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Band of Brothers #5
Taming the Last Acosta
Her mother told her never to play with fire…Living her life vicariously through a camera lens, photojournalist Romy Winner is happy to stay in the background capturing other people's happiness. Until former Argentinean polo champion turned Special Forces soldier Kruz Acosta challenges her to step out of the shadows—and into his bed!
Their recklessness has one startling repercussion that would never be linked to a man with such a wicked reputation. If Romy is to secure her child's future, she must get beneath the mask that hides his scars and learn how to tame the wild Acosta.
Plus a Susan Stephens reader-favorite story: Italian Boss, Proud Miss Prim
Their recklessness has one startling repercussion that would never be linked to a man with such a wicked reputation. If Romy is to secure her child's future, she must get beneath the mask that hides his scars and learn how to tame the wild Acosta.
Plus a Susan Stephens reader-favorite story: Italian Boss, Proud Miss Prim
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
24 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Susan Stephens
740 books135 followersUSA TODAY best-selling author Susan Stephens' books have captivated readers worldwide with over 11 million copies sold. Her work crosses cultures and continents, having been translated into 26 languages and reaching readers in 109 countries. This year marks a milestone as Susan's 100th book is slated for publication.
NEW SERIES!
ACOSTAS RAW Ranchers, rodeo and passion
1. BEAU
2. COLT
3. BLAKE
4. CHRISTMAS WITH ANGEL
BLOOD AND THUNDER
1. ALEXEI
2. DANTE
3. DIEGO
4. CESAR
5. CONNOR .
- BOX SET books. 1-4
6. ELIJAH Coming soon
NEW SERIES!
ACOSTAS RAW Ranchers, rodeo and passion
1. BEAU
2. COLT
3. BLAKE
4. CHRISTMAS WITH ANGEL
BLOOD AND THUNDER
1. ALEXEI
2. DANTE
3. DIEGO
4. CESAR
5. CONNOR .
- BOX SET books. 1-4
6. ELIJAH Coming soon
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 19, 2021
Okayyyy... I should have known that this is a part of a series based on the title alone. But still decided to read it. Anyway, I enjoyed this book! The plot is straightforward, and you might say predictable, but it was well written, and I liked both Romy and Kruz though there were times I felt like I wanted to smack both of them! I'm looking forward to reading the series and get to know the rest of the Acosta brothers and the special women in their lives!
January 2, 2019
OK the h in this one is describes very differently to any of the covers. In the previous book she was described as punky, tattooed with multiple piercings yet her only her hair is gelled into spikes with red tips. The cover h's all look very "ladylike"
The misunderstanding on these 2 meeting was just a farce and could have been cleared up in minutes why on earth wouldn't the bride tell her BIL and head of security who the photographer was? DUMB!
I'm not prudish but these 2 literally copping off with each other on the floor outside the press van was just tacky. Sure you can engage in safe ONS but dudes there is a time and place. On the floor outside a van at your brothers wedding is NOT the place!
The H and h in this one both have massive hang-ups the H clearly has PTSD (understandable) and the h has her own issues. For once its nobody's fault that the h got pregnant, safe sex was practiced at all times its just in HPlandia H sperms have superpowers and no prophylactic will stop those swimmers!
I think the h is rather meaner than warranted to the H for the last few chapters and I felt sorry that he was stuck with this cold hearted shrew! maybe the author could shuffle her off the mortal coil for him to find a nicer replacement.
The misunderstanding on these 2 meeting was just a farce and could have been cleared up in minutes why on earth wouldn't the bride tell her BIL and head of security who the photographer was? DUMB!
I'm not prudish but these 2 literally copping off with each other on the floor outside the press van was just tacky. Sure you can engage in safe ONS but dudes there is a time and place. On the floor outside a van at your brothers wedding is NOT the place!
The H and h in this one both have massive hang-ups the H clearly has PTSD (understandable) and the h has her own issues. For once its nobody's fault that the h got pregnant, safe sex was practiced at all times its just in HPlandia H sperms have superpowers and no prophylactic will stop those swimmers!
I think the h is rather meaner than warranted to the H for the last few chapters and I felt sorry that he was stuck with this cold hearted shrew! maybe the author could shuffle her off the mortal coil for him to find a nicer replacement.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2013
Loved this book! Romy is a well known photojournalist and also a very independent modern woman whose relationships with men are always no strings attached. Kruz Acosta is an Argentinean polo champion and a Special Forces soldier whose scars run deep. He has nightmares and he doesn't allow himself to form any kind of attachment. They are both reckless and somewhat cold. Their fling is nothing serious originally but an unexpected pregnancy changes everything between them and inside them.
I think the description is a bit misleading. For me this book was mostly about Romy's change and her journey towards motherhood. She is a complex character with family baggage who values her independence more than anything and suddenly she finds herself pregnant and homeless. She matures tremendously and is determined to become an amazing single mother even without a man in the picture. Kruz is quite sexy and very supportive of Romy and her pregnancy as soon as he accepts the fact that he will become a father.
The epilogue was simply fantastic and thus my 5 stars rating! I love it when we get a glimpse of the happy couple and their family a few years down the road! *Swoon*
I think the description is a bit misleading. For me this book was mostly about Romy's change and her journey towards motherhood. She is a complex character with family baggage who values her independence more than anything and suddenly she finds herself pregnant and homeless. She matures tremendously and is determined to become an amazing single mother even without a man in the picture. Kruz is quite sexy and very supportive of Romy and her pregnancy as soon as he accepts the fact that he will become a father.
The epilogue was simply fantastic and thus my 5 stars rating! I love it when we get a glimpse of the happy couple and their family a few years down the road! *Swoon*
March 17, 2013
A photojournalist, Romy Winner hides herself away behind the lens of her camera. She had witnessed first hand how her violent and abusive father has destroyed her mother life. Kurtz still has nightmares from his time in the army. He is as elusive and aloof as they come.
I really liked Romy and Kruz. They are 2 similar people, traumatized by past experience, shaping them into the tough persons they are today. They are caught in the throes of a blazing attraction and an emotional connection they are not prepared to face. Linked for life by an unexpected pregnancy. Overwhelmed by the depth of feelings stirred by their baby's birth. Kruz is the one to deliver the baby and its a very moving scene. It's true how a baby changes its parents life forever. And in the case of baby Beth, she changes Romy and Kruz's lives for the better.
I really liked Romy and Kruz. They are 2 similar people, traumatized by past experience, shaping them into the tough persons they are today. They are caught in the throes of a blazing attraction and an emotional connection they are not prepared to face. Linked for life by an unexpected pregnancy. Overwhelmed by the depth of feelings stirred by their baby's birth. Kruz is the one to deliver the baby and its a very moving scene. It's true how a baby changes its parents life forever. And in the case of baby Beth, she changes Romy and Kruz's lives for the better.
December 29, 2024
3/5⭐
Estaba muy segura de darle 4 ⭐pero ante dos escenas (una la dejé pasar, pero con la otra NO pude, no me resultó creíble PARA NADA) baja a 3⭐.
En inglés se titula “Taming the Last Acosta” (Domando al último Acosta) 😆y es el último de la serie “juego argentino”; en el capítulo uno no solo nos enfrentamos a “un hombre de atractivo salvaje que parecía el típico habitante de la dura e implacable pampa argentina, lugar en el que se estaba celebrando la boda”, sino a la primer escena de sexo “en campo afuerá”(dijera la chacarera🤣 -las lectoras argentina me entienden-), algo… Poco habitual en Harlequin bajo el sello Bianca, pero bueno, la cuestión es que nuestra heroína tendrá clases avanzadas de sexo desde el capítulo 1 y en los siguientes también; Mi primer harlequin con tanto contenido 🌶️(Aclaremos que Harlequin tiene sellos más eróticos como “Deseo”).
Romy Winner reportera NO acreditada para tomar fotos en la boda de Nacho y Grace (“Ciego Deseo”) que vive de las capturas que hace la lente de su cámara, tiene la osadía de “infiltrarse”-si puede llamarse así-, ya que en realidad Romy es amiga de la novia y, Cruz Acosta es quien firma personalmente los pases de prensa en su calidad de seguridad privada y él sabe que Romy Winner no estaba autorizada para estar presente en la boda, que de acuerdo a la descripción “El viento de los Andes”, están casándose en una finca mendocina. Decir que la boda de Grace era el primer proyecto romántico que aceptaba Romy porque era famosa por ser “la reina del escándalo”.
De todos los hermanos Acosta, Cruz es el que más me gustó. Estamos ante un “latino mujeriego de piel aceitunada😂” que está acostumbrado a que las mujeres le dijeran que era el mejor y a que lo apreciaran sobremanera. No pasa eso con Romy, es más, ella le hace sentir cosas que no sentía desde antes de la muerte de sus padres, y eso lo desconcierta; Ella es una mujer de carácter y pasa de la pasión a la indiferencia con naturalidad; A ojos de él no es empalagosa y eso para el ego de Cruz es una bofetada porque está acostumbrado a que las mujeres quisieran estar con él, a que le preguntaran cuándo se iban a volver a ver, si las iba a llamar, si les daba su número de teléfono. Pero a Romy no le interesa nada de aquello. Cruz Acosta es un hombre introspectivo, duro y de mal carácter, acostumbrado a hacer siempre lo que le daba la gana y como le daba la gana, que se ha criado luchando para hacerse un lugar, pues ser el menor de cuatro inteligentes y capaces hermanos no era fácil. Al ver que no podía ganar a Nacho, había decidido dedicarse a cosas más oscuras, hasta que Nacho se entera y consigue hacerlo entrar en razón. Luego, había estudiado en Harvard y había desarrollado lo que según su hermano mayor era el músculo más importante del cuerpo: el cerebro. Después de la universidad, había decidido alistarse en el ejército para dar rienda suelta a su increíble energía y a su naturaleza competitiva; De ahí que tenía una empresa de seguridad que le iba muy bien. Más allá de su historia es un hombre de principios que nunca huye de sus responsabilidades.
La historia de amor de Cruz y Romy es un flechazo que desencadenará en un suceso que… Me costó creerlo por la rapidez en que se dió. Romy no es una mujer emotiva y de ahí que Cruz le ponga su vida patas arriba, la desconcierta. Aquello no tenía sentido. Apenas se conocían. Lo único que habían compartido había sido sexo. Para ella, el amor a primera vista es una gran mentira. Lo suyo había sido, más bien, deseo a primera vista y, desde luego, falta de autocontrol.
Cruz consideraba a Romy como una paparazzi, una reportera sin escrúpulos dispuesta a hacer lo que fuera necesario para conseguir unas cuantas fotografías. Incluso acostarse con él si eso le reportara algún beneficio, sin embargo descubrirá que ella es una guerrera y una mujer independiente pese a que carga en sus recuerdos imágenes de violencia de género.
El cliché repetido y trillado del embarazo inesperado será lo que unirá a ésta pareja, pese a que ella manifiesta en repetida veces que no quiere depender del dinero de Cruz.
En fin. Con ésta lectura finalizo la serie “Juego argentino” que me gustó leerla, me resultó divertido leer a una autora extranjera describir al hombre argentino. Una pena que no aparezca Nero, ni ninguno de los otros hermanos Acosta. ¿Mi favorito? De los Hermanos Acosta, Cruz y de los libros, el orden quedaría así: 1. Una vida licenciosa. 2-El jinete argentino y en 3er lugar “Ciego Deseo”. Luego vendría: Amarga soledad, Un hombre rebelde y Recuerdos de verano.
Estaba muy segura de darle 4 ⭐pero ante dos escenas (una la dejé pasar, pero con la otra NO pude, no me resultó creíble PARA NADA) baja a 3⭐.
En inglés se titula “Taming the Last Acosta” (Domando al último Acosta) 😆y es el último de la serie “juego argentino”; en el capítulo uno no solo nos enfrentamos a “un hombre de atractivo salvaje que parecía el típico habitante de la dura e implacable pampa argentina, lugar en el que se estaba celebrando la boda”, sino a la primer escena de sexo “en campo afuerá”(dijera la chacarera🤣 -las lectoras argentina me entienden-), algo… Poco habitual en Harlequin bajo el sello Bianca, pero bueno, la cuestión es que nuestra heroína tendrá clases avanzadas de sexo desde el capítulo 1 y en los siguientes también; Mi primer harlequin con tanto contenido 🌶️(Aclaremos que Harlequin tiene sellos más eróticos como “Deseo”).
Romy Winner reportera NO acreditada para tomar fotos en la boda de Nacho y Grace (“Ciego Deseo”) que vive de las capturas que hace la lente de su cámara, tiene la osadía de “infiltrarse”-si puede llamarse así-, ya que en realidad Romy es amiga de la novia y, Cruz Acosta es quien firma personalmente los pases de prensa en su calidad de seguridad privada y él sabe que Romy Winner no estaba autorizada para estar presente en la boda, que de acuerdo a la descripción “El viento de los Andes”, están casándose en una finca mendocina. Decir que la boda de Grace era el primer proyecto romántico que aceptaba Romy porque era famosa por ser “la reina del escándalo”.
De todos los hermanos Acosta, Cruz es el que más me gustó. Estamos ante un “latino mujeriego de piel aceitunada😂” que está acostumbrado a que las mujeres le dijeran que era el mejor y a que lo apreciaran sobremanera. No pasa eso con Romy, es más, ella le hace sentir cosas que no sentía desde antes de la muerte de sus padres, y eso lo desconcierta; Ella es una mujer de carácter y pasa de la pasión a la indiferencia con naturalidad; A ojos de él no es empalagosa y eso para el ego de Cruz es una bofetada porque está acostumbrado a que las mujeres quisieran estar con él, a que le preguntaran cuándo se iban a volver a ver, si las iba a llamar, si les daba su número de teléfono. Pero a Romy no le interesa nada de aquello. Cruz Acosta es un hombre introspectivo, duro y de mal carácter, acostumbrado a hacer siempre lo que le daba la gana y como le daba la gana, que se ha criado luchando para hacerse un lugar, pues ser el menor de cuatro inteligentes y capaces hermanos no era fácil. Al ver que no podía ganar a Nacho, había decidido dedicarse a cosas más oscuras, hasta que Nacho se entera y consigue hacerlo entrar en razón. Luego, había estudiado en Harvard y había desarrollado lo que según su hermano mayor era el músculo más importante del cuerpo: el cerebro. Después de la universidad, había decidido alistarse en el ejército para dar rienda suelta a su increíble energía y a su naturaleza competitiva; De ahí que tenía una empresa de seguridad que le iba muy bien. Más allá de su historia es un hombre de principios que nunca huye de sus responsabilidades.
La historia de amor de Cruz y Romy es un flechazo que desencadenará en un suceso que… Me costó creerlo por la rapidez en que se dió. Romy no es una mujer emotiva y de ahí que Cruz le ponga su vida patas arriba, la desconcierta. Aquello no tenía sentido. Apenas se conocían. Lo único que habían compartido había sido sexo. Para ella, el amor a primera vista es una gran mentira. Lo suyo había sido, más bien, deseo a primera vista y, desde luego, falta de autocontrol.
Cruz consideraba a Romy como una paparazzi, una reportera sin escrúpulos dispuesta a hacer lo que fuera necesario para conseguir unas cuantas fotografías. Incluso acostarse con él si eso le reportara algún beneficio, sin embargo descubrirá que ella es una guerrera y una mujer independiente pese a que carga en sus recuerdos imágenes de violencia de género.
El cliché repetido y trillado del embarazo inesperado será lo que unirá a ésta pareja, pese a que ella manifiesta en repetida veces que no quiere depender del dinero de Cruz.
En fin. Con ésta lectura finalizo la serie “Juego argentino” que me gustó leerla, me resultó divertido leer a una autora extranjera describir al hombre argentino. Una pena que no aparezca Nero, ni ninguno de los otros hermanos Acosta. ¿Mi favorito? De los Hermanos Acosta, Cruz y de los libros, el orden quedaría así: 1. Una vida licenciosa. 2-El jinete argentino y en 3er lugar “Ciego Deseo”. Luego vendría: Amarga soledad, Un hombre rebelde y Recuerdos de verano.
October 2, 2020
To be honest, I skipped over some parts because the story didn't seem to be going anywhere. The oft repeated and hackneyed trope of unexpected pregnancy was made even more unbearable by uninspired incidents. The author did her best to inject flavorful writing but the book was doomed from the very beginning when the supposed passion between the characters came across as trashy and superfluous.
April 17, 2013
Susan Stephen’s Band of Brothers Series has been a bit of a hit and misses for me.
Don’t get me wrong. After reading all 6 books in the series I have come to know and fallen in love with the Acosta family. The brothers are gorgeous, sexy, dangerous and to die for polo players and millionaires to boot!!!! Lucia, the sister….well, she’s kind of grown on me but I never engaged with her like I did with her brothers.
All the brothers have found strong and independent women as partners except Kruz Acosta, who has a lot of emotional baggage to deal with in his life. His story was one of those “misses”, which I was so sad about as I had been looking forward to his HEA.
He meets Romy Winner, a famous photojournalist, with as much emotional baggage as him, at his brother’s wedding and wow do sparks fly!!!!!!!!
Within an hour, they are down on the grass and doing it!!!!!
From then onwards, the story just became too OTT for me.
Firstly, I could not understand the attraction between the two. Yes, they say opposites attract…but I was so not convinced when it came to Kruz & Romy.
So I got it – Romy has serious issues in her life…but after a time I became totally irritated with her “I am so independent” bit. There’s just so much you can do before it becomes boring.
The chemistry between them was missing for me. Kruz, the ultimate alpha-hero behaving like he does…was he pretending to be an idiot or was he just one!!!!!!!!!!!!
And the whole baby thing…………..no I can’t believe it…I kept saying to myself!!! And the birth scene…I wanted to feel something, I really did…but I just couldn’t….
I think that this is the last book in the series, which is disappointing for me….I would have loved to have seen more of the other brothers…where’s Nero? And Diego??
My favorite book was http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13... I loved his story.
Hopefully the author will write more books with sexy and hot men like the Acosta Brothers.
Don’t get me wrong. After reading all 6 books in the series I have come to know and fallen in love with the Acosta family. The brothers are gorgeous, sexy, dangerous and to die for polo players and millionaires to boot!!!! Lucia, the sister….well, she’s kind of grown on me but I never engaged with her like I did with her brothers.
All the brothers have found strong and independent women as partners except Kruz Acosta, who has a lot of emotional baggage to deal with in his life. His story was one of those “misses”, which I was so sad about as I had been looking forward to his HEA.
He meets Romy Winner, a famous photojournalist, with as much emotional baggage as him, at his brother’s wedding and wow do sparks fly!!!!!!!!
Within an hour, they are down on the grass and doing it!!!!!
From then onwards, the story just became too OTT for me.
Firstly, I could not understand the attraction between the two. Yes, they say opposites attract…but I was so not convinced when it came to Kruz & Romy.
So I got it – Romy has serious issues in her life…but after a time I became totally irritated with her “I am so independent” bit. There’s just so much you can do before it becomes boring.
The chemistry between them was missing for me. Kruz, the ultimate alpha-hero behaving like he does…was he pretending to be an idiot or was he just one!!!!!!!!!!!!
And the whole baby thing…………..no I can’t believe it…I kept saying to myself!!! And the birth scene…I wanted to feel something, I really did…but I just couldn’t….
I think that this is the last book in the series, which is disappointing for me….I would have loved to have seen more of the other brothers…where’s Nero? And Diego??
My favorite book was http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13... I loved his story.
Hopefully the author will write more books with sexy and hot men like the Acosta Brothers.
September 27, 2013
Really good read. It was so enjoyable. Learning to Love and Trust is hard when two people have seen so much hurt and pain and they're so afraid to show emotions Kruz met his match when he came across Romy
March 26, 2013
Taming The Last Acosta by Susan Stephens: Romy Winner is known as the best photographer who can get the picture that not many can. She can capture the essence of the subjects in her photos, the emotions in her photos speak for themselves.
Kruz Acosta personally decided who in the press would be invited to the wedding, so when he sees Romy taking pictures he cannot accept that she is trying to get past the security he is personally taking care of. As Romy notices that she has been spotted she decides to make a run to the media room to take care of their pictures and articles.
As Kruz chases Romy he cannot help to admire her spunk and audacity but that does not mean that she will be using any material to make a scandal or gossip of any of the guest to the wedding. But after short interaction, the attraction and chemistry lead to a fast coupling. Read More...
Kruz Acosta personally decided who in the press would be invited to the wedding, so when he sees Romy taking pictures he cannot accept that she is trying to get past the security he is personally taking care of. As Romy notices that she has been spotted she decides to make a run to the media room to take care of their pictures and articles.
As Kruz chases Romy he cannot help to admire her spunk and audacity but that does not mean that she will be using any material to make a scandal or gossip of any of the guest to the wedding. But after short interaction, the attraction and chemistry lead to a fast coupling. Read More...
March 6, 2013
I really like both of the stories in this book. I liked the first one more then the second. The second one he didn't really seem to show any affection to her until the last few chapters. and she was so scared to show that people should like you for who you are not what they think you should be. Overall good stories.
April 19, 2014
En algunos momentos odié a los protagonistas. Fuera de eso, una novela entretenida. Cruz no es de mis héroes favoritos, lo sentí demasiado frío y sin sustento. Las escenas de sexo, sin embargo, bastante osadas y bien logradas para una Harlequin.
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December 29, 2014Category: Passion
April 7, 2013
Romy Winner hides behind the camera lens and a no nonsense style. Hiding from Kruz Acosta is difficult.
Only so-so on this story. The entire timeline just felt off. No real flow.
Only so-so on this story. The entire timeline just felt off. No real flow.
May 30, 2013
Both books were very good. Although the second book, Miss Prim, started to slightly aggravate me with the hero basically dragging the heroin's past out of her.
August 19, 2013
De la serie, esta es la mejor.
Romy es independiente a morir... Like it! XD
Romy es independiente a morir... Like it! XD
April 16, 2014
Like the plot. No like the author's writing style.
October 5, 2016
3 Stars.
The two main characters took way too long to just speak with one another and were often far too involved in their own heads when they should have just been talking to one another.
The two main characters took way too long to just speak with one another and were often far too involved in their own heads when they should have just been talking to one another.
February 4, 2017
Was.....interesting and uh.....good.
February 23, 2013
Shorter in length as compared to others in series ! Amazing in plot :)
September 7, 2016
Questo libro decisamente un po' diverso dagli altri ma comunque una bella lettura.
hq-to-read
March 13, 2018Her mother told her never to play with fire…Living her life vicariously through a camera lens, photojournalist Romy Winner is happy to stay in the background capturing other people's happiness. Until former Argentinean polo champion turned Special Forces soldier Kruz Acosta challenges her to step out of the shadows—and into his bed!
Their recklessness has one startling repercussion that would never be linked to a man with such a wicked reputation. If Romy is to secure her child's future, she must get beneath the mask that hides his scars and learn how to tame the wild Acosta.
Plus a Susan Stephens reader-favorite story: Italian Boss, Proud Miss Prim (less)
Their recklessness has one startling repercussion that would never be linked to a man with such a wicked reputation. If Romy is to secure her child's future, she must get beneath the mask that hides his scars and learn how to tame the wild Acosta.
Plus a Susan Stephens reader-favorite story: Italian Boss, Proud Miss Prim (less)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews