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Kowalski Family #6
All He Ever Dreamed
Josh Kowalski is tired of holding down the fort—better known as the Northern Star Lodge—while his siblings are off living their dreams. Now that his oldest brother has returned to Whitford, Maine for good, Josh is free to chase some dreams of his own.
As the daughter of the lodge's longtime housekeeper, Katie Davis grew up alongside the Kowalski kids. Though she's always been "one of the guys", her feelings for Josh are anything but sisterly. And after a hot late-night encounter in the kitchen, it's clear Josh finally sees her as the woman she is.
Katie's been waiting years for Josh to notice her, but now that he has, she's afraid it's too late. Giving her heart to a man who can't wait to leave town is one sure way to have it broken. But Josh keeps coming up with excuses not to leave—could it be that everything he's ever wanted is closer than he could have imagined?
As the daughter of the lodge's longtime housekeeper, Katie Davis grew up alongside the Kowalski kids. Though she's always been "one of the guys", her feelings for Josh are anything but sisterly. And after a hot late-night encounter in the kitchen, it's clear Josh finally sees her as the woman she is.
Katie's been waiting years for Josh to notice her, but now that he has, she's afraid it's too late. Giving her heart to a man who can't wait to leave town is one sure way to have it broken. But Josh keeps coming up with excuses not to leave—could it be that everything he's ever wanted is closer than he could have imagined?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 21, 2013
191 people are currently reading
2723 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Stacey
145 books2,641 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shannon Stacey lives with her husband and two sons in New England, where her favorite activities are writing romance and really random tweets when she’s not riding her ATV. She loves mud, books, football & watching way too much TV.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews
February 7, 2013
All He Ever Dreamed is the sixth book in Shannon Stacey’s Kowalski Family series and, start to finish, I couldn't put it down!
A little back story: I’ve absolutely loved every book in this series, but there’s been something about Josh that has been tugging at my heartstrings since I first set eyes on him. He’s the youngest of the Kowalski siblings and as each of the others left home to build their own lives, Josh’s life has seemed less and less in his control. Everyone’s assumed he’d run Northern Star Lodge, but they never asked if that’s what he wanted to do. He was becoming more and more frustrated and bitter, but then one day he got a lucky break – literally. He fell off a ladder and broke his leg. As his siblings come home to help with the lodge, they start to see that Josh isn't as happy to be there as they thought he was, and this is when he finally tells them how he really feels about being left behind to run the family business.
So that brings us to now...Josh’s story, and it’s every bit as emotional as I had expected, and Josh is every bit the honorable, devoted – and very sexy – man I knew he would be! There were times I wanted to smack him right upside his gorgeous head and knock some of the stubbornness out of him, and other times I wanted to bring him home and love him all better! Such a great, great man he’s turned out to be.
Katie Davis – I adore Katie. Her mom, Rosie, has been the Northern Star's housekeeper forever, so Katie grew up with the Kowalski kids. She’s been Josh’s best friend for as long as she can remember, but that friendship became something more - to her. She fell in love with him. Katie knows that in Josh’s eyes, she’s just “one of the guys” and she’s sure he’ll never see her any other way, but with a little encouragement from friends and family, she decides to pull out all the stops and make him see that she’s all woman, she’s all his, and always has been! And this made for some very funny, very romantic, and very sexy reading!
And as always, these stories wouldn't be nearly as fun as they are without revisiting the rest of the Kowalski friends, family and neighbors! It's always such a treat to catch up with them. They are caring, devoted, amazing people, people I can’t get enough of!
The bottom line: Contemporary Romance fans, Shannon Stacey’s Kowalski Family series is not to be missed! These stories are sweet, sexy, emotional tales that are guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face and a sigh in heart!
My thanks to Carina Press and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review. It’s been an absolute delight!
December 27, 2012
I loved this book. Katie has loved Josh forever, but in typical guy fashion, Josh has always thought of her as his bff, until one day he wakes up and realizes she's a full grown woman and his attraction to her tilts him sideways. Suddenly everything is different between them. Funny, romantic, emotional, and I got teary-eyed at the end. Another winner for Shannon Stacey in her always awesome Kowalski series!
February 8, 2017
Tentada estoy de darle las 5 estrellitas pero supongo que me las estoy reservando.
De toda la serie ha sido uno de mis favoritos. Había estado esperando el libro de Josh durante mucho tiempo y debo decir que fue más de lo que esperaba.
En el libro anterior Mich me decepcionó un poco, pero con este la autora me conquistó totalmente.
No sé si soy yo, que estoy muy receptiva últimamente o si es la historia. Porque bueno, decir que es de las que me gustan es poco.
¿Una historia donde la prota es tipo chicazo?
COMPRADO.
¿Una historia de Friends to lovers?
TOTALMENTE COMPRADO ❤
¿Una historia de búsqueda de uno mismo?
OBVIAMENTE, SI!
Y así fue. Total y absolutamente predecible. Plagada de clichés, bonita y simple.
EXACTAMENTE LO QUE BUSCABA...
Tenia muy bajas expectativas, eso debo admitirlo, pero a decir verdad no quise leer las criticas malas para no crearme ideas preconcebidas. Creo que fue lo mejor porque así dejé que este libro me sorprendiera.
No es de esos libros súper inolvidables, ni siquiera es de los mejores que he leído. Pero me ha hecho disfrutar y vivir en una nube de corazones flotando ahora mismo jajaja
Además, desde que empecé con esta serie... me he ido enamorando más de la familia Kowalski poco a poco. Empecé en el 3 libro porque los 2 primeros no llamaron mi atención, pero desde ya me apunto los siguientes.
De toda la serie ha sido uno de mis favoritos. Había estado esperando el libro de Josh durante mucho tiempo y debo decir que fue más de lo que esperaba.
En el libro anterior Mich me decepcionó un poco, pero con este la autora me conquistó totalmente.
No sé si soy yo, que estoy muy receptiva últimamente o si es la historia. Porque bueno, decir que es de las que me gustan es poco.
¿Una historia donde la prota es tipo chicazo?
COMPRADO.
¿Una historia de Friends to lovers?
TOTALMENTE COMPRADO ❤
¿Una historia de búsqueda de uno mismo?
OBVIAMENTE, SI!
Y así fue. Total y absolutamente predecible. Plagada de clichés, bonita y simple.
EXACTAMENTE LO QUE BUSCABA...
“Perdí a mi mejor amiga, Rosie.” “Oh, silencio. Mi niña te ha amado por tanto tiempo que probablemente hice una nota sobre ello en su libro de bebe. Nunca la perderás.”
Tenia muy bajas expectativas, eso debo admitirlo, pero a decir verdad no quise leer las criticas malas para no crearme ideas preconcebidas. Creo que fue lo mejor porque así dejé que este libro me sorprendiera.
No es de esos libros súper inolvidables, ni siquiera es de los mejores que he leído. Pero me ha hecho disfrutar y vivir en una nube de corazones flotando ahora mismo jajaja
Además, desde que empecé con esta serie... me he ido enamorando más de la familia Kowalski poco a poco. Empecé en el 3 libro porque los 2 primeros no llamaron mi atención, pero desde ya me apunto los siguientes.
January 22, 2013
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: A-
Josh has been the Kowalski stuck at their family’s lodge for years, the one left to run the business while his siblings all went out and explored the world. Josh is bitter and he wants out. The Kowalski’s have all pitched in to get the lodge spruced up and back on its feet and now they’re ready to put the lodge on the market so Josh can have the freedom he’s always longed for. It’s mixed emotions though because the lodge and home have been in their family for generations and no one wants to let it go, but they also don’t want to come back and take over for Josh. Josh just wants a choice. He wants to be able to choose what he does with his life, whether it’s to travel the world or be at the lodge, he wants that choice and for too many years he’s felt trapped in the life he’s currently in. He’s ready to figure things out. Complicating matters is his best friend Katie, the daughter of Rose, a woman who’s like a mom to the Kowalski siblings. Josh and Katie have been best friends for years but that relationship is now changing and for Katie, it’s about damn time.
Katie has loved Josh for years, but never knowing how he really felt, she kept her outward feelings toward him strictly in the friends-zone. I loved that relationship between them, they truly are best friends. They grew up together, they have tons of memories to look back on, both good and bad and it’s a relationship that’s important to them both. What the whole town, Rose and Josh’s siblings all see is that there is so much more between them than just friendship and it takes Katie moving into the lodge to help out when her mom gets sick for Josh to finally open his eyes to see what’s right in front of him.
“I have to find out what Max does for work before Josh does or I’ll have to wash his stupid truck for a year.” (…)
Hailey laughed. “…Why don’t you go on a date with him? Find out what he does and make Josh jealous at the same time.”
“I’m not allowed to use feminine wiles, as Josh called it.”
“It’s so cute he thinks you even know how to do that.”
I simply loved this couple’s relationship. I loved their history together, their easiness on page and I especially loved how their romance developed. Everything about this couple worked for me. They’re both so likable, whether it’s seeing Josh help out the people staying at the lodge, greeting customers he’s had for years, or Katie trying to keep her own customers happy while not thinking twice about stepping up to help out her mom and Josh when Rose is sick. There’s nothing about these two people that I didn’t like, they both had me wrapped around their little fingers!
There has to be some heartbreak and that comes in the form of Josh, finally getting his dream of having a choice and wanting to see the places he’s always heard about but never had time or the chance to see them for himself. It kills him to leave Katie, but he does and it’s so bittersweet, I may have even teared up a few times when Katie was trying so hard to go back to being Josh’s best friend, knowing he needed to go away but hoping desperately that he comes back. Oh the angst! Josh and Katie’s journey was so well done, yes, Josh makes his choice and it’s the perfect one when he finally realizes what he wants for his future.
All the Kowalski siblings show up at some point during the story and I always like seeing what they’re all up to. We don’t get much more about the, now single, sister Liz, other than hearing her ask about one newly divorced sheriff in town. I can’t wait to see how things play out for her.
This was, simply, a wonderful read. I was hooked from the start and fell hard for Josh and Katie. The Kowalski series is one that I look forward to getting back to with each new release and this book is a stand out in a series of solid reads.
Blog rating: A-
Josh has been the Kowalski stuck at their family’s lodge for years, the one left to run the business while his siblings all went out and explored the world. Josh is bitter and he wants out. The Kowalski’s have all pitched in to get the lodge spruced up and back on its feet and now they’re ready to put the lodge on the market so Josh can have the freedom he’s always longed for. It’s mixed emotions though because the lodge and home have been in their family for generations and no one wants to let it go, but they also don’t want to come back and take over for Josh. Josh just wants a choice. He wants to be able to choose what he does with his life, whether it’s to travel the world or be at the lodge, he wants that choice and for too many years he’s felt trapped in the life he’s currently in. He’s ready to figure things out. Complicating matters is his best friend Katie, the daughter of Rose, a woman who’s like a mom to the Kowalski siblings. Josh and Katie have been best friends for years but that relationship is now changing and for Katie, it’s about damn time.
Katie has loved Josh for years, but never knowing how he really felt, she kept her outward feelings toward him strictly in the friends-zone. I loved that relationship between them, they truly are best friends. They grew up together, they have tons of memories to look back on, both good and bad and it’s a relationship that’s important to them both. What the whole town, Rose and Josh’s siblings all see is that there is so much more between them than just friendship and it takes Katie moving into the lodge to help out when her mom gets sick for Josh to finally open his eyes to see what’s right in front of him.
“I have to find out what Max does for work before Josh does or I’ll have to wash his stupid truck for a year.” (…)
Hailey laughed. “…Why don’t you go on a date with him? Find out what he does and make Josh jealous at the same time.”
“I’m not allowed to use feminine wiles, as Josh called it.”
“It’s so cute he thinks you even know how to do that.”
I simply loved this couple’s relationship. I loved their history together, their easiness on page and I especially loved how their romance developed. Everything about this couple worked for me. They’re both so likable, whether it’s seeing Josh help out the people staying at the lodge, greeting customers he’s had for years, or Katie trying to keep her own customers happy while not thinking twice about stepping up to help out her mom and Josh when Rose is sick. There’s nothing about these two people that I didn’t like, they both had me wrapped around their little fingers!
There has to be some heartbreak and that comes in the form of Josh, finally getting his dream of having a choice and wanting to see the places he’s always heard about but never had time or the chance to see them for himself. It kills him to leave Katie, but he does and it’s so bittersweet, I may have even teared up a few times when Katie was trying so hard to go back to being Josh’s best friend, knowing he needed to go away but hoping desperately that he comes back. Oh the angst! Josh and Katie’s journey was so well done, yes, Josh makes his choice and it’s the perfect one when he finally realizes what he wants for his future.
All the Kowalski siblings show up at some point during the story and I always like seeing what they’re all up to. We don’t get much more about the, now single, sister Liz, other than hearing her ask about one newly divorced sheriff in town. I can’t wait to see how things play out for her.
This was, simply, a wonderful read. I was hooked from the start and fell hard for Josh and Katie. The Kowalski series is one that I look forward to getting back to with each new release and this book is a stand out in a series of solid reads.
January 29, 2013
Originally posted at Romance Around the Corner
Source: a review copy was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
All He Ever Dreamed is the last book in the newest Kowalski trilogy, and as usual, the best brother goes last. It’s a strong addition to the series, perhaps not the best in this new trilogy, which I think ended up being the second book, but it maintains the quality Ms. Stacey has us used to. At this point I should be ready to say goodbye to the books, and making noises about never-ending series, but I think this one still has a few more books in it.
We met Josh in the previous book, but for those new to the series, he’s the youngest brother, and as such, he was saddled with the responsibility of having to take care of the family home that also acts like their business and legacy. All the other brothers left town as soon as they could, but Josh couldn’t leave because there was no one else left, so he put his dreams on hold and progressively became more frustrated and unhappy. A few months before this book begins, he had an accident that forced his brothers to come home and realize that Josh wasn’t happy and something had to be done with the house and the whole situation. So when the book starts, the family is getting ready to sell the house and Josh is getting ready to leave. The problem is that he’s not counting with all the attachments he has to the house, the town, and to his best friend Katie.
Every book in the series features conflicts for both leads, but the first one was clearly heroine-centric, the second had an interesting balance, and this one is mostly about Josh. And his particular conflict feels very authentic, because it’s based on sacrifices, desires, choices and desires to have choices. Even the climactic scene when he realizes what he wants, isn’t so much about his love for Katie, but about finally having the choice to make his own decisions. And I think that we all can relate to that.
Katie and Josh have had great chemistry throughout the books, and the culmination was sweet and less explosive than I was expecting. What keeps them apart is knowing that he dreams of leaving, while Katie’s life is the town, yet there’s little angst in their relationship because they are mature enough to deal with it like rational, communicative adults. She doesn’t get mad at him for remaining faithful to the goals he’s had forever, goals she was very aware of. So I was happy with them as individuals and as a couple.
But as much as I enjoyed the main character, I had some issues with the way the romance develops. One second Josh is clueless, the next he gets hit by the realization that he’s attracted to her. This is very common in friends-to-lovers stories, and it never works. It’s not that I can’t believe he’s in love with her, but the transition is so sudden that it doesn’t feel organic to the plot. It happens because the story needs it, not because the relationship develops and naturally takes it there. And it’s a shame because this is one of my favorite tropes, but I’m always left slightly frustrated.
Some developments at the end of the book seemed too convenient, but this is the type of book that doesn’t allow happy endings that are a bit rough around the edges, and overall I was happy with the way things ended, so I’ll stop complaining now.
What I like about these books is that they are small-town romances, and have the qualities that make such series so appealing and popular, but there is thought and effort put into each story, and Ms. Stacey doesn’t relies on reproducing the same formula using interchangeable characters. I appreciate a series that works under so many restrictive rules and still feels fresh after six books. I wonder what’s next *cough* Drew and Liz’s book *cough*.
Source: a review copy was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
All He Ever Dreamed is the last book in the newest Kowalski trilogy, and as usual, the best brother goes last. It’s a strong addition to the series, perhaps not the best in this new trilogy, which I think ended up being the second book, but it maintains the quality Ms. Stacey has us used to. At this point I should be ready to say goodbye to the books, and making noises about never-ending series, but I think this one still has a few more books in it.
We met Josh in the previous book, but for those new to the series, he’s the youngest brother, and as such, he was saddled with the responsibility of having to take care of the family home that also acts like their business and legacy. All the other brothers left town as soon as they could, but Josh couldn’t leave because there was no one else left, so he put his dreams on hold and progressively became more frustrated and unhappy. A few months before this book begins, he had an accident that forced his brothers to come home and realize that Josh wasn’t happy and something had to be done with the house and the whole situation. So when the book starts, the family is getting ready to sell the house and Josh is getting ready to leave. The problem is that he’s not counting with all the attachments he has to the house, the town, and to his best friend Katie.
Every book in the series features conflicts for both leads, but the first one was clearly heroine-centric, the second had an interesting balance, and this one is mostly about Josh. And his particular conflict feels very authentic, because it’s based on sacrifices, desires, choices and desires to have choices. Even the climactic scene when he realizes what he wants, isn’t so much about his love for Katie, but about finally having the choice to make his own decisions. And I think that we all can relate to that.
Katie and Josh have had great chemistry throughout the books, and the culmination was sweet and less explosive than I was expecting. What keeps them apart is knowing that he dreams of leaving, while Katie’s life is the town, yet there’s little angst in their relationship because they are mature enough to deal with it like rational, communicative adults. She doesn’t get mad at him for remaining faithful to the goals he’s had forever, goals she was very aware of. So I was happy with them as individuals and as a couple.
But as much as I enjoyed the main character, I had some issues with the way the romance develops. One second Josh is clueless, the next he gets hit by the realization that he’s attracted to her. This is very common in friends-to-lovers stories, and it never works. It’s not that I can’t believe he’s in love with her, but the transition is so sudden that it doesn’t feel organic to the plot. It happens because the story needs it, not because the relationship develops and naturally takes it there. And it’s a shame because this is one of my favorite tropes, but I’m always left slightly frustrated.
Some developments at the end of the book seemed too convenient, but this is the type of book that doesn’t allow happy endings that are a bit rough around the edges, and overall I was happy with the way things ended, so I’ll stop complaining now.
What I like about these books is that they are small-town romances, and have the qualities that make such series so appealing and popular, but there is thought and effort put into each story, and Ms. Stacey doesn’t relies on reproducing the same formula using interchangeable characters. I appreciate a series that works under so many restrictive rules and still feels fresh after six books. I wonder what’s next *cough* Drew and Liz’s book *cough*.
January 27, 2013
Average. No story. Small town characters with small town conversations.
This had a lot of potential but it just wasn’t happening. Josh was stuck running the family business when his siblings moved away. He resents not having a choice. He dreams of a new and different life. I remembered my own thoughts when I was in my twenties, go to a big city, get a neat job, learn new things, meet new people, find out what I’m good at, what I want to do. Here, when Josh gets a chance to get away, he does nothing like that. I was disappointed. But the story wasn’t going to be about Josh’s dreams. It was about feelings among people back in the small town.
Regarding the relationship development between Josh and Katie, it was ok, but it was not a compelling story. It was just small town friends who start becoming more than friends. It needed more about the how and why the relationship changed. I wanted someone to learn something new about the other to cause the change. I would have liked some awkwardness or unsureness. And the sex scenes needed more anticipation and emotion. They were almost robotic.
This is a feel good story. You will like the warm family fuzzies. All the siblings care about each other and help each other. They care about Rosie their housekeeper who is like a second mother to them. They care about her future.
The writer is a good writer. She makes it sound more interesting than it is. So I compliment her. It’s just that when I got done, I thought oh, no real story. She needs some better ideas.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Kindle count story length: 3,437 (425 KB) 384 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words, but not often used. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 3. Setting: current day mostly Maine. Copyright: 2013. Genre: contemporary romance.
This had a lot of potential but it just wasn’t happening. Josh was stuck running the family business when his siblings moved away. He resents not having a choice. He dreams of a new and different life. I remembered my own thoughts when I was in my twenties, go to a big city, get a neat job, learn new things, meet new people, find out what I’m good at, what I want to do. Here, when Josh gets a chance to get away, he does nothing like that. I was disappointed. But the story wasn’t going to be about Josh’s dreams. It was about feelings among people back in the small town.
Regarding the relationship development between Josh and Katie, it was ok, but it was not a compelling story. It was just small town friends who start becoming more than friends. It needed more about the how and why the relationship changed. I wanted someone to learn something new about the other to cause the change. I would have liked some awkwardness or unsureness. And the sex scenes needed more anticipation and emotion. They were almost robotic.
This is a feel good story. You will like the warm family fuzzies. All the siblings care about each other and help each other. They care about Rosie their housekeeper who is like a second mother to them. They care about her future.
The writer is a good writer. She makes it sound more interesting than it is. So I compliment her. It’s just that when I got done, I thought oh, no real story. She needs some better ideas.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Kindle count story length: 3,437 (425 KB) 384 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words, but not often used. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 3. Setting: current day mostly Maine. Copyright: 2013. Genre: contemporary romance.
March 12, 2013
3.5 Stars.
You ever had it bad for someone and they didn’t know it? They walk into a room and just looking at them makes your heart skip a beat? Well that’s what Katie has felt for Josh…forever. Another case of unrequited love, poor Katie! Fear not, Josh wakes up and gets his head out of…well, you know.
Katie and Josh have been best friends forever. She knows Josh wants nothing more than to get out of Whitford and away from his family’s lodge. Josh wants to get out in the world and follow his dreams, find something new. He’s always regretted that he got “stuck” with the lodge and managing the family business while his brothers got to move on in their lives. But what if the key to his happiness is right there in front of Josh? When he finally notices Katie is a woman, not just his best friend, and “one of the guys,” he’s more confused than ever. She makes his heart race at just the sight of her!
Katie is thrilled that Josh finally notices her but she’s afraid if he settles down in Whitford he’ll always blame her for never leaving. She doesn’t want to be the reason he held back on chasing his dreams.
These two had my heart aching. Katie for always being in love with someone who didn’t notice her and Josh for being so clueless. Let’s take a moment here so I can smack him upside the head!!! I guess sometimes people just need to figure things out for themselves. I was glad Katie wasn’t the pushy type or one to give ultimatums; they rarely work and usually lead to resentment if they do.
I really loved this romance. It had just the right amount of longing and angst and enough build-up to make the payoffs oh-so-sweet. Here’s a quote that’ll make you swoon:
Tugging gently on her hand, Josh pulled Katie close and used his free hand to cup the back of her neck. He felt her sigh against his lips as he pressed his mouth to hers. This time, he was thorough, sweeping his tongue over hers as he claimed the kiss he’d wanted under the mistletoe and couldn’t have. He tasted chocolate on her lips and felt her tremble under his touch.
I guess this is part of a series and that focuses on the Kowalski family. It’s not necessary to read the previous books to enjoy this, but I’m sure I would’ve appreciated the updates on the others included more had I read them. I really do want to go back and start from book one, because this author really does a romance right. Sweet with just enough spice.
A copy of this was provided by Carina Press through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
You ever had it bad for someone and they didn’t know it? They walk into a room and just looking at them makes your heart skip a beat? Well that’s what Katie has felt for Josh…forever. Another case of unrequited love, poor Katie! Fear not, Josh wakes up and gets his head out of…well, you know.
Katie and Josh have been best friends forever. She knows Josh wants nothing more than to get out of Whitford and away from his family’s lodge. Josh wants to get out in the world and follow his dreams, find something new. He’s always regretted that he got “stuck” with the lodge and managing the family business while his brothers got to move on in their lives. But what if the key to his happiness is right there in front of Josh? When he finally notices Katie is a woman, not just his best friend, and “one of the guys,” he’s more confused than ever. She makes his heart race at just the sight of her!
Katie is thrilled that Josh finally notices her but she’s afraid if he settles down in Whitford he’ll always blame her for never leaving. She doesn’t want to be the reason he held back on chasing his dreams.
These two had my heart aching. Katie for always being in love with someone who didn’t notice her and Josh for being so clueless. Let’s take a moment here so I can smack him upside the head!!! I guess sometimes people just need to figure things out for themselves. I was glad Katie wasn’t the pushy type or one to give ultimatums; they rarely work and usually lead to resentment if they do.
I really loved this romance. It had just the right amount of longing and angst and enough build-up to make the payoffs oh-so-sweet. Here’s a quote that’ll make you swoon:
Tugging gently on her hand, Josh pulled Katie close and used his free hand to cup the back of her neck. He felt her sigh against his lips as he pressed his mouth to hers. This time, he was thorough, sweeping his tongue over hers as he claimed the kiss he’d wanted under the mistletoe and couldn’t have. He tasted chocolate on her lips and felt her tremble under his touch.
I guess this is part of a series and that focuses on the Kowalski family. It’s not necessary to read the previous books to enjoy this, but I’m sure I would’ve appreciated the updates on the others included more had I read them. I really do want to go back and start from book one, because this author really does a romance right. Sweet with just enough spice.
A copy of this was provided by Carina Press through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2016
★★★★✩ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Nicely narrated by Lauren Fortgang, who has done all but one book in this series. She has a nice cadence for the story-line, emotions, and dialogues.
While this is a predictable contemporary romance story, it is nice, when I'm doing my household chores, to listen to something that isn't too heavy. Nothing new here, but it is always nice to return to the Kolwalski Family, as I know the characters so well. I was really looking forward to Josh’s story. He’s the brother who has been stuck at the family ski lodge while the others have gone out into the world to discover themselves. To tell the truth, I was expecting a bit more for him. Though I knew it would end the way it did - it had to, didn’t it? - I still would have liked to have seen
Rose’s romance was a bit of a surprise, but I think we had hints of it in a previous book? Or am I imagining things?
While this is a predictable contemporary romance story, it is nice, when I'm doing my household chores, to listen to something that isn't too heavy. Nothing new here, but it is always nice to return to the Kolwalski Family, as I know the characters so well. I was really looking forward to Josh’s story. He’s the brother who has been stuck at the family ski lodge while the others have gone out into the world to discover themselves. To tell the truth, I was expecting a bit more for him. Though I knew it would end the way it did - it had to, didn’t it? - I still would have liked to have seen
Rose’s romance was a bit of a surprise, but I think we had hints of it in a previous book? Or am I imagining things?
Read
August 16, 2018Ay no que aburrido... no pude seguir con la trama...
Dnf 20% llegué al 5to capítulo y ya no quise seguir, estos dos no pegan ni con clicle, no hay química para nada!! Lo que venga después será todo forzado....
Dnf 20% llegué al 5to capítulo y ya no quise seguir, estos dos no pegan ni con clicle, no hay química para nada!! Lo que venga después será todo forzado....
January 31, 2019
Awesome
Saw this story coming but it was still fun to read. Josh and Katie are so wonderful together. You don't want to miss their story. I definitely recommend it.
Saw this story coming but it was still fun to read. Josh and Katie are so wonderful together. You don't want to miss their story. I definitely recommend it.
September 16, 2019
Katie has been in love with Josh for years, but he never saw her as anything more than his best friend , until on a Christmas day this changes and he begins to see her in a new light. They start to have a relationship from there, but the dreams he always had to leave their small town and discover new places were always in the back of their minds and because of that they always tried to not let things between them get to serious, and when the chance finally comes for him to chase what he always wanted, a hard choice has to be made.
I loved this story, the romance between Katie and Josh was sweet and i was happy when they finally got their happy ending.
I loved this story, the romance between Katie and Josh was sweet and i was happy when they finally got their happy ending.
October 23, 2017
Ultimo libro que leo de esta autora.
January 25, 2013
I think I've run into a case of the "it's not you, it's me"s. I used to love Shannon's books. Yours to Keep was a five star rating from me, and you know that's hard to come by. The first two in the series weren't as great for me, and these last few haven't knocked me off my feet, either. As far as I can tell, her writing hasn't changed, so alas...it's not you, it's me.
While All He Ever Dreamed was a cute, fun, light read, it was predictable. Ridiculously so.
The banter and back and forth with Katie and Josh was great. I love the friends to more storyline, but it didn't work so much for me here. The all of the sudden, light bulb moment is hard to swallow. Decades of being best friends with a girl and you'd never noticed she had boobs? Or checked out her ass? Yet your brothers--the ones who actually saw her as the sister you didn't see her as--did? Nope. Not buying it.
And when we did get the crash...the culmination of decades of friendship finally coming together? Talk about the disappointment of the century. It was missing emotion. It was almost robotic, especially after. It was a disappointment of epic proportions.
Besides that, the depth--or lack thereof--of Josh's character was frustrating. I wished we could've seen more of him besides his desire to leave, his moping around when things went a different way than he thought, and then continuing to do nothing but thinking of leaving.
In the end, while it had the HEA you knew was coming, I wished Katie had done more than sit around and wait. That, to me, knocked her down a couple pegs in my book. Don't just sit there and wait for the dude to come back, then throw yourself at him when he finally graces you with his presence. No and gross.
Also, do we have to end every single contemporary romance with a proposal? And a three name ILY? They're awkward and unrealistic and, frankly, I might stab my eyes out if I have to read it one more time.
If you're looking for a no-brainer, light CR, this was an okay way to spend the day, though I'd highly suggest Yours to Keep over it. I'll be interested to see how Stacey does the subsequent books when the problem of the hero needing/wanting to flee town isn't an issue as it has been in the last three...
While All He Ever Dreamed was a cute, fun, light read, it was predictable. Ridiculously so.
The banter and back and forth with Katie and Josh was great. I love the friends to more storyline, but it didn't work so much for me here. The all of the sudden, light bulb moment is hard to swallow. Decades of being best friends with a girl and you'd never noticed she had boobs? Or checked out her ass? Yet your brothers--the ones who actually saw her as the sister you didn't see her as--did? Nope. Not buying it.
And when we did get the crash...the culmination of decades of friendship finally coming together? Talk about the disappointment of the century. It was missing emotion. It was almost robotic, especially after. It was a disappointment of epic proportions.
Besides that, the depth--or lack thereof--of Josh's character was frustrating. I wished we could've seen more of him besides his desire to leave, his moping around when things went a different way than he thought, and then continuing to do nothing but thinking of leaving.
In the end, while it had the HEA you knew was coming, I wished Katie had done more than sit around and wait. That, to me, knocked her down a couple pegs in my book. Don't just sit there and wait for the dude to come back, then throw yourself at him when he finally graces you with his presence. No and gross.
Also, do we have to end every single contemporary romance with a proposal? And a three name ILY? They're awkward and unrealistic and, frankly, I might stab my eyes out if I have to read it one more time.
If you're looking for a no-brainer, light CR, this was an okay way to spend the day, though I'd highly suggest Yours to Keep over it. I'll be interested to see how Stacey does the subsequent books when the problem of the hero needing/wanting to flee town isn't an issue as it has been in the last three...
December 4, 2013
Title: All He Ever Dreamed
Series: Kowalski Family bk 6
Author: Shannon Stacey
Genre: Contemporary
Josh Kowalski is tired of holding down the fort—better known as the Northern Star Lodge—while his siblings are off living their dreams. Now that his oldest brother has returned to Whitford, Maine for good, Josh is free to chase some dreams of his own.
As the daughter of the lodge's longtime housekeeper, Katie Davis grew up alongside the Kowalski kids. Though she's always been "one of the guys", her feelings for Josh are anything but sisterly. And after a hot late-night encounter in the kitchen, it's clear Josh finally sees her as the woman she is.
Katie's been waiting years for Josh to notice her, but now that he has, she's afraid it's too late. Giving her heart to a man who can't wait to leave town is one sure way to have it broken. But Josh keeps coming up with excuses not to leave—could it be that everything he's ever wanted is closer than he could have imagined?
There is so much I can/could say about this book. How I've been waiting for it ever since All He Ever Needed, how Josh is simply delicious, how much I love Josh. Josh. Josh. Josh. In fact immediately after I finished reading it I tweet Shannon that she was a Goddess for this book.
Ok so I'm just going to say it. In my opinion Josh is Shannon's best hero to date, and I've read almost all of her books. If you have read All He Ever Needed and All He Ever Desired then you know the premise for this book as the set up begins there. Josh resents being stuck in charge of the families snowmobile lodge and wants a chance to leave and do other things.
Josh also has the problem of he's finally noticed his best friend is a woman, and an attractive woman at that. Now he's suddenly thinking lustful naughty thoughts about her. While the rest of town breathes a sigh of relief that he's finally doing something about it.
There is so much I want and need to say about this book and yet the only thing I can think to say is READ THIS BOOK. I'm serious. I've been trying to write this review for a week now that is all I can come up with without giving away a ton of information about the book.
Overall I think this may be my favorite book in the series, and we still have one more Kowalski sibling to go.
Grade A+
Review by: Heather
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
Series: Kowalski Family bk 6
Author: Shannon Stacey
Genre: Contemporary
Josh Kowalski is tired of holding down the fort—better known as the Northern Star Lodge—while his siblings are off living their dreams. Now that his oldest brother has returned to Whitford, Maine for good, Josh is free to chase some dreams of his own.
As the daughter of the lodge's longtime housekeeper, Katie Davis grew up alongside the Kowalski kids. Though she's always been "one of the guys", her feelings for Josh are anything but sisterly. And after a hot late-night encounter in the kitchen, it's clear Josh finally sees her as the woman she is.
Katie's been waiting years for Josh to notice her, but now that he has, she's afraid it's too late. Giving her heart to a man who can't wait to leave town is one sure way to have it broken. But Josh keeps coming up with excuses not to leave—could it be that everything he's ever wanted is closer than he could have imagined?
There is so much I can/could say about this book. How I've been waiting for it ever since All He Ever Needed, how Josh is simply delicious, how much I love Josh. Josh. Josh. Josh. In fact immediately after I finished reading it I tweet Shannon that she was a Goddess for this book.
Ok so I'm just going to say it. In my opinion Josh is Shannon's best hero to date, and I've read almost all of her books. If you have read All He Ever Needed and All He Ever Desired then you know the premise for this book as the set up begins there. Josh resents being stuck in charge of the families snowmobile lodge and wants a chance to leave and do other things.
Josh also has the problem of he's finally noticed his best friend is a woman, and an attractive woman at that. Now he's suddenly thinking lustful naughty thoughts about her. While the rest of town breathes a sigh of relief that he's finally doing something about it.
There is so much I want and need to say about this book and yet the only thing I can think to say is READ THIS BOOK. I'm serious. I've been trying to write this review for a week now that is all I can come up with without giving away a ton of information about the book.
Overall I think this may be my favorite book in the series, and we still have one more Kowalski sibling to go.
Grade A+
Review by: Heather
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
February 2, 2013
*4.5 Stars*
I love this family and all of the books about them!! Loved Katie and Josh, together they were even better. I knew that Josh had to leave to figure out what he wanted and it was well done, didn't like that Katie was hurt by it all even though she knew it too. There were so many wonderful funny things in this book. Loved the "middle naming" - that cracked me up, because it is so true! Christmas with the whole family was great, especially the presents Josh and Katie gave each other. I loved them, even though I think the Patriots are evil! And in the end, my heart both melted and laughed when There is still the sister and a couple of townsfolk - we do get more right?!
I love this family and all of the books about them!! Loved Katie and Josh, together they were even better. I knew that Josh had to leave to figure out what he wanted and it was well done, didn't like that Katie was hurt by it all even though she knew it too. There were so many wonderful funny things in this book. Loved the "middle naming" - that cracked me up, because it is so true! Christmas with the whole family was great, especially the presents Josh and Katie gave each other. I loved them, even though I think the Patriots are evil! And in the end, my heart both melted and laughed when There is still the sister and a couple of townsfolk - we do get more right?!
January 21, 2013
My Review:
I've been dying for Josh's story ever since we met him in book #6. Wow, it did not disappoint. Out of the five Kowalski kids, Josh has been the one who never got to chase his dreams. The family owned a snowmobiling lodge and when his father died, it automatically fell to Josh to take it over. At that point in time, there were no other choices. But that was the problem, Josh was never given the choice. His life has always been the lodge, nothing but the lodge and that's left him feeling that there may have been something else out there that he's missed out on. He hates and resents the fact that he's never had any other options.
As a reader, you can't help but feel for this guy. He loves his family, but he doesn't love his job any longer. It's gotten to the point where he actually really resents it, but he's trapped. There aren't any other options. The family knows he's at the end of his rope and they are working other options. A couple of different ones fall into their laps and then suddenly, Josh doesn't know what to do. He knows that he's always dreamed of leaving the lodge and pursuing something else, but that also means leaving Katie.
Josh and Katie grew up as best friends. She's always been in love with him, but he's never seen her as anything more than one of the guys....until the day when his eyes are suddenly opened. I adored this aspect of the story. Josh is so clueless...and so male....you just can't help but love him for his idiocy. To make it worse, his brothers are more than willing to point it out to him on a regular basis. As a reader, I felt sorry for him, but the whole time I was giggling too. Seriously, these scenes are some of the funniest in the book. Shannon Stacey knows how to write contemporary humor and she does it best between the brothers. Between them and just all of Josh's internal dialogue...seriously, so freaking funny! That was the first half of the book.
Then the second half was the heartbreak for Josh and Katie. FINALLY, they find their way to each other, but FINALLY Josh has the opportunity to also pursue his dream. The two things don't work together. He can either have Katie or his dream because she's not leaving this little town, her business, or her mother. Seriously, it broke my heart and literally brought me to tears a couple of times.
This book had all the highs and the lows that make it just a fantastic read. The characters are amazing and Shannon Stacey remains high in the running for best contemporary romance author. I just love her books and am so happy that this one lived up to my expectations. Now I just have to decide whether to give it an A or an A+. I cried, a couple of times, and I think that just pushed it over to the A+side of things.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I've been dying for Josh's story ever since we met him in book #6. Wow, it did not disappoint. Out of the five Kowalski kids, Josh has been the one who never got to chase his dreams. The family owned a snowmobiling lodge and when his father died, it automatically fell to Josh to take it over. At that point in time, there were no other choices. But that was the problem, Josh was never given the choice. His life has always been the lodge, nothing but the lodge and that's left him feeling that there may have been something else out there that he's missed out on. He hates and resents the fact that he's never had any other options.
As a reader, you can't help but feel for this guy. He loves his family, but he doesn't love his job any longer. It's gotten to the point where he actually really resents it, but he's trapped. There aren't any other options. The family knows he's at the end of his rope and they are working other options. A couple of different ones fall into their laps and then suddenly, Josh doesn't know what to do. He knows that he's always dreamed of leaving the lodge and pursuing something else, but that also means leaving Katie.
Josh and Katie grew up as best friends. She's always been in love with him, but he's never seen her as anything more than one of the guys....until the day when his eyes are suddenly opened. I adored this aspect of the story. Josh is so clueless...and so male....you just can't help but love him for his idiocy. To make it worse, his brothers are more than willing to point it out to him on a regular basis. As a reader, I felt sorry for him, but the whole time I was giggling too. Seriously, these scenes are some of the funniest in the book. Shannon Stacey knows how to write contemporary humor and she does it best between the brothers. Between them and just all of Josh's internal dialogue...seriously, so freaking funny! That was the first half of the book.
Then the second half was the heartbreak for Josh and Katie. FINALLY, they find their way to each other, but FINALLY Josh has the opportunity to also pursue his dream. The two things don't work together. He can either have Katie or his dream because she's not leaving this little town, her business, or her mother. Seriously, it broke my heart and literally brought me to tears a couple of times.
This book had all the highs and the lows that make it just a fantastic read. The characters are amazing and Shannon Stacey remains high in the running for best contemporary romance author. I just love her books and am so happy that this one lived up to my expectations. Now I just have to decide whether to give it an A or an A+. I cried, a couple of times, and I think that just pushed it over to the A+side of things.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
December 28, 2015
Review copy provided via NetGalley
Why I Read this Book: Shannon Stacey writes good contemporary romance and the Kowalski Family series is on my auto-read list. The books in this series are cute, fun, funny, romantic, smutty, yet there's an emotional connection that the characters bring share with the reader. I absolutely love this series!
What I Liked: One of my favorite tropes is a friends-to-lover romance. I love the discovery, and the transition from friends to something more, that comes with this type of love story. Josh and Katie have been best friends for so long and have a very comfortable friendship. Katie has been in love with Josh for a very long time and everyone knows except Josh. He’s never seen Katie as anything more than his best friend. And when written by Shannon Stacey, it’s fun and entertaining to watch this kind of story unfold.
The romance wasn’t the only thing going on in this book; Josh has some real concerns in regards to his manning the Northern Star Lodge. He’s been stuck in the same town, watching everyone else around him go on and live their lives. He wants to know what else there is out there in the world. Which proves to be an obstacle for Josh and Katie’s relationship but the outcome was realistic and believable.
I enjoyed reading about Rose and Andy as much as I did the lead characters. Their relationship somewhat mirrors Josh and Katie’s and I was rooting for them as much as I was the main couple.
This book was just a barrel of laughs. There was funny dialogue, memorable moments, and even a possible serial killer friend.
What I Didn’t Like: A little predictable in some areas but I didn’t mind at all.
Memorable Moments:
Overall Impression: All He Ever Dreamed is one of my favorite Kowalski Family books. Shannon Stacey writes good small town, family-oriented romance novels without making things too serious or heavy. These books are the perfect reading material when I’m in the mood for a light, fun, smutty read. All He Ever Dreamed was a great addition to the series and I look forward to catching up with this couple in future installments. I'm ready for the next book – Love A Little Sideways – which will be Liz’s book.
Why I Read this Book: Shannon Stacey writes good contemporary romance and the Kowalski Family series is on my auto-read list. The books in this series are cute, fun, funny, romantic, smutty, yet there's an emotional connection that the characters bring share with the reader. I absolutely love this series!
What I Liked: One of my favorite tropes is a friends-to-lover romance. I love the discovery, and the transition from friends to something more, that comes with this type of love story. Josh and Katie have been best friends for so long and have a very comfortable friendship. Katie has been in love with Josh for a very long time and everyone knows except Josh. He’s never seen Katie as anything more than his best friend. And when written by Shannon Stacey, it’s fun and entertaining to watch this kind of story unfold.
The romance wasn’t the only thing going on in this book; Josh has some real concerns in regards to his manning the Northern Star Lodge. He’s been stuck in the same town, watching everyone else around him go on and live their lives. He wants to know what else there is out there in the world. Which proves to be an obstacle for Josh and Katie’s relationship but the outcome was realistic and believable.
I enjoyed reading about Rose and Andy as much as I did the lead characters. Their relationship somewhat mirrors Josh and Katie’s and I was rooting for them as much as I was the main couple.
This book was just a barrel of laughs. There was funny dialogue, memorable moments, and even a possible serial killer friend.
What I Didn’t Like: A little predictable in some areas but I didn’t mind at all.
Memorable Moments:
“Mom wants fresh blueberry muffins for your guests, so I have to go make a test batch. That gives her time to tell me what I did wrong and make me bake more.”
“So you’re telling me we’re having shitty blueberry muffins for supper.”
“Yup.”
---
“Wait. Did you just middle name me?”
Overall Impression: All He Ever Dreamed is one of my favorite Kowalski Family books. Shannon Stacey writes good small town, family-oriented romance novels without making things too serious or heavy. These books are the perfect reading material when I’m in the mood for a light, fun, smutty read. All He Ever Dreamed was a great addition to the series and I look forward to catching up with this couple in future installments. I'm ready for the next book – Love A Little Sideways – which will be Liz’s book.
March 12, 2013
This may have just become my favorite book in this series. I LOVED it! I've been eagerly awaiting Josh and Katie's story and it did not disappoint at all.
I love love love both Josh and Katie. I love them together, but even more I love them as separate people. I relate to both of them in so many ways and that made the read that much more enjoyable. Josh, I understand. The restlessness, the desire to see what's out there, to have a choice...I get that. Katie, though...Katie is my spirit animal. Oh my goodness, I love her! There are so many things about Katie that I see and know in myself, her thoughts and feelings were things I could relate to, and I just wanted her to be happy! I wanted Josh to be happy as well.
Friends to lovers stories are always good, and this took it up a notch. Josh and Katie have been best friends for as long as they both can remember, and Katie has been in love with Josh for just about as long. Josh has always seen Katie as one of the guys. Well...that changes and boy does it throw Josh for a loop. It was both comical and touching to watch him come to terms with his new feelings for his best friend. Them watching the two of them fumble their way toward each other and then struggle with making it work while wanting different things at the time. Not to mention having the whole town in their business. It wasn't the smoothest path, but I liked the way it all unraveled and unfolded. I think everything that happened needed to happen and that made the ending that much sweeter.
I once again enjoyed the side stories. Rose and Andy are just so cute I can't stand it. I have loved watching that relationship change and develop into what it is now. Mitch and Paige shared some really happy and wonderful news. Liz and Drew are soooo going to wind up together and that makes me happy. We got to see Sean back home for a bit. The brothers were together being brothers, which I always enjoy. Josh split a lot of wood and that was just delicious. I adore Hailey so much and really want her to get her HEA. Max was a fun new addition and I wouldn't mind him and Hailey giving it a whirl. But at the heart of the side stories was the Northern Star Lodge itself. It's so much more than a business, so much more than a home. It's truly it's own character.
I am so completely hooked and in love with the Kowalski's and this series. Now I have to be patient and wait for Liz's book to come out!
I love love love both Josh and Katie. I love them together, but even more I love them as separate people. I relate to both of them in so many ways and that made the read that much more enjoyable. Josh, I understand. The restlessness, the desire to see what's out there, to have a choice...I get that. Katie, though...Katie is my spirit animal. Oh my goodness, I love her! There are so many things about Katie that I see and know in myself, her thoughts and feelings were things I could relate to, and I just wanted her to be happy! I wanted Josh to be happy as well.
Friends to lovers stories are always good, and this took it up a notch. Josh and Katie have been best friends for as long as they both can remember, and Katie has been in love with Josh for just about as long. Josh has always seen Katie as one of the guys. Well...that changes and boy does it throw Josh for a loop. It was both comical and touching to watch him come to terms with his new feelings for his best friend. Them watching the two of them fumble their way toward each other and then struggle with making it work while wanting different things at the time. Not to mention having the whole town in their business. It wasn't the smoothest path, but I liked the way it all unraveled and unfolded. I think everything that happened needed to happen and that made the ending that much sweeter.
I once again enjoyed the side stories. Rose and Andy are just so cute I can't stand it. I have loved watching that relationship change and develop into what it is now. Mitch and Paige shared some really happy and wonderful news. Liz and Drew are soooo going to wind up together and that makes me happy. We got to see Sean back home for a bit. The brothers were together being brothers, which I always enjoy. Josh split a lot of wood and that was just delicious. I adore Hailey so much and really want her to get her HEA. Max was a fun new addition and I wouldn't mind him and Hailey giving it a whirl. But at the heart of the side stories was the Northern Star Lodge itself. It's so much more than a business, so much more than a home. It's truly it's own character.
I am so completely hooked and in love with the Kowalski's and this series. Now I have to be patient and wait for Liz's book to come out!
February 5, 2017
From book one I've been in love with this series. So why have I let myself get so far behind on them? Your guess is as good as mine. I have no real clue why. I guess part of it is that with me blogging I seem to be reading only books that I'm asked or what's coming out soon. Some of my favorite authors have slipped through the cracks.
I'm hoping to change that this year. That's why I'm glad that this year we are once again doing our Clearing Off the Bookshelves post. It's a wonderful way for us to go back to those authors we love and read them,
If you haven't yet read about the Kowalski family you don't know what you're missing. These are all funny, heartwarming stories. It's one of those series that I think you'll get more out of it if you read them in order.
Since we first met Josh all you saw was a very unhappy person. He felt his like was stuck in one place while the rest of his family could do what they wanted to do, (the grass is greener scenario) and he wanted that for himself.
In his book you start to really learn more about him and what's inside him. You start to understand him wanting to spread his wings wasn't him being childish, but what is only fair to him. Of course he really should have done this before going to bed with his best friend, Katie.
These two are prefect for each other. They are alike but still enough of their own person that they won't get bored. I think I was more happy for Katie finally getting her man then for Josh realizing that what we think we want isn't always what we want.
I'm glad I added Shannon Stacey to my person list of authors to get caught up on. If you'll remember I did a post about them. I'm hoping to read more in the series soon.
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog:
http://romancingthereaders.blogspot.c...
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
I'm hoping to change that this year. That's why I'm glad that this year we are once again doing our Clearing Off the Bookshelves post. It's a wonderful way for us to go back to those authors we love and read them,
If you haven't yet read about the Kowalski family you don't know what you're missing. These are all funny, heartwarming stories. It's one of those series that I think you'll get more out of it if you read them in order.
Since we first met Josh all you saw was a very unhappy person. He felt his like was stuck in one place while the rest of his family could do what they wanted to do, (the grass is greener scenario) and he wanted that for himself.
In his book you start to really learn more about him and what's inside him. You start to understand him wanting to spread his wings wasn't him being childish, but what is only fair to him. Of course he really should have done this before going to bed with his best friend, Katie.
These two are prefect for each other. They are alike but still enough of their own person that they won't get bored. I think I was more happy for Katie finally getting her man then for Josh realizing that what we think we want isn't always what we want.
I'm glad I added Shannon Stacey to my person list of authors to get caught up on. If you'll remember I did a post about them. I'm hoping to read more in the series soon.
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog:
http://romancingthereaders.blogspot.c...
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
January 22, 2013
Piper's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4.5 Stars
I have been waiting for Josh and Katie’s book, and Shannon Stacey does not disappoint.
Josh was left “holding the bag” when it came to the family owned Northern Star Lodge when his dad died. His older brothers and sister had all moved away and found the lives they wanted to live and that left Josh running the family lodge. I have felt for Josh from the beginning. He knew he could not leave the lodge like his brothers and sister did, but he sucks it up and carries on until he can no longer hold it in. All Josh ever wanted was a choice.
Katie Davis grew up with the Kowalski kids. Her mother Rose was the house keeper of the Northern Star and helped raise the Kowalski kids. Katie has been in love with Josh for as long as she can remember. Only problem is, she is Josh’s best friend and he sees her as one of the guys. I absolutely love Katie. She has been a favorite of mine since her first appearance. I love the scene when Josh finally sees Katie as a women. Katie is funny and loyal, and really understands Josh like no one else. Their story from best friends to lovers is so emotional and just one of the best written friends to lovers stories.
This was another great read by Shannon Stacey about getting what you wished for, and realizing what you wanted all along was right in front of you the whole time. I laughed and I cried, and as always with the Kowalski books I was left wanting more. I hope Ms. Stacey continues with these great characters. I hope we will get Liz Kowalski’s story soon. And, I am really crossing my fingers that we get Haley’s story.
If you have not read Shannon Stacey, you must. You will not be sorry.
Happy Reading!!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4.5 Stars
I have been waiting for Josh and Katie’s book, and Shannon Stacey does not disappoint.
Josh was left “holding the bag” when it came to the family owned Northern Star Lodge when his dad died. His older brothers and sister had all moved away and found the lives they wanted to live and that left Josh running the family lodge. I have felt for Josh from the beginning. He knew he could not leave the lodge like his brothers and sister did, but he sucks it up and carries on until he can no longer hold it in. All Josh ever wanted was a choice.
Katie Davis grew up with the Kowalski kids. Her mother Rose was the house keeper of the Northern Star and helped raise the Kowalski kids. Katie has been in love with Josh for as long as she can remember. Only problem is, she is Josh’s best friend and he sees her as one of the guys. I absolutely love Katie. She has been a favorite of mine since her first appearance. I love the scene when Josh finally sees Katie as a women. Katie is funny and loyal, and really understands Josh like no one else. Their story from best friends to lovers is so emotional and just one of the best written friends to lovers stories.
This was another great read by Shannon Stacey about getting what you wished for, and realizing what you wanted all along was right in front of you the whole time. I laughed and I cried, and as always with the Kowalski books I was left wanting more. I hope Ms. Stacey continues with these great characters. I hope we will get Liz Kowalski’s story soon. And, I am really crossing my fingers that we get Haley’s story.
If you have not read Shannon Stacey, you must. You will not be sorry.
Happy Reading!!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
February 4, 2013
For more reviews, please check out www.readingtsinoy.blogspot.com
Katie has always loved Josh but he only looks at her as just another guy, his best friend forever. It doesn’t help that they grew up together since Katie’s mom Rosie has worked for decades at the Northern Star lodge, Josh’s family’s business.
Josh is restless. He’s the only one among his siblings stuck taking care of the lodge. Everyone else has had the chance to get out of town and build their careers…but not him. So he wants to sell the lodge and get the hell out.
Slowly they are rebuilding the lodge for an eventual sale. What they never expected is for their beloved Rosie to get sick. So Katie decides to stay over at the lodge to take care of her mother and help Josh with it.
An accidental run in finally makes Josh see Katie as the beautiful woman he has always ignored. The attraction between them sizzles. And though Josh tries to ignore and fight his feelings, he eventually succumbs. At last Katie has her man. But is what they have enough to stop Josh from leaving and doing what he has always dreamed?
I’ve said it before I will say it again. I am a sucker for happy endings. And I know that anything by Shannon Stacey, particularly anything Kowalski, is sure to have a happy ending, so it was a no brainer for me to read this book. An extra plus is the plot. I have always found stories of friendships that turn into love extra romantic and thrilling, and No, I never tire of reading these, so after getting the ARC copy I dove right into the first page and read straight through the night. Another un-put downable book by Stacey, All She Ever Dreamed may be my favorite Kowalski story yet.
Katie has always loved Josh but he only looks at her as just another guy, his best friend forever. It doesn’t help that they grew up together since Katie’s mom Rosie has worked for decades at the Northern Star lodge, Josh’s family’s business.
Josh is restless. He’s the only one among his siblings stuck taking care of the lodge. Everyone else has had the chance to get out of town and build their careers…but not him. So he wants to sell the lodge and get the hell out.
Slowly they are rebuilding the lodge for an eventual sale. What they never expected is for their beloved Rosie to get sick. So Katie decides to stay over at the lodge to take care of her mother and help Josh with it.
An accidental run in finally makes Josh see Katie as the beautiful woman he has always ignored. The attraction between them sizzles. And though Josh tries to ignore and fight his feelings, he eventually succumbs. At last Katie has her man. But is what they have enough to stop Josh from leaving and doing what he has always dreamed?
I’ve said it before I will say it again. I am a sucker for happy endings. And I know that anything by Shannon Stacey, particularly anything Kowalski, is sure to have a happy ending, so it was a no brainer for me to read this book. An extra plus is the plot. I have always found stories of friendships that turn into love extra romantic and thrilling, and No, I never tire of reading these, so after getting the ARC copy I dove right into the first page and read straight through the night. Another un-put downable book by Stacey, All She Ever Dreamed may be my favorite Kowalski story yet.
January 29, 2013
Maybe I shouldn't mark this as read because I skimmed the last 20% or so and I thought I was catching enough, but then I was like, huh, what? And I'm not sure if that's the book's fault or mine.
And the writing felt kind of tired in this one. I don't know. I'm not sure if I'll read more or not. I'm interested in (presumably) future characters, but the romances in these series don't work that well for me.
And the writing felt kind of tired in this one. I don't know. I'm not sure if I'll read more or not. I'm interested in (presumably) future characters, but the romances in these series don't work that well for me.
February 26, 2013
If your looking for a feel good romance, with no angst this is a great book. Yes it's predictable, but most romance novels are, but it's warm and comforting.
Josh and Katie have been best buddies since childhood, everyone know there a perfect couple but them!! Rosie is Katie's mum and decides its time to do some matchmaking.
I like the characters, josh could have been more something...not sure what. The kowalski brothers all seemed lovely, I haven't read any of the previous books but would happily pick one up and pass a few hours in any of the brothers company.
This is a slow burning romance book, I did love there christmas presents to each other!!
**i received this book via netgalley for an Honest review**
Josh and Katie have been best buddies since childhood, everyone know there a perfect couple but them!! Rosie is Katie's mum and decides its time to do some matchmaking.
I like the characters, josh could have been more something...not sure what. The kowalski brothers all seemed lovely, I haven't read any of the previous books but would happily pick one up and pass a few hours in any of the brothers company.
This is a slow burning romance book, I did love there christmas presents to each other!!
**i received this book via netgalley for an Honest review**
March 29, 2013
This was my least favorite in the series, simply nothing worked for me, not the relationship the romance or ending.
I didn't see any love between the two characters and I thought there wasn't any solution to the hero's problem and the heroin was selfish.
I didn't see any love between the two characters and I thought there wasn't any solution to the hero's problem and the heroin was selfish.
August 6, 2015
There wasn't any good story progress. I read lots of book that I found that love part was low but at least I enjoyed other progress in it. But this was so lame, I didn't feel anything nor I enjoyed.
August 2, 2017
The story is good-humored. We have contact with the family relationship and we can feel how all the brothers care about each other and help each other. They are also always attentive and concerned with Rosie (Katie's mother), their housekeeper, who is like a second mother to them. The secondary characters actively participate in the story, and help and much in the unfolding of events.
All His Dreams is funny, romantic, good to read and great for a cozy afternoon. A fluent reading that made me sigh, laugh, and thrill me in parts. Shannon Stacey does not disappoint.
All His Dreams is funny, romantic, good to read and great for a cozy afternoon. A fluent reading that made me sigh, laugh, and thrill me in parts. Shannon Stacey does not disappoint.
October 15, 2017
Loved Josh and Katie's story!
January 21, 2013
Ahhhhhhhhhh, it’s a Kowalski book!! If you like sweet romances with a side order of hot sex then this is a series that you may need to start. This series is based around the members of the Kowalski family and their stories as they fall head over heels in love. This one features Josh, the youngest of five (I think) and his friends to lover’s romance. It made me laugh, hug my kindle and mentally beat them both over the head. I want the next one immediately!
Josh caught my attention in Mitch’s book. Left by his elder siblings to run the family business (because they didn’t want to!), he was left feeling angry and trapped by their choices to leave and his sense of responsibility that kept him where he didn’t want to be. I understood his feelings, and it did affect my opinions of his brothers in their books, but in this one they are trying to rectify their mistakes. They have made the decision to sell the business and let Josh run free for a bit. Perfect timing for his story right? J
Katie has been Josh’s best friend forever and loved him for just as long but he doesn’t see her that way (well, he doesn’t consciously anyway). I love friends to lover’s books and this storyline made me squeal! How does she finally get him to notice her? He sees her in PJ’s sans bra. Yes, that’s right ladies; the girls did it for her....stupid, horny man syndrome strikes again. Because of the way he started to notice her, it made me question the credibility of any relationship they might have. Luckily, Josh decided to make me like him again by having the same reservations and realising that he may screw up his friendship by giving into the demands of little Josh. Good man.
Unfortunately, Katie realised that he had noticed her boobs at the same time he did and decided now was the time to strike. This is where I started to question her sanity. It is one thing loving a man from afar and knowing that you can never have him but then to try to entice him into bed when you know he is going to up and leave? That’s Masochism. Try as I might though, I couldn’t hate them together even when I thought they were making some very bad choices. The chemistry was awesome and all the sneaking around they were doing to find the privacy to have sex made it all the yummier. The barn, the shower, the snow mobile, the kitchen, the office....I wondered when the hell they were going to find a bed!
"Gee Josh. Sex in a barn. Cookies in a closet. You sure know how to show a girl a good time."
"I'm a hell of a catch, huh? Wait 'til I show you what I can do in the basement"
In all honesty, I liked both of the characters individually but I adored them together. Josh was a stubborn character that needed to be left to make his own decisions and this did give some moments where I mentally beat him repeatedly with my kindle. Katie was a fantastic character whose only flaw was her unwavering devotion to Josh. There were points when I questioned why she hadn’t moved on, why she had kept herself in such an impossible situation, but it was all worth it in the end. Together, they were fricking amazing. They were fun, sexy and in complete synch. Of course, the whole question hanging over their relationship is whether or not it will be enough to keep Josh’s itchy feet still. Well, I’m not telling....read it yourself J
This was a fantastic edition to a series that is a must read one for me. A friends to lovers book which was believable as well as sexy, it hit everything on my check list. I read it tucked up on a cold snowy day and I never stopped reading or smiling. Shannon Stacey, you are now one of the authors I will automatically turn to when I need a read that makes me feel good J
Josh caught my attention in Mitch’s book. Left by his elder siblings to run the family business (because they didn’t want to!), he was left feeling angry and trapped by their choices to leave and his sense of responsibility that kept him where he didn’t want to be. I understood his feelings, and it did affect my opinions of his brothers in their books, but in this one they are trying to rectify their mistakes. They have made the decision to sell the business and let Josh run free for a bit. Perfect timing for his story right? J
Katie has been Josh’s best friend forever and loved him for just as long but he doesn’t see her that way (well, he doesn’t consciously anyway). I love friends to lover’s books and this storyline made me squeal! How does she finally get him to notice her? He sees her in PJ’s sans bra. Yes, that’s right ladies; the girls did it for her....stupid, horny man syndrome strikes again. Because of the way he started to notice her, it made me question the credibility of any relationship they might have. Luckily, Josh decided to make me like him again by having the same reservations and realising that he may screw up his friendship by giving into the demands of little Josh. Good man.
Unfortunately, Katie realised that he had noticed her boobs at the same time he did and decided now was the time to strike. This is where I started to question her sanity. It is one thing loving a man from afar and knowing that you can never have him but then to try to entice him into bed when you know he is going to up and leave? That’s Masochism. Try as I might though, I couldn’t hate them together even when I thought they were making some very bad choices. The chemistry was awesome and all the sneaking around they were doing to find the privacy to have sex made it all the yummier. The barn, the shower, the snow mobile, the kitchen, the office....I wondered when the hell they were going to find a bed!
"Gee Josh. Sex in a barn. Cookies in a closet. You sure know how to show a girl a good time."
"I'm a hell of a catch, huh? Wait 'til I show you what I can do in the basement"
In all honesty, I liked both of the characters individually but I adored them together. Josh was a stubborn character that needed to be left to make his own decisions and this did give some moments where I mentally beat him repeatedly with my kindle. Katie was a fantastic character whose only flaw was her unwavering devotion to Josh. There were points when I questioned why she hadn’t moved on, why she had kept herself in such an impossible situation, but it was all worth it in the end. Together, they were fricking amazing. They were fun, sexy and in complete synch. Of course, the whole question hanging over their relationship is whether or not it will be enough to keep Josh’s itchy feet still. Well, I’m not telling....read it yourself J
This was a fantastic edition to a series that is a must read one for me. A friends to lovers book which was believable as well as sexy, it hit everything on my check list. I read it tucked up on a cold snowy day and I never stopped reading or smiling. Shannon Stacey, you are now one of the authors I will automatically turn to when I need a read that makes me feel good J
July 2, 2013
You know that feeling when you are on your first date with this guy that you're totally into and everything is going fine - he doesn't have gunk in his teeth during dinner, he has good manners, you share a few laughs - but then when it's all over you're like "Huh. That was...nice"? You know that feeling? Well, that's where I am right now.
First, a quick story review and then I will try and explain why I'm not calling my best friend up and giddily rhapsodizing about my hot new date.
What I was troubled by:
1) The hero was basically a huge whiny baby. Not hot.
2) The heroine was more like his mom than his partner. Also, not hot.
3) Guy Sees Outline of Cold Nipple and Gets An Epic Hard-on That Just Won't Go Away. It MUST be love.
Have you guys seen this before? Guy feels nothing but chummy brotherhood with this girl - his best pal, like forever, but then one day, he gets an eyeful of cold nips and ba-BOOM, he's 30 floors up Erection Tower in Lust City in the express elevator. Puhleese.
First of all, if he's a guy and they've been friends through his hormonal adolescence, even if nothing happened, he'd have noticed the outline of her parts waaaaay before now. And secondly, there is this out-sized reaction to a dress that makes him want to rip it off her post haste and have his way with her over a table NOW. Sure. She's one of the guys and you never see her like that, and now she looks feminine and nice and it's INEVITABLE that you'll feel an interest, right? Julia Roberts wore that hooker dress that was arguably ASKING to be ripped off but Richard Gere managed to keep it in his pants the entire evening. Are you asking me to believe that this woman looks SO amazing in a basic black number than this guy gets an unmanageable woody that can not be held back unless he has sex with her Right. This. Second. That he basically spends like 30 pages (like days) of the book "distracted' and in a state of semi-arousal?
What was nice:
1) Just the right dollop of torturous anguish
Weirdly, I thought the most romantic part of the story - and basically what saved the whole thing for me - was their phone conversations when they "break up". By this point they know they love each other, and they understand why the other is doing what they're doing, and they know they're just prolonging their anguish by keeping in touch, but they do it anyway because they can't help it. That was so sweet.
2) No cheapo plot device to raise the stakes
Often, when the characters need to be made to See The Light, the author will introduce a new entanglement like a second male character who makes the hero jealous and drives him back to her like a raging papa bear protecting his mating rights. Luckily, Ms. Stacey is too smart for that. Because those are super lame.
Skeptic's last word: So yeah... would I do on a date with this again? Nah. Not a re-read or anything. But it was a nice way to spend a few hours.
The whole review I wrote of this was too long to put in here, but is here: http://theromanticalskeptic.blogspot....
First, a quick story review and then I will try and explain why I'm not calling my best friend up and giddily rhapsodizing about my hot new date.
What I was troubled by:
1) The hero was basically a huge whiny baby. Not hot.
2) The heroine was more like his mom than his partner. Also, not hot.
3) Guy Sees Outline of Cold Nipple and Gets An Epic Hard-on That Just Won't Go Away. It MUST be love.
Have you guys seen this before? Guy feels nothing but chummy brotherhood with this girl - his best pal, like forever, but then one day, he gets an eyeful of cold nips and ba-BOOM, he's 30 floors up Erection Tower in Lust City in the express elevator. Puhleese.
First of all, if he's a guy and they've been friends through his hormonal adolescence, even if nothing happened, he'd have noticed the outline of her parts waaaaay before now. And secondly, there is this out-sized reaction to a dress that makes him want to rip it off her post haste and have his way with her over a table NOW. Sure. She's one of the guys and you never see her like that, and now she looks feminine and nice and it's INEVITABLE that you'll feel an interest, right? Julia Roberts wore that hooker dress that was arguably ASKING to be ripped off but Richard Gere managed to keep it in his pants the entire evening. Are you asking me to believe that this woman looks SO amazing in a basic black number than this guy gets an unmanageable woody that can not be held back unless he has sex with her Right. This. Second. That he basically spends like 30 pages (like days) of the book "distracted' and in a state of semi-arousal?
What was nice:
1) Just the right dollop of torturous anguish
Weirdly, I thought the most romantic part of the story - and basically what saved the whole thing for me - was their phone conversations when they "break up". By this point they know they love each other, and they understand why the other is doing what they're doing, and they know they're just prolonging their anguish by keeping in touch, but they do it anyway because they can't help it. That was so sweet.
2) No cheapo plot device to raise the stakes
Often, when the characters need to be made to See The Light, the author will introduce a new entanglement like a second male character who makes the hero jealous and drives him back to her like a raging papa bear protecting his mating rights. Luckily, Ms. Stacey is too smart for that. Because those are super lame.
Skeptic's last word: So yeah... would I do on a date with this again? Nah. Not a re-read or anything. But it was a nice way to spend a few hours.
The whole review I wrote of this was too long to put in here, but is here: http://theromanticalskeptic.blogspot....
January 24, 2013
4 STARS
All He Ever Dreamed (Kowalski#6)
I liked it better than #5 in the Kowalski series. Some ways it was easy to see where the book was headed all along the way. Still how they got their was told really good. I did not want to put the book down.
Shannon has created the Kowalski family. They are more character driven romances. This is Josh and Katie story. But you see and hear whats going on with his other brothers and friends too. I missed reading book 3 & 4 but don't feel lost in the later books. It is easy to read any of the books so far that I can see. Though it is richer if you had read them. I want to go back and read them sometime in the future.
Josh is the youngest of his family. When he was ready to leave home like the rest had is father got sick. So he stayed to take care of the family lodge. When his dad died his brothers and sister just assumed he would stay and keep the lodge going. Josh has let the anger build up in him and when he broke his leg they all came home to help. Now the lodge is in better shape and they are thinking of selling it so he can choose and go where he wants.
Katie is Josh's best friend for years. She is into sports like him. Her mother was the housekeeper at the lodge and helped raise Josh & his brother and sister. Katie has been in love with him for years. He has never really noticed she was a women till she moved into the lodge while her mom has been really sick.
Two best friends that everyone can see belong together but Josh. Rosie Kate's mother is matchmaking harder. She wants them to get together and marry and keep the lodge open and give her grandkids.
Rosie also starts her own affair.
Thier is some foul langage,and love scenes. romance,humor,sports and lots of love.
I can't wait to find out what happens to Liz Kowalski. I am sure we will see more of her in the future.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review from Netgalley.
Description taken off Netgalley
Josh Kowalski is tired of holding down the fort—better known as the Northern Star Lodge—while his siblings are off living their dreams. Now that his oldest brother has returned to Whitford, Maine for good, Josh is free to chase some dreams of his own.
As the daughter of the lodge's longtime housekeeper, Katie Davis grew up alongside the Kowalski kids. Though she's always been "one of the guys", her feelings for Josh are anything but sisterly. And after a hot late-night encounter in the kitchen, it's clear Josh finally sees her as the woman she is.
Katie's been waiting years for Josh to notice her, but now that he has, she's afraid it's too late. Giving her heart to a man who can't wait to leave town is one sure way to have it broken. But Josh keeps coming up with excuses not to leave—could it be that everything he's ever wanted is closer than he could have imagined?
01/21/2012 PUB Carina Press 9781426894626 ISBN
All He Ever Dreamed (Kowalski#6)
I liked it better than #5 in the Kowalski series. Some ways it was easy to see where the book was headed all along the way. Still how they got their was told really good. I did not want to put the book down.
Shannon has created the Kowalski family. They are more character driven romances. This is Josh and Katie story. But you see and hear whats going on with his other brothers and friends too. I missed reading book 3 & 4 but don't feel lost in the later books. It is easy to read any of the books so far that I can see. Though it is richer if you had read them. I want to go back and read them sometime in the future.
Josh is the youngest of his family. When he was ready to leave home like the rest had is father got sick. So he stayed to take care of the family lodge. When his dad died his brothers and sister just assumed he would stay and keep the lodge going. Josh has let the anger build up in him and when he broke his leg they all came home to help. Now the lodge is in better shape and they are thinking of selling it so he can choose and go where he wants.
Katie is Josh's best friend for years. She is into sports like him. Her mother was the housekeeper at the lodge and helped raise Josh & his brother and sister. Katie has been in love with him for years. He has never really noticed she was a women till she moved into the lodge while her mom has been really sick.
Two best friends that everyone can see belong together but Josh. Rosie Kate's mother is matchmaking harder. She wants them to get together and marry and keep the lodge open and give her grandkids.
Rosie also starts her own affair.
Thier is some foul langage,and love scenes. romance,humor,sports and lots of love.
I can't wait to find out what happens to Liz Kowalski. I am sure we will see more of her in the future.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review from Netgalley.
Description taken off Netgalley
Josh Kowalski is tired of holding down the fort—better known as the Northern Star Lodge—while his siblings are off living their dreams. Now that his oldest brother has returned to Whitford, Maine for good, Josh is free to chase some dreams of his own.
As the daughter of the lodge's longtime housekeeper, Katie Davis grew up alongside the Kowalski kids. Though she's always been "one of the guys", her feelings for Josh are anything but sisterly. And after a hot late-night encounter in the kitchen, it's clear Josh finally sees her as the woman she is.
Katie's been waiting years for Josh to notice her, but now that he has, she's afraid it's too late. Giving her heart to a man who can't wait to leave town is one sure way to have it broken. But Josh keeps coming up with excuses not to leave—could it be that everything he's ever wanted is closer than he could have imagined?
01/21/2012 PUB Carina Press 9781426894626 ISBN
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