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In Shady Grove #1
Talk of the Town
Shady Grove—where everyone knows your secrets
Once, Neil Pettit was the only thing Maddie Montesano wanted. She tried every trick in the book to keep him, but no luck. It took some time—and a lot of holding her head up while the town gossiped—but she's made a good life for herself and her daughter.
Now, Neil's back and is trying to be the father he never was. Maddie so doesn't need this kind of disruption. Not when the crazy attraction she's spent years ignoring still sizzles between them. The temptation to give in and have Neil again is strong. And when he offers that dream of forever she'd abandoned, well, she might give this town something new to talk about….
Once, Neil Pettit was the only thing Maddie Montesano wanted. She tried every trick in the book to keep him, but no luck. It took some time—and a lot of holding her head up while the town gossiped—but she's made a good life for herself and her daughter.
Now, Neil's back and is trying to be the father he never was. Maddie so doesn't need this kind of disruption. Not when the crazy attraction she's spent years ignoring still sizzles between them. The temptation to give in and have Neil again is strong. And when he offers that dream of forever she'd abandoned, well, she might give this town something new to talk about….
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2013
443 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
About the author
Beth Andrews
59 books102 followersRomance Writers of America RITA® Award Winner Beth Andrews writes heartfelt contemporary romance and young adult novels. She loves coffee, hockey and happy endings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 20, 2020
2 ⭐⭐ - Meh!
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I totally forgot that I had already read it.
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Our heroes are dating, she 16 and he 18, but he dreams of leaving the city and succeeding as a professional player. Our heroine gets pregnant on purpose to force the hero to stay with her. But he refuses to stay in the city, rejects the pregnancy and their daughter and ends up cheating on the heroine with another woman. He goes in search of his dreams.
The story begins almost 12 years later, he achieved success, fame and money. He has relationships with models, beautiful actresses and so on.
Our heroine has to mature quickly to take care of their daughter, she remains in the city and works for her family's construction company.
Our hero sends money, but rarely interacts with his daughter. He claims not to have time because he is always traveling and with other commitments. He resents his daughter's existence and feels trapped.
He sends money, but does not get emotionally involved with the child.
He ends up being forced to go back to their small town because his sister is having problems with her cheating husband. He plans to get in and out quickly, going back to his life. But the problems come up and he's kind of obliged to get involved.
It seemed to me that he had no intention of having any real involvement with his daughter and no interest in our heroine.
I confess that I didn't like the heroes and just finished reading to see how their daughter was going to face her emotional problems.
He didn't convince me to fall in love with her or find her attractive.
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I totally forgot that I had already read it.
===============
Our heroes are dating, she 16 and he 18, but he dreams of leaving the city and succeeding as a professional player. Our heroine gets pregnant on purpose to force the hero to stay with her. But he refuses to stay in the city, rejects the pregnancy and their daughter and ends up cheating on the heroine with another woman. He goes in search of his dreams.
The story begins almost 12 years later, he achieved success, fame and money. He has relationships with models, beautiful actresses and so on.
Our heroine has to mature quickly to take care of their daughter, she remains in the city and works for her family's construction company.
Our hero sends money, but rarely interacts with his daughter. He claims not to have time because he is always traveling and with other commitments. He resents his daughter's existence and feels trapped.
He sends money, but does not get emotionally involved with the child.
He ends up being forced to go back to their small town because his sister is having problems with her cheating husband. He plans to get in and out quickly, going back to his life. But the problems come up and he's kind of obliged to get involved.
It seemed to me that he had no intention of having any real involvement with his daughter and no interest in our heroine.
I confess that I didn't like the heroes and just finished reading to see how their daughter was going to face her emotional problems.
He didn't convince me to fall in love with her or find her attractive.
Breanne, his eleven-year-old daughter, didn’t even know he was in town yet. He’d put off calling her, telling himself he wanted to make sure his plans were firm before letting her know he’d be around for a few days. But even he wasn’t that good at lying to himself. Not when he had so many conflicting feelings toward his daughter.
And it didn’t matter that she’d seen Neil plenty of times since their breakup. Or that he was a lying bastard who couldn’t be trusted to give an honest report of the weather outside.
His hair, a sandy blond, was shorter than when she’d seen him last, which must have been a year... no, a year and a half ago.
“Because I distinctly remember when she was born—” “Don’t,” he warned roughly. But she was too far gone to stop the words, to stop from reminding him of what he’d said, how he’d acted. “You didn’t call her your daughter then. All she was to you then, all she’s ever been to you, is your greatest mistake.”
She wasn’t beautiful. Would never be in the same league as the models and actresses he dated with their slender bodies and cool blond looks.
Thankfully she’d gotten over her delusions right quick. Having the man of your dreams walk out on you while his baby grew in your belly did that.
The worst times were when his last girlfriend had insisted Bree needed to spend more time with them. As if they were a real family or something.
The man had affairs with models, actresses and pop stars. Did he really think she was so naive that she’d buy his lame attempt at a come-on? That she’d melt in a puddle at his feet? Idiot.
They, more so than his debt to Carl and Gerry or his loyalty to his sister, kept him tied to Shady Grove. To his past. And no matter how hard he tried not to, he resented them for it. For always reminding him of what he’d come from. Of the mistakes he’d made.
The way he’d hurt her all those years ago when he’d called and confessed he’d been unfaithful with some redhead he’d met in a bar.
She couldn’t soften toward him or let her guard down around him just because he’d tossed a few sentimental scraps her way. It was too dangerous, made it too easy to confuse the past with the present. Neil had cheated on her.
He’d abandoned her. Her and Bree. She couldn’t forget that. Wasn’t sure she could ever forgive it.
He hadn’t wanted to make waves, hadn’t wanted to cause problems. Had thought— hoped— that by keeping the peace, it’d make up for hurting her. Would assuage the guilt he’d felt about not wanting to be a father.
“I was at my soccer scrimmage.” He groaned inwardly. Her scrimmage. The one she’d invited him to. The one he’d totally forgotten about. Shit.
And he knew his biggest mistake wasn’t getting Maddie pregnant or sleeping with that redhead.
It was staying away for so long.
And he’d looked for Maddie. Had wanted to share it with her. With the girl he’d left behind. “I’m honored,” Maddie said, her flat tone and crossed arms a good indication that she was lying through her teeth. “Although I am surprised I crossed your mind at all.”
“I loved you,” she repeated. “More than that, I trusted you. And you showed me exactly how you felt about me by screwing someone else.”
Two weeks after Maddie told him, when Neil had gone out with some of the older guys on the team and a slinky redhead five years his senior had come on to him, he’d seen it for what it was. An opportunity. A way to get back his freedom, to push Maddie away, to kill her love for him once and for all.
“You say you loved me, but you didn’t care that I didn’t want to be a father at eighteen, that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a father ever. You took that choice from me. I had plans, dreams that were important to me, and you wanted me to give them up, to give everything up for you.”
What did you think, that we’d get married and live happily ever after? Her stomach turned. Yes, that was exactly what she’d thought, what she’d hoped would happen. She’d had it all mapped out.
Hell, maybe it was just ego, his desire to have her at his side, devoted to him.
“You don’t sound too happy about it. Then again, you were never happy with our relationship, were you?” she asked, realizing that as she spoke the words, they were true. “You were always searching for a way out. For a way to make it less than what it was.”
Tears clogged her throat. She was an idiot. A fool to fall for him again. And while she couldn’t stop what was in her heart any more than she could stop the world from turning, she sure as hell could be smarter this time. Could protect herself and her daughter.
September 23, 2015
Very emotional second chance story. Neil and Maddie had been high school sweethearts. Neil had plans for his future that didn't include staying in Shady Grove. His dream was to play for the NHL. Maddie had a dream too - to make a family with Neil and be together forever. But when she got pregnant, it became obvious that their dreams were not compatible. Maddie stayed in Shady Grove and raised their daughter, and Neil went on to become a hockey superstar.
Now Neil is back for a visit and wants to try to reconnect with his daughter. He knows he's made mistakes and wants to find a way to fix them. But to do that, he's going to have to find a way to deal with Maddie. He understands her anger with him, but surely it's time to move past it. Maddie isn't so sure she wants to move past it. She's been glad to have Bree all to herself. Having Neil around again is bringing the old attraction back and she doesn't want to risk getting her heart broken again.
There was a lot of strong emotion flying around in this book. Whenever Neil and Maddie were in the same room, sparks would fly. Maddie has no trouble still expressing her anger over Neil's abandonment. There are times she goes overboard and takes some pretty cheap shots at him. But beneath that anger is the temptation to see what might be left of their old relationship and that scares Maddie. In spite of his past failures, I liked Neil. He wants to be a better father to Bree. In his interactions with Maddie he does a good job of keeping his temper. He doesn't deny his past mistakes, but makes it clear he wants another chance. I liked his persistence and how he finally won Maddie's cooperation.
The relationship between Bree and Neil is difficult. He's allowed his job to interfere for too long, and Bree has reached the age where she feels the lack of attention. He wants to do better but he's no longer able to relate to her. The things he tries tend to add to the strain between them instead. Bree really wants a better relationship with Neil, but she's afraid to trust that he means what he says. She's spent too long feeling like he doesn't really care for her. When a conflict arises between them, feelings that have been buried for too long are finally shared, and a bit of progress is made.
In trying to work together to do what is best for Bree, Neil and Maddie are finally forced to face their pasts. A surprising revelation from Maddie and Neil's reaction to it start a healing process between them. I liked seeing them start to rebuild their relationship. I loved seeing Neil recognize that his priorities have changed and that he now wants more out of his life. Maddie's reaction made me ache for him. At the end it was Bree who made Maddie admit what was missing in their life and gave Maddie the motivation to go after it. The ending was great.
I really enjoyed the secondary characters too. Neil's adoptive parents were great and learning more about his background with them gave me better insight into him. Maddie's brothers were great. I loved their protectiveness, but they were also typical brothers in the way that they sometimes treated her. The situation with Neil's sister Fay was heartbreaking at times. Facing her issues also made both Neil and Maddie look at their own methods of dealing with things. The best of the secondary characters was Bree. She was such a realistic character with her body issues, her sometimes melodramatic attitude, and her desire to feel like she was important to her father. I really liked seeing her progress through the book.
Now Neil is back for a visit and wants to try to reconnect with his daughter. He knows he's made mistakes and wants to find a way to fix them. But to do that, he's going to have to find a way to deal with Maddie. He understands her anger with him, but surely it's time to move past it. Maddie isn't so sure she wants to move past it. She's been glad to have Bree all to herself. Having Neil around again is bringing the old attraction back and she doesn't want to risk getting her heart broken again.
There was a lot of strong emotion flying around in this book. Whenever Neil and Maddie were in the same room, sparks would fly. Maddie has no trouble still expressing her anger over Neil's abandonment. There are times she goes overboard and takes some pretty cheap shots at him. But beneath that anger is the temptation to see what might be left of their old relationship and that scares Maddie. In spite of his past failures, I liked Neil. He wants to be a better father to Bree. In his interactions with Maddie he does a good job of keeping his temper. He doesn't deny his past mistakes, but makes it clear he wants another chance. I liked his persistence and how he finally won Maddie's cooperation.
The relationship between Bree and Neil is difficult. He's allowed his job to interfere for too long, and Bree has reached the age where she feels the lack of attention. He wants to do better but he's no longer able to relate to her. The things he tries tend to add to the strain between them instead. Bree really wants a better relationship with Neil, but she's afraid to trust that he means what he says. She's spent too long feeling like he doesn't really care for her. When a conflict arises between them, feelings that have been buried for too long are finally shared, and a bit of progress is made.
In trying to work together to do what is best for Bree, Neil and Maddie are finally forced to face their pasts. A surprising revelation from Maddie and Neil's reaction to it start a healing process between them. I liked seeing them start to rebuild their relationship. I loved seeing Neil recognize that his priorities have changed and that he now wants more out of his life. Maddie's reaction made me ache for him. At the end it was Bree who made Maddie admit what was missing in their life and gave Maddie the motivation to go after it. The ending was great.
I really enjoyed the secondary characters too. Neil's adoptive parents were great and learning more about his background with them gave me better insight into him. Maddie's brothers were great. I loved their protectiveness, but they were also typical brothers in the way that they sometimes treated her. The situation with Neil's sister Fay was heartbreaking at times. Facing her issues also made both Neil and Maddie look at their own methods of dealing with things. The best of the secondary characters was Bree. She was such a realistic character with her body issues, her sometimes melodramatic attitude, and her desire to feel like she was important to her father. I really liked seeing her progress through the book.
April 23, 2013
This review and others can be found at my blog, My Written Romance. Just click here.
All too soon, I am left with somewhat of a feeling of ambivalence towards a book. Beth Andrews is an author that I like and have enjoyed previously and I am sure that this enjoyment will continue with books of hers into the future. However, Talk of the Town is not one of her better ones, in my book.
The general gist of the story is that Maddie fell pregnant at 16 to her then-boyfriend Neil, who just wanted to pursue his dream of NHL stardom. She had the baby, he offered minimal emotional support and left her to do the lions share of the work with raising their child. I would have expected the back story as to the reasons behind Neil and Maddie's behaviour to have been addressed a lot earlier in the book than it was. In my opinion, it took way too long to get to in this story.
After discovering the reasons why each did what they did, it seemed to me that both Maddie and Neil were as much to blame as each other. Yeah, they made some dumbass, ill-considered decisions when they were young, but hell, they weren't the first and they sure as hell won't be the last. Both should have sucked it up a long time before instead of letting it fester. I'll admit, I've never been in that situation, but nothing annoys me quite like those who choose to blame others for situations of their own making.
I just couldn't bring myself to care too much about Maddie and Neil, as individuals or as a couple. I saw in another person's review prior to reading this book that the romance in Talk of the Town seemed a little forced, and I have to admit I am inclined to agree with that statement. It didn't quite ring true for me. I did often feel quite sad for Bree, their daughter, having to be the filling in an immature parent sandwich.
As it has been with a number of books I have read of late, I actually preferred the supporting cast to the main characters, and for that, I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of the In Shady Grove series pans out.
My rating: 2.5 out of 5
Note: I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this book by Harlequin via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
All too soon, I am left with somewhat of a feeling of ambivalence towards a book. Beth Andrews is an author that I like and have enjoyed previously and I am sure that this enjoyment will continue with books of hers into the future. However, Talk of the Town is not one of her better ones, in my book.
The general gist of the story is that Maddie fell pregnant at 16 to her then-boyfriend Neil, who just wanted to pursue his dream of NHL stardom. She had the baby, he offered minimal emotional support and left her to do the lions share of the work with raising their child. I would have expected the back story as to the reasons behind Neil and Maddie's behaviour to have been addressed a lot earlier in the book than it was. In my opinion, it took way too long to get to in this story.
After discovering the reasons why each did what they did, it seemed to me that both Maddie and Neil were as much to blame as each other. Yeah, they made some dumbass, ill-considered decisions when they were young, but hell, they weren't the first and they sure as hell won't be the last. Both should have sucked it up a long time before instead of letting it fester. I'll admit, I've never been in that situation, but nothing annoys me quite like those who choose to blame others for situations of their own making.
I just couldn't bring myself to care too much about Maddie and Neil, as individuals or as a couple. I saw in another person's review prior to reading this book that the romance in Talk of the Town seemed a little forced, and I have to admit I am inclined to agree with that statement. It didn't quite ring true for me. I did often feel quite sad for Bree, their daughter, having to be the filling in an immature parent sandwich.
As it has been with a number of books I have read of late, I actually preferred the supporting cast to the main characters, and for that, I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of the In Shady Grove series pans out.
My rating: 2.5 out of 5
Note: I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this book by Harlequin via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
October 30, 2016
H from a very dysfunctional background and determined to get out of the small town to reach his goals in NHL. H intensely attracted to h when in highschool. h in love with H and gets pregnant on purpose. H did not want children or commitment, slept with another woman, told h and left her and town to pursue his dreams. h raised daughter alone with support from H and intermittent visitation with daughter. After 11 years, H returns for a short visit because his sister is having a hard time since her husband is having an affair with a very young girl after he returned from Afghanistan. Daughter is more of an afterthought.
I liked how the author was able to describe the problems of the daughter in dealing with her father's seeming rejection of her and how it compounded her issues (11 years old, quiet, introverted book reader who is a little overweight and not into sports.) H doesn't understand her and does not connect with her. However, I did not like H - I kind of understood his issues, but the whole leaving, 11 year separation with his inner dialogue about how he always either loved h, obsessed over her, blah blah blah - annoyed me. 2 not liking H stars.
I liked how the author was able to describe the problems of the daughter in dealing with her father's seeming rejection of her and how it compounded her issues (11 years old, quiet, introverted book reader who is a little overweight and not into sports.) H doesn't understand her and does not connect with her. However, I did not like H - I kind of understood his issues, but the whole leaving, 11 year separation with his inner dialogue about how he always either loved h, obsessed over her, blah blah blah - annoyed me. 2 not liking H stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2014
Number one LOVE BETH ANDREWS! Her stories are always a must read, but this story I loved the heroine and her family The loud and wonderful protective Montesano family. Maddie was a single parent with a daughter 11 Bree, Bree's father was/is a pro hockey player who has pretty much been a checkbook father.
SPOILERS
Maddie has raised her daughter alone, apparently she got pregnant on purpose at 16, and the bf/hero was 18.... I do not really blame him for his running away after birth , he after all had somewhere to go....and he decided rather cold bloodily that if he cheated on her she would throw him away... SMARTEST MOVE she ever made concerning him. I do not think banging another girl after knocking up your gf is quite the answer to any question. He has been gone Bree's entire childhood, he blows into town and or sends for her just to ignore her,(after all he is a big important hero... ) he sends money using the excuse that Maddie is a good mother (and she is) so he is un needed. He is a waste of oxygen, truly there is a scene where the child is almost hit by a car trying to keep up with him (as she is embarrssing him, he with the awesome body and sleeps with the oh so perfect women), she is a little heavy, slowly and unathletic... he is the most selfish/self centered egomaniac I have read in a long time....and to be honest even by the very last pages where he appears to want to be a part of Bree's life I do not trust or believe him. This is the same P*ick who sees his child chunkily moving about the soccer field... passes her the holy grail of his hockey necklace to wear (that Maddie gave him at 18...that he uses as his lucky icon...from a girl he f'ed and dumped? yeah)) and HOPES to god that her bad playing/luck does not ruin his "lucky" necklace. He has a lot of excuses as to why he is distant, uncaring, unfeeling , selfish, but they do not wash in any way his behavior throughout the book, I actually was most disappointed in Maddie when after 2 boinks she is back on team butthead...I do not believe he would ever be a good father, or a decent man to any woman, he is missing a vital part of a heart and there was no writing that I could imagine that could have redeemed him after the way he acted to and about his fat daughter (HIS OPINION...not mine).
SPOILERS
Maddie has raised her daughter alone, apparently she got pregnant on purpose at 16, and the bf/hero was 18.... I do not really blame him for his running away after birth , he after all had somewhere to go....and he decided rather cold bloodily that if he cheated on her she would throw him away... SMARTEST MOVE she ever made concerning him. I do not think banging another girl after knocking up your gf is quite the answer to any question. He has been gone Bree's entire childhood, he blows into town and or sends for her just to ignore her,(after all he is a big important hero... ) he sends money using the excuse that Maddie is a good mother (and she is) so he is un needed. He is a waste of oxygen, truly there is a scene where the child is almost hit by a car trying to keep up with him (as she is embarrssing him, he with the awesome body and sleeps with the oh so perfect women), she is a little heavy, slowly and unathletic... he is the most selfish/self centered egomaniac I have read in a long time....and to be honest even by the very last pages where he appears to want to be a part of Bree's life I do not trust or believe him. This is the same P*ick who sees his child chunkily moving about the soccer field... passes her the holy grail of his hockey necklace to wear (that Maddie gave him at 18...that he uses as his lucky icon...from a girl he f'ed and dumped? yeah)) and HOPES to god that her bad playing/luck does not ruin his "lucky" necklace. He has a lot of excuses as to why he is distant, uncaring, unfeeling , selfish, but they do not wash in any way his behavior throughout the book, I actually was most disappointed in Maddie when after 2 boinks she is back on team butthead...I do not believe he would ever be a good father, or a decent man to any woman, he is missing a vital part of a heart and there was no writing that I could imagine that could have redeemed him after the way he acted to and about his fat daughter (HIS OPINION...not mine).
November 4, 2023
I love second chance romance but this book was a joke. I am a huge reader and never give reviews. This is my first review ever and I have to warn everyone not to waste your time on this book. The MMC is a complete jerk and it doesn’t get better until maybe 10% of the book is left. He doesn’t know how to be a father and couldn’t care less. I think the author herself must have issues in her home life to write this piece of shit. So so disappointed.
January 8, 2018
Why was the "talk of the town"? There was no town involvement. Gotta say both of the lead characters were pretty awful. Does that dude really like hockey cause it seems like he couldn't give a crap most of the time. Heroine is very fridged and was way late in admitting her part in the mess. The poor daughter was us the readers! 'These people suck' Preach it girl. Think these two characters should have gone their seperate ways.
June 24, 2013
This book tell the story of Neil, a popular NHL player, returning home to see his adopted parent and daughter, Breanne which he have not seen her for 6 months. Neil has dreams of his own and he was working towards them when Maddie told him she was pregnant with her child. He stayed back with her but things got worse when he admitted to her about his adultery and it was thru this, they got separated. Maddie have full custody of Breanne while Neil get visitation. However, as Breanne grow, she wanted more from her father not just a visitation and she has a personality issues. She felt inferior towards her own peers due to her weight and Neil acknowledged that she is not eating well and hardly exercise but his plan to get her on track backfired. Instead of getting closer to her, Neil has driven his daughter even further away from him. Maddie is still grudges over his betrayal. She struggle to accept his presence in her daughter’s life and when Neil decided to stay longer than planned to help Breanne, she was not happy at all.
This book carries many conflicts with the characters; Neil with his lack of involvement in his family’s matter, Maddie for her secret that she carries with her and Breanne, for her inferiority and deprived attention from her father. The story plot is a heavy read for me and though I may not agreed with Neil for what he have done and his thoughts, I like him for his driven attitude and although he may not given his attention to his family, he have indeed provide for them and making sure that they are sufficiently well off.
This book carries many conflicts with the characters; Neil with his lack of involvement in his family’s matter, Maddie for her secret that she carries with her and Breanne, for her inferiority and deprived attention from her father. The story plot is a heavy read for me and though I may not agreed with Neil for what he have done and his thoughts, I like him for his driven attitude and although he may not given his attention to his family, he have indeed provide for them and making sure that they are sufficiently well off.
April 1, 2013
What can I say? This book really worked for me. Yes, Maddie's anger toward Neil for the first 60% or so of the book was frustrating, but I found it believable. (A lot of it was really geared toward herself, for reasons that become clear later on in the book. She was clearly directing it onto him to help herself deal with the guilt. Since I'm all about denial myself, it totally worked for me.) I would have had a harder time sympathizing with Neil if we'd actually seen him during the 12 years before the novel, when he was off being the hockey hero and sleeping around with puck bunnies. We didn't, though, and seeing what was going on his head during the "now" of the novel made a lot of sense to this reader. And the glimpses we got into their daughter Breanna's mind--awesome. I so totally "got" that girl. Loved, loved, loved her character.
Parts of this book were frustrating, and parts were hard to read (in a good way--emotion-wise), but I just couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. The ending was a bit abrupt, but Andrews gave us just enough of a heads-up into Neil's plans to make it more believable than out in left field-ish. I'll be anxious to see what she has in store for Maddie's brother James for sure!
Parts of this book were frustrating, and parts were hard to read (in a good way--emotion-wise), but I just couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. The ending was a bit abrupt, but Andrews gave us just enough of a heads-up into Neil's plans to make it more believable than out in left field-ish. I'll be anxious to see what she has in store for Maddie's brother James for sure!
July 25, 2023
So i wanted a super cozy read this week.I love small town, second chance romance books for that, so I did love that aspect of it. I loved the family aspect and I felt like the books weren’t obnoxiously spicy which I appreciate but…. honestly I couldn’t stand Neil 😬.
Not only did he cheat on his girlfriend of almost two years, that he’s known his whole life after she told him she was pregnant… but then I felt like he made excuses about it and never really gave a good enough apology.
And really there’s no excuse for barely being apart of your daughters life for ELEVEN years.
The thought of getting traded to a closer team JUST occurred to him?!! yikes.
He got mad that Maddie didn’t immediately jump at the idea of being a family again when he told her like one chapter before that the idea of that was a fantasy??
idk I was annoyed by him the whole book and felt like in the end he got to have his cake and eat it too without really working for it all and it felt a little unsatisfying to me.
Not only did he cheat on his girlfriend of almost two years, that he’s known his whole life after she told him she was pregnant… but then I felt like he made excuses about it and never really gave a good enough apology.
And really there’s no excuse for barely being apart of your daughters life for ELEVEN years.
The thought of getting traded to a closer team JUST occurred to him?!! yikes.
He got mad that Maddie didn’t immediately jump at the idea of being a family again when he told her like one chapter before that the idea of that was a fantasy??
idk I was annoyed by him the whole book and felt like in the end he got to have his cake and eat it too without really working for it all and it felt a little unsatisfying to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2014
Ms. Andrews writes a compelling story with Talk of the Town. Neil Pettit and Maddie Montesano were high school sweethearts until she became pregnant and he got drafted by the NHL. He became the ultimate absentee father and she's done a great job making a life for her daughter and herself that doesn't include Neil because while it was a hard lesson to learn, she understands at the core that he's not staying.
Until one day he realizes that maybe he's been working so hard for all the wrong reasons. Now he needs to show Maddie and his daughter Bree that he really does love them, and hope that they still love him back.
Ms. Andrews's characters are well rounded and she doesn't hesitate to show us both their beauty as well as their warts. Consequently, we root hard for Neil, Maddie, Bree, and the rest of their loving family.
I did want there to be more--this is one story where I would not have minded an epilogue to reveal how the characters are doing beyond "The End"...
Until one day he realizes that maybe he's been working so hard for all the wrong reasons. Now he needs to show Maddie and his daughter Bree that he really does love them, and hope that they still love him back.
Ms. Andrews's characters are well rounded and she doesn't hesitate to show us both their beauty as well as their warts. Consequently, we root hard for Neil, Maddie, Bree, and the rest of their loving family.
I did want there to be more--this is one story where I would not have minded an epilogue to reveal how the characters are doing beyond "The End"...
March 12, 2013
I was hard put to get past the entire first half of this book because of the unrelenting, nasty, and too-often repeated anger of Maddie against her first love (call that hate) Neil. When it finally began to subside and we followed Neil as he began to develop a relationship with his daughter, the book settled down and became much more fun to read--in spite of the typical 11-year-old drama-queen behavior on the part of the kid. I see this is the first of several titles taking place in Shady Grove. I can only hope the next one isn't so negative for so very long.
October 11, 2017
She just seemed sooo angry and he just seemed so..........unemotional. Not a favorite.
January 8, 2024
Multilayered romance
Maddie and Neil were high school sweethearts who broke up when Neil was drafted by the NHL. But they remained in one another's lives due to Maddie getting pregnant and having Neil's daughter, Bree. Resentment plays the biggest emotion, since Maddie never forgave Neil for choosing the NHL over her.
The story unravels several secrets. At the same time there is the contrast of Madrid's upbringing with Neil's. A side plot is touched upon, when Neil's sister Fay has an on-again off-again relationship with her husband.
The writing was excellent although I couldn't always track how old Neil and Maddie should be, based on Bree's age. The book also ended some what abruptly, but there are additional books in the series, so I imagine you can pick up information on Maddie and Neil from one of them.
I recommend this book and will read more in the future by Beth Andrews.
Maddie and Neil were high school sweethearts who broke up when Neil was drafted by the NHL. But they remained in one another's lives due to Maddie getting pregnant and having Neil's daughter, Bree. Resentment plays the biggest emotion, since Maddie never forgave Neil for choosing the NHL over her.
The story unravels several secrets. At the same time there is the contrast of Madrid's upbringing with Neil's. A side plot is touched upon, when Neil's sister Fay has an on-again off-again relationship with her husband.
The writing was excellent although I couldn't always track how old Neil and Maddie should be, based on Bree's age. The book also ended some what abruptly, but there are additional books in the series, so I imagine you can pick up information on Maddie and Neil from one of them.
I recommend this book and will read more in the future by Beth Andrews.
October 4, 2017
Read on the airplane on the way to Vegas. Good read. The hero and heroine were high school sweethearts, but he had ambitions. Which he achieved by walking away, though he didn't abandon his responsibility to the daughter he fathered. Mostly he threw money at things once he became a professional hockey player. Now he's back in town after helping his team win the Stanley Cup, and he wants to mend the relationships he ignored while he was achieving his goals. His sister's husband has left her and she seems unable to cope. He doesn't know what to do with his barely teenaged daughter who resents him and any comments about her health or chubbiness. And her mother, his high school sweetheart, has been blaming and resenting him for years. It's interesting to see how Andrews sorts all the mess out and comes up with a happy ending. But she does a beautiful job. I liked it a lot.
September 20, 2023
I found this book quite hard to get through. There's a young girl, Bree, who is 11 years old and is having a hard time with her self esteem, particularly focused around her weight. I felt the way this was handled in the book by other characters was awful.
Perhaps this is the point - her father nearer the end of the book pretty much tells everyone else to stop commenting about Bree's food and then it's done. I found it really hard to read - perhaps you'd call this a trigger for me.
I had a hard time with all of the characters in the story, except Bree. Neil, her dad, was a pretty average character and her mum, Maddie was extremely stubborn and frustrating.
The plot was okay - however the ending was extremely abrupt. Like everything wrapped up in 1 or 2 pages. Pretty disappointing.
The things I did like were the character of Bree and the development of some of the characters throughout the story. I won't be reading more from this series.
Perhaps this is the point - her father nearer the end of the book pretty much tells everyone else to stop commenting about Bree's food and then it's done. I found it really hard to read - perhaps you'd call this a trigger for me.
I had a hard time with all of the characters in the story, except Bree. Neil, her dad, was a pretty average character and her mum, Maddie was extremely stubborn and frustrating.
The plot was okay - however the ending was extremely abrupt. Like everything wrapped up in 1 or 2 pages. Pretty disappointing.
The things I did like were the character of Bree and the development of some of the characters throughout the story. I won't be reading more from this series.
October 1, 2024
A cut above
As second chance romances go, this one is a cut above many I’ve read. While many of the familiar elements of this trope are evident they are done in a non-typical way. Both main characters are deeply flawed, but the reasons for are in this day and age, very believable. All of the characters, both primary and secondary, are well developed and act in understandable ways. The main conflict is also very relevant in today’s world.
Bottom line: while the HEA was inevitable, the journey to it was engaging and entertaining. Well done, Ms. Andrews.
As second chance romances go, this one is a cut above many I’ve read. While many of the familiar elements of this trope are evident they are done in a non-typical way. Both main characters are deeply flawed, but the reasons for are in this day and age, very believable. All of the characters, both primary and secondary, are well developed and act in understandable ways. The main conflict is also very relevant in today’s world.
Bottom line: while the HEA was inevitable, the journey to it was engaging and entertaining. Well done, Ms. Andrews.
January 10, 2021
This was a great second Chance romance. I loved the angst and the detailed description of the characters. Maddy and Neil had so much history and chemistry. They sent off sparks being in the same room. I enjoyed reading about Neil’s attempts to become part of his daughter’s life again. The inclusion of the other family and their back stories was very interesting. I will look to read more by Beth in the future.
June 28, 2024
This book was bad. I’m all for 2nd chance at romance books but girl WHAT. You baby trapped him at 16 knowing he was unemotionally unavailable but you figured it would keep him there, then was mad at him for 12 years because of the decision you made and how he reacted when you KNEW how he was from the jump.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2020
Another author who prefers curvy heroines vs slender OW. When I read her previous book I hoped it wouldn’t be a pattern but this story proved otherwise. I’m not thrilled when there’s too much focus on the weight problems. I understand though the daughter being overweight served a purpose.
The plot seemed interesting but the book was slow and I struggled a bit.
The plot seemed interesting but the book was slow and I struggled a bit.
February 19, 2021
❤️🏒💔❤️❤️❤️
This book is definitely hard on the heart. Beth touch on so many tuff issues when dealing with teen pregnancy, cheating, life choices, and love. I loved this book. I particularly liked that we even got the point of view of the 11 year old daughter. It was great.
This book is definitely hard on the heart. Beth touch on so many tuff issues when dealing with teen pregnancy, cheating, life choices, and love. I loved this book. I particularly liked that we even got the point of view of the 11 year old daughter. It was great.
December 29, 2021
It’s a good book but somewhat long. It is about a 16/18 year old teenage couple, a baby and finally growing up. The four star rating was because the female character is flawed and somewhat unlikeable. He is kind of a jerk but…anyway it sort of works. Good writing though.
October 26, 2017
This was such an enjoyable book.
February 21, 2019
I loved the secondary plotline with the daughter.
January 3, 2021
Great!
Mattie and Neil’s story is very good. It is almost a first chance instead of second. They may share a daughter but did they really share love back then?
Mattie and Neil’s story is very good. It is almost a first chance instead of second. They may share a daughter but did they really share love back then?
February 11, 2021
great book
August 14, 2021
New author to me but really enjoyed, will read the rest of the series
November 10, 2021
second chance
Cute read. Neil and Maddie have a second chance at love. But fighting through mistakes of the past are really hard. Will they make it to love?
Cute read. Neil and Maddie have a second chance at love. But fighting through mistakes of the past are really hard. Will they make it to love?
February 20, 2022
A good story
This story was so much like real life and problems that some couples go through. I really liked how the author touched base on several real life problems.
This story was so much like real life and problems that some couples go through. I really liked how the author touched base on several real life problems.
November 19, 2023
Loved this story, wonderful characters and story line.
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