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Barboza Brothers #2
Armando Returns
Their secret wedding should have been the happiest event of their lives. Armando Barboza and Katie McCormack were both eighteen years old and fresh out of high school when Katie's father brutally ripped them apart.
Ten years later, a simple phone call turns Armando's life upside down and sends him running home to find her.
Who will Katie choose? The man whose ring she wears, or the high school sweetheart whose loss shattered her world?
Ten years later, a simple phone call turns Armando's life upside down and sends him running home to find her.
Who will Katie choose? The man whose ring she wears, or the high school sweetheart whose loss shattered her world?
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
37 people are currently reading
610 people want to read
About the author
Reeni Austin
5 books144 followersReeni Austin is also known as Shaina Richmond.
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reeniaustin.com
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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Visit her website to learn more:
reeniaustin.com
facebook.com/reeniaustin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 9, 2013
Armando Return was amazing. I am so happy him and Katie found each other and followed their heart. OMG Lisa (my mother) needed to be slapped ten fold. She never wanted her kids happiness just the fame. I LOVE Victor family instincts, he is another book husband of mine. I cannot wait for Roman story. Great book 2 Reeni.
March 6, 2013
Recap of book 1- Armando Returns is book 2 in the Barboza Brothers series by Reeni Austin. In book 1, Fresh Temptation we met Cara, Victor, and Cara's young son Isaac. I immediately liked Cara because she is a hard working, sweet yet tough, down to earth, single mother who loves her child boundlessly. I was swooned by Victor Barboza a wealthy, powerful, and in charge alpha male with a kind soul, who knows and understands the meaning of true love. As for precious little Isaac, you can't help but love that little guy. With his sweet little pronunciations of words, like: Bictow or Victor...he's just so cute, you want to hug him! If you're anything like me, at the end of Fresh Temptation you wanted to know more about Cara & Victor's story and where their love leads them.
I was pleasantly pleased to discover that Reeni Austin incorporates the continuation of Cara and Victor's story in Armando Returns. I was even more pleased with how their love story blossomed.
Book 2 Intro- We are introduced to Armando Barboza and Katie McCormack as two love struck eighteen year old's who are desperate to be together, regardless of what their families say. While en route to their secretly planned wedding, Katie's father intervenes ripping them a part and forbidding them to ever see each other again.
Although, it's extremely painful and it feels as though they have no other options, both try their best to move forwards with their lives.
...but
Is it possible to ever forget your soul-mate?
Is it possible to allow yourself to love again, when you know that person is out there somewhere?
Katie and Armando have ten years to learn to live without each other before fate intervenes in their lives once again. This time bringing them front and center in each other's lives. But, the circumstances are much different for both of them this time around.
How I perceived Armando:
Armando, Armando, Armando...Oh, how I love Armando's character. He is a tall, lean, muscular, hardworking, kind, loving, and wealthy man of Hispanic descent. The term Tall, Dark, and Handsome fits him quite well. His intense need to love and protect Katie is heart-touchingly beautiful. He's very much a respectable stand up guy...which I completely love.
How I perceived Katie:
Katie is from a prominent family in their small Texas town. Her well to do background doesn't negatively affect her moral character as many might assume; she's not a snob. She is educated, kind, hardworking, loving, down to earth, beautiful, intelligent, but slightly naive. I really like Katie's character and think she is perfect for Armando.
In Closing- Fresh Temptation and Armando Returns are for the most part light-hearted romance stories with a little added spice. That being said, there is depth in the story line and in the characters.
Armando Returns is a story of true undying love, the loss of that love, and the chance to reclaim that love, which was never truly lost and certainly not forgotten.
There are some intense scenes in this book that made my chest to tighten with anxiousness and/or anger, sadness and happiness. It's truly a beautiful, well written romance and I highly recommend it to all.
If you haven't already done so be sure to read book 1 Fresh Temptation too.
Reeni Austin
I was pleasantly pleased to discover that Reeni Austin incorporates the continuation of Cara and Victor's story in Armando Returns. I was even more pleased with how their love story blossomed.
Book 2 Intro- We are introduced to Armando Barboza and Katie McCormack as two love struck eighteen year old's who are desperate to be together, regardless of what their families say. While en route to their secretly planned wedding, Katie's father intervenes ripping them a part and forbidding them to ever see each other again.
Although, it's extremely painful and it feels as though they have no other options, both try their best to move forwards with their lives.
...but
Is it possible to ever forget your soul-mate?
Is it possible to allow yourself to love again, when you know that person is out there somewhere?
Katie and Armando have ten years to learn to live without each other before fate intervenes in their lives once again. This time bringing them front and center in each other's lives. But, the circumstances are much different for both of them this time around.
How I perceived Armando:
Armando, Armando, Armando...Oh, how I love Armando's character. He is a tall, lean, muscular, hardworking, kind, loving, and wealthy man of Hispanic descent. The term Tall, Dark, and Handsome fits him quite well. His intense need to love and protect Katie is heart-touchingly beautiful. He's very much a respectable stand up guy...which I completely love.
How I perceived Katie:
Katie is from a prominent family in their small Texas town. Her well to do background doesn't negatively affect her moral character as many might assume; she's not a snob. She is educated, kind, hardworking, loving, down to earth, beautiful, intelligent, but slightly naive. I really like Katie's character and think she is perfect for Armando.
In Closing- Fresh Temptation and Armando Returns are for the most part light-hearted romance stories with a little added spice. That being said, there is depth in the story line and in the characters.
Armando Returns is a story of true undying love, the loss of that love, and the chance to reclaim that love, which was never truly lost and certainly not forgotten.
There are some intense scenes in this book that made my chest to tighten with anxiousness and/or anger, sadness and happiness. It's truly a beautiful, well written romance and I highly recommend it to all.
If you haven't already done so be sure to read book 1 Fresh Temptation too.
Reeni Austin
July 21, 2013
This was the story of Katie and Armando Barboza. They were driven apart by family 10 years before on their way to get married. Ten years later they reconnect and find out they still love each other very much. I really love this book
October 3, 2020
It's amazing how much you like book two....
And you thought that this was a bad idea to start this series. But boy was I wrong I love this story and I can't wait to start the third book in this series and get to the conclusion. Yes I would recommend this series and this author.
And you thought that this was a bad idea to start this series. But boy was I wrong I love this story and I can't wait to start the third book in this series and get to the conclusion. Yes I would recommend this series and this author.
May 11, 2017
5*
Loved book 2 as much as book 1. Great too see the characters from book 1 in book 2. Will defo be buying book 3 5*
Loved book 2 as much as book 1. Great too see the characters from book 1 in book 2. Will defo be buying book 3 5*
September 13, 2013
4.25☆☆☆☆
Great followup to the first book about Victor. While I did like that book, it did seem a little rushed. But this book took time to revisit some of the old, introduce us to some of the new and reinvent a lot of the past.
So many subtleties draped this book about Armando. Those little things that paved the way to the truth about Katie and her relationship, Armando and his feelings, Katie and her insecurities and uncertainties and the truth that destroyed their lives and threatens to continue that suffocation.
While we never truly get the truth in the end, the very last few paragraphs give you insight on a little bit of what is to come and the magnitude of the force of what that truth may be.
I was pleased with commentary, backstory, progression and interaction between the characters, and even more pleased with the growth the author displayed for the characters after a decade. The sort of devastating trauma that Armando and Katie endured is one that could alter the lives of anyone, some in the most horrible ways. But this author took a higher road and showed these characters drenched in strength, resilience and determination, despite all the manipulation and control others put on them and their lives. They chose to live their lives their own way as best as they could and when the time was right, it was solely on their own terms without fear of punishment, retribution, judgment or retaliation. Happiness, love and a desire to right a wrong and live a life of their choosing carried the day.
It was truly a powerful connection between two characters that made me smile every time they were in each others presence and had me eagerly wishing they would find a way to climb the rubble of their past, jump over the obstacles in their way and find the road back to each other.
One thing at the end both surprised me, shocked me and pleased me, but I found it was bittersweet, necessary and long overdue.
A winning read for me.
Great followup to the first book about Victor. While I did like that book, it did seem a little rushed. But this book took time to revisit some of the old, introduce us to some of the new and reinvent a lot of the past.
So many subtleties draped this book about Armando. Those little things that paved the way to the truth about Katie and her relationship, Armando and his feelings, Katie and her insecurities and uncertainties and the truth that destroyed their lives and threatens to continue that suffocation.
While we never truly get the truth in the end, the very last few paragraphs give you insight on a little bit of what is to come and the magnitude of the force of what that truth may be.
I was pleased with commentary, backstory, progression and interaction between the characters, and even more pleased with the growth the author displayed for the characters after a decade. The sort of devastating trauma that Armando and Katie endured is one that could alter the lives of anyone, some in the most horrible ways. But this author took a higher road and showed these characters drenched in strength, resilience and determination, despite all the manipulation and control others put on them and their lives. They chose to live their lives their own way as best as they could and when the time was right, it was solely on their own terms without fear of punishment, retribution, judgment or retaliation. Happiness, love and a desire to right a wrong and live a life of their choosing carried the day.
It was truly a powerful connection between two characters that made me smile every time they were in each others presence and had me eagerly wishing they would find a way to climb the rubble of their past, jump over the obstacles in their way and find the road back to each other.
One thing at the end both surprised me, shocked me and pleased me, but I found it was bittersweet, necessary and long overdue.
A winning read for me.
July 19, 2014
Armando Returns is the second book in the Barboza brothers series by Reeni Austin. It is a wonderful second book and keeps up with the standard set by the first one. It takes place in San Antonio, Texas.
Victor Barboza and Cara Green have come to Texas to visit the ranch on which Victor and his brothers grew up. With them is Cara’s son Isaac. Victor has decided to propose to Cara on the Riverwalk and goes to one of the restaurants to make arrangements for a private dinner. The manager in charge is Katie McCormack, the ex-fiancée of Victor’s brother Armando. Victor was away at school when Armando and Katie were together so he doesn’t recognize her; but she recognizes him right away. Katie sets the plans in motion for Victor and has him tell Armando hi. Victor does this and sets events he doesn’t know about in motion. The other thing he tells Armando is that Katie is engaged.
Katie and Armando had wanted to get married ten years before and were running away to New Mexico from Texas when they were caught by her father Judge McCormack and state troopers. They took Armando and kept him a couple of days in jail then drugged him and took him across the border into Mexico and dropped him on a desert road. He managed to get back to Texas where he confronted Katie and she broke things off with him. Neither Katie nor Armando knew why her parents were so adamant that they be broken up. Now after ten years, Armando has returned to Texas to see Katie before she marries.
All three Barboza brothers, Cara Green, her son, and her mother and step-dad descend on the ranch to help Armando and by extension Ramon with the ranch. They are staying longer than planned to find out why the McCormacks wanted to break the kids up years ago.
Will Katie and Armando make it this time? What will happen to her fiancé? What will her parents do or not do?
Victor Barboza and Cara Green have come to Texas to visit the ranch on which Victor and his brothers grew up. With them is Cara’s son Isaac. Victor has decided to propose to Cara on the Riverwalk and goes to one of the restaurants to make arrangements for a private dinner. The manager in charge is Katie McCormack, the ex-fiancée of Victor’s brother Armando. Victor was away at school when Armando and Katie were together so he doesn’t recognize her; but she recognizes him right away. Katie sets the plans in motion for Victor and has him tell Armando hi. Victor does this and sets events he doesn’t know about in motion. The other thing he tells Armando is that Katie is engaged.
Katie and Armando had wanted to get married ten years before and were running away to New Mexico from Texas when they were caught by her father Judge McCormack and state troopers. They took Armando and kept him a couple of days in jail then drugged him and took him across the border into Mexico and dropped him on a desert road. He managed to get back to Texas where he confronted Katie and she broke things off with him. Neither Katie nor Armando knew why her parents were so adamant that they be broken up. Now after ten years, Armando has returned to Texas to see Katie before she marries.
All three Barboza brothers, Cara Green, her son, and her mother and step-dad descend on the ranch to help Armando and by extension Ramon with the ranch. They are staying longer than planned to find out why the McCormacks wanted to break the kids up years ago.
Will Katie and Armando make it this time? What will happen to her fiancé? What will her parents do or not do?
August 21, 2013
BK#2 THE PLOT THICKENS, CAN'T WAIT TO GET SOME ANSWERS. I LOVE THIS SERIES, FOR ME IT'S JUST PERFECT. IT AMAZES ME HOW PARENTS CAN BE SO HORRIBLE TO SOMETHING THEY HAVE CREATED, THEIR OWN CHILD! BOGGLES MY MIND! KATY IS A PRODUCT OF A HORRIBLE UPBRINGING, SHE IS WEAK AND HER PARENTS INTEND ON KEEPING HER THAT WAY. THANK GOODNESS THE POWERS THAT BE, HAVE OTHER PLANS FOR HER. I THINK IN HER CASE BEING A RICH GIRL, ONLY MADE THINGS WORST FOR HER. BEING PAMPERED MAY BE NICE BUT NOT AS A PRISONER, WITH NOT MUCH FREE CHOICE. AS IN BK#1 THE IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDS, FAMILY AND SOMEONE WHO LOVES YOU, ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU HAVE IN LIFE. WITHOUT THAT YOUR JUST AN EMPTY SHELL OF A HUMAN BEING. SOMETHING I ALWAYS SAY "LADIES BE CAREFUL HOW YOU GET YOUR MAN".
October 2, 2013
This book has an excellent plot, great leads and is just good. I just loved the story, as it deals with love, family loyalty, hot romance, mystery, and suspense. I just could not put this book down, so I was up until 3AM. I liked the first book, and this book does continues Victor and Cara's relationship, but this book is even better than the first one. Armando is similar to his brother, Victor, but more likable, as I liked Armando from the start, as you meet him at the tender age of 18. Now, I plan to start the last book in this Barboza Brothers Series tonight, after I get my family to bed. I can't wait to see how the mystery unfolds and if love is in order for the youngest Barboza bro!
March 6, 2014
Loved it
This book was such a huge improvement over the first. I just loved the story between Armando and Katie and the continuation of Victor's and Cara's story. The only thing I didn't like is that there is a cliffhanger regarding the family history. the story of Armando and Katie ends well but are left wondering 'what the heck' regarding the family secrets. I had already planned to read the last book but do not like cliffhangers.
What I really do like about the series is that characters in the early books remain highly visible in the subsequent books.
The entire series has some nice love stories with underlying plot about the family history.
This book was such a huge improvement over the first. I just loved the story between Armando and Katie and the continuation of Victor's and Cara's story. The only thing I didn't like is that there is a cliffhanger regarding the family history. the story of Armando and Katie ends well but are left wondering 'what the heck' regarding the family secrets. I had already planned to read the last book but do not like cliffhangers.
What I really do like about the series is that characters in the early books remain highly visible in the subsequent books.
The entire series has some nice love stories with underlying plot about the family history.
March 17, 2013
I loved, loved, loved this book!!! I read it in 1 sitting because I just couldn't put it down. I absolutely enjoyed how along with learning Armando & Katie's story, we still continued on with Victor & Cara's story. I loved how both couples stories flowed together and just love them all as a family!!! I cannot wait to find out about Ramon's story and continue on with Victor's, Armando's, Henry's, etc.... Did I say how much I loved this book..haha!!!!
April 1, 2013
Armando and Katie were in love ten years ago. Until her parents broke them up and left Armando for dead in Mexico. Now by chance Katie meets Victor and asks about Armando. He immediate drops everything and runs to her. She is engaged and he must find out if she still loves her because he is still in love with her. The story of Victor and Cara also continues with this book. I like how the stories keep evolving. Now just have to wait till the next book.
February 2, 2014
These boys give a whole new meaning to "My Three Sons", OMG! Hurry, Hurry with Ramon's story as I can't wait to see what the whole mystery of Henry is, where is he; is he in jail and what does Lisa have to do with all of this? I have really enjoyed this series and how all the characters have integral parts in the story and it is fun to see how it is all woven together. Can't wait for the final installment.
September 16, 2014
A good read. A different style of contemporary romance I've read so far. This book just continues from where the first book left of, though it talks about Armando and Katie's romance. Their love survived it all and I was ever so excited for them that they eventually had the life they always wanted(to be with each other). I was also really happy to see Victor and Cara. Can't wait to read the next in the series
March 17, 2013
I really enjoyed Armando Returns, even more than the first book in the series. I wish I could jump to book 3 right way... Very believable plot, sweet, romantic, and passionate with a little bit of angst and family drama. Perfect for after a heavy/dark Read.I enjoyed every line of it and didn't want it to finish. Looking forward to Ramon's story.
May 15, 2013
Armando's brother Ramon, called him pathetic and I couldn't agree with him more.
At one point Katie, asks Armando whether he is implying she is weak and single minded. I was shouting: Yes, Yes!
This book got into my nerves with Katie being daddy's little girl, worried about what everyone would think.
Armando is not much better. He was just unbelievably weak.
At one point Katie, asks Armando whether he is implying she is weak and single minded. I was shouting: Yes, Yes!
This book got into my nerves with Katie being daddy's little girl, worried about what everyone would think.
Armando is not much better. He was just unbelievably weak.
March 27, 2013
The main male character was a wuss. He showed his vulnerability for the Katie early in the book and it turned me off. He seemed too feminine and that distracted me. When I picture a Latino male, he was not it. Decent plot but too unbelieveable.
April 9, 2013
You know how in sappy romance books they always have the lovesick woman with the stoic man? It was a refreshing change to have both characters crazy about one another from the first page of the book.
August 27, 2013
Armando Returns is a tearjerker! Parents thinking they knew best separated Armando and Katie 10 years before. Now they are finding their way back to each other. Its an emotional rollercoaster ride that I couldn't put down!
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February 4, 2014Armando and Katie's story was heartbreaking. I don't believe how her parents could be so cruel. After all the trouble they went through everything came full circle. Katie and Armando were made for each other and true loves does prevail.
August 2, 2014
The story of two hearts being torn apart at an young age on the night of their wedding. Torn apart for many years they find their way back into each others lives and back into each others hearts. Sweet love story.
March 8, 2015
Wow Armando just blew me away with the love he had for Katie it was so real and genuine couldn't wait for these two to get there HEA.
Also loved that Bictow and Cara's storyline continued with added Ramon.
Not wanting this series to end
Also loved that Bictow and Cara's storyline continued with added Ramon.
Not wanting this series to end
March 7, 2013
I'll be looking to #3.
March 13, 2013
love these romance stories... really enjoying this series and can't wait to read the third book to tie up all these unanswered questions.
March 29, 2013
loved the book can't wait for the next one.
March 29, 2013
Can't wait for book 3....
April 24, 2013
Love these stories! Can't wait for the third one.
The first one was a little far fetched for me but then I read the beginning of this one and loved it!
The first one was a little far fetched for me but then I read the beginning of this one and loved it!
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April 24, 2013I'd say my opinion it lovely that he must endure in this work and thank you for the warm reception
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2013
Fantastic book can't wait for the third book
April 26, 2013
LOVE THIS SERIES!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews