Blue By You

Military Men #3

by Rachel Gibson

Rachel Gibson, the New York Times bestselling author of Crazy On You and Rescue Me, once again shows that there's nothing quite like a man in uniform!

They say you never forget your first time, but there's nothing Blue Butler and Kasper Pennington would rather forget than their brief but fiery teenage love affair. Yeah, it was hot while it lasted, but then he went off to join the Marines, leaving Blue in New Orleans. She's tried to block him from her mind for good, but nothing can really erase the feeling she had when she was with him.

And now he's got the nerve to return—leaner, meaner, and strong enough to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless. Blue's a successful businesswoman now, with no time to figure out what went wrong all those years ago. But Kasper knows she's the one woman for him … and now he's got to prove it to her all over again.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Chick Lit, Military Fiction, Short Stories

144 pages, Unknown Binding

First published September 3, 2013

About the author

Rachel Gibson is a New York times and USAToday bestselling author of 22 books.

Reviews

[Stacia (the 2010 club) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes love is sweeter the second time around. I'm thrilled how my second short story of the day turned out to be a success, especially since I struggled to connect with the previous story I'd read earlier.

This was my first time picking up anything by Rachel Gibson and I'm happy to report that it was a positive experience. I'm not sure why I hadn't tried her before, but I think I might have been under the impression that I'd be reading bargain-priced-grocery-store-style-basic contemporary romance. And maybe this wasn't all that far off in style, but I don't care because I honestly enjoyed Blue by You.

It was :

Cute
Funny
Sweet
Sexy

...and managed to fit my current mood perfectly.

Kasper and Blue met when she was 18 and he was 21. Their instant chemistry fueled a passion-filled experience. Then before Blue could even process what had happened, Kasper was gone. Over two decades later, these two cross paths again. The magic is still there, but Blue doesn't feel like she's able to open her heart up to the man who broke it once.

I don't always like flashback scenes, but Kasper and Blue's original meeting was handled in such an intense and beautiful way that I was completely caught up in their chemistry. The first stirrings of young love is a feeling which so many of us can relate to.

By allowing us to see the past, it guides the reader to dare to hope for what could be. I was drawn right back into Kasper and Blue's love affair when they met again, even though twenty two years had passed. Because I knew the past, I was invested in wanting their lives to come full circle.

"You make me ache," he whispered against her cheek.

The "deep south" setting felt like a third character and the history of the rivalry between Blue and Kaspar's families was downright amusing - think Hatfields and McCoys. The relationship was built on teasing banter, and was revived on teasing banter. These two were quite the pair.

"Believe it or not, we have better things to do at Dahlia Hall than gossip about your family."
"Like marry your cousins and make big-headed babies?"
Weren't the Pennington men supposed to be sugar-mouthed? "That hasn't happened in a hundred years!" Or so. It was kind of a touchy subject.

It's rare that I find a short story which manages to include enough detail to make for a rewarding read. Blue to You managed to do this and leave me satisfied when I was finished. I will definitely be looking to read more Rachel Gibson in the future after being impressed by this short little gem of a story.

This book provided from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All quotes taken from the pre-published copy and may be altered or omitted from the final copy.

[Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

This is not something I have come to expect from RG. It was a nice little story but I felt no connection/tension between H/h and there really isn't any romance - instead of reading their interaction over the week they got together we are just told that time of them seeing each other every day has gone by! .....We got a beginning, we got an end (of sorts!) but where was the middle??

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue By You is a second chance romance, and wonderful story with so much passion packed into just 144 pages. It's my first experience with Rachel Gibson's writing, and it most certainly will not be my last!

ARC provided by Avon Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sigh. I would have loved it if this book could have been a full-length novel. Blue and Kasper captured my heart and I just wanted more. The Louisiana setting also got a hold of me too. There was so much more that Rachel Gibson could have done with this story. But what is written was a fantastic way to pass the time setting on the beach at the lake in the mist of all the kid chaos. Wonderful escape read.

Blue Butler runs the guided tours of her family plantation home. This was not the life she envisioned, but after her failed marriage, here she is and quite happy with her life. Into her neat life comes a blast from the past, Kasper Pennington.

Kasper Pennington is the last of the nasty Penningtons, the sworn enemies of Blue's family. From as far back as she could remember, Blue had been warned about "those" Pennington men. She didn't heed the warning then, but she is sure going to try now.

Kasper Pennington joined the Marines and wanted to make his career there, but circumstances have led him back to New Orleans and his family plantation and Blue. Their long-ago teen love affair scared the spit out of him, and he ran. Now he's back and determined to prove he's there to stay.

[Michelle [Helen Geek] · Rating 2 out of 5]

09/05/2013 --

Overall Rating = 2.5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3.5 / 3 / 4 = 3.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 2 Stars
Character Development = 4 Stars
Story Appreciation = 2 Stars
Worth the Chili = 3 Stars -- [$1.99 on Amazon]

Okay, I knew this was a short story. I'm not a huge fan of them, but I am a HUGE fan of this author. I've read other shorts by her and they are very good. I'm not sure what happened here...

First, a few things I thought worked fairly well:

1 -- I just love the way this author pulls you in. She creates these situations .. *sigh*. Then she creates these really great characters. I was hooked for the 5th page. HOOKED!!

2 -- For this author, the price was good. I paid it for a short and didn't even blink.

3 -- Loved the geography on this one. Louisiana, post Katrina. Very few romances in that neck of the woods. Very nicely done.

Okay, now for those annoyances:

1 -- What the hell did I just read?!! It was rolling along nicely and then ... I love you. I love you too. The End. WHAT?? Seriously? Did the author not know this was going to be a short story or what?? Very poor planning. Almost like they decided to cut down a full length book and make a short. Had to get the HEA in before the end. An awful shame. TERRIBLE!

2 -- Ditto what I said in #1.

3 -- Ditto what I said in #1 & #2!!

I feel cheated. I've read shorts by this author and know, KNOW, she can do these well. This one SUCKED!! I want more and I shouldn't. I'm sad ... 8(

I hope you do better with this one. I really do.

Happy Reading!!

[Anne OK · Rating 3 out of 5]

You take what you get and you don’t throw a fit! But I wanted to because this was only a short 100 page novella!!

Sweet and sexy romance with some sizzle in a second chance at love (22 years have passed since the h/h, who are 40 & 43, have seen each other). The characters and their story drew me in with a setting in the deep south and I think there could easily have been a full novel. A bit disappointed that it's not.

However, this is the introduction to a new series by Rachel Gibson.

[ShoSho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little novella!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Firstly I think the product description is a bit misleading. Blue and Kasper didn't have a 'fiery teenage love affair' they had a one night stand when she was 18 and he was 21. I didn't get the impression Blue had tried to 'block him from her mind' and that she still had feelings for him because the one night stand had taken place 22 years ago!

I have always been a fan of Rachel Gibson but her last few books have been disappointing. She did a similar thing last year, release a novella before her next full length novel. Whilst last years novella was good, the full length novel disappointed and this year the novella has disappointed! It started well as the author writes good characters but it went downhill fast for me after I read of what happened 22 years ago as it then became totally predictable.The sex scenes in this book were a bit lacking as the author normally writes a good sex scene but not only that, both the teenage sex scene and the ones 22 years later featured no mention of contraception?!

Blue and Kasper's families have had a two hundred year old fued. They had always been taught to stay away from each others families. That is until Blue and Kasper met and had an instant attaction but after their one night together, Kasper did something that let Blue down. Fast forward 22 years and both are living back in their family homes. Kasper has been married and divorced twice with no kids and Blue has been married and divorced with a 15 year old son (who doesn't feature in this book).

I think the author should have taken out some of her descriptions of Blue and Kasper's homes and family histories and concentrated more on their 'love story'. After they re-connect it was very rushed with more telling than showing. I know it's a novella so we don't get to know how their HEA panned out...how did Blue's Son react? How did their families react? Also Kasper telling Blue he regretted not having children but that he would like her to have a few of his children when she's aged 40?! (not impossible I know but still?!). Most puzzling of all after Kasper's declaration..why had it taken him so long to tell Blue this when he had been living back in New Orleans for 5 years?!

In all honesty I think this book would have worked much better as a full length novel. There is a teaser at the end for the new full length book which features characters from her last book but after reading the teaser, it hasn't really stirred my interest. It may be time to move on from Ms Gibson I fear...

[Ana María · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novela corta contemporánea ambientada en Louisiana. Un reencuentro luego de 22 años entre un ex soldado y una dama sureña. Muy dulce, sin complicaciones ni dramas. Valoro que sea una pareja madura (40 ella y 43 él).
No le pongo más estrellas porque prácticamente no tiene trama ni conflicto, pero me dejó con una sonrisa en la boca.
Un par de escenas hot.

[✝✝ Ⓓaisy ❣ ✝✝ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue by You is the sweet contemporary love story. You have a hot Marine, Kasper in it. What can go wrong?
Rachel Gibson is one of my favorite authors and I saw this one I was so excited!

Kasper and Blue had one night stand during their teenage years and now after 22 years, they meet again!



Only thing, I felt their journey together was rushed and wished their family history was shorted in order to give Kasper and Blue a nice slow paced relationship!

"I know you said you're a grown woman, but do you know where grinding against a man leads? "

Overall, it's a nice short read!



**ARC provided by publisher**

[Brittain *Needs a Nap and a Drink* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute novella about lost love and second chances. It was short and sweet.

[Janga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved these characters. Blue and Kasper are both funny and smart-mouthed and believably Southern, and the chemistry between them sizzles. I loved that they are both over forty and that, although they have lived full lives, they have not forgotten their brief time together. In fact, I love Blue and Kasper and their story so much that I think they deserve more than five chapters. I want them to have their HEA, but this HEA happens too quickly for me to believe in it.


For readers who have never read Rachel Gibson, “Blue by You” is a quick, inexpensive introduction to her style. My guess is that many such readers will be delighted with her characterization skills and her ability to craft a sizzling love scene and will be ready to check out her upcoming novel Run to You. But I suspect most Gibson fans will share my longing for Blue and Kasper’s story to be more.

See full review at Just Janga:
http://justjanga.blogspot.com/2013/08...

[Debbie "Buried in Her TBR Pile" · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started good and I liked the characters. Unfortunately, it was too short to develop the story. The beginning held my interest and then the wrap up/ending. The part where the relationship should have been fleshed out and developed was missing. 2.5 stars.

[Tanja ~ KT Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story of love by an author I have not had the pleasure of reading. Instantly I was transported back to my roots. From the sound of a screen door closing, to the thick air the afternoon heat brings, I was transported to another part of this great earth. One of the best parts in my mind the deep south.

The slang was a welcome reminder to me: water headed babies, catawampus, and sugar mouth slang I had long forgotten that brought a smile.

Blue and Kasper reunite and within the story transport us back to the night they first met. Its youthful fun and sweet a great introduction to Rachel Gibson an author I will be reading more of.

4.5 Stars
T~

Given via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
www.ktbookreviews.blogspot.com

[Thenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blue by You on Books On Track

A second chance story for Blue and Kasper, a couple from two families with many decades worth of animosity between them. The two shared some intense moments when they were young that scared Kasper off and they led their lives separately until Kasper finally returned home for good.

The attraction between them as not abated, and Kasper pursues Blue once again, until old feelings resurface and they fall in love once again, this time with better timing.

[Save Your Money For Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue by You an eBook novella by Rachel Gibson was released this week. I read this book in one sitting and while I love RG's writing, I have trouble with her novellas. She does such a beautiful job with her characterizations and storytelling that she pulls you in and you want MORE, way more than 100 pages. I loved these characters, but would have been over the moon if this story was expanded into a full length book. I would buy it guaranteed.

This story centers around Kasper and Blue two descendants of New Orleans plantation families that have been feuding for generations, they had a past encounter years ago, but reconnect and their sexual chemistry ignites a fire that draws them together, but will they be able to overcome the obstacles to avoid history repeating itself?

I love the banter from Kasper's grandmother, the opening scene in graveyard when she is confessing to Blue's grandmother's grave had me smiling and laughing. While reading this novella I kept picturing scenes from Gone with the Wind and it made me want to go to New Orleans and visit one of these old plantation homes (hence, proof that RG can tell a great story-even in 100 pages).

Please don't let me dissuade you from purchasing this novella, it like everything else Rachel Gibson writes is a good read. I am giving it 3.5 Stars and I think for any RG fan you will want this novella for your collection.

COMING SOON FROM RACHEL GIBSON:I had the pleasure of reading Rachel's next full length book, Run to You, set for release on September 24th. I will be reviewing that book next week, but let me tell you, Rachel Gibson is back on her A game. Run to you is FABULOUS, AWESOME, AMAZING... can you tell I loved it? I love most all or Rachel's books in general, they are all on my read and re-read shelves. I think Run to You may be my new favorite of all her books! I highly recommend pre-ordering it now! (At the time of this posting the Mass Market Paperback for Run to You was available at an INSANE pre-order price of only $4.79 (subject to change-Click here to pre-order Run to You).

I was given ARC's of Blue by You and Run to You for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own opinion and was not compensated in anyway for this review, other than being given access to these books

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

Blue By You was an enjoyable quick little read filled with passion and steamy goodness! I'm normally not a fan of novellas, just because I don't feel there's enough room for ample buildup and development between characters. However, Blue By You ended up working as the two MC's were not meeting for the first time around in the present. Kasper and Blue had actually met each other as teens and were attracted to each other then.

Blue has never quite been able to forget the one night she spent with Kasper Pennington, even though she knows their families are great rivals. 22 years later, she is surprised to come face to face with the good-looking former Marine.

The only issue with this novella I had was the case of insta-love. I can understand the two being attracted to one another when they were younger and even now years later, but to make declarations of love in such a short amount of time without really having gotten to know one another again? I didn't find that entirely believable. I realize it is a novella and that there's not that kind of room for development, but I still felt it was too rushed. Don't get me wrong- I loved their passion together! It was seriously hot.

I also loved that it was set in New Orleans, because you really got that Southern hospitality feel and that Rachel is such a descriptive story teller!

A cute, fun, light read- as long as you don't mind some insta-love!

[Reading In Pajamas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blue By You by Rachel Gibson
Publication Date: September 3, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Dawn
Rated: 3 Stars

REVIEW:

Not one of my favorite Rachel Gibson books. As a novella the book was fast paced and the plot lacked depth. I think Rachel Gibson could have made this a full length book and added more characters and more of a story line. Blue and Kasper were young lovers that reunited after many years apart. The sex was good....but the book was very predictable. I'm rating this 3 stars, only because you could feel the passion and because the book was fast paced enough to be read in one sitting.

*Review copy provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of Blue By You roped me in – lovers reunited, family mansion, set in a (slightly) unusual setting for contemporary romance. Plus, Rachel Gibson is typically fabulous. But…Blue was too short. There was a good bit of time given in the book to the flashbacks, and in a short story, it gave even less time for them to discover each other as adults. Their romance happened so quickly – I would have loved to see a bit more tension, perhaps some additional ‘conflict’ that would have drawn out their admission of mutual love. I know it was meant to be a short story, but even another 20-30 pages might have made this a more satisfying read.

[Lisa Filipe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this was a QUICK read, but it was so stinking cute. I loved that it was a second chance romance for two divorced people who had once found something special in each others arms long long ago.

I was so excited that after meeting the VERY yummy, Kasper Pennington in RUN TO YOU, the upcoming release from Rachel Gibson, that we were going to get to see him find a HEA, and he did....its was super sweet and just what I needed.

Love RG....She is rollin out the kick butt romances...keep em coming girl!!

[Neon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Come ooooooon Tiny book and such a good story.. I love this matured characters with i loved you forever stories. And she write a Novella!!!! First she writes book Not so often. I wait for her books so much and writes a NOVELLA!!!!!!!!!!! Rachel Gibson writes book which are funny, romantic, little drama and lots of good steamy scenes. I am so disappointed in this i so wanted it to last for little longer :( but still a good one thought it was dying to finish and was hurrying up as if something was after it (the story). I finished it one hour so go figure.

[LaFleurBleue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed that romance and the main characters.
Alas the novella format with about 70 pages left me slightly frustrated and hungry for more. I would have liked more depth to the characters, more insight into their past together, after and the rekindling of their attraction, as I sometimes felt those two were just impersonation of all the Southern Belle and Beau cliches. Not much more. While they really had potential to be much more than that.

[Limau Nipis · Rating 1 out of 5]

This novella was a mistake. I should not have read it from the start.

1. No development of characters. Yes, I know it is a novella, but still, lacking in so many ways in the hero's part
2. Out of 5 chapter, 2 are about sex. So can you please refer point no 1?
3. The hero and heroine reconnects again after 20 years, and the first thing they did was, refer point no 2
4. Is it only sex is needed for a good relationship?

[Dabney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would have been much better had it been a book. Gibson's storyline is strong and her leads engaging (and delightfully old: the heroine is 40, the hero, 44.) But the book ends unsatisfyingly abruptly and thus has an unbelievable HEA.

[Hissa]

I don't know why but I expect short books to captivate my attention from the first 3 or 4 pages.
And this book didn't, even though I gave it more than 4 pages to judge on. I read 20 pages and I felt nothing. So I'm not going to continue reading it.

[Cardyn Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blue By You captures the pull between southern U.S. enduring charm and past regret for that region of the country and Blue's connection with Kasper. Their personal backstories and family histories along with Kasper's grandma make this short worth reading in addition to Blue and Kasper's chemistry.

[Sheebe Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

เรื่องปูพื้นหลังได้ดีมาก สองตระกูลเก่าแก่เจ้าของไร่ในรัฐภาคใต้ มีประวัติยาวตั้งแต่ก่อนสงครามกลางเมือง และจนถึงปัจจุบันสองตระกูลนี้ก็ยังเป็นคุ่แข่งกันอยู่ ... คือเราชอบแนวการเดินเรื่องของเรื่อง แต่จบเร็วไปหน่อย มันดูผลุนผลันเกินไป อยากได้ยาวกว่านี้อีก

[Irma *Irma The Book Whisperer* · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favourite from all Rachel's books that I've read so far.

[Sandlynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

September 15, 2017

Rachel Gibson's Blue by You was published in 2013. The story is only about 100 pages in length.

For what it is, this story does a good job of drawing you in. The heroine and hero live on neighboring, former plantations in Louisiana. They each come from illustrious southern families who are no longer wealthy but still hold the vestiges of a long standing feud in their bones. Blue Butler is a 40 year old divorcee, with a 15 year old son who we do not meet in the story. She has sunk the money from her alimony into refurbishing her old family home and the accompanying slave quarters and has opened them up for tours. Her neighbor is Kasper Pennington, a 43 year old, twice married, former sniper, who was in the Marines. He too is refurbishing his old home, financing it through his construction business. Kasper and Blue have a brief but intense history. Twenty-two years ago, they had an assignation that ended abruptly. Now, they’re back at the “scene of the crime” and have met again. Will they pick up where they left off or will festering sore feelings keep them apart?

As I mentioned, this story does pull you in very well for such a short tale. However, I definitely wanted more. Kasper’s grandmother and Blue’s son would have been welcome additions to the plot. The little we do get of the grandmother is the one of the best parts. The story develops over a few days. Even though an intensity of attraction was established, I would’ve liked a longer timeframe to enjoy this couple and give their re-acquaintance more room to breathe. I’d give this a B.

[Bona Caballero · Rating 3 out of 5]

El formato corto es muy apropiado para las historias del reencuentro. Y ocurre aquí, en la primera entrega de la serie Military Men. Blue Butler (40) y Kasper Pennington (43) tuvieron algo muy breve y muy intenso hace décadas. Acabó abruptamente sin que Blue supiera muy bien el porqué. Sin embargo, tenía su sentido, eran demasiado jóvenes. Ahora ella tiene un divorcio a sus espaldas y él, dos. Se reencuentran casi por azar, y comprueban que lo suyo sigue siendo muy ardoroso. Como suele ocurrir con Rachel Gibson, la parte sexual entre ellos es de lo mejorcito del relato.
Es una de esas novelas «sureñas» de Gibson en la que hay mucha ironía sobre sobre cómo es el paisaje pero sobre todo el paisanaje. Tampoco es que pueda tener mucho desarrollo, dado lo breve del formato. Pero merece la pena. Está bien para pasar una tarde entretenida.
Crítica más extensa, en mi blog.