home was given to me by Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. Publish Date April 2, 2013.
Cain Black left Crystal Lake 10 years ago in search of fame and fortune. Returning home to bury one of his dearest friends, might just be the last straw. Cain is a musician in an up and coming band...he is on his way to stardom but his life is unsettled. He just divorced his movie star wife and could use some rest and relaxation of home.
Maggie O’Rouke is a single mom and maid to pretty much all in Crystal Lake. She is instantly attracted to Cain Black, but she won’t let an attraction upset her carefully constructed life for her and her son. She definitely doesn’t need any rock star complications.
Cain sees something in Maggie that his life has been missing. But will he be able to make a place for Maggie and her son in his life. Can Maggie risk giving her heart to the notorious play boy?
What an incredible premise for a new series...3 friends return to their home town with some personal issues after they bury the forth friend/brother. All three of these men have extremely intriguing stories and I can’t wait to read them.
I loved this story. It was heartfelt, sweet and romantic. Two people with extremely different and dark circumstances find themselves and love in each other, what a perfect romance!
This ARC copy of The Summer He Came Home was given to me by Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. Publish Date April 2, 2013.
December 28, 2013
**3 1/2 stars**
Well, i was thoroughly enjoying this book until the end! What the...!? That's IT!?
What becomes of Cain and Maggie !? Does Cain end up going back to L.A. for a while? Does he rejoin the band and travel again? Does the band become uber famous, as predicted? How is that all going to work out for them if he's on the road constantly or does he give it all up and stay in Crystal Lake!? What about the creepy ex? Does he just divorce her and walk away quietly? Gah! I'm so bummed OUT because i was really really liking this but talk about being left unsatisfied! :/
Sadly this would have been rated much higher had it had a more complete ending.
May 21, 2013
4 stars – Contemporary Romance
June 7, 2023
This was, like, the definition of a middling small-town romance but I vibed with it. It's super simple in plot and very basic fare but a decent enough read.
April 4, 2013
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: B+
Rocker Cain Black is back in Crystal Lake to attend the funeral of one of his closest friends, Jesse. He, Mac, and Jesse’s twin Jake make up the bad boys of Crystal Lake and they’re all back now indefinitely and they’re all dealing with demons. Cain’s coming off a marriage gone wrong, his ex-wife slept with his band mate and co-song writer and now Cain’s dealing with that fallout along with wondering if he’ll ever be able to write and compose music again. He meets Maggie at the gathering following the funeral and she makes an impact. He can’t get her and her young son Michael out of his head and it gives him one more reason to hang around Crystal Lake for the summer.
Maggie is running from her past, one that includes an abusive husband who made her life a living hell. She escaped with Michael and is trying to make a quiet life for them cleaning homes and staying under the radar. She doesn’t open up to anyone, not even the friends she’s made in town and she’s especially reluctant to start anything with Cain, a man with a rockstar reputation and she doesn’t want Michael, or herself, to get too attached. But Cain is persistent and present, and eventually Maggie caves, she’d be crazy not to!
There were many things I loved about Cain, the most being that he made himself there for Maggie. He built a relationship with her son, he planned dates, he was just a really good guy. One that I couldn’t help but like and wanted to see win the girl. Maggie is so gun shy though, she holds everything back, not sharing even the smallest details about her past. Michael does tell Cain about what happened but Cain kept waiting for Maggie to share it with him and I liked how the emotional scene between them played out when Cain called her on taking a chance on their relationship. Their relationship was very easy to get hooked into. Cain’s a sexy guy and Maggie can’t resist him, but I loved the sweetness between them and especially how Cain connected with Michael.
The way the abusive husband storyline played out was a little predictable. But I did like that it didn’t dominate the book. It takes up a few pages at the end and the only constant through the whole story was Maggie’s fear in talking about her past, and not the guy himself. Even though Cain might have stolen my attention whenever he was on page, Maggie tugged at my heart. She’s struggling to make a good life for her son, running away from a man who could destroy them and she stayed strong through it all. That’s what made her relationship with Cain stronger, he gave her a reason to believe that she could and should have more in her life.
The rest of the bad boys trio, Mac and Jake, have my attention big time. Mac is struggling with alcohol and his own relationship with an abusive parent. Jake is obviously trying to deal with his brother’s death, but he just seems so tortured, especially around Jesse’s widow, Raine, who he obviously has deep feelings for. He takes his own feelings out on her and they’re not in the best place by book’s end. And I can’t wait to see their story play out.
The Summer He Came Home is a solid start to this new small town series. Cain and Maggie have a strong emotional relationship that I enjoyed throughout. Cain might be a rockstar, but he’s a man who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to take a chance and I loved seeing him convince Maggie to take that chance too.
Blog rating: B+
Rocker Cain Black is back in Crystal Lake to attend the funeral of one of his closest friends, Jesse. He, Mac, and Jesse’s twin Jake make up the bad boys of Crystal Lake and they’re all back now indefinitely and they’re all dealing with demons. Cain’s coming off a marriage gone wrong, his ex-wife slept with his band mate and co-song writer and now Cain’s dealing with that fallout along with wondering if he’ll ever be able to write and compose music again. He meets Maggie at the gathering following the funeral and she makes an impact. He can’t get her and her young son Michael out of his head and it gives him one more reason to hang around Crystal Lake for the summer.
Maggie is running from her past, one that includes an abusive husband who made her life a living hell. She escaped with Michael and is trying to make a quiet life for them cleaning homes and staying under the radar. She doesn’t open up to anyone, not even the friends she’s made in town and she’s especially reluctant to start anything with Cain, a man with a rockstar reputation and she doesn’t want Michael, or herself, to get too attached. But Cain is persistent and present, and eventually Maggie caves, she’d be crazy not to!
There were many things I loved about Cain, the most being that he made himself there for Maggie. He built a relationship with her son, he planned dates, he was just a really good guy. One that I couldn’t help but like and wanted to see win the girl. Maggie is so gun shy though, she holds everything back, not sharing even the smallest details about her past. Michael does tell Cain about what happened but Cain kept waiting for Maggie to share it with him and I liked how the emotional scene between them played out when Cain called her on taking a chance on their relationship. Their relationship was very easy to get hooked into. Cain’s a sexy guy and Maggie can’t resist him, but I loved the sweetness between them and especially how Cain connected with Michael.
The way the abusive husband storyline played out was a little predictable. But I did like that it didn’t dominate the book. It takes up a few pages at the end and the only constant through the whole story was Maggie’s fear in talking about her past, and not the guy himself. Even though Cain might have stolen my attention whenever he was on page, Maggie tugged at my heart. She’s struggling to make a good life for her son, running away from a man who could destroy them and she stayed strong through it all. That’s what made her relationship with Cain stronger, he gave her a reason to believe that she could and should have more in her life.
The rest of the bad boys trio, Mac and Jake, have my attention big time. Mac is struggling with alcohol and his own relationship with an abusive parent. Jake is obviously trying to deal with his brother’s death, but he just seems so tortured, especially around Jesse’s widow, Raine, who he obviously has deep feelings for. He takes his own feelings out on her and they’re not in the best place by book’s end. And I can’t wait to see their story play out.
The Summer He Came Home is a solid start to this new small town series. Cain and Maggie have a strong emotional relationship that I enjoyed throughout. Cain might be a rockstar, but he’s a man who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to take a chance and I loved seeing him convince Maggie to take that chance too.
January 21, 2013
2.5 stars
This was the first book I've read by Ms. Stone, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I enjoyed the characters she created--especially the group of "Bad Boys"--but I can't say the same for the heroine, Maggie. I never really connected with her character, and it was hard for me to believe her sincerity in her actions, considering the things that had happened to her in her life.
And I guess that was the main problem I had through most of this book. Of course it's fiction, so not everything has to be perfect and a mirror of real life, but unless it's a fantasy, I want my books to be realistic, and I just didn't think this one fit the bill.
I also found the storytelling to be repetitive and a little boring. Their feelings were talked about ad nauseum, and the back and forth was exhausting. I was skimming huge chunks of text because...I just didn't care. I don't care what the trees look like with the wind blowing through them. I don't care what everyone is wearing or what highlights they've put in their hair or what make-up they're wearing. I found this book to be bogged down by details that were completely unnecessary to the plot.
Instead, I would've rather read more about the conclusion. It was this huge climax (one of which I'm sure you'll see coming from 15% into the book), and then it was wham, bam, thank you ma'am, and we were done. I still had many, many unanswered questions--for important pieces of this book.
In the end, while this could have been a cute read, it just didn't have enough realism for me, was bogged down with inconsequential details and didn't focus on the pieces of the book I think this really could've benefited from fleshing out.
That said, she did create an interesting group of guys, and I am intrigued to read their stories. I'll probably give book 2 a go, hoping the storytelling has gotten a little better.
This was the first book I've read by Ms. Stone, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I enjoyed the characters she created--especially the group of "Bad Boys"--but I can't say the same for the heroine, Maggie. I never really connected with her character, and it was hard for me to believe her sincerity in her actions, considering the things that had happened to her in her life.
And I guess that was the main problem I had through most of this book. Of course it's fiction, so not everything has to be perfect and a mirror of real life, but unless it's a fantasy, I want my books to be realistic, and I just didn't think this one fit the bill.
I also found the storytelling to be repetitive and a little boring. Their feelings were talked about ad nauseum, and the back and forth was exhausting. I was skimming huge chunks of text because...I just didn't care. I don't care what the trees look like with the wind blowing through them. I don't care what everyone is wearing or what highlights they've put in their hair or what make-up they're wearing. I found this book to be bogged down by details that were completely unnecessary to the plot.
Instead, I would've rather read more about the conclusion. It was this huge climax (one of which I'm sure you'll see coming from 15% into the book), and then it was wham, bam, thank you ma'am, and we were done. I still had many, many unanswered questions--for important pieces of this book.
In the end, while this could have been a cute read, it just didn't have enough realism for me, was bogged down with inconsequential details and didn't focus on the pieces of the book I think this really could've benefited from fleshing out.
That said, she did create an interesting group of guys, and I am intrigued to read their stories. I'll probably give book 2 a go, hoping the storytelling has gotten a little better.
March 7, 2013
Maggie is a Crystal Lake transplant. She has fled a life that she desperately wants to keep behind her. She lives and breathes for her amazing little boy Michael. She does the best that she can to provide a stable life for him. Her stable life is shaken up when one of the resident “Bad Boys” comes home and sets his sights on her. When Cain left Crystal Lake it was to move on the bigger and louder things. For the past ten years he has lived the rough life of a rock star. Coming home has opened his eyes to all the things that have been missing in his life.
Cain and Maggie worked for me as a couple. I liked them. Cain was an amazing man for Michael. As I was reading I could feel the compassion and care in the relationship that Michael and Cain were building. I would have liked to have seen a little more of where Maggie and Cain’s relationship would physically take them. There was no doubt about the emotional factor and happily ever after of their relationship. Cain’s life is really no longer in Crystal Lake though. His career choice doesn’t give him a stay there option. Perhaps this is something that will be discussed in future books though. An epilogue would’ve been nice though.
There is a huge elephant in this book. The elephant involves Maggie’s past. Readers know what is going to become of this elephant. It’s quite obvious, but not predictable. I was shocked that the problem rears its nasty head at the very end of the book and the problem is resolved and finished in less than a chapter. I can only speculate that if the problem had been given more page time The Summer He Came Home would have moved from contemporary romance and on to romantic suspense. The issue as a whole was resolved way too easily though. It felt like an after though to me.
I most likely will not continue this series. The other two guys that are the Crystal Lake Bad Boys are introduced and have roles in this book. I had some issues with Jake and the tension between him and a female character of this book. I’m sure there is a back story and reason to it. I’m not sure if I could read it. Jake and this particular characters tension had an ick factor to me. Mac’s past is also one that if I know about I will not read in a book. Books are my escape. Sometimes some content just comes a little too close to home and my fantastical escape is lost in the text. Mac’s book would be one of those.
Cain and Maggie worked for me as a couple. I liked them. Cain was an amazing man for Michael. As I was reading I could feel the compassion and care in the relationship that Michael and Cain were building. I would have liked to have seen a little more of where Maggie and Cain’s relationship would physically take them. There was no doubt about the emotional factor and happily ever after of their relationship. Cain’s life is really no longer in Crystal Lake though. His career choice doesn’t give him a stay there option. Perhaps this is something that will be discussed in future books though. An epilogue would’ve been nice though.
There is a huge elephant in this book. The elephant involves Maggie’s past. Readers know what is going to become of this elephant. It’s quite obvious, but not predictable. I was shocked that the problem rears its nasty head at the very end of the book and the problem is resolved and finished in less than a chapter. I can only speculate that if the problem had been given more page time The Summer He Came Home would have moved from contemporary romance and on to romantic suspense. The issue as a whole was resolved way too easily though. It felt like an after though to me.
I most likely will not continue this series. The other two guys that are the Crystal Lake Bad Boys are introduced and have roles in this book. I had some issues with Jake and the tension between him and a female character of this book. I’m sure there is a back story and reason to it. I’m not sure if I could read it. Jake and this particular characters tension had an ick factor to me. Mac’s past is also one that if I know about I will not read in a book. Books are my escape. Sometimes some content just comes a little too close to home and my fantastical escape is lost in the text. Mac’s book would be one of those.
April 26, 2013
I came ever so close to not downloading this book and am I ever grateful that I gave it a second shot. It wasn’t another story about a wild-child-turned-rocker who comes home to prove to the hometown crowd he could be somebody (what I thought it would be). Instead, it was a tender, loving story about a guy, Cain Black, who had a bit of bad boy in him, was incredibly talented as a teen-ager and everyone knew it and returns home when one of his best friends from that time was killed in action in Afghanistan. The group that was affectionately called the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake get to reunite for the first time since high school but sadly with one missing.
Maggie is one of the first people Cain sees when he gets back for the funeral reception and it’s all sparks and sizzle from thereon out. She’s pretty reluctant to let him into her life, not only because he’s a rock star and all that implies, but she’s got a 7-year old son and a secret past that could threaten her safety and security. The red-haired Maggie is no push over and makes him work for her, not too much, just the right tempo. It’s a contemporary romance but with a slight bit of suspense and intrigue thrown in to make it just a little spicier.
What works about this story? The hometown embraces Cain and his friends and we learn a lot from their recollections. The friendship and closeness of the Bad Boys is fun and entertaining. Cain has all of the things we love about musicians…oozing charisma, a strong presence and the ability to touch you emotionally with melody and lyrics. Even though I couldn’t really hear them, he struck some really nice chords:) Cain’s relationship with Maggie and her son Michael is just well done. No shortcuts are taken here and they tackle substantive and realistic issues.
This isn’t a fluff piece with stereotyped angles. It’s a well-written story with characters you care about, like and lust over (Cain is simply delicious). Cain’s friends, Jake and Mac, give us a clue about their future stories and I know enough now to definitely commit to reading them as soon as they’re available. Put this on your shelf and read it. Rated 4.5 stars.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
Maggie is one of the first people Cain sees when he gets back for the funeral reception and it’s all sparks and sizzle from thereon out. She’s pretty reluctant to let him into her life, not only because he’s a rock star and all that implies, but she’s got a 7-year old son and a secret past that could threaten her safety and security. The red-haired Maggie is no push over and makes him work for her, not too much, just the right tempo. It’s a contemporary romance but with a slight bit of suspense and intrigue thrown in to make it just a little spicier.
What works about this story? The hometown embraces Cain and his friends and we learn a lot from their recollections. The friendship and closeness of the Bad Boys is fun and entertaining. Cain has all of the things we love about musicians…oozing charisma, a strong presence and the ability to touch you emotionally with melody and lyrics. Even though I couldn’t really hear them, he struck some really nice chords:) Cain’s relationship with Maggie and her son Michael is just well done. No shortcuts are taken here and they tackle substantive and realistic issues.
This isn’t a fluff piece with stereotyped angles. It’s a well-written story with characters you care about, like and lust over (Cain is simply delicious). Cain’s friends, Jake and Mac, give us a clue about their future stories and I know enough now to definitely commit to reading them as soon as they’re available. Put this on your shelf and read it. Rated 4.5 stars.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
January 10, 2013
What a fantastic start to a brand new series from Juliana Stone. I am typically a sucker for Michigan romances as it is after all my home turf. This is a typical reformed bad boy returns home contemporary romance. However there is a lot of heart and depth to this book. It kicks off the tale of three lifelong friends who return home to Crystal Lake Michigan in order to bury one of their own. Rocker Cain is at a turning point in his life, he is recently divorced following the betrayal of his wife and band mate. It becomes clear that he needs his small town, and the love of one woman to help him heal. Cain is drawn to a pretty red head and her young son.
Maggie is a beautiful, southern belle who cleans homes around town in order to make ends meet. Maggie and her son are a mystery to the Crystal Lake residents and it is clear that she is on the run from something or someone. She has been badly burned in love and turns Cain’s romantic advances. Cain didn't earn his reputation by being a choir boy, and soon these two are burning up the sheets. These two have some monumental road blocks to overcome on their path to love. As they begin to work out their differences, Maggie’s dark past returns to haunt her. Each will have to deal with their exes from hell before, the road becomes clear.
I highly enjoyed this book. The Summer He Came Home struck an emotional chord within me. As usual Juliana’s characters are vibrantly strong and very likable. I cannot wait for the follow up books in the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake series If Jake and Mac are anything like Cain the follow ups are sure to be as heartfelt as this one was. Without a doubt I would strongly recommend this book to my romance loving friends and customers.
A special thank you to Juilana Stone and Sourcebooks for making it possible for me to read this ARC.
Maggie is a beautiful, southern belle who cleans homes around town in order to make ends meet. Maggie and her son are a mystery to the Crystal Lake residents and it is clear that she is on the run from something or someone. She has been badly burned in love and turns Cain’s romantic advances. Cain didn't earn his reputation by being a choir boy, and soon these two are burning up the sheets. These two have some monumental road blocks to overcome on their path to love. As they begin to work out their differences, Maggie’s dark past returns to haunt her. Each will have to deal with their exes from hell before, the road becomes clear.
I highly enjoyed this book. The Summer He Came Home struck an emotional chord within me. As usual Juliana’s characters are vibrantly strong and very likable. I cannot wait for the follow up books in the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake series If Jake and Mac are anything like Cain the follow ups are sure to be as heartfelt as this one was. Without a doubt I would strongly recommend this book to my romance loving friends and customers.
A special thank you to Juilana Stone and Sourcebooks for making it possible for me to read this ARC.
March 21, 2013
This review was first posted at Reading Between the Wines!
I'm in love with a rock star! Cain Black is a smoking hot man who grew up in a small town of Crystal Lake with three other friends, where they were lovingly labeled as the 'bad boys' by the town's inhabitants. Sadly, Cain has had to return home for the sudden and unexpected funeral of one of those friends. If only his troubles stopped there. He's been having problems with one of his band members, and it's thrown his life into hiatus. He's uncertain of his future because of this, and he's got stress piled a mile high trying to figure it all out. Not to mention that he's fresh off a divorce to a soul sucking woman. So the last thing he wants in his life is another complication. But as the Rolling Stones so wisely said, "You can't always get what you wa-ant".
Lo and behold, at the funeral, he finds another complication. Her name is Maggie, she's got gorgeous red hair, and a little boy who makes Cain smile. His head tells him that he should stay far, far away from her, but his libido tells him that the sweet single mother is worth the future complications. And Maggie has complications a-plenty. In fact, she's got a whole life that she's running from that not a soul in Crystal Lake knows about. Will Cain be able to woo the standoffish woman into giving him a chance? Will Maggie's past catch up with her? You want answers? Go get the book! This was an awesome read and I loved every second of it. I'd also like a Cain Black delivered for my birthday. It's a five wine glass toast and a heaping dose of feel-like-I'm-dying while I wait for the next book that is due out around Christmas. Enjoy readers!
I'm in love with a rock star! Cain Black is a smoking hot man who grew up in a small town of Crystal Lake with three other friends, where they were lovingly labeled as the 'bad boys' by the town's inhabitants. Sadly, Cain has had to return home for the sudden and unexpected funeral of one of those friends. If only his troubles stopped there. He's been having problems with one of his band members, and it's thrown his life into hiatus. He's uncertain of his future because of this, and he's got stress piled a mile high trying to figure it all out. Not to mention that he's fresh off a divorce to a soul sucking woman. So the last thing he wants in his life is another complication. But as the Rolling Stones so wisely said, "You can't always get what you wa-ant".
Lo and behold, at the funeral, he finds another complication. Her name is Maggie, she's got gorgeous red hair, and a little boy who makes Cain smile. His head tells him that he should stay far, far away from her, but his libido tells him that the sweet single mother is worth the future complications. And Maggie has complications a-plenty. In fact, she's got a whole life that she's running from that not a soul in Crystal Lake knows about. Will Cain be able to woo the standoffish woman into giving him a chance? Will Maggie's past catch up with her? You want answers? Go get the book! This was an awesome read and I loved every second of it. I'd also like a Cain Black delivered for my birthday. It's a five wine glass toast and a heaping dose of feel-like-I'm-dying while I wait for the next book that is due out around Christmas. Enjoy readers!
September 15, 2013
I really enjoyed this. But the ending there was all this build up with the ex and then it was anti climatic. But I did love the characters and the story held my attention. Cant wait to read about the rest of the bad boys.
Want to read
December 22, 2012THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!! I LOVE YOU NETGALLEY AND SOURCEBOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 27, 2013
Originally published at Book Lovers Inc.
The Summer He Came Home is part small-town romance, part second-chance love story and part, maybe mostly, a story about what happens when bad boys grow up and become men.
They were kings, and they didn’t know it, or so says one of the main characters, Raine, Jesse’s widow. The story starts with Cain Black’s arrival at Jesse’s funeral, his first time home after ten years.
Jesse and his twin Jake left Crystal Lake for Afghanistan. Only Jake came back. Mac left his home and his abusive father for a high-flying legal career in in the big city. And Cain left first, because his life was his music, and the only way he could find the fame and fortune he craved was on the road.
Jesse’s death found him on tour in Europe. He dropped everything to come back, burned out and almost completely used up. His marriage to a flashy model over in a bitter divorce, and his songwriting partnership finished with an onstage brawl in the middle of concert.
Cain Black arrives in the middle of Jesse’s funeral to celebrate his friend’s lost life, and finds his own. Cain thinks he’s leaving Crystal Lake in just a couple of weeks. Instead he decides that being with his remaining best friends, the men he knows in his heart are still his brothers, is the soul-deep healing that he really needs.
And he’s met one woman, one real woman, who isn’t interested in him for his music or his money. Maggie O’Rourke doesn’t want a bad-boy rocker in her life at all. And she certainly doesn’t want him in her son’s life. She just wants to keep her head down and scrape by.
Cain is too intrigued to stay away, in spite of his mother’s warnings not to hurt the shy young widow.
But he can’t get Maggie out of his mind, so he begins a cautious and careful courtship, not just of the beautiful Maggie, but of also of her precocious son, Michael. Cain’s deepening involvement brings him back into the life of the town, and back into the lives of the friends who need him.
He just brings Maggie back to life.
Then he discovers the terrible secret that she’s been keeping, and he almost loses everyone that is precious to him, just in the moment of discovery.
Verdict: You would think that starting the story with a funeral would be a real downer, but it actually isn’t. It turns out to be a terrific device for introducing all the characters, and explaining why Cain left Crystal Lake and his hesitation at coming back. It works.
Cain and Maggie start out from very different places. He’s a bit selfish about pursuing Maggie. Maggie has a huge secret that the reader figures out pretty easily. She doesn’t want a relationship and is clear about it. Because Cain doesn’t know what the secret is, he continues a gentle, non-threatening pursuit until she is willing to let a kind of courtship start. While he’s sweet about it on the one hand, there is an element that he isn’t clear until the end what he’s planning to do when the summer ends and he goes back to the band. Maggie has a child to consider who has become attached to him.
It is obvious to the reader what Maggie’s secret is. Her previous relationship was abusive. The only questions are whether the asshat is her husband, ex-husband, or boyfriend, and whether he is in or out of prison. It’s all too easy to see that Maggie is afraid of being found.
The development of the relationship between Cain and Maggie, and between Cain and Michael, her son, was slow and sweet, not that there isn’t a lot of simmering sexual tension between Cain and Maggie. A lot of this story is about healing, and it takes a while for Maggie to heal enough to let herself have a relationship with Cain.
However, the sudden arrival of Maggie’s ex and his capture seemed anti-climactic. There was no suspense, he just knocked on the door and started slapping Maggie around. Then Cain showed up and “boom!” the ex was arrested and locked up.
On the other hand, the friendships between the “bad boys”, Cain and Mac and Jake, make a big part of the book. The loss of Jesse is like the ache of a phantom limb, they all feel it. Painfully. I’m looking forward to Mac and Jake each having their own book, because in spite of the sudden ending, I really enjoyed The Summer He Came Home and want to read the rest of the series.
I give The Summer He Came Home by Juliana Stone 4 stars!
The Summer He Came Home is part small-town romance, part second-chance love story and part, maybe mostly, a story about what happens when bad boys grow up and become men.
They were kings, and they didn’t know it, or so says one of the main characters, Raine, Jesse’s widow. The story starts with Cain Black’s arrival at Jesse’s funeral, his first time home after ten years.
Jesse and his twin Jake left Crystal Lake for Afghanistan. Only Jake came back. Mac left his home and his abusive father for a high-flying legal career in in the big city. And Cain left first, because his life was his music, and the only way he could find the fame and fortune he craved was on the road.
Jesse’s death found him on tour in Europe. He dropped everything to come back, burned out and almost completely used up. His marriage to a flashy model over in a bitter divorce, and his songwriting partnership finished with an onstage brawl in the middle of concert.
Cain Black arrives in the middle of Jesse’s funeral to celebrate his friend’s lost life, and finds his own. Cain thinks he’s leaving Crystal Lake in just a couple of weeks. Instead he decides that being with his remaining best friends, the men he knows in his heart are still his brothers, is the soul-deep healing that he really needs.
And he’s met one woman, one real woman, who isn’t interested in him for his music or his money. Maggie O’Rourke doesn’t want a bad-boy rocker in her life at all. And she certainly doesn’t want him in her son’s life. She just wants to keep her head down and scrape by.
Cain is too intrigued to stay away, in spite of his mother’s warnings not to hurt the shy young widow.
But he can’t get Maggie out of his mind, so he begins a cautious and careful courtship, not just of the beautiful Maggie, but of also of her precocious son, Michael. Cain’s deepening involvement brings him back into the life of the town, and back into the lives of the friends who need him.
He just brings Maggie back to life.
Then he discovers the terrible secret that she’s been keeping, and he almost loses everyone that is precious to him, just in the moment of discovery.
Verdict: You would think that starting the story with a funeral would be a real downer, but it actually isn’t. It turns out to be a terrific device for introducing all the characters, and explaining why Cain left Crystal Lake and his hesitation at coming back. It works.
Cain and Maggie start out from very different places. He’s a bit selfish about pursuing Maggie. Maggie has a huge secret that the reader figures out pretty easily. She doesn’t want a relationship and is clear about it. Because Cain doesn’t know what the secret is, he continues a gentle, non-threatening pursuit until she is willing to let a kind of courtship start. While he’s sweet about it on the one hand, there is an element that he isn’t clear until the end what he’s planning to do when the summer ends and he goes back to the band. Maggie has a child to consider who has become attached to him.
It is obvious to the reader what Maggie’s secret is. Her previous relationship was abusive. The only questions are whether the asshat is her husband, ex-husband, or boyfriend, and whether he is in or out of prison. It’s all too easy to see that Maggie is afraid of being found.
The development of the relationship between Cain and Maggie, and between Cain and Michael, her son, was slow and sweet, not that there isn’t a lot of simmering sexual tension between Cain and Maggie. A lot of this story is about healing, and it takes a while for Maggie to heal enough to let herself have a relationship with Cain.
However, the sudden arrival of Maggie’s ex and his capture seemed anti-climactic. There was no suspense, he just knocked on the door and started slapping Maggie around. Then Cain showed up and “boom!” the ex was arrested and locked up.
On the other hand, the friendships between the “bad boys”, Cain and Mac and Jake, make a big part of the book. The loss of Jesse is like the ache of a phantom limb, they all feel it. Painfully. I’m looking forward to Mac and Jake each having their own book, because in spite of the sudden ending, I really enjoyed The Summer He Came Home and want to read the rest of the series.
I give The Summer He Came Home by Juliana Stone 4 stars!
December 24, 2013
Buddy read with Ange
Cain left Crystal Lake ten years ago to pursue his dreams of becoming a rock star and he hasn't been home since, in fact it takes the funeral of one of his best friends to get him back at all. Now he's here though he's starting to wonder why he left in the first place, especially when meeting Maggie and her son Michael makes him think about all the things missing from his life. Maggie moved to Crystal Lake to escape from her past so the last thing she wants or has time for is falling in love. She is focused on rebuilding her life for herself and her son but Cain is a distraction she can't ignore. Maggie knows his interest is only fleeting though, after all what does she have to offer a famous rock star?
I was already a fan of Juliana Stone for her Jaguar Warriors paranormal romance series but The Summer He Came Home has proved she writes contemporary romance just as well. If you love small town romances and the quirky town characters that come with them then you're sure to enjoy the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake series!
Cain was an easy guy to fall for, he may be a successful rock star but he's still quite a grounded character and he doesn't use his fame to get what he wants. He is drawn to Maggie from the moment he sets eyes on her but she pushes him away which only makes him want her more. Cain isn't used to having women turn him down so the challenge of winning Maggie around is something he can't resist. I loved the way he woos her, he is so romantic and goes out of his way to make things special for her but he also takes the time to bond with Michael and to make sure he has fun too. I do have a soft spot for men who are good with children and after everything Michael had been through it was so nice that Cain made him a priority alongside Maggie.
Maggie could be quite closed off emotionally at times but after everything she had been through it was easy to understand why she kept people at arms length. It was good to see her finally start to open up to her new friends and realise that she had support from other people in the town and not just Cain. She is a strong woman who has suffered a lot and become fiercely independent because of that. She works hard to make sure her son has everything he needs and she was a wonderful mother who always put Michael first. It was nice to see Cain help take some of the pressure off her though and I was pleased that they seemed to slot so well together as a family.
Their romance has some incredibly sweet moments and less angst than I was expecting considering her past. They have fantastic chemistry too so there are plenty of hot moments but it was the scenes where they were talking and having fun together that I enjoyed the most. I also loved both of the other Bad Boys and can't wait to read their stories. I think Jake's story will be particularly heartbreaking as he comes to terms with the death of his twin brother Jesse but I have a feeling Mac's book will be an emotional one too. I loved The Summer He Came Home so much that I'm going to start The Christmas He Came Home immediately because I can't wait to see how things play out for Jake and Raine.
Cain left Crystal Lake ten years ago to pursue his dreams of becoming a rock star and he hasn't been home since, in fact it takes the funeral of one of his best friends to get him back at all. Now he's here though he's starting to wonder why he left in the first place, especially when meeting Maggie and her son Michael makes him think about all the things missing from his life. Maggie moved to Crystal Lake to escape from her past so the last thing she wants or has time for is falling in love. She is focused on rebuilding her life for herself and her son but Cain is a distraction she can't ignore. Maggie knows his interest is only fleeting though, after all what does she have to offer a famous rock star?
I was already a fan of Juliana Stone for her Jaguar Warriors paranormal romance series but The Summer He Came Home has proved she writes contemporary romance just as well. If you love small town romances and the quirky town characters that come with them then you're sure to enjoy the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake series!
Cain was an easy guy to fall for, he may be a successful rock star but he's still quite a grounded character and he doesn't use his fame to get what he wants. He is drawn to Maggie from the moment he sets eyes on her but she pushes him away which only makes him want her more. Cain isn't used to having women turn him down so the challenge of winning Maggie around is something he can't resist. I loved the way he woos her, he is so romantic and goes out of his way to make things special for her but he also takes the time to bond with Michael and to make sure he has fun too. I do have a soft spot for men who are good with children and after everything Michael had been through it was so nice that Cain made him a priority alongside Maggie.
Maggie could be quite closed off emotionally at times but after everything she had been through it was easy to understand why she kept people at arms length. It was good to see her finally start to open up to her new friends and realise that she had support from other people in the town and not just Cain. She is a strong woman who has suffered a lot and become fiercely independent because of that. She works hard to make sure her son has everything he needs and she was a wonderful mother who always put Michael first. It was nice to see Cain help take some of the pressure off her though and I was pleased that they seemed to slot so well together as a family.
Their romance has some incredibly sweet moments and less angst than I was expecting considering her past. They have fantastic chemistry too so there are plenty of hot moments but it was the scenes where they were talking and having fun together that I enjoyed the most. I also loved both of the other Bad Boys and can't wait to read their stories. I think Jake's story will be particularly heartbreaking as he comes to terms with the death of his twin brother Jesse but I have a feeling Mac's book will be an emotional one too. I loved The Summer He Came Home so much that I'm going to start The Christmas He Came Home immediately because I can't wait to see how things play out for Jake and Raine.
April 19, 2013
****Posted as a guest review over at paranormalhaven.com****
I’ve been reading a lot more contemporary romance as of late, and I picked up The Summer He Came Home because it looked like it would be a nice, sweet read. And generally, it was. You have a struggling single mom, the bad boy rock star, and a cute little boy that talks more like an adult. Maggie O’Rourke has come to Crystal Lake to escape her past and start anew with her little son, Michael. Cain Black has returned to Crystal Lake for a funeral of one his childhood pals and for a little R&R (aka rest and relaxation) after a blowout with one of his band members.
They meet one another at the funeral and Cain is immediately entranced, Maggie less so. Quite a bit of Cain’s perspective focuses on Maggie’s looks, and while this is natural, it did get to be somewhat repetitive and yanked me out of the story. Understandably, Maggie is leery of Cain and his reputation, but Cain wins over Michael, and Maggie soon follows suit. I really enjoyed that Cain wasn’t put off by what Maggie did for a living, but I did wish the character traits of several side characters were a little less of a cliché. The book states why Cain left and how he isn’t all that close to his mother, but I do think the book could have benefited with more scenes between both of them. As it is, they only have a couple of scenes between the two of them, and I would’ve liked to have seen more interaction between mother and son.
There does come a time when Michael reveals to Cain why Maggie’s so hesitant about getting involved with him, but I felt the revelation would have been more organic had it come from Maggie herself. This plot point doesn’t cover anything new, and the way it plays out is extremely predictable and just a little tiresome. On the plus side, Cain’s interaction with his buddies came across as solid, touching, with just the right amount of humor mixed in. These men know each other well and it shows. There are just a few scenes that touch on Cain and his music and I wish this was showcased just a little bit more. When he’s reminiscing about his past, it’s mostly on his ex-wife and the band member that screwed his ex.
The book doesn’t cover any new ground, and there is a lack of depth that left me a little disappointed. But saying that, it still was an enjoyable read, with likable characters and an engaging premise. There definitely is a set up for more books to come, and depending on who they feature, I may come back to revisit these characters.
I’ve been reading a lot more contemporary romance as of late, and I picked up The Summer He Came Home because it looked like it would be a nice, sweet read. And generally, it was. You have a struggling single mom, the bad boy rock star, and a cute little boy that talks more like an adult. Maggie O’Rourke has come to Crystal Lake to escape her past and start anew with her little son, Michael. Cain Black has returned to Crystal Lake for a funeral of one his childhood pals and for a little R&R (aka rest and relaxation) after a blowout with one of his band members.
They meet one another at the funeral and Cain is immediately entranced, Maggie less so. Quite a bit of Cain’s perspective focuses on Maggie’s looks, and while this is natural, it did get to be somewhat repetitive and yanked me out of the story. Understandably, Maggie is leery of Cain and his reputation, but Cain wins over Michael, and Maggie soon follows suit. I really enjoyed that Cain wasn’t put off by what Maggie did for a living, but I did wish the character traits of several side characters were a little less of a cliché. The book states why Cain left and how he isn’t all that close to his mother, but I do think the book could have benefited with more scenes between both of them. As it is, they only have a couple of scenes between the two of them, and I would’ve liked to have seen more interaction between mother and son.
There does come a time when Michael reveals to Cain why Maggie’s so hesitant about getting involved with him, but I felt the revelation would have been more organic had it come from Maggie herself. This plot point doesn’t cover anything new, and the way it plays out is extremely predictable and just a little tiresome. On the plus side, Cain’s interaction with his buddies came across as solid, touching, with just the right amount of humor mixed in. These men know each other well and it shows. There are just a few scenes that touch on Cain and his music and I wish this was showcased just a little bit more. When he’s reminiscing about his past, it’s mostly on his ex-wife and the band member that screwed his ex.
The book doesn’t cover any new ground, and there is a lack of depth that left me a little disappointed. But saying that, it still was an enjoyable read, with likable characters and an engaging premise. There definitely is a set up for more books to come, and depending on who they feature, I may come back to revisit these characters.
December 23, 2013
I picked this book up because I have the second in the series (The Christmas He Loved Her) for review and wanted to read them in order - I can't help it. I must read in order! So, even though I've been on a holiday romance reading kick lately I switched gears entirely and hit summer in Michigan.
The book starts as Cain comes back to his hometown for the funeral of one of his best friends. I don't mind saying I was nearly in tears reading this. Though...well, the grief didn't seem to last very long for the rest of the characters (except the twin brother). Anyway, Cain's just starting to make it big with his band - he's the lead singer and front guitarist - but finds that he can use the break when he gets back home.
I mostly liked Cain and Maggie, though I'm hard-pressed to come up with some characteristics of them that aren't related to their chemistry and smexy times with each other. Cain is nothing like one would expect a rock-star to be - he's down to earth, kind, and caring to the extreme. Maggie, and here's where the majority of my problems come from, is stand-offish (though that's understandable considering her history) and, well, passive. Things happen to her. I never got the feeling that she had any hand in what was going on and she just kind of went with the flow.
I did have a hard time understanding why they fell in love. Cain mentions a few reasons of why he's falling for Maggie, but I honestly saw none of that in her. I felt like they never talked - though I was told about them talking, I didn't get to see it. And I really have no idea how the hell they're going to make it work when Cain needs to go back to LA in the fall.
I'm not a fan of the 'grand gesture' proposal at the end - and I didn't think Maggie would be either, but she was apparently into it; which just seemed like a complete reversal of her personality.
The secondary characters definitely had me intrigued, especially Jake and Raine! I'm so glad that Jake's story is next, because I'm dying to see how Juliana Stone resolves this.
I feel like I'm complaining a lot, and I did have issues with this - in fact I could nit-pick a few other things that continue to bother me. However, I was enjoying the book, for the most part, while I was reading it. The closer I examine things, and feelings about it, the more issues I come up with. The Summer He Came Home was a fun, quick, light read. If you're looking for something easy and straightforward, this could definitely be a good one.
12/22/2013: $1.99 on Kindle
The book starts as Cain comes back to his hometown for the funeral of one of his best friends. I don't mind saying I was nearly in tears reading this. Though...well, the grief didn't seem to last very long for the rest of the characters (except the twin brother). Anyway, Cain's just starting to make it big with his band - he's the lead singer and front guitarist - but finds that he can use the break when he gets back home.
I mostly liked Cain and Maggie, though I'm hard-pressed to come up with some characteristics of them that aren't related to their chemistry and smexy times with each other. Cain is nothing like one would expect a rock-star to be - he's down to earth, kind, and caring to the extreme. Maggie, and here's where the majority of my problems come from, is stand-offish (though that's understandable considering her history) and, well, passive. Things happen to her. I never got the feeling that she had any hand in what was going on and she just kind of went with the flow.
I did have a hard time understanding why they fell in love. Cain mentions a few reasons of why he's falling for Maggie, but I honestly saw none of that in her. I felt like they never talked - though I was told about them talking, I didn't get to see it. And I really have no idea how the hell they're going to make it work when Cain needs to go back to LA in the fall.
I'm not a fan of the 'grand gesture' proposal at the end - and I didn't think Maggie would be either, but she was apparently into it; which just seemed like a complete reversal of her personality.
The secondary characters definitely had me intrigued, especially Jake and Raine! I'm so glad that Jake's story is next, because I'm dying to see how Juliana Stone resolves this.
I feel like I'm complaining a lot, and I did have issues with this - in fact I could nit-pick a few other things that continue to bother me. However, I was enjoying the book, for the most part, while I was reading it. The closer I examine things, and feelings about it, the more issues I come up with. The Summer He Came Home was a fun, quick, light read. If you're looking for something easy and straightforward, this could definitely be a good one.
12/22/2013: $1.99 on Kindle
May 12, 2013
Maggie is trying to move on with her life by starting from the ground up in Crystal Lake with her son. While working an event she caught the eye of Cain Black, one of the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake. Cain left his hometown to pursue his dream of being a rock star but has returned home for the funeral of one of his closest friends and to gain some peace of mind after experiencing some problems in his personal and professional life. Neither of them is looking for a relationship or to fall in love, but when they met their attraction is undeniable. Life a moth to a fire they are drawn to each other until they succumb to the overwhelming desire each ignite in each other.
Although I have read many books with the same concept of girl runs away, starts a relationship and her past catches up with her, I feel that the author, Juliana Stone, did a great job of taking it a step further so that this story didn't feel like something I have read countless times before. There were some real struggles and emotions thrown in the mix that made Maggie and Cain's story different. Add to that a great cast of secondary characters, a bad boy rocker and an adorable little boy and I was a goner.
I appreciated the way the author made the characters face their attraction to each other, both clear on their expectations and respecting each others situations. I liked how supportive Cain was of Maggie's situation even when he felt that she was keeping things from him. I especially admired his integrity and honesty when, even though he knew what the true situation was, he gave Maggie the space she needed and the time to sort through her feelings.
I have to say that although Maggie and Cain's chemistry was off the charts HOT, it was the way that they took the time to get to know each other and the way they related to the other characters - showing their caring sides - that truly endeared them to me and made me cheer them on to get together.
The Summer He Came Home is the first book in the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake series and the author did a great job of introducing the reader to the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake. I got to know some great characters and their stories interest me enough that I know with certainty that I will be reading the next books in the series.
All in all, an enjoyable, sexy read.
I received this title from Sourcebooks through NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion.
Although I have read many books with the same concept of girl runs away, starts a relationship and her past catches up with her, I feel that the author, Juliana Stone, did a great job of taking it a step further so that this story didn't feel like something I have read countless times before. There were some real struggles and emotions thrown in the mix that made Maggie and Cain's story different. Add to that a great cast of secondary characters, a bad boy rocker and an adorable little boy and I was a goner.
I appreciated the way the author made the characters face their attraction to each other, both clear on their expectations and respecting each others situations. I liked how supportive Cain was of Maggie's situation even when he felt that she was keeping things from him. I especially admired his integrity and honesty when, even though he knew what the true situation was, he gave Maggie the space she needed and the time to sort through her feelings.
I have to say that although Maggie and Cain's chemistry was off the charts HOT, it was the way that they took the time to get to know each other and the way they related to the other characters - showing their caring sides - that truly endeared them to me and made me cheer them on to get together.
The Summer He Came Home is the first book in the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake series and the author did a great job of introducing the reader to the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake. I got to know some great characters and their stories interest me enough that I know with certainty that I will be reading the next books in the series.
All in all, an enjoyable, sexy read.
I received this title from Sourcebooks through NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion.
April 18, 2021
I actually nudge this towards 4.5 stars...fresh, engaging, this is a new author for me but I am now a huge fan!
Tragedy has brought the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake back together for the funeral of one of their own, Jesse, killed in Afghanistan. This first of a trilogy featuring the Bad Boys centers on rocker Cain, back in his hometown after a successful world tour with his band, but trailing behind him a divorce and the loss of the band's lyricist, and if you think those 2 are related, you might be right. Feeling a bit lost, exhausted , and on edge as his music and the band are about to launch into super stardom, we meet Cain as he arrives for the wake. While pausing to pull up his courage to face those at the wake, a young boy, Michael, comes running out, desperate for a place to hide the tie his mother made him wear. Cuteness abounds, male bonding..and tie-ditching...occur, just as Michael's mom, Maggie, walks out looking for her son. And voila, you have our hero and heroines meet cute.
All of course does not flow smoothly. Maggie is clearly in hiding, and does not trust easily. Although well-hinted, the author has us actually learn about what lies in Maggie and Michael's past in an unconventional way, and early in the story. Chain's musical gifts, love of music, and amazing Les Paul guitars are omnipresent, adding great depth to the character. And when Maggie and Cain come together...you need to turn up the A/C because the scenes are hot and sexy. Maggie is a strong sensuous woman who allows herself to be an active partner and instigator in their encounters. And Cain is never shown as a shallow rocker who thrives on sex with groupies. I give the author major points for not following the usual tropes for these 2 characters.
She also gives us the most hilarious condom buying scene I have ever read!
Of course Maggie's past catches up with her and Michael after paparazzi come to town and start lurking wherever Cain is. But all ends with a very satisfying moment at a fundraiser concert on the 4th of July. I can't wait to read the next in the series, which centers on Jake and his twin brother's widow Rains, and, be still my heart, it is set at Christmas!
Tragedy has brought the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake back together for the funeral of one of their own, Jesse, killed in Afghanistan. This first of a trilogy featuring the Bad Boys centers on rocker Cain, back in his hometown after a successful world tour with his band, but trailing behind him a divorce and the loss of the band's lyricist, and if you think those 2 are related, you might be right. Feeling a bit lost, exhausted , and on edge as his music and the band are about to launch into super stardom, we meet Cain as he arrives for the wake. While pausing to pull up his courage to face those at the wake, a young boy, Michael, comes running out, desperate for a place to hide the tie his mother made him wear. Cuteness abounds, male bonding..and tie-ditching...occur, just as Michael's mom, Maggie, walks out looking for her son. And voila, you have our hero and heroines meet cute.
All of course does not flow smoothly. Maggie is clearly in hiding, and does not trust easily. Although well-hinted, the author has us actually learn about what lies in Maggie and Michael's past in an unconventional way, and early in the story. Chain's musical gifts, love of music, and amazing Les Paul guitars are omnipresent, adding great depth to the character. And when Maggie and Cain come together...you need to turn up the A/C because the scenes are hot and sexy. Maggie is a strong sensuous woman who allows herself to be an active partner and instigator in their encounters. And Cain is never shown as a shallow rocker who thrives on sex with groupies. I give the author major points for not following the usual tropes for these 2 characters.
She also gives us the most hilarious condom buying scene I have ever read!
Of course Maggie's past catches up with her and Michael after paparazzi come to town and start lurking wherever Cain is. But all ends with a very satisfying moment at a fundraiser concert on the 4th of July. I can't wait to read the next in the series, which centers on Jake and his twin brother's widow Rains, and, be still my heart, it is set at Christmas!
February 25, 2013
I absolutely fell in love with this book, and these characters were so real they leaped off the page at me.
Maggie O'Rourke fled Louisiana with her young son to escape an abusive ex-husband. She settled in Crystal Lake, MI working as a housekeeper for several families in the area.
Cain Black is a former badboy turned famous music superstar that returns home to attend the funeral of his former best friend that was killed in Afghanistan. I have to say that the opening pages of this book where the author introduces Maggie and Cain to each other are at the funeral gathering. I was very impressed with the dignity and dexterity with which the author handled establishing a magnetic attraction between Maggie and Cain with grief felt by family/community members regarding the friend's death.
Through the numerous plot elements that include the twin of Cain's dead friend's attraction to his brother's widow and an abusive situation between another friend and his father an undeniable attraction develops. Maggie and Cain confront nosy townspeople, those intent on reminding Maggie that she is just a maid, and the return of her abusive ex-husband. The author deftly weaves the plot so you see the friction that keeps them apart and applaud them when they decide to jump in and give their attraction a chance to blossom into something more.
I found that Cain was a very refreshing and vulnerable hero. I really found myself liking him because he was honest and upfront with Maggie. He let her know he was attracted to her and wanted to explore a relationship with her but he didn't know where it was going to lead. He also made her feel special and let her know that despite the tabloids he didn't enter any relationship lightly. Maggie was fierce in her loyalty to her son. She was courageous and risked her heart even after a horribly abusive marriage.
I hated to see the book end, and I am stalking the internet for a sequel. There were other characters that will hopefully have their relationships fleshed out in future books...(hint, hint to the author)
Reviewed by Marie for Cocktails and Books
Maggie O'Rourke fled Louisiana with her young son to escape an abusive ex-husband. She settled in Crystal Lake, MI working as a housekeeper for several families in the area.
Cain Black is a former badboy turned famous music superstar that returns home to attend the funeral of his former best friend that was killed in Afghanistan. I have to say that the opening pages of this book where the author introduces Maggie and Cain to each other are at the funeral gathering. I was very impressed with the dignity and dexterity with which the author handled establishing a magnetic attraction between Maggie and Cain with grief felt by family/community members regarding the friend's death.
Through the numerous plot elements that include the twin of Cain's dead friend's attraction to his brother's widow and an abusive situation between another friend and his father an undeniable attraction develops. Maggie and Cain confront nosy townspeople, those intent on reminding Maggie that she is just a maid, and the return of her abusive ex-husband. The author deftly weaves the plot so you see the friction that keeps them apart and applaud them when they decide to jump in and give their attraction a chance to blossom into something more.
I found that Cain was a very refreshing and vulnerable hero. I really found myself liking him because he was honest and upfront with Maggie. He let her know he was attracted to her and wanted to explore a relationship with her but he didn't know where it was going to lead. He also made her feel special and let her know that despite the tabloids he didn't enter any relationship lightly. Maggie was fierce in her loyalty to her son. She was courageous and risked her heart even after a horribly abusive marriage.
I hated to see the book end, and I am stalking the internet for a sequel. There were other characters that will hopefully have their relationships fleshed out in future books...(hint, hint to the author)
Reviewed by Marie for Cocktails and Books
January 5, 2013
A fantastic start to what is sure to be another stellar series from Juliana Stone. The Bad Boys of Crystal Lake series features three lifelong friends who've drifted around the world only to return home to Michigan to bury one of their own. You know how they say that you can't go back ? Well, now that these three friends are back home....they're in no hurry to leave. They just might find what they've been looking for . This first story features a bad boy rocker , Cain Black.
Cain Black has come back to his hometown to honor a fallen friend. At a crossroads in his life , the bad boy rocker is coping with a recent divorce and the betrayal of a close friend and band-mate. He's in bad need of a good woman to help him heal . On the mend from one bad relationship , Cain is drawn to a pretty single mom and her young son.
Maggie is a stunning , southern belle who cleans houses around town. The mysterious red-head and her young son are obviously on the run from something bad . Maggie has been burned in love before so at first she shoots down Cain's romantic advances. But that boy didn't get his reputation by being a choir boy. Soon the rocker and the single mom are burning up the sheets.
But the two red hot lovers face some pretty big obstacles on their road to true love. They'll have to come to terms with social differences and two exes from hell.
I really enjoyed this first book in the new series. As always , Juliana's characters are vibrant and strong and oh so easy to like. Especially Cain, who stole a little piece of my heart with his rock star god with a heart of gold persona. I will continue to follow the other Bad Boys of Crystal Lake. Jake and Mac are certain to have exciting stories to tell. I'd recommend this book to all contemporary romance fans.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for my honest opinion.
May 7, 2013
A LASR BEST BOOK!
Guitarist & band front man Cain Black walks straight back into memory: a sad event brings him back to his home town after a decade away – back, in fact, to his old High School crowd.
There’s a bit of the ‘reunion’ type feeling…right up until he meets Maggie O’Rourke. Never let it be said that a rockstar can’t be interested in a maid…a stunning, gorgeous maid. Of course, there are impediments. She’s a single mom and a cautious one. There are also any number of jealousy issues – either about them, or about status, or about old personal stuff . But this book starts with the death of a hero, and somehow, the perceptions about what is really important, about friendships and people, remain true throughout. Both our main characters are tough enough to disregard opinion, and are nice enough people, individually, to see past a bunch of pointless gossip. There are, however, things one cannot ignore. A dark secret might end them after all…but the revelation is part of the story, and this is no spoiler!
I was intrigued at the start of this book. I sympathized with the small-town boy who no longer belongs, and admired the tough lady, making her own way. Events and the endlessly unexpected kept me turning the pages; as did the seduction scenes, which are amazingly intimate yet classily delivered. And by the end, you’ll see there are a number of ways to be a hero.
The Summer He Came Home is everything it should be, and meets every expectation. Fans of the contemporary romance will be delighted to discover the talented author, Juliana Stone: This book should go to the top of the must read pile.
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...
Guitarist & band front man Cain Black walks straight back into memory: a sad event brings him back to his home town after a decade away – back, in fact, to his old High School crowd.
There’s a bit of the ‘reunion’ type feeling…right up until he meets Maggie O’Rourke. Never let it be said that a rockstar can’t be interested in a maid…a stunning, gorgeous maid. Of course, there are impediments. She’s a single mom and a cautious one. There are also any number of jealousy issues – either about them, or about status, or about old personal stuff . But this book starts with the death of a hero, and somehow, the perceptions about what is really important, about friendships and people, remain true throughout. Both our main characters are tough enough to disregard opinion, and are nice enough people, individually, to see past a bunch of pointless gossip. There are, however, things one cannot ignore. A dark secret might end them after all…but the revelation is part of the story, and this is no spoiler!
I was intrigued at the start of this book. I sympathized with the small-town boy who no longer belongs, and admired the tough lady, making her own way. Events and the endlessly unexpected kept me turning the pages; as did the seduction scenes, which are amazingly intimate yet classily delivered. And by the end, you’ll see there are a number of ways to be a hero.
The Summer He Came Home is everything it should be, and meets every expectation. Fans of the contemporary romance will be delighted to discover the talented author, Juliana Stone: This book should go to the top of the must read pile.
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...
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