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Holloway #2
Lean On Me
Book two of The Holloway Series
Cassidy Clarke once climbed the world's highest mountains, but after an unexpected illness ends her career she's back in her hometown, broke and hoping for a little luck. But the townsfolk aren't exactly putting out a welcome mat for the woman who once snubbed them in the media, despite her apologies now.
Mitch Anders knows someone has set up camp on the grounds of his plant nursery, and he's surprised to find his sexy high school crush ducking questions about where she's staying. Though he's sworn to stop cleaning up other people's messes, Mitch offers Cassidy a job and a place to stay�his place. Bed-sharing optional, but definitely welcome.
Out of options and too attracted to Mitch to keep things platonic, Cassidy says yes to his offer. She wants to get back on her feet financially and start a new career. She never expects to suffer a different kind of fall, one that has her believing Mitch just might bring her something bigger and better than luck.
For more stories of Holloway, check out It's Not Christmas Without You, available now!
39,000 words
118 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2012
9 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
HelenKay Dimon
169 books994 followersHelenKay Dimon is a divorce lawyer-turned-romance author. After dedicating years to helping people terminate relationships she now writes romance novels full time. Her books have earned praise, appeared on bestseller lists, won numerous awards and twice been named Red-Hot Reads and excerpted in Cosmo. She sometimes writes erotic romance, sometimes writes romantic suspense and sometimes writes contemporary romance. But no matter what she's writing her books are always filled with smart banter and sexy times, and a HEA is guaranteed.
-"Sharp writing and plenty of sexy romantic sizzle..." - John Charles, Chicago Tribune
-"So smart, sexy and fast-paced, I devour her stories." - Lori Foster, NYT bestselling author
-"Lots of heat with lots of humor." - MaryJanice Davidson, NYT bestselling author
-"She's a delight." - Christina Dodd, NYT bestselling author
-"Sharp writing and plenty of sexy romantic sizzle..." - John Charles, Chicago Tribune
-"So smart, sexy and fast-paced, I devour her stories." - Lori Foster, NYT bestselling author
-"Lots of heat with lots of humor." - MaryJanice Davidson, NYT bestselling author
-"She's a delight." - Christina Dodd, NYT bestselling author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
November 7, 2012
3 1/2 Stars! Amusing, sizzling fun!
The second book in this series takes us to the town of Holloway, and to Mitch Anders, Carrie's brother. Carrie was featured in It's Not Christmas Without You, were she found everlasting love with Austin, Mitch's best friend. Cassidy Clarke is back in town, after leaving years ago to pursue her dream of climbing the world's highest peaks. Shunned by the townspeople, after making a disparaging comment in an interview about small town life, she returns when she falls on hard times and is looking for a place to hide out. Mitch has had a thing for her since high school, and now the girl who stood him up...or so he thinks...needs him to come to her rescue...but not without a fight!
Some over-the-top fun, but not as heated as the first book. However, the author is no stranger to writing a steamy sexy, love scene...very well done, and I would have liked more. Mitch and Cassie become the fodder of gossip for the townspeople, but Mitch never wavers in his commitment to helping her. He's just looking to be the hero, and have some fun with Cassie, but he never expects her to steal his heart. I loved Cassie's strength and resolve...her determination to find her way beyond the gossip and to prove she is still that woman that the townsfolk admired at the height of her career. I enjoyed their playful dialogue, especially about Mitch's fear of heights...very ironic. The involvement of Spence, Austin's brother, and Travis, the new hottie on the block, in helping Mitch handle Cassie and her situation, made for some amusing moments. I'm almost sure Spence will be featured in a book, but I'm hoping that Travis will too...he was flat out adorable, and wise beyond his years.
I wish the author hadn't given the main female characters from both books in the series, names that were so similar. I was disappointed not to read more about Carrie and Austin, but considering my issue with the names, it would have made it even more confusing to separate the two women. I also wanted more in the end, an epilogue would have completed it nicely. Still a fun read, love the small town life theme, and I'm looking forward to coming back to Holloway!
**Enter to win a copy of this book and the 1st book, It's Not Christmas Without You, in the Holloway series, by visiting Swept Away By Romance. Contest rules are posted on the blog.**
The second book in this series takes us to the town of Holloway, and to Mitch Anders, Carrie's brother. Carrie was featured in It's Not Christmas Without You, were she found everlasting love with Austin, Mitch's best friend. Cassidy Clarke is back in town, after leaving years ago to pursue her dream of climbing the world's highest peaks. Shunned by the townspeople, after making a disparaging comment in an interview about small town life, she returns when she falls on hard times and is looking for a place to hide out. Mitch has had a thing for her since high school, and now the girl who stood him up...or so he thinks...needs him to come to her rescue...but not without a fight!
Some over-the-top fun, but not as heated as the first book. However, the author is no stranger to writing a steamy sexy, love scene...very well done, and I would have liked more. Mitch and Cassie become the fodder of gossip for the townspeople, but Mitch never wavers in his commitment to helping her. He's just looking to be the hero, and have some fun with Cassie, but he never expects her to steal his heart. I loved Cassie's strength and resolve...her determination to find her way beyond the gossip and to prove she is still that woman that the townsfolk admired at the height of her career. I enjoyed their playful dialogue, especially about Mitch's fear of heights...very ironic. The involvement of Spence, Austin's brother, and Travis, the new hottie on the block, in helping Mitch handle Cassie and her situation, made for some amusing moments. I'm almost sure Spence will be featured in a book, but I'm hoping that Travis will too...he was flat out adorable, and wise beyond his years.
I wish the author hadn't given the main female characters from both books in the series, names that were so similar. I was disappointed not to read more about Carrie and Austin, but considering my issue with the names, it would have made it even more confusing to separate the two women. I also wanted more in the end, an epilogue would have completed it nicely. Still a fun read, love the small town life theme, and I'm looking forward to coming back to Holloway!
**Enter to win a copy of this book and the 1st book, It's Not Christmas Without You, in the Holloway series, by visiting Swept Away By Romance. Contest rules are posted on the blog.**
April 15, 2019
3.5 stars
A cute story that started of with a blast, but tapered off halfway through.
Cassidy Clark has chased her dream of climbing the world's 14 highest mountains (more info on them can be found here, on Wikipedia). But, life didn't go as planned. And now she's back in her hometown, in which everybody hates her, with no money and no place to stay. The good thing - she's used to roughing it, all she really needs is a place to set up her tent. Maybe her choice of location wasn't the savviest...
Mitch Anders happens to be one of the owners of the nursery that Cassidy chose as her camping ground. Ever since high school he has been intrigued by her, and now that she's back, he has the opportunity to see if they fit together. Of course, Cassidy might claim not to want anything to do with him, but he can make her see things his way.
I loved the beginning of the story - the humor, the banter and the sparks flying between the characters. Unfortunately, later on, we have the dreaded misunderstanding . And then there's Cassidy stepfather - I don't get him, at all. And his behavior bugged me - a lot.
Now, those aren't big issues, but they definitely spoiled my enjoyment of the book.
However, there are good things in the book. Cassidy and Mitch are mostly OK, and I like the guys that Mitch works with - I'll probably read their stories. And the romance itself is definitely nice. :D
Now, some excerpts that made me smile:
ARC provided by Harlequin via NetGalley
A cute story that started of with a blast, but tapered off halfway through.
Cassidy Clark has chased her dream of climbing the world's 14 highest mountains (more info on them can be found here, on Wikipedia). But, life didn't go as planned. And now she's back in her hometown, in which everybody hates her, with no money and no place to stay. The good thing - she's used to roughing it, all she really needs is a place to set up her tent. Maybe her choice of location wasn't the savviest...
Mitch Anders happens to be one of the owners of the nursery that Cassidy chose as her camping ground. Ever since high school he has been intrigued by her, and now that she's back, he has the opportunity to see if they fit together. Of course, Cassidy might claim not to want anything to do with him, but he can make her see things his way.
I loved the beginning of the story - the humor, the banter and the sparks flying between the characters. Unfortunately, later on, we have the dreaded misunderstanding . And then there's Cassidy stepfather - I don't get him, at all. And his behavior bugged me - a lot.
Now, those aren't big issues, but they definitely spoiled my enjoyment of the book.
However, there are good things in the book. Cassidy and Mitch are mostly OK, and I like the guys that Mitch works with - I'll probably read their stories. And the romance itself is definitely nice. :D
Now, some excerpts that made me smile:
He stood up straight again. “I’m going to walk away thinking we’re on for tomorrow.”
Her good mood faded. “I didn’t—”
“When I do go—” he pointed in the direction of the glassed-in office at the far end of the room, “—you’re going to be tempted to watch my ass.”
The comment was so out of context it hit her like a sharp smack. “Excuse me?”
“Just to be clear, I won’t be offended. As far as I’m concerned, you can go right ahead and look because I can guarantee you if the positions were reversed, I’d be watching yours.”
With her mouth hanging open and her mind muddled, she watched him walk away. No, make that saunter. It was the sure stalk of a hunter, all grace with no wasted steps.
And damn if she didn’t take a peek at his ass.
******
She knocked her hand against his menu, sending it smacking into his face. “Listen to me.”
He frowned and managed to look adorable doing it. “Keep acting like that and someone might make a citizen’s arrest. People like me.”
He wasn’t wrong.
ARC provided by Harlequin via NetGalley
July 25, 2013
My review is up for this one...I do enjoy a small town story...reminds me of going home every summer and running into everyone I knew back when...Enjoy!
You are the company you keep...What happens on Everest should stay on Everest...Never joke around with a reporter...Always do your own books!
Just a few of the cheesy sayings that came to mind while I was reading this story. I loved the idea of a mountain climber that has been to the top of the world only to have to return to earth. Yes, Cassidy is less than perfect and yes, she once joked about her small town childhood and odd townsfolk. But now, after the death of her mother and the loss of everything that meant anything to her, she returns to the only home she ever knew. Her beloved step-father is acting strange, she is ostracized from the town. Her only salvation comes in the form of a former high school jock she once thought was cute.
Said cutie is now not cute at all. No, in fact Mitch Anders is all man...all grown up, handsome, rugged and gorgeous man. And then when he seems determined to get to know Cassidy again, she balks at the very notion. After all, what could the town hero want from the town zero. But as Mitch gets her to open up, I fell into complete momma mode for Cassidy. She was broken, lost and lonely and she really needed not just Mitch's love, but the town's forgiveness.
I loved these two, their crazy little town and their HEA was fast and sweet. I would have loved an even longer story, but what I got was great. Enjoy!
You are the company you keep...What happens on Everest should stay on Everest...Never joke around with a reporter...Always do your own books!
Just a few of the cheesy sayings that came to mind while I was reading this story. I loved the idea of a mountain climber that has been to the top of the world only to have to return to earth. Yes, Cassidy is less than perfect and yes, she once joked about her small town childhood and odd townsfolk. But now, after the death of her mother and the loss of everything that meant anything to her, she returns to the only home she ever knew. Her beloved step-father is acting strange, she is ostracized from the town. Her only salvation comes in the form of a former high school jock she once thought was cute.
Said cutie is now not cute at all. No, in fact Mitch Anders is all man...all grown up, handsome, rugged and gorgeous man. And then when he seems determined to get to know Cassidy again, she balks at the very notion. After all, what could the town hero want from the town zero. But as Mitch gets her to open up, I fell into complete momma mode for Cassidy. She was broken, lost and lonely and she really needed not just Mitch's love, but the town's forgiveness.
I loved these two, their crazy little town and their HEA was fast and sweet. I would have loved an even longer story, but what I got was great. Enjoy!
October 2, 2012
Cover & Title - 4 out of 5
Favorite Line - that’s how a man stakes a claim.”
He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Wait until you see how I do it with my clothes off.”
Favorite Character - Mitch
I liked this story and i managed to connect with the characters pretty much straight away. I found Cassidy like-able and interesting, her career choice was certain unusual. Mitch was really sweet for the most part. The drama part of the story was realistic and entertaining enough.
This was my first read by the author & i certainly would read more of her works in the future. This book is in a series but it isn't a link-in it is just a standalone connected by the town (or maybe the brothers, i am unsure as i haven't read the others).
Favorite Line - that’s how a man stakes a claim.”
He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Wait until you see how I do it with my clothes off.”
Favorite Character - Mitch
I liked this story and i managed to connect with the characters pretty much straight away. I found Cassidy like-able and interesting, her career choice was certain unusual. Mitch was really sweet for the most part. The drama part of the story was realistic and entertaining enough.
This was my first read by the author & i certainly would read more of her works in the future. This book is in a series but it isn't a link-in it is just a standalone connected by the town (or maybe the brothers, i am unsure as i haven't read the others).
September 29, 2012
I didn't enjoy this at all. The 2stars were mainly for the few quirky dialogues because I have to admit that without those this surely would be a DNF.
I didn't enjoy the super busybody town folks, the H/h instant out-of-nowhere attractions nor the girly gossipings between the men. Not a good read, this.
I didn't enjoy the super busybody town folks, the H/h instant out-of-nowhere attractions nor the girly gossipings between the men. Not a good read, this.
October 29, 2012
2.5 stars
Cassidy Clarke used to be at the top of the world... literally. She was a rock climber, climbing the highest mountains in the world, but an unexpected illness ends her career. She's forced to go home to the small town she grew up in and inadvertently snubbed in an interview. Needless to say the people she grew up with aren't all that excited to see her.
Things aren't as one might expect for Cassidy though. She doesn't have a dime to her name, and her step-father is avoiding her. Enter Mitch Anders. He's stunned when he finds out the girl he had a crush on in high school is trespassing on the grounds of his plant nursery.
From the start we get some cute banter and I was excited to see how the book progresses...
He stood up straight again. “I’m going to walk away thinking we’re on for tomorrow.”
Her good mood faded. “I didn’t—”
“When I do go—” he pointed in the direction of the glassed-in office at the far end of the room, “—you’re going to be tempted to watch my ass.”
The comment was so out of context it hit her like a sharp smack. “Excuse me?”
“Just to be clear, I won’t be offended. As far as I’m concerned, you can go right ahead and look because I can guarantee you if the positions were reversed, I’d be watching yours.”
With her mouth hanging open and her mind muddled, she watched him walk away. No, make that saunter. It was the sure stalk of a hunter, all grace with no wasted steps.
And damn if she didn’t take a peek at his ass.
Like I said, I was excited. There was cute banter and some sparks between the two main characters. I'm not sure what happened though. At times I thought the building relationship between Mitch and Cassidy was a bit forced. I also struggled with her step-father as a character. The things he was doing didn't make any sense to me. I mean...
Then there was the big misunderstanding.
I didn't get it. I didn't get how Mitch's issues with his ex even factored into the gossip finally getting to him about Cassidy. He spent the better part of the book defending her to everyone ... even his best friends. Then suddenly he believes this scrap of gossip thinking it to be true?
nope... I didn't buy it.
Overall, the book was cute and the characters were likable. If you're looking for a quick, sweet story this might be for you. It looks like it's a series, and that makes sense. I will say this. I had an ARC and the editing was in desperate need of some attention. I hope that that was cleaned up before this book was released.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy.
This book can be found on my blog, Fic Fare:
Cassidy Clarke used to be at the top of the world... literally. She was a rock climber, climbing the highest mountains in the world, but an unexpected illness ends her career. She's forced to go home to the small town she grew up in and inadvertently snubbed in an interview. Needless to say the people she grew up with aren't all that excited to see her.
Things aren't as one might expect for Cassidy though. She doesn't have a dime to her name, and her step-father is avoiding her. Enter Mitch Anders. He's stunned when he finds out the girl he had a crush on in high school is trespassing on the grounds of his plant nursery.
From the start we get some cute banter and I was excited to see how the book progresses...
He stood up straight again. “I’m going to walk away thinking we’re on for tomorrow.”
Her good mood faded. “I didn’t—”
“When I do go—” he pointed in the direction of the glassed-in office at the far end of the room, “—you’re going to be tempted to watch my ass.”
The comment was so out of context it hit her like a sharp smack. “Excuse me?”
“Just to be clear, I won’t be offended. As far as I’m concerned, you can go right ahead and look because I can guarantee you if the positions were reversed, I’d be watching yours.”
With her mouth hanging open and her mind muddled, she watched him walk away. No, make that saunter. It was the sure stalk of a hunter, all grace with no wasted steps.
And damn if she didn’t take a peek at his ass.
Like I said, I was excited. There was cute banter and some sparks between the two main characters. I'm not sure what happened though. At times I thought the building relationship between Mitch and Cassidy was a bit forced. I also struggled with her step-father as a character. The things he was doing didn't make any sense to me. I mean...
Then there was the big misunderstanding.
I didn't get it. I didn't get how Mitch's issues with his ex even factored into the gossip finally getting to him about Cassidy. He spent the better part of the book defending her to everyone ... even his best friends. Then suddenly he believes this scrap of gossip thinking it to be true?
nope... I didn't buy it.
Overall, the book was cute and the characters were likable. If you're looking for a quick, sweet story this might be for you. It looks like it's a series, and that makes sense. I will say this. I had an ARC and the editing was in desperate need of some attention. I hope that that was cleaned up before this book was released.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy.
This book can be found on my blog, Fic Fare:
October 6, 2012
HelenKay’s website describes the Holloway series as, “A small-town contemporary romance series. The books focus on the men and women of Thomas Nurseries, a landscape company in Holloway, West Virginia, and provide an emotional and sexy story in a novella format.”
Lean on Me is the second book in the three part series. Even though this is part of a series, it isn’t necessary for you to read the first book. Since this is a novella, it consists of roughly 39,000 words and is about 111 pages long. So, it’s a pretty quick read. But somehow it’s a complete story.
Lean on Me focuses on Mitch Anders, Business Manager and co-owner of Thomas Nurseries and Cassidy Clarke, a star Mountain Climber. At one point in time, both were the town of Holloway’s (population 941) favorite son/daughter.
This is a story of how one can literally go from being on top of the world to bottom of the barrel, where people feel they have a right to judge you, without having a clue as to what’s really going on. Lean On Me is different from the other books/novellas in the series, in that it doesn’t take place during the Christmas season.
I found Lean On Me to be both heartbreaking and touching at the same time. It’s romantic and funny. It’s about overcoming your insecurities and being strong enough to stand up for yourself.
What I didn’t like about the book, which is probably what gives the book some of it’s charm, is the town gossip mill. I mean really. It’s like you cough and the whole town finds out about it in less than half an hour, but instead of you coughing, you’re dying of pneumonia.
We get reintroduced to Spence Thomas. If you read It’s Not Christmas Without You, then you might remember him. Spence is another co-owner of the nursery. His story is told in We’ll Be Home for Christmas, coming out this December. But we also get introduced to Travis Yardley, the nursery foreman. Travis was one of my favorite characters and provides a lot of comedy.
Since this is a short story, I don’t want to give too much away. But I will say, you will LOVE Mitch, who is so full of himself that he tells Cassidy immediately that they’re dating. It’s more like hi, we’re dating. You will also love Cassidy for her strength and courage. She’s a survivor in every sense of the word.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my unbiased review.
Lean on Me is the second book in the three part series. Even though this is part of a series, it isn’t necessary for you to read the first book. Since this is a novella, it consists of roughly 39,000 words and is about 111 pages long. So, it’s a pretty quick read. But somehow it’s a complete story.
Lean on Me focuses on Mitch Anders, Business Manager and co-owner of Thomas Nurseries and Cassidy Clarke, a star Mountain Climber. At one point in time, both were the town of Holloway’s (population 941) favorite son/daughter.
This is a story of how one can literally go from being on top of the world to bottom of the barrel, where people feel they have a right to judge you, without having a clue as to what’s really going on. Lean On Me is different from the other books/novellas in the series, in that it doesn’t take place during the Christmas season.
I found Lean On Me to be both heartbreaking and touching at the same time. It’s romantic and funny. It’s about overcoming your insecurities and being strong enough to stand up for yourself.
What I didn’t like about the book, which is probably what gives the book some of it’s charm, is the town gossip mill. I mean really. It’s like you cough and the whole town finds out about it in less than half an hour, but instead of you coughing, you’re dying of pneumonia.
We get reintroduced to Spence Thomas. If you read It’s Not Christmas Without You, then you might remember him. Spence is another co-owner of the nursery. His story is told in We’ll Be Home for Christmas, coming out this December. But we also get introduced to Travis Yardley, the nursery foreman. Travis was one of my favorite characters and provides a lot of comedy.
Since this is a short story, I don’t want to give too much away. But I will say, you will LOVE Mitch, who is so full of himself that he tells Cassidy immediately that they’re dating. It’s more like hi, we’re dating. You will also love Cassidy for her strength and courage. She’s a survivor in every sense of the word.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my unbiased review.
June 5, 2013
By: Helenkay Dimon
Published By: Carina Press
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Book Blog For: GMTA
Series: Holloway #2
Review:
"Lean On Me" by Helenkay Dimon was a good contemporary romance read that was such a fun and very engaging read that once you start it is hard to put down. "Lean on Me" setting was from a small town and there are some humorous antics from all of it like the nicknames events and the people. I found all the characters very relatable. You will be caught up in this well written story about Cassidy and Mitch. Cassidy at one time was the town's sweetheart known as a world-renowned climber until there was something she said that was unfavorable about her hometown and now she has moved back home they have never forgiven her for her remarks. Now, this is where I say that you will have to pick up the good read to find out what happens after Cassidy has to come back home because of her money situation. It seems that people in town have ideas of Cassidy but really no one really knows what happen in all of this. Cassidy has come home after she is not longer able to climb and her business manager has fun off with her money. What is she to do and go?
If you are looking for 'a small town contemporary romance series' read then I would recommend "Lean On Me" to you.
December 30, 2012
3 stars
Okay, I didn't exactly enjoying the story. I did skimming a lot. However, there were some parts that I truly did enjoy. Like when Cassidy had no place to stay, stayed at Mitch and his friends' nursery without permission but for guilt purpose, she offered help which the guys were clueless where it came from. Then, at one part where Cassidy was restless she climbed the roof do cleaning and Mitch nearly had frostbite as he wore nothing but boxer brief. Loved Cassidy for being brave, strong, and fearless. Despite his short temper and being an idiot at one part, Mitch is sweet, caring and overprotective. Their romance was mild, fine by me but the plot line wasn't that interesting.
I do know nosy people exist but to have the whole damn town knows how many times you pee, that way, way out of line. Yes, that one may be a metaphor but the message was very clear, people at the town was so nosy, busybody to the point of ridiculous. One single faux gossip could ruin you entirely. As scary as it may sound, the only way to handle this kind of situation is to just ignore, asked them to back off and stay strong. Well, do so if there is such town like ones in this book.
That is all and I am scared to read Book 3. Hmmm, how now?
Read on your own peril.
Okay, I didn't exactly enjoying the story. I did skimming a lot. However, there were some parts that I truly did enjoy. Like when Cassidy had no place to stay, stayed at Mitch and his friends' nursery without permission but for guilt purpose, she offered help which the guys were clueless where it came from. Then, at one part where Cassidy was restless she climbed the roof do cleaning and Mitch nearly had frostbite as he wore nothing but boxer brief. Loved Cassidy for being brave, strong, and fearless. Despite his short temper and being an idiot at one part, Mitch is sweet, caring and overprotective. Their romance was mild, fine by me but the plot line wasn't that interesting.
I do know nosy people exist but to have the whole damn town knows how many times you pee, that way, way out of line. Yes, that one may be a metaphor but the message was very clear, people at the town was so nosy, busybody to the point of ridiculous. One single faux gossip could ruin you entirely. As scary as it may sound, the only way to handle this kind of situation is to just ignore, asked them to back off and stay strong. Well, do so if there is such town like ones in this book.
That is all and I am scared to read Book 3. Hmmm, how now?
Read on your own peril.
December 26, 2022
Lean On Me on Books On Track
The story of Cassidy Clarke, once a successful professional climber, who finds herself back to the small town where she grew up, where almost everyone is giving her the cold shoulder because of what she said in an interview years ago.
Cassidy is pretty desperate, scammed out of all her savings, with her career over and nobody to turn to. She is camping out on the town's plant nursery while she figures out what to do next, when she meets Mitch Anders, the owner of the nursery.
Mitch used to have a crush on her when they were in school, but she was always too preoccupied to pay attention to him. Determined to take advantage of the opportunity presented to him, he does all he can to get her to give him a chance.
A sweet story about a well suited couple.
Previous book reviews:
✦ It's Not Christmas Without You (Holloway #1)
✦ We'll Be Home for Christmas (Holloway #3)
October 22, 2012
This book tell the story of Cassidy who went back to her hometown in shame after the downfall of her career and betrayal from her manager. She was the least favourite person in her hometown after an interview that she given in the past. With her being back home, obvious she become the talk of the town who has nicknamed her as The Chose One. Her career and downfall is being followed closely by Mitch who seems to have feeling for her since High School and he was the one that has provided home for her when she doesnt have one.
Cassidy is a strong character and is a well matched for Mitch. I like reading about them together and at times, i smile without even me realising it. ;) Overall, this is an enjoyable light read book!
Cassidy is a strong character and is a well matched for Mitch. I like reading about them together and at times, i smile without even me realising it. ;) Overall, this is an enjoyable light read book!
October 4, 2012
Why I read it: I heard the Twitter buzz and snapped it up when it was offered on NetGalley.
What it's about: (from Goodreads) Cassidy Clarke once climbed the world’s highest mountains, but after an unexpected illness ends her career she’s back in her hometown, broke and hoping for a little luck. But the townsfolk aren’t exactly putting out a welcome mat for the woman who once snubbed them in the media, despite her apologies now.
Mitch Anders knows someone has set up camp on the grounds of his plant nursery, and he’s surprised to find his sexy high school crush ducking questions about where she’s staying. Though he’s sworn to stop cleaning up other people’s messes, Mitch offers Cassidy a job and a place to stay—his place. Bedsharing optional, but definitely welcome.
Out of options and too attracted to Mitch to keep things platonic, Cassidy says yes to his offer. She wants to get back on her feet financially and start a new career. She never expects to suffer a different kind of fall, one that has her believing Mitch just might bring her something bigger and better than luck
What worked for me (and what didn't): I knew I was going to like this book when I got to page 9 and found this:
“What happened to your neck?” She closed her eyes the minute the babble left her mouth. Her breath also caught in her throat. She blamed the fumble of words rather than the feel of his hand folded over hers. “I mean, you, ah, look slimmer. Not that you were ever fat.”
One of the bystanders laughed.
Cassidy rushed to cover her most recent verbal disaster, though she feared there would be more. “You were more muscular then. Like, thicker in the shoulder to jaw area. You had a neck, of course. It was just…big.” She swore she heard a gurgling sound. Probably had something to do with her drowning in stupidity.
He held up his free hand as his eyes sparkled with mischief. “That compliment, if that’s what it was supposed to be, was kind of painful.”
“It didn’t sound too great in my head either.”
And the deal was sealed on page 14 when Mitch gets saucy:
“When I do go—” he pointed in the direction of the glassed-in office at the far end of the room, “—you’re going to be tempted to watch my ass.”
The comment was so out of context it hit her like a sharp smack. “Excuse me?”
“Just to be clear, I won’t be offended. As far as I’m concerned, you can go right ahead and look because I can guarantee you if the positions were reversed, I’d be watching yours.”
I love that kind of humour - it put me in mind of Shannon Stacey's Kowalski series and it made me smile as I settled in to read.
Yes, there were things I thought were a little on the thin side - for example, the mystery regarding Cassidy's stepfather Allan's strange behaviour - I mean, seriously, how long did he think he was going to keep that a secret?
And, I would have liked the story to be a bit longer so as to flesh out Mitch's backstory just a little more - I liked the way there wasn't a great big info-dump, but rather was parsed out in small pieces, but at the end, I felt it was not quite enough.
I did think the final "conflict" was a little bit manufactured, given the faith Mitch had shown in Cassidy up til then (and the fact that that faith had consistently been rewarded) but they sorted things out quickly and he groveled sufficiently that I was prepared to let it go. Besides, the guy was hilarious clinging to a tree up the side of what was basically a hill and telling Cassidy (who had climbed Everest for goodness sake) to stay well back from the edge.
Mitch made the story for me - I really think he had most of the best lines:
“When we talk about everything else, we’ll cover that issue too. No more hiding.”
“I’m not really comfortable with any of this. After all, it’s my life. My business.”
“That argument would be more compelling if I hadn’t spent an hour washing shit out of my hair last night.”
Mitch made up his mind as soon as he laid eyes on Cassidy that he was going to be getting to know her very well and I enjoyed his single-mindedness on the issue. He wasn't all alpha caveman about it, but he was quietly determined and with the dimple and the eye-twinkling Cassidy was a goner right from the start. The chemistry between the two was sizzling and fun and even though the book only spanned a few days, I didn't have trouble believing that they had a real and lasting connection.
What else? Another good thing about this was that the small town of Holloway, West Virginia wasn't full of sweet old ladies and kind friends (On Twitter, it was referred to as not being "Stepford"). The townsfolk were pretty fired up about an interview Cassidy did some years before where she was pretty scathing about her hometown and they haven't forgiven her. The gossip mill is active and mean in Holloway - which is the way gossip usually is. Mitch is on Cassidy's side right from the start and that made him a wonderful hero. Here he is again:
Nice and slow, making sure everyone saw and no one got the story wrong, he lowered his head and treated her to a shoe-shaking kiss. He let her have it all, didn’t hold back. And when he lifted his head again she was smiling.
The twinkle had returned to her eyes. “No, that’s how a man stakes a claim.”
He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Wait until you see how I do it with my clothes off.”
It's a light, fun, sexy contemporary which was a pleasure to read.
Grade: B+
http://kaetrinsmusings.blogspot.com.a...
What it's about: (from Goodreads) Cassidy Clarke once climbed the world’s highest mountains, but after an unexpected illness ends her career she’s back in her hometown, broke and hoping for a little luck. But the townsfolk aren’t exactly putting out a welcome mat for the woman who once snubbed them in the media, despite her apologies now.
Mitch Anders knows someone has set up camp on the grounds of his plant nursery, and he’s surprised to find his sexy high school crush ducking questions about where she’s staying. Though he’s sworn to stop cleaning up other people’s messes, Mitch offers Cassidy a job and a place to stay—his place. Bedsharing optional, but definitely welcome.
Out of options and too attracted to Mitch to keep things platonic, Cassidy says yes to his offer. She wants to get back on her feet financially and start a new career. She never expects to suffer a different kind of fall, one that has her believing Mitch just might bring her something bigger and better than luck
What worked for me (and what didn't): I knew I was going to like this book when I got to page 9 and found this:
“What happened to your neck?” She closed her eyes the minute the babble left her mouth. Her breath also caught in her throat. She blamed the fumble of words rather than the feel of his hand folded over hers. “I mean, you, ah, look slimmer. Not that you were ever fat.”
One of the bystanders laughed.
Cassidy rushed to cover her most recent verbal disaster, though she feared there would be more. “You were more muscular then. Like, thicker in the shoulder to jaw area. You had a neck, of course. It was just…big.” She swore she heard a gurgling sound. Probably had something to do with her drowning in stupidity.
He held up his free hand as his eyes sparkled with mischief. “That compliment, if that’s what it was supposed to be, was kind of painful.”
“It didn’t sound too great in my head either.”
And the deal was sealed on page 14 when Mitch gets saucy:
“When I do go—” he pointed in the direction of the glassed-in office at the far end of the room, “—you’re going to be tempted to watch my ass.”
The comment was so out of context it hit her like a sharp smack. “Excuse me?”
“Just to be clear, I won’t be offended. As far as I’m concerned, you can go right ahead and look because I can guarantee you if the positions were reversed, I’d be watching yours.”
I love that kind of humour - it put me in mind of Shannon Stacey's Kowalski series and it made me smile as I settled in to read.
Yes, there were things I thought were a little on the thin side - for example, the mystery regarding Cassidy's stepfather Allan's strange behaviour - I mean, seriously, how long did he think he was going to keep that a secret?
And, I would have liked the story to be a bit longer so as to flesh out Mitch's backstory just a little more - I liked the way there wasn't a great big info-dump, but rather was parsed out in small pieces, but at the end, I felt it was not quite enough.
I did think the final "conflict" was a little bit manufactured, given the faith Mitch had shown in Cassidy up til then (and the fact that that faith had consistently been rewarded) but they sorted things out quickly and he groveled sufficiently that I was prepared to let it go. Besides, the guy was hilarious clinging to a tree up the side of what was basically a hill and telling Cassidy (who had climbed Everest for goodness sake) to stay well back from the edge.
Mitch made the story for me - I really think he had most of the best lines:
“When we talk about everything else, we’ll cover that issue too. No more hiding.”
“I’m not really comfortable with any of this. After all, it’s my life. My business.”
“That argument would be more compelling if I hadn’t spent an hour washing shit out of my hair last night.”
Mitch made up his mind as soon as he laid eyes on Cassidy that he was going to be getting to know her very well and I enjoyed his single-mindedness on the issue. He wasn't all alpha caveman about it, but he was quietly determined and with the dimple and the eye-twinkling Cassidy was a goner right from the start. The chemistry between the two was sizzling and fun and even though the book only spanned a few days, I didn't have trouble believing that they had a real and lasting connection.
What else? Another good thing about this was that the small town of Holloway, West Virginia wasn't full of sweet old ladies and kind friends (On Twitter, it was referred to as not being "Stepford"). The townsfolk were pretty fired up about an interview Cassidy did some years before where she was pretty scathing about her hometown and they haven't forgiven her. The gossip mill is active and mean in Holloway - which is the way gossip usually is. Mitch is on Cassidy's side right from the start and that made him a wonderful hero. Here he is again:
Nice and slow, making sure everyone saw and no one got the story wrong, he lowered his head and treated her to a shoe-shaking kiss. He let her have it all, didn’t hold back. And when he lifted his head again she was smiling.
The twinkle had returned to her eyes. “No, that’s how a man stakes a claim.”
He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Wait until you see how I do it with my clothes off.”
It's a light, fun, sexy contemporary which was a pleasure to read.
Grade: B+
http://kaetrinsmusings.blogspot.com.a...
February 12, 2026
Fast reads but editing is bad; lots of errors.
November 5, 2012
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Rating: C
Cassidy is back in her hometown after an illness stopped her high profile climbing career. A trusted advisor cheated her out of all her savings and she’s left broke, homeless and back home trying to visit her step-father who’s being secretive and dealing with townspeople who love nothing more than to gossip. Cassidy gave an interview in the past that painted her hometown in a bad light. The locals assume the worst, don’t bother asking her about it and instead give her nicknames, think bad of her for not coming home for her mom’s funeral (when in fact she was there), all manner of bad attitudes are shoved at Cassidy. I wondered why in the world she’d want to come back there and would have thought she should have left right away if her step-father didn’t live there.
Enter Mitch, the man who had a crush on Cassidy in high school but their paths never really crossed into dating. He’s staking his claim early on with her whether she likes it or not. The last thing Cassidy is thinking about is dating, her most pressing issue is finding food and a place to stay at night since her step-father is acting weird and not allowing her into the home she grew up in. When Mitch finds out she’s been sleeping in the nursery he works at (and doing random tasks at night to “pay” for her room) he turns on the charm and makes it clear that he wants her, he wants to help her and that starts by taking her home with him. Since everyone has an opinion in this town, they all wonder what Mitch is doing, convinced that Cassidy will be nothing but trouble to him. Thankfully, he doesn’t listen until the end, and their romance seems to just happen. There’s not a lot of build-up, they fall together and become a couple.
I found Cassidy to be a fun character. She certainly puts up with a lot of gossip and talk about her and handles herself better than most would. She’s also dealing with the end of a career she loved totally and has no idea what she wants to do with her life. On top of being broke and having a step-father she loves to pieces giving her the run around, she holds it together as best she can. I also enjoyed Mitch until he made a dumb move that just had me shaking my head. This story is fairly short, so there’s not a lot of time to really ‘get’ a character. That said, throughout the whole story, Mitch was one of the few people who had Cassidy’s back completely. He didn’t let the talk around town and from his friends sway him. He saw something more in Cassidy than the gossips wanted him to believe. Until one gossip started talking about Cassidy’s step-father and the how the issues he’s dealing with were a directly related to Cassidy, in a negative way of course. For some reason, this is the thing that Mitch chose to believe and let it cause a big angst-wrench in their relationship. It just felt weak and a poor reason for some angst to be tossed into their relationship and it ultimately made me think less of Mitch, who I was otherwise enjoying.
This small town romance set in a busy-body town is a read that has some cute moments, some moments that had me shaking my head and it’s an overall ok read. Nothing really blew me away, it’s a romance with a little sweetness but it just didn’t wow me or keep me interested enough in reading anything more in this series.
Rating: C
Cassidy is back in her hometown after an illness stopped her high profile climbing career. A trusted advisor cheated her out of all her savings and she’s left broke, homeless and back home trying to visit her step-father who’s being secretive and dealing with townspeople who love nothing more than to gossip. Cassidy gave an interview in the past that painted her hometown in a bad light. The locals assume the worst, don’t bother asking her about it and instead give her nicknames, think bad of her for not coming home for her mom’s funeral (when in fact she was there), all manner of bad attitudes are shoved at Cassidy. I wondered why in the world she’d want to come back there and would have thought she should have left right away if her step-father didn’t live there.
Enter Mitch, the man who had a crush on Cassidy in high school but their paths never really crossed into dating. He’s staking his claim early on with her whether she likes it or not. The last thing Cassidy is thinking about is dating, her most pressing issue is finding food and a place to stay at night since her step-father is acting weird and not allowing her into the home she grew up in. When Mitch finds out she’s been sleeping in the nursery he works at (and doing random tasks at night to “pay” for her room) he turns on the charm and makes it clear that he wants her, he wants to help her and that starts by taking her home with him. Since everyone has an opinion in this town, they all wonder what Mitch is doing, convinced that Cassidy will be nothing but trouble to him. Thankfully, he doesn’t listen until the end, and their romance seems to just happen. There’s not a lot of build-up, they fall together and become a couple.
I found Cassidy to be a fun character. She certainly puts up with a lot of gossip and talk about her and handles herself better than most would. She’s also dealing with the end of a career she loved totally and has no idea what she wants to do with her life. On top of being broke and having a step-father she loves to pieces giving her the run around, she holds it together as best she can. I also enjoyed Mitch until he made a dumb move that just had me shaking my head. This story is fairly short, so there’s not a lot of time to really ‘get’ a character. That said, throughout the whole story, Mitch was one of the few people who had Cassidy’s back completely. He didn’t let the talk around town and from his friends sway him. He saw something more in Cassidy than the gossips wanted him to believe. Until one gossip started talking about Cassidy’s step-father and the how the issues he’s dealing with were a directly related to Cassidy, in a negative way of course. For some reason, this is the thing that Mitch chose to believe and let it cause a big angst-wrench in their relationship. It just felt weak and a poor reason for some angst to be tossed into their relationship and it ultimately made me think less of Mitch, who I was otherwise enjoying.
This small town romance set in a busy-body town is a read that has some cute moments, some moments that had me shaking my head and it’s an overall ok read. Nothing really blew me away, it’s a romance with a little sweetness but it just didn’t wow me or keep me interested enough in reading anything more in this series.
November 10, 2012
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/11/09/...
I’ve adored HelenKay Dimon’s writing since the first time I picked up one of her books. While her suspense books are great, there is something special about the contemporary romance novellas she does for Carina Press.
Cassidy isn’t looking forward to coming home, especially since no one in town seems to be able to forgive her for her one misstep in the media so many years ago. Where she might have been a world renowned climber once, now she is just a woman down on her luck, without anywhere else to turn. When sexy-as-sin Mitch offers her a job and a place to say, Cassidy is hesitant to accept, but without anywhere else to go….
Mitch always had a thing for Cassidy, and now that she is back in town, he is finally going to get the chance to take her out like he always wanted. But Mitch never expected to have deeper feelings than lust. As the only person in town who has her back, Mitch and Cassidy seem to be somewhat on their own as they stumble into love.
There were some great aspects to this book, and some that I thought were only so-so. Usually I love the small town romances, and our first time in Dimon’s small town was great, but for some reason, it seemed like everyone had some crazy bone to pick with Cassidy, and used her as the scapegoat for all their problems. They were rude and condescending and quick to jump to assumptions they knew absolutely nothing about. While a little bit of anger and resentment and humor in small towns can be fun, this felt (at times) a little over the top. I also thought the sub-plot with Cassidy’s step-father was a little weak, and could have been flushed out more, especially since their relationship with each other was one of the few stable things Cassidy had to rely on in life.
But the romance between Mitch and Cassidy was great. I loved that Mitch was the one person to have her back, that he went toe-to-toe with anyone who said anything negative about her, and was a strong support system for her to lean on. I loved that Cassidy got the chance to help Mitch open up again, and that together they seemed to feel as if they really could take on the world. I adored that about them!
The sexual tension between these two, with the added humor that Dimon does so well was one of the better aspects of this novella. I adored the banter between these two, especially as they were just beginning to get to know one another again. I’m such a sucker for humorous romance books, especially ones that have the high level of sexual tension that we had with Mitch and Cassidy. For me, it just adds another layer to the story and makes me fall in love that much sooner with the characters.
All in all I really enjoyed this story. Despite my desire to bash in some skulls every now and then, the small town setting and chance to reconnect with a high school crush is always a story I can get behind and enjoy. I’m excited to read the third book in the Holloway series, set to release in the December Romancing the Holiday anthology from Carina Press.
I give Lean on Me a B-
I’ve adored HelenKay Dimon’s writing since the first time I picked up one of her books. While her suspense books are great, there is something special about the contemporary romance novellas she does for Carina Press.
Cassidy isn’t looking forward to coming home, especially since no one in town seems to be able to forgive her for her one misstep in the media so many years ago. Where she might have been a world renowned climber once, now she is just a woman down on her luck, without anywhere else to turn. When sexy-as-sin Mitch offers her a job and a place to say, Cassidy is hesitant to accept, but without anywhere else to go….
Mitch always had a thing for Cassidy, and now that she is back in town, he is finally going to get the chance to take her out like he always wanted. But Mitch never expected to have deeper feelings than lust. As the only person in town who has her back, Mitch and Cassidy seem to be somewhat on their own as they stumble into love.
There were some great aspects to this book, and some that I thought were only so-so. Usually I love the small town romances, and our first time in Dimon’s small town was great, but for some reason, it seemed like everyone had some crazy bone to pick with Cassidy, and used her as the scapegoat for all their problems. They were rude and condescending and quick to jump to assumptions they knew absolutely nothing about. While a little bit of anger and resentment and humor in small towns can be fun, this felt (at times) a little over the top. I also thought the sub-plot with Cassidy’s step-father was a little weak, and could have been flushed out more, especially since their relationship with each other was one of the few stable things Cassidy had to rely on in life.
But the romance between Mitch and Cassidy was great. I loved that Mitch was the one person to have her back, that he went toe-to-toe with anyone who said anything negative about her, and was a strong support system for her to lean on. I loved that Cassidy got the chance to help Mitch open up again, and that together they seemed to feel as if they really could take on the world. I adored that about them!
The sexual tension between these two, with the added humor that Dimon does so well was one of the better aspects of this novella. I adored the banter between these two, especially as they were just beginning to get to know one another again. I’m such a sucker for humorous romance books, especially ones that have the high level of sexual tension that we had with Mitch and Cassidy. For me, it just adds another layer to the story and makes me fall in love that much sooner with the characters.
All in all I really enjoyed this story. Despite my desire to bash in some skulls every now and then, the small town setting and chance to reconnect with a high school crush is always a story I can get behind and enjoy. I’m excited to read the third book in the Holloway series, set to release in the December Romancing the Holiday anthology from Carina Press.
I give Lean on Me a B-
October 23, 2012
Cassidy Clarke once climbed the world's highest mountains, but after an unexpected illness ends her career she's back in her hometown, broke and hoping for a little luck. But the townsfolk aren't exactly putting out a welcome mat for the woman who once snubbed them in the media, despite her apologies now. Mitch Anders knows someone has set up camp on the grounds of his plant nursery, and he's surprised to find his sexy high school crush ducking questions about where she's staying. Though he's sworn to stop cleaning up other people's messes, Mitch offers Cassidy a job and a place to stay--his place. Bed-sharing optional, but definitely welcome. Out of options and too attracted to Mitch to keep things platonic, Cassidy says yes to his offer. She wants to get back on her feet financially and start a new career. She never expects to suffer a different kind of fall, one that has her believing Mitch just might bring her something bigger and better than luck.
Cassidy returns her hometown as the Prodigal daughter ~ or, as they've dubbed her, The Chosen One. She's as down on her luck as a girl can get, with her Mom having recently died, been swindled out of every last dime of her money, and no longer able to withstand the death defying climbs that made her famous. And now her step father won't even let her into her childhood home, and she can't figure out what is going on? What's a girl to do except tresspass and camp out on some wide open space? And, after all, she's helping out around Mitch's nursery, so it's like she's paying her room and board...isn't it?
It doesn't take Mitch long to realize that the still gorgeous Cassidy is the tresspasser on the nursery land...and as he's already decided he's going to stake a claim there, he's more than willing to head up that investigation...only he quite figure out what is going on with her. He doesn't listen to the town gossip, as he knows there's so much more to Cassidy than what they have to say...
Wow. This town was filled with some mean & nasty busy bodies ~ I so wouldn't want to live there! Even Mitch's besties bought into the gossip about Cassidy, which made me think less of them...I got that they had put her up on a pedestal and she'd falled pretty far when she'd dissed the town, but come ON...every single person save Mitch bought into it?
I liked the love story, it was sort of a soft, comfortable feeling of easing into it. This was a cute, short read...not sure that I'd want more in this setting as I wasn't a fan of the towns people at ALL, lol. Mitch is a hell of a guy ~ he not only saw Cassidy for what she truly is, he put up with all the crappola his buds were trying to dish up & serve about her & stayed friends with them. Not sure I could have. The side line story of the step father and the house ~ interesting, but short. I liked it, and would have liked to have delved a little deeper into that.
All in all it was a good contemporary read with a solid love story ~ but NOT a great small town read! : D
Cassidy returns her hometown as the Prodigal daughter ~ or, as they've dubbed her, The Chosen One. She's as down on her luck as a girl can get, with her Mom having recently died, been swindled out of every last dime of her money, and no longer able to withstand the death defying climbs that made her famous. And now her step father won't even let her into her childhood home, and she can't figure out what is going on? What's a girl to do except tresspass and camp out on some wide open space? And, after all, she's helping out around Mitch's nursery, so it's like she's paying her room and board...isn't it?
It doesn't take Mitch long to realize that the still gorgeous Cassidy is the tresspasser on the nursery land...and as he's already decided he's going to stake a claim there, he's more than willing to head up that investigation...only he quite figure out what is going on with her. He doesn't listen to the town gossip, as he knows there's so much more to Cassidy than what they have to say...
Wow. This town was filled with some mean & nasty busy bodies ~ I so wouldn't want to live there! Even Mitch's besties bought into the gossip about Cassidy, which made me think less of them...I got that they had put her up on a pedestal and she'd falled pretty far when she'd dissed the town, but come ON...every single person save Mitch bought into it?
I liked the love story, it was sort of a soft, comfortable feeling of easing into it. This was a cute, short read...not sure that I'd want more in this setting as I wasn't a fan of the towns people at ALL, lol. Mitch is a hell of a guy ~ he not only saw Cassidy for what she truly is, he put up with all the crappola his buds were trying to dish up & serve about her & stayed friends with them. Not sure I could have. The side line story of the step father and the house ~ interesting, but short. I liked it, and would have liked to have delved a little deeper into that.
All in all it was a good contemporary read with a solid love story ~ but NOT a great small town read! : D
December 9, 2012
I enjoyed the 2nd book in the Holloway series so much more than the others. I read this series out of order, so this was technically the last book for me. Lean On Me by HelenKay Dimon was such a pleasant surprise. When I read the blurb for this book it just didn’t strike my fancy. I’m so glad I gave it a chance.
Cassidy Clark’s life is spiraling out of control. Not so long ago, she was at the top of her game, literally. As a professional mountain climber she was living her dream, until an unexpected illness took it all away. Still, she had plans for her life now that she could no longer climb. That is until she found out her business manager cleaned her out and has left her penniless. Forced to go back to her hometown, the same hometown that she spoke badly about in an interview, she had to face all of her demons. At least she would have the support of her step dad, whom she remained close to after her mother died of cancer. Except when she showed up nothing was as expected. Well, almost nothing. The townspeople hated her, but the welcome home she expected from the only dad she ever knew wasn’t there. He treated her fine when she was around, but he wouldn’t allow her in the home and found excuses to not be around her for very long. Homeless, penniless and hated Cassidy had to find a way to get her life back.
She pulled back and looked into the face of the man who once told a bratty thirteen-year-old girl that she could be as annoying as she wanted because he would never leave her. He was a good man but the stress pulling at the corner of his eyes told her he had bigger things on his mind than welcoming her home.
Mitch Anderson felt it like a punch in the gut when his high school crush came back to town. He didn’t believe all of the nasty things that the residents of his small West Virginia town said about Cassidy; still he didn’t expect to feel so protective of her. And when it’s brought to his attention that someone is living on the property of his plant nursery illegally he just knows it’s her. Doing some quick damage control with his partners he convinces them to let him handle the situation. Facing his own trust issues and fear of commitment, he has to convince Cassidy to let him in and open up about what is going on with her, find out what is going on with her step dad and get the crazy townspeople to overlook all that they believe is true about Cassidy and actually see the truth.
I found the banter between Cassidy and Mitch so amusing. The other books didn’t have this and I think that’s why I loved this one so much more. This book was such a great, short read. I can’t say enough about it.
“Anyone ever tell you how you swear when you get grumpy?”
His eyebrows lifted. “Then stop pissing me off.”
A special thank you to NetGalley.com for the loan of this book in exchange for my honest review.
You can find this review and others at http://tinar1121.blogspot.com
Cassidy Clark’s life is spiraling out of control. Not so long ago, she was at the top of her game, literally. As a professional mountain climber she was living her dream, until an unexpected illness took it all away. Still, she had plans for her life now that she could no longer climb. That is until she found out her business manager cleaned her out and has left her penniless. Forced to go back to her hometown, the same hometown that she spoke badly about in an interview, she had to face all of her demons. At least she would have the support of her step dad, whom she remained close to after her mother died of cancer. Except when she showed up nothing was as expected. Well, almost nothing. The townspeople hated her, but the welcome home she expected from the only dad she ever knew wasn’t there. He treated her fine when she was around, but he wouldn’t allow her in the home and found excuses to not be around her for very long. Homeless, penniless and hated Cassidy had to find a way to get her life back.
She pulled back and looked into the face of the man who once told a bratty thirteen-year-old girl that she could be as annoying as she wanted because he would never leave her. He was a good man but the stress pulling at the corner of his eyes told her he had bigger things on his mind than welcoming her home.
Mitch Anderson felt it like a punch in the gut when his high school crush came back to town. He didn’t believe all of the nasty things that the residents of his small West Virginia town said about Cassidy; still he didn’t expect to feel so protective of her. And when it’s brought to his attention that someone is living on the property of his plant nursery illegally he just knows it’s her. Doing some quick damage control with his partners he convinces them to let him handle the situation. Facing his own trust issues and fear of commitment, he has to convince Cassidy to let him in and open up about what is going on with her, find out what is going on with her step dad and get the crazy townspeople to overlook all that they believe is true about Cassidy and actually see the truth.
I found the banter between Cassidy and Mitch so amusing. The other books didn’t have this and I think that’s why I loved this one so much more. This book was such a great, short read. I can’t say enough about it.
“Anyone ever tell you how you swear when you get grumpy?”
His eyebrows lifted. “Then stop pissing me off.”
A special thank you to NetGalley.com for the loan of this book in exchange for my honest review.
You can find this review and others at http://tinar1121.blogspot.com
October 18, 2012
My very first HelenKay book…I mean I OWN a couple of others but you know how that goes…they are on my TBR list. If everyone could just stop writing for a little bit..like 10 yrs…and let me catch up, that’d be great. I enjoyed Lean On Me even if I didn’t understand the heroine, Cassidy at all.
Cassidy has slunk back into her childhood town after falling from grace as a professional mountain climber. Not that the townspeople want to see her since she said some not nice things about the town after a hellacious climb that nearly killed her. No money, no friends and not even food to her name, she’s been living on the local greenhouses land in the only thing she has left, a tent.
Regardless of what she may have said in the media, once back in town I can understand why she said what she did, even if when she said it she was half delirious. The townspeople are awful, horrible people and if I was Cassidy there is no way I would ever go back or accept their apology for treating her like a leper. It was ridiculous. The nicknames aimed at shooting down her self esteem, the sordid gossip…seriously, why anyone would want to be around people like that is beyond me. Yet, Cassidy wanted to come home. The only person that was decent to her was Mitch, who has wanted her since high school. He was the only light in this town and the only reason I could work with on Cassidy’s determination to stick around.
I really liked Mitch. He was easy going but stuck up for Cassidy when necessary and since he was pretty much the only one, that made me like him even more. He even went toe to toe with his best friends when it came to defending her. I never really understood the reasoning behind his resistance to a relationship because of his ex. I didn’t find anything to be clearly defined there and since I didn’t really get that flaw of his, when it came time for him to screw up, I wrote it off as him just being a man. Heh. Yeah, I said it.
The side issue of why Cassidy’s stepfather wouldn’t let her in her childhood home wasn’t as strong as I wanted it to be. It did give more fuel to the fire for the horrible townspeople. They assumed it was because Cassidy was a horrible daughter and she didn’t even care enough to come to her own mothers funeral. Of course it was exactly the opposite but I felt it wasn't enough of a conflict for the story. It could have been more. Plus we only saw the stepfather a few times through out the story and I think his character could have been played up a bit. It was hard to understand his motives because the relationship between Cassidy and him didn’t feel complete.
Lean On Me is a easy, cute, fluffy read. Does it stand out in a sea of romance novels? No, not really but I did enjoy it. If only for it’s ability to make me want to pimp slap a whole town of busy body bitches….
I give Lean On Me by HelenKay Dimon 3.50 stars!
Cassidy has slunk back into her childhood town after falling from grace as a professional mountain climber. Not that the townspeople want to see her since she said some not nice things about the town after a hellacious climb that nearly killed her. No money, no friends and not even food to her name, she’s been living on the local greenhouses land in the only thing she has left, a tent.
Regardless of what she may have said in the media, once back in town I can understand why she said what she did, even if when she said it she was half delirious. The townspeople are awful, horrible people and if I was Cassidy there is no way I would ever go back or accept their apology for treating her like a leper. It was ridiculous. The nicknames aimed at shooting down her self esteem, the sordid gossip…seriously, why anyone would want to be around people like that is beyond me. Yet, Cassidy wanted to come home. The only person that was decent to her was Mitch, who has wanted her since high school. He was the only light in this town and the only reason I could work with on Cassidy’s determination to stick around.
I really liked Mitch. He was easy going but stuck up for Cassidy when necessary and since he was pretty much the only one, that made me like him even more. He even went toe to toe with his best friends when it came to defending her. I never really understood the reasoning behind his resistance to a relationship because of his ex. I didn’t find anything to be clearly defined there and since I didn’t really get that flaw of his, when it came time for him to screw up, I wrote it off as him just being a man. Heh. Yeah, I said it.
The side issue of why Cassidy’s stepfather wouldn’t let her in her childhood home wasn’t as strong as I wanted it to be. It did give more fuel to the fire for the horrible townspeople. They assumed it was because Cassidy was a horrible daughter and she didn’t even care enough to come to her own mothers funeral. Of course it was exactly the opposite but I felt it wasn't enough of a conflict for the story. It could have been more. Plus we only saw the stepfather a few times through out the story and I think his character could have been played up a bit. It was hard to understand his motives because the relationship between Cassidy and him didn’t feel complete.
Lean On Me is a easy, cute, fluffy read. Does it stand out in a sea of romance novels? No, not really but I did enjoy it. If only for it’s ability to make me want to pimp slap a whole town of busy body bitches….
I give Lean On Me by HelenKay Dimon 3.50 stars!
November 11, 2012
It is hard to rate audio books when you just don't like the "tone" of the story. With an audio book, a lot of the "tone" comes from the narrator's POV/performance.
This book just seemed whiny. The heroine seemed whiny even when she was saying/doing noble acts. The "comic" relief (at least I think this character was to be comic relief) seemed whiny and pitiful. The stud muffin seemed whiny. The stepfather who was in about 5 percent of the story seemed whiny.
Basic story, small town girl who made it big disses small town. The small town girl who reached the pinnacle (literally) came tumbling back down, all the way down, destitute down.
Small town boy with unrequited passions is there for small town girls when she stumbles home.
Small town boy stands staunchly against the small-town small-mindedness, until the last 30 pages where he starts to get a doubt, the doubt blows up in his face and he has to make the big mea culpa.
The mea culpa was well thought out and well done and at least the hero's whininess in this circumstance was understandable and the heroine dealt with it in a nonwhiney way.
And to the contradictory part of the review. This premise, this story, needed a much longer, much broader platform. An interesting premise with some thought-provoking issues were brought up. But they were dealt with quickly, not very satisfactorily in this small amount of pages. I will just say for a woman who says she has been living outdoors for a while, no mention is made of her cleanliness so I can only assume she is clean and smells good. That just seemed to be a plot hole.
I have heard good/great things about Ms. Dimon. I was excited to see this book on Audible. I am disappointed. I think I will give Ms. Dimon another chance. I won't be giving Gwen Hughes, the narrator, another chance without lots of research.
Oh, and I don't usually pay any attention at all to the covers of books, but this one just caught my attention. It is a cute, colorful cover. It would be perfect for a YA book. The portions of the cover models' faces that you can see look very, very young, not more than 19 or 20. They are leaning up against a wall and the female is dressed very young. It just doesn't fit the book at all to me. Both the H and the h are very physical people, outdoor lives. The young folk on this cover look like they have been inside all their lives. Just seems discordant.
Yeah, I really didn't like this book if I am picking apart someone's stank factor and the cover models' youth.
This book just seemed whiny. The heroine seemed whiny even when she was saying/doing noble acts. The "comic" relief (at least I think this character was to be comic relief) seemed whiny and pitiful. The stud muffin seemed whiny. The stepfather who was in about 5 percent of the story seemed whiny.
Basic story, small town girl who made it big disses small town. The small town girl who reached the pinnacle (literally) came tumbling back down, all the way down, destitute down.
Small town boy with unrequited passions is there for small town girls when she stumbles home.
Small town boy stands staunchly against the small-town small-mindedness, until the last 30 pages where he starts to get a doubt, the doubt blows up in his face and he has to make the big mea culpa.
The mea culpa was well thought out and well done and at least the hero's whininess in this circumstance was understandable and the heroine dealt with it in a nonwhiney way.
And to the contradictory part of the review. This premise, this story, needed a much longer, much broader platform. An interesting premise with some thought-provoking issues were brought up. But they were dealt with quickly, not very satisfactorily in this small amount of pages. I will just say for a woman who says she has been living outdoors for a while, no mention is made of her cleanliness so I can only assume she is clean and smells good. That just seemed to be a plot hole.
I have heard good/great things about Ms. Dimon. I was excited to see this book on Audible. I am disappointed. I think I will give Ms. Dimon another chance. I won't be giving Gwen Hughes, the narrator, another chance without lots of research.
Oh, and I don't usually pay any attention at all to the covers of books, but this one just caught my attention. It is a cute, colorful cover. It would be perfect for a YA book. The portions of the cover models' faces that you can see look very, very young, not more than 19 or 20. They are leaning up against a wall and the female is dressed very young. It just doesn't fit the book at all to me. Both the H and the h are very physical people, outdoor lives. The young folk on this cover look like they have been inside all their lives. Just seems discordant.
Yeah, I really didn't like this book if I am picking apart someone's stank factor and the cover models' youth.
October 4, 2012
Lean on Me on Gone Pecan
Cassidy is back home after travelling around the world, climbing mountains. “The Chosen One” has returned to Holloway, West Virginia after an illness cut her climbing career short. The problem is that the town is holding a grudge because of an interview she did when she wasn’t thinking straight after a climb. Their once golden girl is not exactly welcome. Except by Mitch.
Mitch is one of the few people in town who isn’t whispering behind her back. In fact, the crush he had on her back in high school just kicked back in full force. And then he pretty much demands a date with her and won’t take no for an answer. But hes charming and really hot, so it’s okay.
Cassidy is down on her luck after her mother’s death and the loss of all her money to her money manager’s greed. She has no where to stay, so she camps out at Mitch’s place of business, a nursery. When Mitch discovers the tent and supplies, he realizes it’s for Cassidy.
The story was cute and funny. It was interesting to read about the climbing, it’s new and different, which is always a nice change of pace. I liked Cassidy, how she didn’t really care what people said about her, because every time she turned around, she’d have to listen to more gossip and people referring to her interview and curious stares and seeming resentment coming from the people who used to be proud to call her their hometown girl. She was resourceful and she cared about her stepfather, who was part of a mystery that she needed to solve.
Mitch was interesting. He certainly went after what he wanted and didn’t care that everyone he knew thought it was a bad idea to get mixed up with Cassidy. I didn’t really like his issues that he finally decided to take out on Cassidy and he could have been a little more remorseful when he finally came crawling back to ask forgiveness (isn’t it always the man who does something stupid and has to ask for forgiveness). I really liked some of the other characters, Spencer and Travis and Darla, they really rounded out the story nicely and maybe they’ll be featured in one of the next books in the series.
In the end, it was a sweet story, slightly more interesting due to the heroine’s occupation. I found it a little hard to believe that they discovered they were in love mere days after Cassidy returned home, but it is a romance and I’m willing to suspend disbelief due to that.
Pecans: 3/5
Cassidy is back home after travelling around the world, climbing mountains. “The Chosen One” has returned to Holloway, West Virginia after an illness cut her climbing career short. The problem is that the town is holding a grudge because of an interview she did when she wasn’t thinking straight after a climb. Their once golden girl is not exactly welcome. Except by Mitch.
Mitch is one of the few people in town who isn’t whispering behind her back. In fact, the crush he had on her back in high school just kicked back in full force. And then he pretty much demands a date with her and won’t take no for an answer. But hes charming and really hot, so it’s okay.
Cassidy is down on her luck after her mother’s death and the loss of all her money to her money manager’s greed. She has no where to stay, so she camps out at Mitch’s place of business, a nursery. When Mitch discovers the tent and supplies, he realizes it’s for Cassidy.
The story was cute and funny. It was interesting to read about the climbing, it’s new and different, which is always a nice change of pace. I liked Cassidy, how she didn’t really care what people said about her, because every time she turned around, she’d have to listen to more gossip and people referring to her interview and curious stares and seeming resentment coming from the people who used to be proud to call her their hometown girl. She was resourceful and she cared about her stepfather, who was part of a mystery that she needed to solve.
Mitch was interesting. He certainly went after what he wanted and didn’t care that everyone he knew thought it was a bad idea to get mixed up with Cassidy. I didn’t really like his issues that he finally decided to take out on Cassidy and he could have been a little more remorseful when he finally came crawling back to ask forgiveness (isn’t it always the man who does something stupid and has to ask for forgiveness). I really liked some of the other characters, Spencer and Travis and Darla, they really rounded out the story nicely and maybe they’ll be featured in one of the next books in the series.
In the end, it was a sweet story, slightly more interesting due to the heroine’s occupation. I found it a little hard to believe that they discovered they were in love mere days after Cassidy returned home, but it is a romance and I’m willing to suspend disbelief due to that.
Pecans: 3/5
November 4, 2012
I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Lean on Me by HelenKay Dimon is a light second chance romance with likable lead characters, witty dialogue and just enough sexual heat to keep things hopping. Ms. Dimon captured my attention from the first page and never let go. Tied to Ms. Dimon's previous Holiday release from Carina, It's Not Christmas Without You, this story focuses on Cassidy Clark, once the small town's "Golden One" and Mitch Anders, the local football hero who always had a crush on her while growing up.
Cassidy Clark has had a terrible year; illness has taken away her career as a world class mountain climber, her mother passed away and her business manager stole all of her money. Without any viable choices, Cassidy has come back to Holloway, her hometown, hoping to move back into her childhood home. She never planned on her stepfather denying her entrance to her childhood home or on having the town turn against her. Having no place to go, Cassidy finds herself camping out in the grounds of the local nursery. She never planned on getting caught by one of the owners, Mitch Anders, or on falling in love with him.
Mitch Anders has always had a crush on Cassidy Clark, "The Golden One". Finding out she's come home, he's hoping for a second chance to get to know the girl who got away. He never thought he'd catch her trespassing on his company's grounds, or discover she's really down on her luck. Offering her a place to stay and a job seemed like the right thing to do, falling in love with her wasn't really a part of his plan.
The scenes between Cassidy and Mitch are fun, sexy and full of lots of give and take. While they both know they're attracted to each other, Cassidy wants to take things slow. At least at first. I liked how Ms. Dimon let us get to know both Cassidy and Mitch as individuals before she brought them together as a couple, it didn't seem rushed because they grew up in the same small town. Both Cassidy and Mitch have issues from their past they will have to work through and not everything goes easily, especially since Cassidy keeps waiting for something to go wrong. It's been her experience for the last year.
Will Cassidy and Mitch be able to withstand the pressures of living in a gossipy little town? And will they really learn to trust each other with everything they are? You'll have to read Lean on Me to find out. I really enjoyed it.
Lean on Me by HelenKay Dimon is a light second chance romance with likable lead characters, witty dialogue and just enough sexual heat to keep things hopping. Ms. Dimon captured my attention from the first page and never let go. Tied to Ms. Dimon's previous Holiday release from Carina, It's Not Christmas Without You, this story focuses on Cassidy Clark, once the small town's "Golden One" and Mitch Anders, the local football hero who always had a crush on her while growing up.
Cassidy Clark has had a terrible year; illness has taken away her career as a world class mountain climber, her mother passed away and her business manager stole all of her money. Without any viable choices, Cassidy has come back to Holloway, her hometown, hoping to move back into her childhood home. She never planned on her stepfather denying her entrance to her childhood home or on having the town turn against her. Having no place to go, Cassidy finds herself camping out in the grounds of the local nursery. She never planned on getting caught by one of the owners, Mitch Anders, or on falling in love with him.
Mitch Anders has always had a crush on Cassidy Clark, "The Golden One". Finding out she's come home, he's hoping for a second chance to get to know the girl who got away. He never thought he'd catch her trespassing on his company's grounds, or discover she's really down on her luck. Offering her a place to stay and a job seemed like the right thing to do, falling in love with her wasn't really a part of his plan.
The scenes between Cassidy and Mitch are fun, sexy and full of lots of give and take. While they both know they're attracted to each other, Cassidy wants to take things slow. At least at first. I liked how Ms. Dimon let us get to know both Cassidy and Mitch as individuals before she brought them together as a couple, it didn't seem rushed because they grew up in the same small town. Both Cassidy and Mitch have issues from their past they will have to work through and not everything goes easily, especially since Cassidy keeps waiting for something to go wrong. It's been her experience for the last year.
Will Cassidy and Mitch be able to withstand the pressures of living in a gossipy little town? And will they really learn to trust each other with everything they are? You'll have to read Lean on Me to find out. I really enjoyed it.
October 31, 2013
Out of options and too attracted to Mitch to keep things platonic, Cassidy says yes to his offer. She wants to get back on her feet financially and start a new career. She never expects to suffer a different kind of fall, one that has her believing Mitch just might bring her something bigger and better than luck.
This was an enjoyable short story by Helenkay Dimon that I thought was cute. Cassidy Clark is a famous climber that has fallen on some hard times and has come home to figure out what happens next. What she wants to do with her life now that her life has fallen into the toilet. But her step-dad is acting weird and hiding from her. She can’t stay at her childhood home and she has no money to stay at the hotel so Cassidy finds herself squatting at the town’s plant nursery…which just so happens to be co-owned by Mitch Anders. Cassidy remembers Mitch from high school but they didn’t run in the same circles so he wasn’t really on her radar back then. He’s not really on her radar now but that doesn’t stop him from putting himself there, time and time again.
Mitch has always had a bit of a crush on Cassidy Clark back in the day and seeing her now, brings that all surfacing to the top. Only difference this time around is he’s going after what he wants. When he starts to find out more about why Cassidy is back, he can’t help himself. Captain Save a Hoe to the rescue.
Mitch and Cassidy were the perfect fit for each other. They complimented each other and they just kind of fit together. I loved the way that Mitch threw himself into helping her. He was such a strong and solid presence in her life and she needed him. I was thrilled that he could be there for her because I adored him. That blip toward the end made me want to smack some sense into him but I forgave him for that because well, he’s so damn hot. Cassidy was strong and I loved the way that she just kind of dealt with what was thrown at her, all the while still keeping a sense of humor about life in general. She was funny, she was smart and she wasn’t perfect. I liked her.
I wasn’t a fan of the way that Alan chose to deal with the whole house thing but it was dealt with and I liked that. The secondary characters grew on me as well. At first, I wanted to smack Spence upside his head but he grew on me as the story progressed.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. For such a short story, I didn’t think the story suffered at all. I was a happy camper after I finished it. Kudos to Helenkay for writing another entertaining and too cute for words story.
This was an enjoyable short story by Helenkay Dimon that I thought was cute. Cassidy Clark is a famous climber that has fallen on some hard times and has come home to figure out what happens next. What she wants to do with her life now that her life has fallen into the toilet. But her step-dad is acting weird and hiding from her. She can’t stay at her childhood home and she has no money to stay at the hotel so Cassidy finds herself squatting at the town’s plant nursery…which just so happens to be co-owned by Mitch Anders. Cassidy remembers Mitch from high school but they didn’t run in the same circles so he wasn’t really on her radar back then. He’s not really on her radar now but that doesn’t stop him from putting himself there, time and time again.
Mitch has always had a bit of a crush on Cassidy Clark back in the day and seeing her now, brings that all surfacing to the top. Only difference this time around is he’s going after what he wants. When he starts to find out more about why Cassidy is back, he can’t help himself. Captain Save a Hoe to the rescue.
Mitch and Cassidy were the perfect fit for each other. They complimented each other and they just kind of fit together. I loved the way that Mitch threw himself into helping her. He was such a strong and solid presence in her life and she needed him. I was thrilled that he could be there for her because I adored him. That blip toward the end made me want to smack some sense into him but I forgave him for that because well, he’s so damn hot. Cassidy was strong and I loved the way that she just kind of dealt with what was thrown at her, all the while still keeping a sense of humor about life in general. She was funny, she was smart and she wasn’t perfect. I liked her.
I wasn’t a fan of the way that Alan chose to deal with the whole house thing but it was dealt with and I liked that. The secondary characters grew on me as well. At first, I wanted to smack Spence upside his head but he grew on me as the story progressed.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. For such a short story, I didn’t think the story suffered at all. I was a happy camper after I finished it. Kudos to Helenkay for writing another entertaining and too cute for words story.
November 12, 2012
Cassidy Clarke is back in her small hometown after having a career in climbing really high mountains. She was the town’s star, until after one climb she said some not so nice things about her hometown, causing much distress among the locals. After an illness and an embezzlement fiasco, she is back in her hometown, broke with a very chilly reception. One of the first people she sees is Mitch Anders. Mitch was the star football player back in high school who once asked her out. At the time Cassidy assumed he was joking and brushed it off but when she meets him in present day he informs her he wasn’t joking that day and he starts up with flirting. Her mom has recently died and her stepfather won’t let her in his house (reasons you discover as you read). She can’t catch a break.
Mitch runs a nursery and starts to notice someone is camping out at night. Not only trespassing on his grounds but cleaning up too. It doesn’t take long to realize Cassidy is the one that must be doing it. Mitch takes it upon himself to figure out what is going on with her and try to discover all of her secrets.
First let me say, this town does NOT like Cassidy, for the comments she made about the town in the interview. They spread rumors and are just nasty. I like my small town romances to be fun and quirky. Not mean and rude. It just didn’t interest me to read a small town romance with the town this set against the heroine. Another disappointment I had is how familiar Mitch acts with Cassidy when she first gets back into town. Yes they went to high school together but they didn’t really know each other at the time, and then have no contact for the next ten years. So when Cassidy plops into town, he acts like they used to be best friends or something. He doesn’t’ act like a stranger, which is really what he is. This frustrated me.
That’s not to say this is an entirely bad book. There are sweet and cute moments as the story progresses, as Mitch makes an effort to get on Cassidy’s good side. But even at the end, the declaration of love is rushed and needed more pages to develop.
I didn’t read the first book in this series so I can’t compare it to that. I think I’ll wait for review of the next book before picking it up.
Rating: C
Mitch runs a nursery and starts to notice someone is camping out at night. Not only trespassing on his grounds but cleaning up too. It doesn’t take long to realize Cassidy is the one that must be doing it. Mitch takes it upon himself to figure out what is going on with her and try to discover all of her secrets.
First let me say, this town does NOT like Cassidy, for the comments she made about the town in the interview. They spread rumors and are just nasty. I like my small town romances to be fun and quirky. Not mean and rude. It just didn’t interest me to read a small town romance with the town this set against the heroine. Another disappointment I had is how familiar Mitch acts with Cassidy when she first gets back into town. Yes they went to high school together but they didn’t really know each other at the time, and then have no contact for the next ten years. So when Cassidy plops into town, he acts like they used to be best friends or something. He doesn’t’ act like a stranger, which is really what he is. This frustrated me.
That’s not to say this is an entirely bad book. There are sweet and cute moments as the story progresses, as Mitch makes an effort to get on Cassidy’s good side. But even at the end, the declaration of love is rushed and needed more pages to develop.
I didn’t read the first book in this series so I can’t compare it to that. I think I’ll wait for review of the next book before picking it up.
Rating: C
October 14, 2012
This review is also posted on my blog, The Rambling Readerista
Lean On Me is a fun and quirky story about a young woman returning to her little hometown after ten years of absence, encountering both friends and town gossips, warm and cold welcomes, love and family. The book is the second in the Holloway Series, but it can be read as a standalone and the reader will not have a feeling of missing anything. It can only make the reader go to book #1 to get acquainted with some of the other characters.
The book resolves mainly around the love story of Mich and Cassidy, both of whom have lost some of their dreams along the way of the ten years' absence. Still, there are other characters that are typical small town mentalities people, but also some that are well worth reading this book for.
Lean On Me started off interestingly, with Mitch being very cool for a guy who had a crush on Cassidy a while ago in high school. What I regret most that there is very little to the overall characterization of the protagonists. On the other hand, the small town mentality presented in the book as gossipy and judging is what annoys the reader most. It is because of this typicality that I find the book completely ordinary.
I cannot write such a long review, because I would be just dissecting a writing that cannot be dissected in such detail because it would lose it's purpose. This is a lovely story of contemporary romance, family bonds, losses and hurt that will warm any reader's rainy afternoon. The story is a cute one, humor is all-present, the author's language quirky and easily read, and that is all there really is to it. There is not much happening, or any big and unexpected turnouts in the events, not much for the suspense can be found in the story, but it still seemed to be enough to pull this book through. I have decided that this is an average book that has ended up being an okay and relaxing read.
Lean On Me is a fun and quirky story about a young woman returning to her little hometown after ten years of absence, encountering both friends and town gossips, warm and cold welcomes, love and family. The book is the second in the Holloway Series, but it can be read as a standalone and the reader will not have a feeling of missing anything. It can only make the reader go to book #1 to get acquainted with some of the other characters.
The book resolves mainly around the love story of Mich and Cassidy, both of whom have lost some of their dreams along the way of the ten years' absence. Still, there are other characters that are typical small town mentalities people, but also some that are well worth reading this book for.
Lean On Me started off interestingly, with Mitch being very cool for a guy who had a crush on Cassidy a while ago in high school. What I regret most that there is very little to the overall characterization of the protagonists. On the other hand, the small town mentality presented in the book as gossipy and judging is what annoys the reader most. It is because of this typicality that I find the book completely ordinary.
I cannot write such a long review, because I would be just dissecting a writing that cannot be dissected in such detail because it would lose it's purpose. This is a lovely story of contemporary romance, family bonds, losses and hurt that will warm any reader's rainy afternoon. The story is a cute one, humor is all-present, the author's language quirky and easily read, and that is all there really is to it. There is not much happening, or any big and unexpected turnouts in the events, not much for the suspense can be found in the story, but it still seemed to be enough to pull this book through. I have decided that this is an average book that has ended up being an okay and relaxing read.
October 20, 2012
My Review:
This was a story that I truly enjoyed. It was short enough to be able to read in a single sitting, which was good because I didn't want to put it down. I got completely caught up in the story between Cassidy and Mitch.
Cassidy used to be the town's sweetheart as a world-renowned climber. She was their pride and joy, until altitude sickness got her and she was quoted saying some unfavorable things about her hometown. They've never forgiven her.
This is a small town and the rumor-mill seems to be more productive than most...usually spouting off incorrect facts at the detriment of Cassidy's reputation, but after losing all her money she has no choice to return home to the step-father she loves. BUT he's hiding secrets too so she's left basically homeless, sneaking into the local nursery to sleep at night. The same nursery where Mitch works.
Cassidy has been harshly judged and convicted and you can't help but feel for her. But I also felt a lot of admiration for her as she keeps her head high and remains tough. She's not going to let the town busy-bodies affect her. The one person who does affect her is Mitch.
There are a lot of characters in this small book and I loved them all and the way that they interacted with each other. There were some bad assumptions made, but those people were ready to rescind those comments quickly when they found out they were wrong and then stood beside Cassidy...I liked that. I liked all the guys at the nursery and their easy camaraderie. They have both great working relationships and friendships. I hope all those guys get their own story....come on Spencer and Travis.
An aside...I didn't realize until I started writing this review that I read Mitch's sister's story in last year's Holiday Kisses Anthology...I loved that story between Carrie (Mitch's sister) and Austin (one of the owners of the nursery).
I received a complementary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This was a story that I truly enjoyed. It was short enough to be able to read in a single sitting, which was good because I didn't want to put it down. I got completely caught up in the story between Cassidy and Mitch.
Cassidy used to be the town's sweetheart as a world-renowned climber. She was their pride and joy, until altitude sickness got her and she was quoted saying some unfavorable things about her hometown. They've never forgiven her.
This is a small town and the rumor-mill seems to be more productive than most...usually spouting off incorrect facts at the detriment of Cassidy's reputation, but after losing all her money she has no choice to return home to the step-father she loves. BUT he's hiding secrets too so she's left basically homeless, sneaking into the local nursery to sleep at night. The same nursery where Mitch works.
Cassidy has been harshly judged and convicted and you can't help but feel for her. But I also felt a lot of admiration for her as she keeps her head high and remains tough. She's not going to let the town busy-bodies affect her. The one person who does affect her is Mitch.
There are a lot of characters in this small book and I loved them all and the way that they interacted with each other. There were some bad assumptions made, but those people were ready to rescind those comments quickly when they found out they were wrong and then stood beside Cassidy...I liked that. I liked all the guys at the nursery and their easy camaraderie. They have both great working relationships and friendships. I hope all those guys get their own story....come on Spencer and Travis.
An aside...I didn't realize until I started writing this review that I read Mitch's sister's story in last year's Holiday Kisses Anthology...I loved that story between Carrie (Mitch's sister) and Austin (one of the owners of the nursery).
I received a complementary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
October 7, 2012
Overall a cute story that lost its steam halfway through the book. Cassidy has fallen on hard times and must return to her hometown, where she's not exactly welcomed after an interview she gave, making fun of Holloway, WV. Mitch had a crush (?) on Cassidy in high school, but Cassidy was a bit of a loner and didn't take Mitch asking her out seriously. So now that Cassidy is back, Mitch pounces on her, wanting to finally have that date. While Cassidy is trying to figure out her life, the entire town of Holloway hates her and is all up in her business. She even has a nickname, The Chosen, and it's not a compliment.
Lean On Me started off strong. I thought Mitch was cute and sexy. Cassidy has a lot going on in her life so she's not exactly open for a relationship of any kind. What dragged the story down was the people of Holloway. A lot of CR are set in small towns because small towns are cute and the citizens are quirky. But the folks of Holloway were annoying, mean and down right rude. It wore me down and took away from the overall romance between Mitch and Cassidy.
Lean On Me is not a full-length novel so the romance moves pretty fast. I guess that's why Mitch acted like they dated for years in high school instead of a guy who simply had a crush. Seriously, he was never her boyfriend and yet he acts like he has claim to her. That annoyed me as well.
I was still liking Mitch until the very end. After defending Cassidy to everyone who bad mouthed her, he finally gives into the gossip and has a bit of doubt. Really? I felt that the conjured up conflict was unnecessary when he had zero doubt about her for most of the book!
Lean on Me is a cute story and quick read. Didn't like the small town as the backdrop. The people weren't quirky. They were mean and judgmental busybodies! I suggest that Cassidy and Mitch move to a new town.
2.5 stars
Lean On Me started off strong. I thought Mitch was cute and sexy. Cassidy has a lot going on in her life so she's not exactly open for a relationship of any kind. What dragged the story down was the people of Holloway. A lot of CR are set in small towns because small towns are cute and the citizens are quirky. But the folks of Holloway were annoying, mean and down right rude. It wore me down and took away from the overall romance between Mitch and Cassidy.
Lean On Me is not a full-length novel so the romance moves pretty fast. I guess that's why Mitch acted like they dated for years in high school instead of a guy who simply had a crush. Seriously, he was never her boyfriend and yet he acts like he has claim to her. That annoyed me as well.
I was still liking Mitch until the very end. After defending Cassidy to everyone who bad mouthed her, he finally gives into the gossip and has a bit of doubt. Really? I felt that the conjured up conflict was unnecessary when he had zero doubt about her for most of the book!
Lean on Me is a cute story and quick read. Didn't like the small town as the backdrop. The people weren't quirky. They were mean and judgmental busybodies! I suggest that Cassidy and Mitch move to a new town.
2.5 stars
October 22, 2012
This review was posted at Under the Covers
I first read this author in the HOLIDAY KISSES anthology last year. That was the first Holloways story as well. I thought then that there was something missing on a story that otherwise had good potential. And that is exactly how I feel about this book as well.
The general idea of the small town girl, Cassidy, that went away and became successful professional climber, then during a media "oops" said some hurtful things about her town. She is now down on her luck and comes back to town where her stepfather still lives. Then she reconnects with the then high school football star, Mitch. He had also gone on to pursue his career and due to injury and just life he is back home. They never had a relationship then but he always had a crush on her so he goes for it now. See, general idea I liked it!
And this is where it sort of fell apart for me because I just didn't connect with Cassidy. Some of the things she did, and how she did them, the positions she put herself in...I just couldn't get it. Mitch kept having to approach her like he would a scared and cornered animal, almost literally.
Mitch on the other hand was hot and sexy and totally delicious. He's the reason I kept reading and that I enjoyed what I enjoyed of the story. He's that perfect guy you want to me. He's good looking, the town's most eligible bachelor, he has a good head on his shoulders. But he's also caring and supportive. I just thought there could've been more to the story and it did fall a bit short of my expectations. Okay read but not memorable.
*ARC provided by author
I first read this author in the HOLIDAY KISSES anthology last year. That was the first Holloways story as well. I thought then that there was something missing on a story that otherwise had good potential. And that is exactly how I feel about this book as well.
The general idea of the small town girl, Cassidy, that went away and became successful professional climber, then during a media "oops" said some hurtful things about her town. She is now down on her luck and comes back to town where her stepfather still lives. Then she reconnects with the then high school football star, Mitch. He had also gone on to pursue his career and due to injury and just life he is back home. They never had a relationship then but he always had a crush on her so he goes for it now. See, general idea I liked it!
And this is where it sort of fell apart for me because I just didn't connect with Cassidy. Some of the things she did, and how she did them, the positions she put herself in...I just couldn't get it. Mitch kept having to approach her like he would a scared and cornered animal, almost literally.
Mitch on the other hand was hot and sexy and totally delicious. He's the reason I kept reading and that I enjoyed what I enjoyed of the story. He's that perfect guy you want to me. He's good looking, the town's most eligible bachelor, he has a good head on his shoulders. But he's also caring and supportive. I just thought there could've been more to the story and it did fall a bit short of my expectations. Okay read but not memorable.
*ARC provided by author
October 21, 2012
Book 1 was a Christmas story from 2011 called "It's not Christmas without you". I read it last year and really enjoyed it so i was happy to see another installment in this novella series. Cassidy Clark was shy in school. Quiet and kept to herself. The one thing she concentrated on was climbing. As a adult she turned herself into a world class climber. She made a big name for herself. So big in fact she had sponsors and a team that she needed so she could do the big climbs. She had everything she could ever want out of life. It all fell part over a short period of time. Sick from a illness caused from the high climbs she gave a interview where she bad mouthed her hometown. Delirious at the time she didn't realize until later what she said and the reporter didn't care. Now everyone in her hometown hates her. Top it off after finding she couldn't do the climbs anymore the guy handling her money wasn't taking care of it so much as stealing it. She's broke. Then her beloved mother dies. The people in town all have ideas about Cassidy but no one knows the real truth. Mitch had a crush on Cassidy in high school but thought she hated him. She's back now and all the rumors about her don't bother him at all. The old feelings are still there but now their both older and more mature. Problem is there are some red flags about Cassidy that Mitch is curious about. He decides one way or another he's going to find out what's going on. Mitch always wants to help but has his own problems with opening his heart. Question is can either of them open up enough to make a relationship work? This story has a serious as well as a fun side and they are nicely meshed together by HelenKay Dimon. You might laugh and you might cry but in the end you just feel good when your done.
October 13, 2013
This was a cute, quick read that was sort of a second chance romance…well for one half of the couple anyway. I really liked Mitch from the get go. He wasn’t afraid to say what he wanted or to call Cassidy out for standing him up back in high school. Too bad she didn’t really think he was asking her out back then and she never really said she was going to show up. I wasn’t so sure about Cassidy. I didn’t find her as relatable as Mitch and I was often confused by her actions.
I was kind of torn by this book because everything happened so quickly. It wasn’t quite insta-love and Mitch had been interested in Cassidy back when they were in high school, but the development of feelings between them did seem really fast. On top of that, there was a weird situation with Cassidy’s stepfather that bugged me. I mean, I know a lot of adults who keep financial things from their kids, but this was a little above and beyond that. Also, because there always has to be some kind of drama or bump in the road for the romance aspect of the story, there was a misunderstanding that seemed so far out of Mitch’s character that I was really confused by the scene. The entire book he talks about people believing the gossip about Cassidy and how they shouldn’t. He defends her left and right and then all of a sudden he’s believing something stupid that some old gossip monger told him?
Overall, this was a decent book. I would have liked a little more development of characters and a little more time between meeting and the declaration of love, but what can you do.
Arc provided by the publisher via Netgalley
I was kind of torn by this book because everything happened so quickly. It wasn’t quite insta-love and Mitch had been interested in Cassidy back when they were in high school, but the development of feelings between them did seem really fast. On top of that, there was a weird situation with Cassidy’s stepfather that bugged me. I mean, I know a lot of adults who keep financial things from their kids, but this was a little above and beyond that. Also, because there always has to be some kind of drama or bump in the road for the romance aspect of the story, there was a misunderstanding that seemed so far out of Mitch’s character that I was really confused by the scene. The entire book he talks about people believing the gossip about Cassidy and how they shouldn’t. He defends her left and right and then all of a sudden he’s believing something stupid that some old gossip monger told him?
Overall, this was a decent book. I would have liked a little more development of characters and a little more time between meeting and the declaration of love, but what can you do.
Arc provided by the publisher via Netgalley
November 24, 2012
The formerly famous mountain climber, Cassidy Clarke is back in town. Her hometown, the one she accidentally "snubbed" in a newspaper article she had no idea she was being quoted for. In her first foray back into the area's social society, she runs into an old classmate, Mitch Anders.
Mitch owns the nursery (think plants, not babies) that the event is being held at and sees Cassidy right away. He always liked her in high school and doesn't believe all that he reads, so when he comes over to her, he isn't coy. She doesn't understand his interest, but can't deny the attraction, so she agrees to one date. As they get to know each other, learn secrets, and find out what really happened in that fateful interview, they fall pretty hard and fast for one another.
I liked Mitch and how he always had faith in Cassidy (except for a stumble towards the end, but he was forgiven). He was a solid guy and even though I didn't know the history of the other guys he owns the nursery with (since I missed the first book in the series,) I liked his friendly bromance chemistry with them.
Cassidy was a really interesting character, especially since professional mountain climbing isn't a typical heroine job. I liked that Ms. Dimon did her research on the thrills and dangers of climbing high altitudes.
Although it wasn't anything that knocked my socks off, it was still definitely enjoyable and a cute read.
Grade: B
This review & others also found on Red Hot Books
Mitch owns the nursery (think plants, not babies) that the event is being held at and sees Cassidy right away. He always liked her in high school and doesn't believe all that he reads, so when he comes over to her, he isn't coy. She doesn't understand his interest, but can't deny the attraction, so she agrees to one date. As they get to know each other, learn secrets, and find out what really happened in that fateful interview, they fall pretty hard and fast for one another.
I liked Mitch and how he always had faith in Cassidy (except for a stumble towards the end, but he was forgiven). He was a solid guy and even though I didn't know the history of the other guys he owns the nursery with (since I missed the first book in the series,) I liked his friendly bromance chemistry with them.
Cassidy was a really interesting character, especially since professional mountain climbing isn't a typical heroine job. I liked that Ms. Dimon did her research on the thrills and dangers of climbing high altitudes.
Although it wasn't anything that knocked my socks off, it was still definitely enjoyable and a cute read.
Grade: B
This review & others also found on Red Hot Books
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