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Over the Edge #2
One More Night
Previously published as Extreme Bachelor
Five years after a serial dater (and former CIA agent) breaks up with his actress girlfriend, they both end up working on the same movie set - and their bickering quickly rekindles their fiery passion.
Behind Michael Raney's good looks lies a string of ex-girlfriends and a web of secrets. A former CIA agent, stunt coordinator, and one of the dashing, sexy members of Thrillseekers Anonymous, Michael earned the nickname Extreme Bachelor after dating and dumping countless women over the years. But there's one woman he can't forget: actress Leah Klein.
Still devastated that Michael dumped her - especially since she thought a marriage proposal was on his lips - former Broadway star Leah almost faints when she sees him coordinating the stunts on the set of her first movie. This film was supposed to be her big break, not another heartbreak.
The more Michael and Leah work together, the more they remember their sensual past. Could the Extreme Bachelor finally be willing to renounce his title? Or will the beautiful women of Hollywood - and the scandalous secrets of his past - steal him away from Leah again?
Five years after a serial dater (and former CIA agent) breaks up with his actress girlfriend, they both end up working on the same movie set - and their bickering quickly rekindles their fiery passion.
Behind Michael Raney's good looks lies a string of ex-girlfriends and a web of secrets. A former CIA agent, stunt coordinator, and one of the dashing, sexy members of Thrillseekers Anonymous, Michael earned the nickname Extreme Bachelor after dating and dumping countless women over the years. But there's one woman he can't forget: actress Leah Klein.
Still devastated that Michael dumped her - especially since she thought a marriage proposal was on his lips - former Broadway star Leah almost faints when she sees him coordinating the stunts on the set of her first movie. This film was supposed to be her big break, not another heartbreak.
The more Michael and Leah work together, the more they remember their sensual past. Could the Extreme Bachelor finally be willing to renounce his title? Or will the beautiful women of Hollywood - and the scandalous secrets of his past - steal him away from Leah again?
400 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2006
249 people are currently reading
980 people want to read
About the author
Julia London
190 books3,137 followersJulia London is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of more than two dozen romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular historical romance series, the Cabot Sisters, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a Bride, and The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch, and The Perfect Homecoming.
Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon
Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
October 9, 2009
Leah is an aspiring young actress on the verge of becoming a star. Michael is a CIA Operative posing as a business man. They are both young and in love, living together in New York City. One romantic filled night after Leah's last Broadway performance, Michael announces that it is over between them and that he is leaving, never to return.
Leah is devastated. She spends the next several years trying to put her life back together, but in the process loses her chance at becoming a star.
Fast forward five years to LA. Michael is now part owner in Thrillseekers Anonymous, an adventure service company catering to the rich and famous. TA has landed the job of proving stunt coordination for upcoming studio film "War of the Soccer Moms". Leah has just landed a character role as Soccer Mom #5. To Leah, in a seemingly cruel twist of fate, she is now face to face with the only man she has ever loved. To Michael, it may be his only chance to win back the woman he so foolishly walked away from five years ago.
What transpires is the struggle of two people trying to find their way back to a love they once knew. It is a story that is heartbreaking at times, tender and romantic, yet at the same time maddening and infuriating.
The only thing I didn't like about this story is that I thought it took them too long to resolve their issues, particularly the heroine. I was extremely sympathetic to the heartbreaking issues she faced; however, to me she seemed to hold on to the past too long. This is just MHO - others may feel differently.
Bottom line...it was a very enjoyable read.
Leah is devastated. She spends the next several years trying to put her life back together, but in the process loses her chance at becoming a star.
Fast forward five years to LA. Michael is now part owner in Thrillseekers Anonymous, an adventure service company catering to the rich and famous. TA has landed the job of proving stunt coordination for upcoming studio film "War of the Soccer Moms". Leah has just landed a character role as Soccer Mom #5. To Leah, in a seemingly cruel twist of fate, she is now face to face with the only man she has ever loved. To Michael, it may be his only chance to win back the woman he so foolishly walked away from five years ago.
What transpires is the struggle of two people trying to find their way back to a love they once knew. It is a story that is heartbreaking at times, tender and romantic, yet at the same time maddening and infuriating.
The only thing I didn't like about this story is that I thought it took them too long to resolve their issues, particularly the heroine. I was extremely sympathetic to the heartbreaking issues she faced; however, to me she seemed to hold on to the past too long. This is just MHO - others may feel differently.
Bottom line...it was a very enjoyable read.
October 15, 2009
4 stars – Contemporary Romance
This is a cute, entertaining, funny contemporary romance with a reunited lovers theme.
Michael Raney is an ex-CIA agent turned extreme sports enthusiast/stunt coordinator working for an adventure service called Thrillseekers Anonymous who finds himself face to face with his ex-girlfriend while working on the movie set for “War of the Soccer Moms” in LA. Michael hasn’t been able to stop thinking about Leah Klein, the love of his life whom he broke up with five years ago when they were both living in New York, and he’s been living with the guilt and regret ever since. Now that fate (and a cheesy movie) has brought Leah back into his life, he’s determined not to let her go the second time around.
Leah has struggled for five years to recover from being dumped by the man she loved heart and soul and to try and rebuild her floundering acting career; but a small, insignificant role as soccer mom #5 isn’t exactly the break she was hoping for. As if that’s not bad enough, she gets a blast from the past from the one man she’s tried so hard to get over, and even more embarrassing, he seems to be on top of the world while Leah feels like she’s at her very worst. Does life suck or what? I mean, when you run into your hot-as-sin ex, you want to be looking your best, successful, and on the arm of a hunk, not get hit with a dodgeball and fall flat on your ass while practicing stunts for a two-bit extra movie part, that you had to take in order to pay the bills and keep your car running, right in front of him...oh the horror! To compound Leah’s humiliation and agony even further is the fact that Michael keeps running into actresses on set that he’s had affairs with.
Michael is a shameless, notorious flirt and commitment-phobic, carefree bachelor, I mean, they don’t call him the “Extreme Bachelor” for nothing. But can he convince Leah to give him a second chance and prove that he’s changed his lothario ways once and for all, or will her past hurt and mistrust and Michael’s covert CIA history be roadblocks they can’t overcome?
It’s a fun, light, quick read, and although Michael and Leah both got on my nerves on occasion (his flirtations border on cheating and she’s too insecure and grudging), I still rooted for them to work things out and get back together. There are a couple of love scenes, and one of them is pretty darn hot...I’ll just say that Michael knows the right way to use a silk tie! 4 stars!
This is a cute, entertaining, funny contemporary romance with a reunited lovers theme.
Michael Raney is an ex-CIA agent turned extreme sports enthusiast/stunt coordinator working for an adventure service called Thrillseekers Anonymous who finds himself face to face with his ex-girlfriend while working on the movie set for “War of the Soccer Moms” in LA. Michael hasn’t been able to stop thinking about Leah Klein, the love of his life whom he broke up with five years ago when they were both living in New York, and he’s been living with the guilt and regret ever since. Now that fate (and a cheesy movie) has brought Leah back into his life, he’s determined not to let her go the second time around.
Leah has struggled for five years to recover from being dumped by the man she loved heart and soul and to try and rebuild her floundering acting career; but a small, insignificant role as soccer mom #5 isn’t exactly the break she was hoping for. As if that’s not bad enough, she gets a blast from the past from the one man she’s tried so hard to get over, and even more embarrassing, he seems to be on top of the world while Leah feels like she’s at her very worst. Does life suck or what? I mean, when you run into your hot-as-sin ex, you want to be looking your best, successful, and on the arm of a hunk, not get hit with a dodgeball and fall flat on your ass while practicing stunts for a two-bit extra movie part, that you had to take in order to pay the bills and keep your car running, right in front of him...oh the horror! To compound Leah’s humiliation and agony even further is the fact that Michael keeps running into actresses on set that he’s had affairs with.
Michael is a shameless, notorious flirt and commitment-phobic, carefree bachelor, I mean, they don’t call him the “Extreme Bachelor” for nothing. But can he convince Leah to give him a second chance and prove that he’s changed his lothario ways once and for all, or will her past hurt and mistrust and Michael’s covert CIA history be roadblocks they can’t overcome?
It’s a fun, light, quick read, and although Michael and Leah both got on my nerves on occasion (his flirtations border on cheating and she’s too insecure and grudging), I still rooted for them to work things out and get back together. There are a couple of love scenes, and one of them is pretty darn hot...I’ll just say that Michael knows the right way to use a silk tie! 4 stars!
February 24, 2009
I found Julia London's "Extreme Bachelor" a disappointment. The character's were vague, the plot a sticky jumble, and the hero was utterly lacking. Michael professed many times to Leah that she was the love of his life, that he wanted her back after callously dumping her five years before. His actions just didn't jibe with his words. He couldn't keep his eyes or hands off of other women, he seemed to halfheartedly try to regain Leah's affections and when she didn't automatically overlook his promiscuous past/present and trust in him completely, he easily walked away. Three months later, neither seems to have suffered for the break up, Michael even has a new girlfriend! Shallow, shallow, shallow...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2013
Leah was an actress on her way to the top. Michael was her boyfriend whom she believed truly loved her. Yet when he feels commitment approaching he can’t handle it and breaks it off w/ her. Michael was truly her rock and she couldn’t endure the storm of her life w/out him. She hits way past rock bottom after his kicking her to the curb. Yet, he doesn’t seem to suffer that much. He moves on w/ his life and is quite successful too. Leah had petered out, and is just now starting to see the light at the end of a VERY long tunnel when Michael comes back on the scene. How in the heck can he make up for the long fall she endured five years ago? Especially when he was the one that orchestrated so much of it?
This annoyed me to pieces. I like those rose colored glasses, but there was no way in heck I was going to buy this one. Leah should have NEVER relied on Michael so much that her whole career went down the tube because of him, and Michael should have at least checked on her at some point if he even cared one iota about her….yet I don’t believe he did! She never realized her dreams and yet some of the very things that Michael has are things that she had always wanted for herself. The problem though is she can’t get on her own she needs him to achieve them now. Perhaps she is using him for what he can give her now?! LOL!
Michael loves to be surrounded by women and there are quite a few of his past girlfriends on the scene in this story as well. He really came off as a player and I didn’t trust him to be anything other than a player no matter what spattered out of his mouth. Sure he wishes he could have gone back and rewrote the past, but Michael never kept tabs on Leah either. As soon as he walked away she was forgotten. He lets OW manipulate him and he is willing to go w/ it even if it hurts Leah. Michael flirts w/ and remembers many OW which makes Leah even less special other than her blatant stupidity in falling for him once again.
If someone lies to you before for months on end and then says now here is the truth, do you believe them? Michael lied to her for months in their past r/s and he lies in the present one too. Also there is a small term of endearment that he uses w/ Leah and it is eluded to that he hadn’t used it in a long time. However, he uses it w/ the OW! He even goes out w/ another OW for his friend. When he first saw Leah years before he was w/ some other woman and he was eyeing Leah up! So of course I think Juan Carlo is right on his assessment of men and women. Michael wanted Leah to fall right in line w/ what he wanted. He didn’t want her to put up a fight and he didn’t want to have to put in much effort.
He says she is suspicious, jealous and insecure… the BIG glaring problem here is that HE made her that way! It wasn’t some other guy and Leah coloring him w/ that brush. It was Michael. And he doesn’t like the consequences of what he did to her all those years ago. Of course, Leah gives in making it seem like the shambles of her destroyed life were just walks in the park.
This annoyed me to pieces. I like those rose colored glasses, but there was no way in heck I was going to buy this one. Leah should have NEVER relied on Michael so much that her whole career went down the tube because of him, and Michael should have at least checked on her at some point if he even cared one iota about her….yet I don’t believe he did! She never realized her dreams and yet some of the very things that Michael has are things that she had always wanted for herself. The problem though is she can’t get on her own she needs him to achieve them now. Perhaps she is using him for what he can give her now?! LOL!
Michael loves to be surrounded by women and there are quite a few of his past girlfriends on the scene in this story as well. He really came off as a player and I didn’t trust him to be anything other than a player no matter what spattered out of his mouth. Sure he wishes he could have gone back and rewrote the past, but Michael never kept tabs on Leah either. As soon as he walked away she was forgotten. He lets OW manipulate him and he is willing to go w/ it even if it hurts Leah. Michael flirts w/ and remembers many OW which makes Leah even less special other than her blatant stupidity in falling for him once again.
If someone lies to you before for months on end and then says now here is the truth, do you believe them? Michael lied to her for months in their past r/s and he lies in the present one too. Also there is a small term of endearment that he uses w/ Leah and it is eluded to that he hadn’t used it in a long time. However, he uses it w/ the OW! He even goes out w/ another OW for his friend. When he first saw Leah years before he was w/ some other woman and he was eyeing Leah up! So of course I think Juan Carlo is right on his assessment of men and women. Michael wanted Leah to fall right in line w/ what he wanted. He didn’t want her to put up a fight and he didn’t want to have to put in much effort.
He says she is suspicious, jealous and insecure… the BIG glaring problem here is that HE made her that way! It wasn’t some other guy and Leah coloring him w/ that brush. It was Michael. And he doesn’t like the consequences of what he did to her all those years ago. Of course, Leah gives in making it seem like the shambles of her destroyed life were just walks in the park.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2016
That is not romance at all. Bad hero and poor and gullible girl.
August 29, 2013
This author did a great job of convincing me this couple should NOT be together and never made me change my mind.
September 13, 2017
My Musings
Glad I listened to this book. It's not as good as the first one in this series,but still worth reading. On to the next one. Happy ☺reading 📚!
Glad I listened to this book. It's not as good as the first one in this series,but still worth reading. On to the next one. Happy ☺reading 📚!
February 4, 2017
0.01 Star
June 5, 2022
Given H's predilection for the ladies, I has sympathy with the h as she struggled to move forward with him. I couldn't understand how SHE is the one that makes the move to heal the breach. His actions suggested he'd moved on in every way. I was internally ranting by the end. The humour made this read bearable.
December 5, 2012
Awal bab hingga pertengahan buku ini lumayan enak utk dibaca, karakternya kesannya lucu n seru. Tapi dari pertengahan hingga akhir buku ini berhasil membuat mood gw terjun bebas. Boring bgt baca ttg keluhan2 Leah betapa dia tidak percaya terhadap Michael krn pernah nyakitin n ninggalin dia dimasa lalu n cemburu abis saking byknya mantan Michael yg bertebaran disekeliling mereka hingga dia selalu mengeluh dan menyalahkan Michael, namun tetep ga bisa nolak rayuan Michael walo cuma dipandang or dirayu sedikit. Hadeuuuuuh..... gampangan bgt sih neng.
Michael disisi lain juga jauh dari karakter cowo yang sempurna dimata gw. Ngaku cinta mati ma Leah n mau melakukan berbagai cara utk mendapatkan Leah kembali, tapi ga bisa nolak dgn tegas ke mantan2nya, bahkan ketika Jack meminta bantuan dia utk nemenin kencan ganda dia ttp nerima, walo dgn dalih dia ga ngapa2in. Yg namanya kencan walo ga ngapa2in ttp kencan kali namanya bang. Blm lagi sikap "ramah"-nya dia terhadap cw2 disekitar dia, gimana ga bikin Leah or cw lain salah paham coba, klo semuanya dipanggil dgn sebutan sayang. Hadeuuuuuuuh..... tobat d ngadepin cowo macam begini.
N yang bikin gw bener2 ilfil dgn buku ini adalah endingnya. Lagi2 Leah membuktikan betapa anehnya dia n Michael membuktikan betapa playboy n ga punya hatinya dia, baru putus bentar ud ngegandeng cw laen, lalu ketika Leah ngaku cinta kedia, lgsn ditinggal tuh cw, mang dia pikir cw laen selain Leah ga punya perasaan apa. Bener2 bikin geleng2 kepala nih novel. ANEH!!!
Michael disisi lain juga jauh dari karakter cowo yang sempurna dimata gw. Ngaku cinta mati ma Leah n mau melakukan berbagai cara utk mendapatkan Leah kembali, tapi ga bisa nolak dgn tegas ke mantan2nya, bahkan ketika Jack meminta bantuan dia utk nemenin kencan ganda dia ttp nerima, walo dgn dalih dia ga ngapa2in. Yg namanya kencan walo ga ngapa2in ttp kencan kali namanya bang. Blm lagi sikap "ramah"-nya dia terhadap cw2 disekitar dia, gimana ga bikin Leah or cw lain salah paham coba, klo semuanya dipanggil dgn sebutan sayang. Hadeuuuuuuuh..... tobat d ngadepin cowo macam begini.
N yang bikin gw bener2 ilfil dgn buku ini adalah endingnya. Lagi2 Leah membuktikan betapa anehnya dia n Michael membuktikan betapa playboy n ga punya hatinya dia, baru putus bentar ud ngegandeng cw laen, lalu ketika Leah ngaku cinta kedia, lgsn ditinggal tuh cw, mang dia pikir cw laen selain Leah ga punya perasaan apa. Bener2 bikin geleng2 kepala nih novel. ANEH!!!
February 18, 2010
Sort of up in the air aout this one...Maybe if it'd been longer and delved more deeply into the characters psyches (beyond the h's insecurities) I'd be more decided in my opnion.
My major isue is that I don't like Slutty Hero's. And this hero is slutty. Even while fighting (and I use that term loosley as he didn't do a lot of fighting to keep her) he's constantly going off with other women...Albeit not romantically but still! How can the heroine not feel insecure if everytime she turns around he's in deep conversation or laughing with another woman? and then He reaches the conclusion that they can't be together remarkably easily! Seriously? He gives up? What kind of Romance hero does that?
(and hey spoiler here: when the h at the end of the book decides she wants to make a go of it with the Hero, what dos she find? Oh yes, he's with yet another one! Seriously?)
And the heroine... Yeah she's a priss. Pretty much sterotypical Hollywood. and while Her insecurities were understandable, her attraction to the Hero not so much.
There's also a whole bunch of minor characters who didn't add a whole to the sotry.
The story though was well told, and I do think JL's a decent if not better writer then most, and while I didn't like her characters, they were well drawn . This just wan't my cuppa.
On a side note, I didn't read the first Thrill Seekers book, and I was fine.
My major isue is that I don't like Slutty Hero's. And this hero is slutty. Even while fighting (and I use that term loosley as he didn't do a lot of fighting to keep her) he's constantly going off with other women...Albeit not romantically but still! How can the heroine not feel insecure if everytime she turns around he's in deep conversation or laughing with another woman? and then He reaches the conclusion that they can't be together remarkably easily! Seriously? He gives up? What kind of Romance hero does that?
(and hey spoiler here: when the h at the end of the book decides she wants to make a go of it with the Hero, what dos she find? Oh yes, he's with yet another one! Seriously?)
And the heroine... Yeah she's a priss. Pretty much sterotypical Hollywood. and while Her insecurities were understandable, her attraction to the Hero not so much.
There's also a whole bunch of minor characters who didn't add a whole to the sotry.
The story though was well told, and I do think JL's a decent if not better writer then most, and while I didn't like her characters, they were well drawn . This just wan't my cuppa.
On a side note, I didn't read the first Thrill Seekers book, and I was fine.
March 15, 2010
Why did I read this book? I don't especially remember liking the first one in the series. This one wasn't much better. Michael Raney dumped his girlfriend Leah Klein because he didn't think that their relationship meshed well with his career in the CIA. The dumping shut Leah down for moths and even five years later, her career as an actress hasn't recovered. But she finally got a part in a major motion picture... which Michael's extreme sports company is doing the stunt effects for. When the two of them see each other, sparks fly. Michael is still in love with Leah and works hard to win her trust again.
What pissed me off was the fact that, in the end, Michael got pissed that Leah couldn't trust him fully. Um, hello, major dumpage combined with the fact that Leah was kidnapped by an old enemy of Michael's. Why can't she trust him? Think, think, think. Hm.
But then she wins his love by saying that she loves him, even though he's dating somebody else.
Blegh.
What pissed me off was the fact that, in the end, Michael got pissed that Leah couldn't trust him fully. Um, hello, major dumpage combined with the fact that Leah was kidnapped by an old enemy of Michael's. Why can't she trust him? Think, think, think. Hm.
But then she wins his love by saying that she loves him, even though he's dating somebody else.
Blegh.
December 1, 2015
This book had good potential but it fell flat halfway through.
There was too much arguing, too much whining, and the "you dumped me and lied to me", "I've thought and loved you for all these years" became terribly repetitious. I mean, I know there is this thing that women mean yes when they are saying no but Leah took this to a whole new level.
If you want a guy stop playing games. You you know the guy is a man-whore, you know his past and present so you either want him/forgive him or not.
I was totally on her side and was heartbroken for what Michael did to her but then she starts with the whining and nagging, and then she became an annoying and weak character... well she was never that strong to begin with. She wants to play hard to get and gets frustrated when the guy gives up and leaves. The story was emotionally exhausting to me, the fights felt like fillers because there was no development in the story.
There was too much arguing, too much whining, and the "you dumped me and lied to me", "I've thought and loved you for all these years" became terribly repetitious. I mean, I know there is this thing that women mean yes when they are saying no but Leah took this to a whole new level.
If you want a guy stop playing games. You you know the guy is a man-whore, you know his past and present so you either want him/forgive him or not.
I was totally on her side and was heartbroken for what Michael did to her but then she starts with the whining and nagging, and then she became an annoying and weak character... well she was never that strong to begin with. She wants to play hard to get and gets frustrated when the guy gives up and leaves. The story was emotionally exhausting to me, the fights felt like fillers because there was no development in the story.
June 6, 2010
A little off-putting. Nothing was resolved until the last couple pages.It was to me "ok I love you now and got over my issues in 2 pages, and now we are getting married". The hero and heroine just never meshed for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2015
WOW man loves a woman until the end. Life does get in the way when a woman gets hurt via the heart. But love will always win when it is ment to be.
September 11, 2022
Is this a multi-part story? Yes
Does it end in a cliffhanger? No
Genre(s) : Dramatic Romance
Instalove? No
Do the MCs act like: HS, YA, NA or Adult: Preteen to Adult
Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of?
Listening Speed? 1.25
1.75 Stars for me! See final notes
My rating range of this story... 1 - 2.5 Stars
If significant, why? Both MCs... Grrr!
Biggest deduction? 2 Stars - just awful characters
Main Character Ratings... See final notes
H (Michael ) = Started at 2/10 - finished 6/10
h (Leah) = Started 5/10, fell to 1/10, finished 6/10
TSTL Moment(s)? Yup
Narrator Rating(s)
M () = n/a
F (Renee Raudman) = 6/10
If below 5/10, why?
If Comedy... Type? n/a
Funny, Cute, Cringe Inducing, Mixed or Just No!
Angst Level? Please Please Please STOP!
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
Internal Monolog/Dialog? My ears are bleeding as it was 75% of the story!
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
Scenes with heat... Yes
When does it start? Quickly
How much of the story? 1%
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained
Heat Rating... 6/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above
Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No
The back story... The blurb says it all!
Romance or Gist: At the beginning of the story, yes... until the H turned into a huge d*ck! It sort of develops but the author kept everything buried in crushing drama
The drama explosion... The Cillian (we shall refer to him as Pepe LePew
Did it feel Real, OK or contrived? Ok
Was it OTT? Yes
Separation involved? Yes
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Rushed
Final Notes... Where do I start....?
1. The H dumps his GF out of the blue and then disappears
2. The H's friend sees the h at a casting call and hires her to be in the movie they are shooting, along with a couple of other girls he dated... just for giggles. Not a good friend!
3. Once they meet, the h goes Mega-B on him and uses antics that are meant to be funny but come across as cruel.
4. The h is a complete moron and dangerously naive. She goes into a tailspin for 6 months when the H dumps her and blows a major Hollywood role.
***** Ugh *****
4a. She then accepts a guy hitting on her like Pepe LePew, and then drinks to excess with him the first time she goes out with him. She feels really wasted, beyond normal but thinks nothing of it. Her friends see her, know that she is not acting normal, yet leave her with a guy no one knows!!!
5. He is a CIA trained spy but gets emotional and acts like a junior high school boy when he sees the h in a dangerous situation but thinks that she is happy to be with said bad guy... So much so that he gets caught by said bad guy.
JL, I know that you like drama for the sake of drama, but this was way too much!
*****
HEA or HFN? HEA
Book Source:
Kindle Unlimited
Does it end in a cliffhanger? No
Genre(s) : Dramatic Romance
Instalove? No
Do the MCs act like: HS, YA, NA or Adult: Preteen to Adult
Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of?
Listening Speed? 1.25
1.75 Stars for me! See final notes
My rating range of this story... 1 - 2.5 Stars
If significant, why? Both MCs... Grrr!
Biggest deduction? 2 Stars - just awful characters
Main Character Ratings... See final notes
H (Michael ) = Started at 2/10 - finished 6/10
h (Leah) = Started 5/10, fell to 1/10, finished 6/10
TSTL Moment(s)? Yup
Narrator Rating(s)
M () = n/a
F (Renee Raudman) = 6/10
If below 5/10, why?
If Comedy... Type? n/a
Funny, Cute, Cringe Inducing, Mixed or Just No!
Angst Level? Please Please Please STOP!
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
Internal Monolog/Dialog? My ears are bleeding as it was 75% of the story!
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
Scenes with heat... Yes
When does it start? Quickly
How much of the story? 1%
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained
Heat Rating... 6/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above
Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No
The back story... The blurb says it all!
Romance or Gist: At the beginning of the story, yes... until the H turned into a huge d*ck! It sort of develops but the author kept everything buried in crushing drama
The drama explosion... The Cillian (we shall refer to him as Pepe LePew
Did it feel Real, OK or contrived? Ok
Was it OTT? Yes
Separation involved? Yes
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Rushed
Final Notes... Where do I start....?
1. The H dumps his GF out of the blue and then disappears
2. The H's friend sees the h at a casting call and hires her to be in the movie they are shooting, along with a couple of other girls he dated... just for giggles. Not a good friend!
3. Once they meet, the h goes Mega-B on him and uses antics that are meant to be funny but come across as cruel.
4. The h is a complete moron and dangerously naive. She goes into a tailspin for 6 months when the H dumps her and blows a major Hollywood role.
***** Ugh *****
4a. She then accepts a guy hitting on her like Pepe LePew, and then drinks to excess with him the first time she goes out with him. She feels really wasted, beyond normal but thinks nothing of it. Her friends see her, know that she is not acting normal, yet leave her with a guy no one knows!!!
5. He is a CIA trained spy but gets emotional and acts like a junior high school boy when he sees the h in a dangerous situation but thinks that she is happy to be with said bad guy... So much so that he gets caught by said bad guy.
JL, I know that you like drama for the sake of drama, but this was way too much!
*****
HEA or HFN? HEA
Book Source:
Kindle Unlimited
May 14, 2023
Original title - Extreme Bachelor. New Title - All I Need Is You. Original title and cover were way better! 2.5 rounded up. Read this years ago and saw it as a 5 star read (I bought the whole set in hardback and ebook). I moved and am clearing out books so I decided to reread to see if I wanted to keep the hardback. The book is ok and I really liked the heroine Leah. Michael, the hero, I had lots of problems with but after getting deeper into the book, I realized he really loved Leah but just seemed to be bad at romance and communication. There’s a part though near the end when Leah accepts a drink from a guy she barely knows…and is drugged and kidnapped. 🤦♀️…then Michael, retired CIA, runs to find her and is staring dumbly in the window and gets knocked over the head. 🤦♀️that gets a little stupid. Or rather they both act stupid and end up in a ridiculous situation and the kidnapper is like something out of the 3 stooges…it went a little long. They also say things they don’t mean that further hurts their relationship. I was seriously angry that Michael was mad that Leah didn’t trust him when he lied at the drop of a hat and had casually became a fourth for a friend (ie ended up as a date that he didn’t see as a date) while trying to get back with Leah.
Honestly in most of the book, I was hoping Leah would find another guy. I think it would have been better that she had. It didn’t sit well that he “Loved” her but callously broke off their relationship and immediately became a manwhore…never really looking back while she was so broken it destroyed her to the point she lost her career. She was on the cusp of big success on broadway and he dumps her. Michael first sees her years later on a TV commercial about regularity. There’s teasing from his friends about him about watching such a commercial but I felt then the power dynamic was going to be off. His friend makes sure she’s chosen for a part on a movie they are working on…it’s endless points of putting her in the weaker position and the break up near the end of the book. She has been pining for Michael and willing to take him on any terms (again, cringe). She is at a party and realizes he’s there. She’s in the middle of spilling her heart (groveling) to realize he is there with a younger and more successful actress..JFC. She drops her wine and leaves but he chases her. Meanwhile the young actress is berating Leah for trying to steal her boyfriend 🫣. He does finally get his head out of his ass to go after Leah…but I don’t think I’d want the manwhore. Good for books I suppose.
Personally I did not like that Leah was so broke and seen as too old in Hollywood while Michael became rich, successful and had women falling all over him…driving her dream car (down to color). 😬 cringe. I’m not saying it’s impossible just that it was too much difference in their lives to overcome especially when you add in his shitty past behavior. HEA so Leah got her guy…not sure she got a keeper though.
Honestly in most of the book, I was hoping Leah would find another guy. I think it would have been better that she had. It didn’t sit well that he “Loved” her but callously broke off their relationship and immediately became a manwhore…never really looking back while she was so broken it destroyed her to the point she lost her career. She was on the cusp of big success on broadway and he dumps her. Michael first sees her years later on a TV commercial about regularity. There’s teasing from his friends about him about watching such a commercial but I felt then the power dynamic was going to be off. His friend makes sure she’s chosen for a part on a movie they are working on…it’s endless points of putting her in the weaker position and the break up near the end of the book. She has been pining for Michael and willing to take him on any terms (again, cringe). She is at a party and realizes he’s there. She’s in the middle of spilling her heart (groveling) to realize he is there with a younger and more successful actress..JFC. She drops her wine and leaves but he chases her. Meanwhile the young actress is berating Leah for trying to steal her boyfriend 🫣. He does finally get his head out of his ass to go after Leah…but I don’t think I’d want the manwhore. Good for books I suppose.
Personally I did not like that Leah was so broke and seen as too old in Hollywood while Michael became rich, successful and had women falling all over him…driving her dream car (down to color). 😬 cringe. I’m not saying it’s impossible just that it was too much difference in their lives to overcome especially when you add in his shitty past behavior. HEA so Leah got her guy…not sure she got a keeper though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2018
Menjelang kepergian Leah ke Hollywood, Michael memutuskan hubungannya dgn Leah. 5 thn kemudian, entah kesambet apa si Michael memutuskan utk rujuk dan merebut kembali hati Leah.
Masalahnya, novel ini sangat membosankan. Banyak narasi galau dan repetitif spt Michael Playboy Sejati dsb. Cukup dijelaskan sekali juga saya juga paham koq, gak usah di broadcast keseringan di novel ini.
Selanjutnya main characters keduanya nggak banget. Leah tipikal heroine yg kariernya sudah nyaris diambang kehancuran, pencemburu dan agak drama queen ttg mantan2 Michael. Sptnya Leah gagal paham klo berhubungan dgn Playboy sejati itu resikonya pasti menemukan daftar pacar si Playboy bisa lebih dari satu kilometer panjangnya kalau dibariskan. Belum lagi Leah gampang terlena dgn bujukan pria lain yg ternyata adalah . Kalau kalian mengharapkan heroine yg cerdas, jangan baca novel ini.
Karakter Michael juga ibarat playboy yg kebingungan arah utk mendapatkan kembali Leah. Serangan pendekatan gencar Michael terasa banget dipengaruhi Christian Grey dari Fifty Shades of Grey, dimana si biliuner mencurahkan semua materi mahal pd pasangannya plus ikat2an di ranjang (yg sayangnya gagal seksi spt Grey).
Putus sambung hubungan Leah & Michael benar2 mirip sinetron gak jelas plotnya mau dibawa kemana hubungan mereka. Makin kacau di ending cerita (saya gak mau bikin spoiler, baca saja sendiri ya). Istilahnya Leah benci tapi cinta banget sama Michael. Dasar cinta mereka absurd bagi saya. Tapi tiap orang kan penilaiannya berbeda. Silakan baca dan nilai sendiri saja supaya yakin.
Masalahnya, novel ini sangat membosankan. Banyak narasi galau dan repetitif spt Michael Playboy Sejati dsb. Cukup dijelaskan sekali juga saya juga paham koq, gak usah di broadcast keseringan di novel ini.
Selanjutnya main characters keduanya nggak banget. Leah tipikal heroine yg kariernya sudah nyaris diambang kehancuran, pencemburu dan agak drama queen ttg mantan2 Michael. Sptnya Leah gagal paham klo berhubungan dgn Playboy sejati itu resikonya pasti menemukan daftar pacar si Playboy bisa lebih dari satu kilometer panjangnya kalau dibariskan. Belum lagi Leah gampang terlena dgn bujukan pria lain yg ternyata adalah . Kalau kalian mengharapkan heroine yg cerdas, jangan baca novel ini.
Karakter Michael juga ibarat playboy yg kebingungan arah utk mendapatkan kembali Leah. Serangan pendekatan gencar Michael terasa banget dipengaruhi Christian Grey dari Fifty Shades of Grey, dimana si biliuner mencurahkan semua materi mahal pd pasangannya plus ikat2an di ranjang (yg sayangnya gagal seksi spt Grey).
Putus sambung hubungan Leah & Michael benar2 mirip sinetron gak jelas plotnya mau dibawa kemana hubungan mereka. Makin kacau di ending cerita (saya gak mau bikin spoiler, baca saja sendiri ya). Istilahnya Leah benci tapi cinta banget sama Michael. Dasar cinta mereka absurd bagi saya. Tapi tiap orang kan penilaiannya berbeda. Silakan baca dan nilai sendiri saja supaya yakin.
August 29, 2019
Leah Klein (Schmidt) was a Broadway hit 5 years ago, poised for a bright future in Hollywood, when her live-in boyfriend of a year, Michael Raney, dumped her. She went into a major funk over it, but is finally starting to climb back up the Hollywood ladder when she's chosen to play in a new feature film. The shock comes when Michael, now known as the Extreme Bach, is one of the 4 men of TA--Thrill Seekers Anonymous - who will be training the actresses for the film. The attraction is still strongly there, but Leah isn't too thrilled about being emotionally stomped on again, and half of the actresses seem to have dated Michael. But Michael had his reasons - he was a CIA operative - which is where he met up with the other TA guys. He also grew up in foster homes as a geek.
Lots of misunderstandings happen - especially when a former arms dealer Michael put in jail kidnaps Leah. Eventually they get it worked out, but it takes a long time and lots of women. Interesting fluff, but not great.
Lots of misunderstandings happen - especially when a former arms dealer Michael put in jail kidnaps Leah. Eventually they get it worked out, but it takes a long time and lots of women. Interesting fluff, but not great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2017
Good plot but overall I did not enjoy the book
I must admit that this is not my kind of novel and had I researched a little more, would likely not have read it. The reasons I didn't care for it are: 1. It starts out with a life altering, heartbreaking one sided breakup. 2. As much as I tried to like Michael, the main male character, I could not. He could not seem to get out of his way, to reconciliation 3. As likeable and sympathetic as Leah the main character was, she got more irritating as the book progressed. How gullible! 4. The Juan Carlo character was a good idea but as presented was totally unbelievable. He just made Leah look stupid to not see right through him. Then when this crazed terrorist began giving relationship advice to two people he had bound and intended to kill, I wondered if the book was transitioning into a farce. Julia London is a talented writer and I was disappointed in this book.
I must admit that this is not my kind of novel and had I researched a little more, would likely not have read it. The reasons I didn't care for it are: 1. It starts out with a life altering, heartbreaking one sided breakup. 2. As much as I tried to like Michael, the main male character, I could not. He could not seem to get out of his way, to reconciliation 3. As likeable and sympathetic as Leah the main character was, she got more irritating as the book progressed. How gullible! 4. The Juan Carlo character was a good idea but as presented was totally unbelievable. He just made Leah look stupid to not see right through him. Then when this crazed terrorist began giving relationship advice to two people he had bound and intended to kill, I wondered if the book was transitioning into a farce. Julia London is a talented writer and I was disappointed in this book.
June 20, 2017
Funny with a bit of Drama
After a whirlwind romance that ends in a painful breakup Leah looses sight of her goal to become a well known actress. She ends up in LA where 5 years later her path once again crosses with Michael, the man that broke her heart. Michael, a stunt coordinator and serial bachelor, never forgot about the woman that got away. Trying to make things right with Leah his past comes tumbling down on both of them and puts Leah in danger. Afraid that his past will endanger her even more he once again walks away to protect her. Does their love for each other have a chance?
Julia London has knack of combining drama with romance and mix in some comedy. The banter between characters makes you laugh out loud and with a bit of chaos mixed in it's quite entertaining.
After a whirlwind romance that ends in a painful breakup Leah looses sight of her goal to become a well known actress. She ends up in LA where 5 years later her path once again crosses with Michael, the man that broke her heart. Michael, a stunt coordinator and serial bachelor, never forgot about the woman that got away. Trying to make things right with Leah his past comes tumbling down on both of them and puts Leah in danger. Afraid that his past will endanger her even more he once again walks away to protect her. Does their love for each other have a chance?
Julia London has knack of combining drama with romance and mix in some comedy. The banter between characters makes you laugh out loud and with a bit of chaos mixed in it's quite entertaining.
January 14, 2021
Worst H ever.
He was awful, only care about himself. I felt really bad for Leah because while she was hurting and not able to move on, he’d “dated”half the women on the planet. If he loved her so much why didn’t he look for her once he got out or started dating again so soon after the last breakup. I really like this author I just couldn’t find anything likable about this hero
He was awful, only care about himself. I felt really bad for Leah because while she was hurting and not able to move on, he’d “dated”half the women on the planet. If he loved her so much why didn’t he look for her once he got out or started dating again so soon after the last breakup. I really like this author I just couldn’t find anything likable about this hero
March 3, 2022
Interesting read
I liked it in the beginning because it didn't piggyback completely off the first book. Towards the end, the main character, Leah was starting to get a little aggravating because she just wouldn't let it go. I understand it had to end in a dramatic fashion, I mean they were in LA.
I liked it in the beginning because it didn't piggyback completely off the first book. Towards the end, the main character, Leah was starting to get a little aggravating because she just wouldn't let it go. I understand it had to end in a dramatic fashion, I mean they were in LA.
August 3, 2022
Suspense and romance, great combination.
Julia London puts readers in a spin with her will she or won't she suspense. The thrillseeking hunks add a spicy romance. Leah fell for Michael five years ago. After a bad breakup, they cross paths in Hollywood. Can Michael explain his disappearance and win her back?
Julia London puts readers in a spin with her will she or won't she suspense. The thrillseeking hunks add a spicy romance. Leah fell for Michael five years ago. After a bad breakup, they cross paths in Hollywood. Can Michael explain his disappearance and win her back?
December 26, 2022
One More Night on Books On Track
RTC
Previous books:
✦ All I Need Is You (Thrillseekers Anonymous, #1) ~ ★★★★ (14/09/2022)
January 23, 2018
It was an okay book for me. I didn’t hate or love the characters but I liked them.
I saw the “plot twists “ coming from a mile away and the ending was formulaic. I wouldn’t say “don’t read this book” but it wouldn’t be the first I would recommend either.
I saw the “plot twists “ coming from a mile away and the ending was formulaic. I wouldn’t say “don’t read this book” but it wouldn’t be the first I would recommend either.
October 28, 2019
Love the story. Could not put it down.
Love the story. Just enough romance and just the right amount of mystery. Would like to have seen more I f the future for them after they found each other.
Love the story. Just enough romance and just the right amount of mystery. Would like to have seen more I f the future for them after they found each other.
August 30, 2024
DNF. Stopped at pg. 94.
I can't find myself wanting these two to reconcile and rekindle a romance. I just want them to both grow up and move on. Also the stuntmen training actresses to be a "soccer mom army" for a movie just doesn't work for me at all. Zero interest.
I can't find myself wanting these two to reconcile and rekindle a romance. I just want them to both grow up and move on. Also the stuntmen training actresses to be a "soccer mom army" for a movie just doesn't work for me at all. Zero interest.
August 16, 2017
Excellent
Couldn't put it down! Thought Eli in the first book was hot but Michael goes one step hotter! Can't wait to start book 3!
Couldn't put it down! Thought Eli in the first book was hot but Michael goes one step hotter! Can't wait to start book 3!
January 21, 2018
Ok - nothing much else to say!
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