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Devereux Family #3
Bending the Rules
The hardest thing is doing what's rightNathan Devereux's parenting days are over. He raised his siblings, and now he's ready to start living a life free of responsibility. After the year he's had, he deserves it. But when the daughter he never knew existed and her way too tempting guardian, Emma Sloan, show up, his plans go out the window.
Nathan can't ignore his daughter…or Emma. Yet having a relationship with them means giving up what he's worked for. Worse, his past is sneaking up behind him and could threaten them all. He faces a choice he's not sure he can make—or even wants to. Turn his back on Emma and his daughter? Or bend the rules to protect them? Either way, their future is at stake.
Nathan can't ignore his daughter…or Emma. Yet having a relationship with them means giving up what he's worked for. Worse, his past is sneaking up behind him and could threaten them all. He faces a choice he's not sure he can make—or even wants to. Turn his back on Emma and his daughter? Or bend the rules to protect them? Either way, their future is at stake.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
Margaret Watson
106 books131 followersUSA Today bestselling author Margaret Watson is a two-time RITA Finalist with thirty books in print for Harlequin and Silhouette and many other award-winning romantic suspense novels.
When not writing, Margaret practices veterinary medicine in the Chicago area.
When not writing, Margaret practices veterinary medicine in the Chicago area.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 13, 2013
***Detailed Review***
I really, really liked BENDING THE RULES. It took a storyline that I usually don’t like and changed it into a really great one.
You know those storylines where the mother kept the child from the father, usually a really rich and powerful one? Then he finds out some way and sets out to get the mother back, but in actually just ends up falling in love with her? I avoid those types, but with BENDING THE RULES the truth didn’t come out until the mother’s death.
Emma Sloan and Nathan Devereux meet on the night Emma’s close friend Sonya Michaels dies, leaving behind 13 year old Harley. Emma’s life is dramatically changed as she is named guardian of Harley and the spark between her and Nathan is forgotten.
Until the will reveals that Nathan is the father. Emma is put in charge of telling and forming a relationship between father and daughter if capable, but Emma soon learns Nathan might not be ready to accept a daughter.
After leaving college to raise his three siblings after his parent’s death, Nathan isn’t ready for this wild card in his life, especially since the trouble he’s gotten the family restaurant in. But with Emma as the bridge between, they are able to deal with the ups and downs while the attraction between them heats.
The emotion in this was so perfectly written and portrayed. Harley was like any 13 year old would be and had various good and bad moments while dealing with all that life had thrown at her. Emma loved Harley so very much and although she wanted Harley to have a father, feared it would mean she would lose her. Nathan felt so much responsibility and guilt. From taking money for the restaurant to his own recovering injury, he feels the need to get away, but his Italy trip now seems questionable as he grows closer to Harley and Emma.
When the restaurant trouble begins putting Emma and Harley at risk, more effort is put into closing the case. I didn’t care too much for this aspect of the story, but felt in the grand scheme of things, it only affected my opinion a little.
When Nathan refuses to put off his trip for the summer, he leaves without Emma and Harley, but soon realizes he didn’t have to leave to find himself anymore. Luckily, Emma decided to take one last leap of faith and they go to him.
I really, really liked BENDING THE RULES. It took a storyline that I usually don’t like and changed it into a really great one.
You know those storylines where the mother kept the child from the father, usually a really rich and powerful one? Then he finds out some way and sets out to get the mother back, but in actually just ends up falling in love with her? I avoid those types, but with BENDING THE RULES the truth didn’t come out until the mother’s death.
Emma Sloan and Nathan Devereux meet on the night Emma’s close friend Sonya Michaels dies, leaving behind 13 year old Harley. Emma’s life is dramatically changed as she is named guardian of Harley and the spark between her and Nathan is forgotten.
Until the will reveals that Nathan is the father. Emma is put in charge of telling and forming a relationship between father and daughter if capable, but Emma soon learns Nathan might not be ready to accept a daughter.
After leaving college to raise his three siblings after his parent’s death, Nathan isn’t ready for this wild card in his life, especially since the trouble he’s gotten the family restaurant in. But with Emma as the bridge between, they are able to deal with the ups and downs while the attraction between them heats.
The emotion in this was so perfectly written and portrayed. Harley was like any 13 year old would be and had various good and bad moments while dealing with all that life had thrown at her. Emma loved Harley so very much and although she wanted Harley to have a father, feared it would mean she would lose her. Nathan felt so much responsibility and guilt. From taking money for the restaurant to his own recovering injury, he feels the need to get away, but his Italy trip now seems questionable as he grows closer to Harley and Emma.
When the restaurant trouble begins putting Emma and Harley at risk, more effort is put into closing the case. I didn’t care too much for this aspect of the story, but felt in the grand scheme of things, it only affected my opinion a little.
When Nathan refuses to put off his trip for the summer, he leaves without Emma and Harley, but soon realizes he didn’t have to leave to find himself anymore. Luckily, Emma decided to take one last leap of faith and they go to him.
March 30, 2019
Bending the Rules by Margaret Watson
The Devereux Family #3
When Nathan Devereux and Emma Sloan meet there is instant attraction but before either of them can act Emma receives a phone call that will change both of their lives. Emma takes on the guardianship of Harley Michaels, a thirteen year old who just lost her mother. When it is discovered that Nathan could be the father of Harley it has a huge impact on a number of people. Throw into the mix not only the loop thrown by Harley’s mother but grieving Harley, an FBI investigation that impacts Nathan and his family and the potential romance between Nathan and Emma and you have a great story that will take you away to Chicago for awhile. I loved the dynamics between Harley and her new uncle, Marco, and wonder if Marco will get a book of his own...or if Harley will at some point in the future.
Thank you to the author for the copy to read and review – This is my honest opinion.
4-5 Stars
The Devereux Family #3
When Nathan Devereux and Emma Sloan meet there is instant attraction but before either of them can act Emma receives a phone call that will change both of their lives. Emma takes on the guardianship of Harley Michaels, a thirteen year old who just lost her mother. When it is discovered that Nathan could be the father of Harley it has a huge impact on a number of people. Throw into the mix not only the loop thrown by Harley’s mother but grieving Harley, an FBI investigation that impacts Nathan and his family and the potential romance between Nathan and Emma and you have a great story that will take you away to Chicago for awhile. I loved the dynamics between Harley and her new uncle, Marco, and wonder if Marco will get a book of his own...or if Harley will at some point in the future.
Thank you to the author for the copy to read and review – This is my honest opinion.
4-5 Stars
March 20, 2019
A wonderful conclusion to the Devereux family series! If you enjoy a series with characters who will become like friends and stories that have romance, suspense and family dynamics that will keep you reading page after page, then this is a series for you. Nathan Devereux dropped out of college and raised his siblings after the tragic death of their parents. Now, his siblings are happy and settled and he can take his dream trip to Italy. He is still dealing with issues at their restaurant, Mama’s Place, and hoping to solve the mystery before he leaves. Then he meets Emma Sloan who has a story he won’t want to hear and adds a new mystery to his life. He learns that he has a thirteen-year old daughter, Harley, a daughter he did not know about. Who was Harley’s mother and why doesn’t he remember her? Who is the person behind the loans that Nathan received? When a threat is made, can he protect his family and Harley…and Emma? Why after all these years has the driver who killed his parents come back in to their lives? Ms. Watson ties everything up and leaves no questions unanswered. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author. (by paytonpuppy)
August 29, 2019
Bending the Rules is another absorbing, emotional romantic suspense story by Margaret Watson. The characters are realistic and sympathetic, particularly Nathan, who was forced by circumstances into a life he never wanted, which explains his somewhat bitter attitude throughout the series. The story is well-written and interesting as Nathan struggles between escaping the life he thinks he doesn't want or staying and accepting the daughter he never knew about and the woman who he falling for. This book ties up a plot line begun in book one so in my opinion, it is really best to read books one and two first. The writing is great and the book was hard to put down. I enjoyed it very much.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Did Not Finish
August 8, 2019I hated this heroine, but was sufficiently intrigued by the mystery surrounding the hero that I looked at the end to see whodunit. It was a surprise, but it also doesn't make any sense.
This one's going back into the donation bin.
This one's going back into the donation bin.
March 12, 2019
Emma Sloan’s best friend, Sonya, has died and her daughter, Harley, has no other family. That is until Sonya’s lawyer drops a bombshell into their lives. As soon as his family’s restaurant’s troubles are settled, Nathan Devereux’s only plans are to finally get to take that trip to Italy he’s wanted. Or so he believes until the shock waves of Sonya’s bombshell hit square in the middle of his life, too.
Nathan and Emma sparked when they first met, but now they have to ignore that ember in order to figure out what’s best for Harley. Of course, we all know embers eventually burst into flame. While Nathan struggles to build a relationship with the teenaged daughter he never knew he had, the restaurant’s troubles may become a threat to Emma and Harley. As Nathan’s feelings for them both grow deeper, will he be able to keep them safe, and what about his plans for leaving? Will he have to sacrifice his own plans again for his family?
This one is a complete heart bender, filled with more than a touch of suspense, plenty of drama, heartwarming and heart-tweaking moments, and just enough steamy passion to keep you captive from beginning to end. There are several twists and turns, and you may be surprised by the outcome of who’s behind the troubles and why. This is a wonderful addition to this extremely entertaining series, but I hope it’s not the end. After all, there’s still one more Devereux brother, and, of course, eventually Harley’s story may need to be told. We can only hope!
Nathan and Emma sparked when they first met, but now they have to ignore that ember in order to figure out what’s best for Harley. Of course, we all know embers eventually burst into flame. While Nathan struggles to build a relationship with the teenaged daughter he never knew he had, the restaurant’s troubles may become a threat to Emma and Harley. As Nathan’s feelings for them both grow deeper, will he be able to keep them safe, and what about his plans for leaving? Will he have to sacrifice his own plans again for his family?
This one is a complete heart bender, filled with more than a touch of suspense, plenty of drama, heartwarming and heart-tweaking moments, and just enough steamy passion to keep you captive from beginning to end. There are several twists and turns, and you may be surprised by the outcome of who’s behind the troubles and why. This is a wonderful addition to this extremely entertaining series, but I hope it’s not the end. After all, there’s still one more Devereux brother, and, of course, eventually Harley’s story may need to be told. We can only hope!
June 3, 2021
Nathan is the Devereaux brother who raised his siblings when their parents were killed by a drunk driver. He gave up his dreams of becoming a lawyer and left college to take over the family restaurant and look after his brothers and sister. Nathan gets into trouble with the restaurant when he accepts a loan to do refurbishments. And now the one behind the loan is making trouble. Out of the blue, Nathan finds out he is the father of a thirteen-year-old girl named Harley. Emma has been made her legal guardian and they have to work together to work out the right thing to do and also Nathan has to keep them both safe. I just cannot get over the talent of this brilliant author. Her books are as good as any I have read and I mean books by very well-known authors. Very highly recommended.
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December 29, 2014Category: Romance with More
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews