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Coral Cove #1
All I Want Is You
Sometimes you have to create your own destiny...
Christy Knight grew up in Destiny, Ohio, but lately she feels that her future lies elsewhere. Her parents are gone and the beautiful jewelry she creates doesn't pay the bills. Maybe it's time for Christy to grow up and find a guy who's smart, sexy, and solvent. Her rugged handyman neighbor fits the first two categories, but he's all wrong for her. If only he didn't have such captivating blue eyes.
Wary of trusting others, Jack DuVall hasn't been entirely honest with Christy. He's not really a handyman. He's not really broke. And sharing the long drive to visit her beloved grandpa isn't just about gallantry—he finds gorgeous, feisty Christy completely irresistible.
When secrets are exposed, Jack and Christy struggle to find their way back to one another, but the quirky seaside town of Coral Cove could prove the perfect place to find a red-hot destiny of their own.
Christy Knight grew up in Destiny, Ohio, but lately she feels that her future lies elsewhere. Her parents are gone and the beautiful jewelry she creates doesn't pay the bills. Maybe it's time for Christy to grow up and find a guy who's smart, sexy, and solvent. Her rugged handyman neighbor fits the first two categories, but he's all wrong for her. If only he didn't have such captivating blue eyes.
Wary of trusting others, Jack DuVall hasn't been entirely honest with Christy. He's not really a handyman. He's not really broke. And sharing the long drive to visit her beloved grandpa isn't just about gallantry—he finds gorgeous, feisty Christy completely irresistible.
When secrets are exposed, Jack and Christy struggle to find their way back to one another, but the quirky seaside town of Coral Cove could prove the perfect place to find a red-hot destiny of their own.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 27, 2014
90 people are currently reading
1592 people want to read
About the author
Toni Blake
45 books1,159 followersToni Blake's love of writing began when she won an essay contest in the fifth grade. Soon after, she penned her first novel, nineteen notebook-pages long, and announced to her mother over breakfast one day that she was going to be a writer when she grew up. Since then, Toni has become the author of more than a dozen contemporary romance novels. Her work has been excerpted in Cosmo, she's been a recipient of the Kentucky Women Writers Fellowship and a nominee for the prestigious Pushcart Prize, and she's also had more than forty short stories and articles published. Toni lives in the Midwest and enjoys traveling, genealogy, crafts, and snow skiing.
Toni has also written under the name Toni Blair.
Photo: Cassandra Stella
Toni has also written under the name Toni Blair.
Photo: Cassandra Stella
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
November 20, 2015
5 'Sometimes you have to create your own destiny' stars!
I LOVED this first book in the Coral Cove series!
Description...
Christy Knight grew up in Destiny, Ohio, but lately she feels that her future lies elsewhere. Her parents are gone and the beautiful jewelry she creates doesn't pay the bills. Maybe it's time for Christy to grow up and find a guy who's smart, sexy, and solvent. Her rugged handyman neighbor fits the first two categories, but he's all wrong for her. If only he didn't have such captivating blue eyes.My quickie review...
Wary of trusting others, Jack DuVall hasn't been entirely honest with Christy. He's not really a handyman. He's not really broke. And sharing the long drive to visit her beloved grandpa isn't just about gallantry—he finds gorgeous, feisty Christy completely irresistible.
When secrets are exposed, Jack and Christy struggle to find their way back to one another, but the quirky seaside town of Coral Cove could prove the perfect place to find a red-hot destiny of their own.
I was pretty disappointed to learn that the Destiny, Ohio series had come to an end, but I am thrilled that Toni Blake will continue to bring us the stories she's so well known for; stories filled with passion, romance, hope... stories about amazing people who will make us dream, make us laugh, and make us fall in love, over and over again!
I adored Jack and Christy! Amazing people who live and love for all their worth because they know that life is worth nothing without love.
An eARC of All I Want Is You was generously provided by Avon Books, and in return I'm giving them an honest review!
February 5, 2015
What a great start to a new series!
This book is loosely tied to Toni Blake's Destiny series. The heroine, 24-year-old Christy Knight lost her parents in a fire (mentioned in Willow Springs) in Destiny, Ohio, and is friends with Anna Romo (Half Moon Hill). Christy has come home to Destiny to deal with the tragedy of her parents' deaths, and is forced to drop out of college since the parents had no insurance. Christy is broke, and as much as she'd like to stay, she realizes she needs to leave Destiny for a larger city where she can get a job while also pursuing her jewelry making passion. So it's off to the big city (Cincinnati) where she can start a new life.
Christy...
When Christy gets a distressing call from her Grandpa Charlie (who lives at an assisted living center in Florida), it forces her to do something she'd never consider--look to marry a rich man. Christy is no gold-digger, and would prefer to marry a man she truly loved, but... if she can find a man who could take care of her Grandpa financially, well...wouldn't it be worth it?
Enter Jack Duvall, Christy's across the street neighbor. Jack's a "handyman", and Christy needs him to break down her locked apartment door because she's running late for her date with a potential rich guy. Christy lets Jack know that she's looking for a rich guy (even though it pains her to say that, but Grandpa's welfare comes first). Jack is hot, handy, and has mesmerizing blue eyes...but how much money could a handyman have?
Jack...so much more than he seems...
Well, Christy ends up not having much luck snagging a rich guy, and is forced to admit that plan was just not for her anyway. She wished she would've never confided her plan to Jack, since she can sense his disapproval. Christy and Jack get along so well, and have great chemistry. But something is holding Jack back from fully trusting Christy. You see, Jack's got a secret....
When Christy decides to visit her Grandpa in Coral Cove, Florida, Jack comes along for the ride. Things heat up between them, but Jack keeps pulling back. Christy is hot for Jack--forget the fact that he's not a rich guy--but how can Christy get him to trust that she's not all about the money anymore?
Ooh, this was a good one! Good premise, likable characters, fantastic setting, some hot chemistry between the H/h--and even a nice side story about Grandpa Charlie's first love. I generally liked Christy--she was upbeat and hard working, and I didn't believe for an instant that she would marry a man just for his money--she didn't seem that calculating. I was convinced of her chemistry with Jack, and was only annoyed with her when Jack finally revealed his secret to her--I thought she was a little naïve and thought she would be more forgiving. But she was young and a little immature and inexperienced, so I forgave her.
Ah, yes, the beach scene...
Now Jack, he sometimes drove me crazy! Yes, he was sexy and supportive and encouraging but ugh, that failure to trust! I guess his heart was more broken than I had thought. He really frustrated me (and Christy!) at times, not being able to fully commit to the relationship. Both he and Christy had their issues, but I was pulling hard for them to work them out, since they seemed like they were so right for each other.
I loved the setting of Coral Cove and the colorful characters who were introduced. I'm especially curious about Reece Donovan, the scruffy owner of the Happy Crab (the motel where Jack and Christy stayed)--I hope we get to read his story soon! Ms. Blake did a wonderful job staging the series, now she just has to fill it with more characters for us to love.:)
This is Fifi, Reece's pet iguana...
If you loved the Destiny series, you're going to love this spin off. In the prologue, you get a brief meeting among Christy and some of the women of Destiny, and get a little update of their lives. However, it's not necessary to have read that series, because this book can stand alone.
As a first book in a new series, I thought TB did an excellent job. The pace was fast, the descriptions plentiful, and the sexual tension built and built-- and I got tears in my eyes a time or two. What more could you want? I'm definitely looking forward to the next book--please be about Reece! 4 1/2 stars
*Thanks to Lindsey Faber and Toni Blake for providing an ARC.*
This book is loosely tied to Toni Blake's Destiny series. The heroine, 24-year-old Christy Knight lost her parents in a fire (mentioned in Willow Springs) in Destiny, Ohio, and is friends with Anna Romo (Half Moon Hill). Christy has come home to Destiny to deal with the tragedy of her parents' deaths, and is forced to drop out of college since the parents had no insurance. Christy is broke, and as much as she'd like to stay, she realizes she needs to leave Destiny for a larger city where she can get a job while also pursuing her jewelry making passion. So it's off to the big city (Cincinnati) where she can start a new life.
Christy...
When Christy gets a distressing call from her Grandpa Charlie (who lives at an assisted living center in Florida), it forces her to do something she'd never consider--look to marry a rich man. Christy is no gold-digger, and would prefer to marry a man she truly loved, but... if she can find a man who could take care of her Grandpa financially, well...wouldn't it be worth it?
Enter Jack Duvall, Christy's across the street neighbor. Jack's a "handyman", and Christy needs him to break down her locked apartment door because she's running late for her date with a potential rich guy. Christy lets Jack know that she's looking for a rich guy (even though it pains her to say that, but Grandpa's welfare comes first). Jack is hot, handy, and has mesmerizing blue eyes...but how much money could a handyman have?
Jack...so much more than he seems...
Well, Christy ends up not having much luck snagging a rich guy, and is forced to admit that plan was just not for her anyway. She wished she would've never confided her plan to Jack, since she can sense his disapproval. Christy and Jack get along so well, and have great chemistry. But something is holding Jack back from fully trusting Christy. You see, Jack's got a secret....
When Christy decides to visit her Grandpa in Coral Cove, Florida, Jack comes along for the ride. Things heat up between them, but Jack keeps pulling back. Christy is hot for Jack--forget the fact that he's not a rich guy--but how can Christy get him to trust that she's not all about the money anymore?
Ooh, this was a good one! Good premise, likable characters, fantastic setting, some hot chemistry between the H/h--and even a nice side story about Grandpa Charlie's first love. I generally liked Christy--she was upbeat and hard working, and I didn't believe for an instant that she would marry a man just for his money--she didn't seem that calculating. I was convinced of her chemistry with Jack, and was only annoyed with her when Jack finally revealed his secret to her--I thought she was a little naïve and thought she would be more forgiving. But she was young and a little immature and inexperienced, so I forgave her.
Ah, yes, the beach scene...
Now Jack, he sometimes drove me crazy! Yes, he was sexy and supportive and encouraging but ugh, that failure to trust! I guess his heart was more broken than I had thought. He really frustrated me (and Christy!) at times, not being able to fully commit to the relationship. Both he and Christy had their issues, but I was pulling hard for them to work them out, since they seemed like they were so right for each other.
I loved the setting of Coral Cove and the colorful characters who were introduced. I'm especially curious about Reece Donovan, the scruffy owner of the Happy Crab (the motel where Jack and Christy stayed)--I hope we get to read his story soon! Ms. Blake did a wonderful job staging the series, now she just has to fill it with more characters for us to love.:)
This is Fifi, Reece's pet iguana...
If you loved the Destiny series, you're going to love this spin off. In the prologue, you get a brief meeting among Christy and some of the women of Destiny, and get a little update of their lives. However, it's not necessary to have read that series, because this book can stand alone.
As a first book in a new series, I thought TB did an excellent job. The pace was fast, the descriptions plentiful, and the sexual tension built and built-- and I got tears in my eyes a time or two. What more could you want? I'm definitely looking forward to the next book--please be about Reece! 4 1/2 stars
*Thanks to Lindsey Faber and Toni Blake for providing an ARC.*
June 1, 2014
Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance
This book was truly an AMAZING READ!
Story Rating ~ 5 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 5 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heat Level ~ 3.5 Stars
Ending ~ 5 HUGE HAPPY STARS!
Overall Rating ~ 5 Stars
Over the years I have read many of Toni Blake’s books and I've LOVED them ALL. This one was no exception, it was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!
The story line was excellent from page one, it drew me in and totally captivated me. Toni Blake knows how to write a simple story and turn it into a masterpiece.
The characters were FANTASTIC! I can’t really pick a favorite, because even the secondary characters were just THAT GOOD.
The sexual tension was off the charts H.O.T, HOT! The first scene when they shared their first kiss had me all heated up. When they finally made love, it was SCORCHING! There was not a lot of mindless sex scenes, just a few that were wonderfully written. They made me really FEEL THE LOVE these two shared.
This was a VERY ROMANTIC read and I loved reading how Jack and Christy got to together, and fell in love. There were many of sigh worthy moments while I read this book.
My favorite quote:
“Have faith in me to never hurt you again. Have faith in me to always be honest with you. Have faith in me to be the man you deserve. Have faith in me to love you and make you happy. Because I’ll do all those things if you’ll only let me.”
The ending was SPECTACULAR and did indeed include an epilogue. The epilogue not only gave us a happy ending for Jack and Christy, but for many of the other characters that were involved in this read. I had tears of joy reading the conclusion, and I have to say that All I Want Is You could not have ended any better!
My overall thoughts, this story taught me a few lessons; always have faith, NEVER give up on your dreams and NEVER toss true love away. This was yet another amazing romance written by Toni Blake. Her story telling and her ability to write fantastic characters, never fails. I HIGHLY recommend this book to ALL romance readers. I can honestly say, if you do decide to read this book, mark my words, you’re going to be truly AMAZED!
*A copy of the book was provided by Avon Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*
This book was truly an AMAZING READ!
Story Rating ~ 5 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 5 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heat Level ~ 3.5 Stars
Ending ~ 5 HUGE HAPPY STARS!
Overall Rating ~ 5 Stars
Over the years I have read many of Toni Blake’s books and I've LOVED them ALL. This one was no exception, it was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!
The story line was excellent from page one, it drew me in and totally captivated me. Toni Blake knows how to write a simple story and turn it into a masterpiece.
The characters were FANTASTIC! I can’t really pick a favorite, because even the secondary characters were just THAT GOOD.
The sexual tension was off the charts H.O.T, HOT! The first scene when they shared their first kiss had me all heated up. When they finally made love, it was SCORCHING! There was not a lot of mindless sex scenes, just a few that were wonderfully written. They made me really FEEL THE LOVE these two shared.
This was a VERY ROMANTIC read and I loved reading how Jack and Christy got to together, and fell in love. There were many of sigh worthy moments while I read this book.
My favorite quote:
“Have faith in me to never hurt you again. Have faith in me to always be honest with you. Have faith in me to be the man you deserve. Have faith in me to love you and make you happy. Because I’ll do all those things if you’ll only let me.”
The ending was SPECTACULAR and did indeed include an epilogue. The epilogue not only gave us a happy ending for Jack and Christy, but for many of the other characters that were involved in this read. I had tears of joy reading the conclusion, and I have to say that All I Want Is You could not have ended any better!
My overall thoughts, this story taught me a few lessons; always have faith, NEVER give up on your dreams and NEVER toss true love away. This was yet another amazing romance written by Toni Blake. Her story telling and her ability to write fantastic characters, never fails. I HIGHLY recommend this book to ALL romance readers. I can honestly say, if you do decide to read this book, mark my words, you’re going to be truly AMAZED!
*A copy of the book was provided by Avon Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*
June 30, 2014
3.5 Stars
All I Want Is You is the first book in Blake’s Coral Cove series and there are parts of this story that I loved. The very talented Toni Blake has produced an emotional, heart- warming romance centered around the heroine’s journey of self-discovery in believing in herself and the hero’s coming to terms with major trust issues. This insightful and often times emotional tale includes a valuable life lesson woven throughout as Christy Knight and the oh-so-sexy Jack Duvall find the path to true love, happiness and contentment.
Since the tragic death of her parents, Christy has struggled both emotionally and financially. When a new burden is revealed she makes the decision to solve her financial w0es by marrying a rich man. Sexy neighbor, Jack Duvall soon enters the scene and while there’s scorching chemistry, he’s only a handyman, therefore not a candidate for Christy’s future.
There were a few hiccups along the way that kept me from totally loving this story. Christy’s search for a rich man in order to solve her financial dilemma made this a slow starter and there were a few things about her personality that didn’t mesh well for me.
However, I loved the coastal small town setting and the very interesting characters introduced there. Grandpa Charlie’s story added greatly to this romance and I found myself absorbed wanting to know the outcome. I also found Jack Duvall to be a lovable, solid, sexy hero. And without a doubt Blake’s talent shines with the inclusion of the underlying message of faith and trust, both in oneself as well as others.
All in all, a very good beginning. Toni Blake is one of my favorite authors of contemporary romance and I'm excited for another small town series.
All I Want Is You is the first book in Blake’s Coral Cove series and there are parts of this story that I loved. The very talented Toni Blake has produced an emotional, heart- warming romance centered around the heroine’s journey of self-discovery in believing in herself and the hero’s coming to terms with major trust issues. This insightful and often times emotional tale includes a valuable life lesson woven throughout as Christy Knight and the oh-so-sexy Jack Duvall find the path to true love, happiness and contentment.
Since the tragic death of her parents, Christy has struggled both emotionally and financially. When a new burden is revealed she makes the decision to solve her financial w0es by marrying a rich man. Sexy neighbor, Jack Duvall soon enters the scene and while there’s scorching chemistry, he’s only a handyman, therefore not a candidate for Christy’s future.
There were a few hiccups along the way that kept me from totally loving this story. Christy’s search for a rich man in order to solve her financial dilemma made this a slow starter and there were a few things about her personality that didn’t mesh well for me.
However, I loved the coastal small town setting and the very interesting characters introduced there. Grandpa Charlie’s story added greatly to this romance and I found myself absorbed wanting to know the outcome. I also found Jack Duvall to be a lovable, solid, sexy hero. And without a doubt Blake’s talent shines with the inclusion of the underlying message of faith and trust, both in oneself as well as others.
All in all, a very good beginning. Toni Blake is one of my favorite authors of contemporary romance and I'm excited for another small town series.
December 9, 2014
Sorry to say, but this book got on my nerves. There was way too much narration. Excessive narration in the dialogue was so bad that I often forgot that they were having a conversation and what was being replied to. Almost every page is filled with lengthy paragraphs or mindless rambling and hypothesizing of the characters. Having said that, both of them got on my nerves with their thoughts. It was just too much. They were immature and it was ridiculous how one pursued the other, then they had a tiff and the other pursued the other. Blech.
The trip to Florida and all the excessive detail of what they saw, did, spoke with and those people's lives. It was just too much and didn't help move the story along at all. I found myself skipping over parts to help move the story along.
The trip to Florida and all the excessive detail of what they saw, did, spoke with and those people's lives. It was just too much and didn't help move the story along at all. I found myself skipping over parts to help move the story along.
October 13, 2016
Meh! Too many things got on my nerves and I didn't like the narrator much.
May 23, 2015
I really liked Blake's Destiny series. so was thrilled to start this spin-off series. I really enjoyed the connections between it and the Destiny books. Christy Knight is away at college when her childhood home in Destiny burns and her parents perish in the fire during one of the Destiny books. Christy is left with absolutely nothing, and there isn't even money for funerals and burials. Christy has to leave college, and she supports herself the best she can at a low paying job. When she finds that her grandfather in Florida will soon not be able to afford to stay in his comfortable nursing home, she becomes desperate and decides she needs to find a man with money.
Right after Christy makes this decision, she meets her neighbor, Jack Duvall. She is very attracted to Jack, but he is a handyman, and certainly not able to help her grandfather out. The more she is around Jack, the less she believes that money matters. She soon realizes that basing a relationship on money was a horrible idea, and way beneath her. The relationship between Christy and Jack starts to develop and deepen, but Jack is keeping some secrets. When Christy learns what he has held back from her, she doesn't think she will ever be able to regain her trust in him.
I liked both Christy and Jack, and thought they were very good for one another, although they both definitely made mistakes. I think Jack had valid reasons to distrust Christy in the beginning, and I don't blame him for not immediately sharing his past and his financial status with her. However, he did wait much too long to do so. Christy was a really sweet, nice person, but her plan to find a wealthy man to help her out wasn't worthy of her. She was so much better than that, and I'm gad that she figured out that she needed to stand on her own. I did think she would be more understanding about the information that Jack held back from her. I thought that both of them showed some immaturity at times, but they were both likable regardless.
Grandpa Charlie was a great character, and there were some other wonderful secondary ones as well, particularly Reece and Fletcher. I enjoyed the story of Christy gaining confidence in herself and her abilities after suffering a few very dark years upon the death of her parents. I liked the way Jack was so taken with her right away, even though he didn't think he should have been, and enjoyed their road trip to Florida. The Coral Cove setting came alive and was a wonderful backdrop for the story.
Right after Christy makes this decision, she meets her neighbor, Jack Duvall. She is very attracted to Jack, but he is a handyman, and certainly not able to help her grandfather out. The more she is around Jack, the less she believes that money matters. She soon realizes that basing a relationship on money was a horrible idea, and way beneath her. The relationship between Christy and Jack starts to develop and deepen, but Jack is keeping some secrets. When Christy learns what he has held back from her, she doesn't think she will ever be able to regain her trust in him.
I liked both Christy and Jack, and thought they were very good for one another, although they both definitely made mistakes. I think Jack had valid reasons to distrust Christy in the beginning, and I don't blame him for not immediately sharing his past and his financial status with her. However, he did wait much too long to do so. Christy was a really sweet, nice person, but her plan to find a wealthy man to help her out wasn't worthy of her. She was so much better than that, and I'm gad that she figured out that she needed to stand on her own. I did think she would be more understanding about the information that Jack held back from her. I thought that both of them showed some immaturity at times, but they were both likable regardless.
Grandpa Charlie was a great character, and there were some other wonderful secondary ones as well, particularly Reece and Fletcher. I enjoyed the story of Christy gaining confidence in herself and her abilities after suffering a few very dark years upon the death of her parents. I liked the way Jack was so taken with her right away, even though he didn't think he should have been, and enjoyed their road trip to Florida. The Coral Cove setting came alive and was a wonderful backdrop for the story.
May 31, 2015
Good start to the new series. Christy is a sweet young woman, but things have not gone well for her lately. Her parents were killed in a house fire, leaving Christy alone except for her grandfather, who lives in an assisted living center in Florida. There had also been no insurance money, so Christy had to leave college and find a way to make a living. Not easy back home in Destiny, so she moves to the city where she is barely making ends meet. When she finds out her grandfather faces having to leave the center because of money issues, she knows she has to do something. Her roommate convinces her that it's just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor one, and that's what she needs to do.
It's a solution that doesn't sit well with Christy, but she's out of ideas and she's desperate. The lead up to her first "rich guy" date is a comedy of errors, involving running late, locked doors, and clothing issues. Her inability to get into her apartment sends her to her neighbor, Jack, whom she begs to kick down her door so she can get in. While the date fizzles, her meeting with her neighbor sizzles. He's hot, he's nice, and parts of her really sit up and take notice. But he's a handyman, and therefore can't be part of her plan.
Jack is rather amused by his neighbor, who at first seems to be a bit of a mess. He can't believe what she wants him to do, but goes along with it. Then he offers his help to repair the damage, and witnesses the non-start of her special date. He hears all about her problem with her grandfather and what her solution is. Jack is really attracted to her, but he has some issues that tell him to keep his distance. He has a bit of a white knight complex and that tends to get him involved with people that end up using him. The worst of it was when he fell in love and married, only to find out that his wife was more interested in what he could give her than in who he was. Because Jack is more than just a handyman. By day he owns his own online investment counseling company, and in his spare time he renovates and sells houses. He is quite wealthy. But he has discovered that it is hard to tell these days if a woman he is dating is really interested in him. So he doesn't tell Christy everything about himself, leaving her to believe he's just a poor as she is.
It's at this point that a friendship starts to build between Christy and Jack. He offers to make some repairs to her place and they spend time together just talking. He witnesses the disasters of some of her later dates. He knows he should stay away from her because of his issues and her needs, but he just can't help himself. And when she decides to make a trip to Florida to see her grandfather, Jack's protective instincts kick in and he offers to go along for the ride. Christy is hesitant at first because of the way he makes her feel, but gives in with little persuasion. It doesn't take too long for Christy to realize that her original plan was a terrible idea. It had never felt right and the more she's around Jack the more she realizes money is the wrong thing to base a relationship on. But having told Jack her plans, she can't figure out how to tell him she's changed her mind.
I loved seeing them together in Coral Cove. Christy's past has made her a bit low on the self confidence side. She makes beautiful jewelry, but is afraid to try selling it for fear it won't do well. Jack gives her the encouragement she needs to try, and his confidence in her gives her the courage to really look at the possibilities. Because he wasn't always rich, he remembers what it's like to be nervous about going after your dreams. Jack also introduces her to the fun of simple things, like beach shows, quirky hotels and unusual restaurants. The time she spends with him has her falling in love with him a little more each day.
As Jack gets to know Christy, he realizes that she isn't really a gold-digger, she's just trying to take care of her grandfather. The attraction he feels for her gets stronger, but he also begins to like the person she is. I loved the way he called her Alice. He starts to fall for her sweetness. He had logical reasons for hiding the truth from her at the beginning, but now it's starting to eat at him. The guilt has a tendency to have him pull back just as they start to get closer, frustrating both of them. He knows he has to tell her the truth but isn't sure how she's going to react.
I understood his reasons for not telling her at first, but not really any excuse for not coming clean sooner. He held onto his secrets a little too long, and when he confessed Christy was hurt and angry. She felt he had betrayed her trust in him. At this point I felt that both of them needed to let go a little. I felt that Jack was a bit arrogant in thinking she should get over her anger quickly. The depth of her hurt and anger seemed to surprise him. But I also felt that Christy shouldn't have held on to her anger quite so long. After all, it was her actions that had made him reluctant to tell the truth to start with. I did like the way that it made Christy determined to solve her problems herself and the solution she came up with. I also loved how, with her grandfather's help, Jack was finally able to make amends with Christy and they got the future they wanted. The epilogue was great.
I loved the setting of Coral Cove. The previous series of Destiny, Ohio, was terrific and this looks to be just as good. The secondary characters are all great. I loved Christy's grandfather, and his own look into his past loves and mistakes made a great parallel to Christy and Jack. It had a nice twist at the end also. I really enjoyed meeting some of the other people, too. Reece and his iguana pet were interesting, and I'd love to see more of him. I'm also intrigued by Fletcher, the tightrope walker, and his story. I'd love to know more about him.
It's a solution that doesn't sit well with Christy, but she's out of ideas and she's desperate. The lead up to her first "rich guy" date is a comedy of errors, involving running late, locked doors, and clothing issues. Her inability to get into her apartment sends her to her neighbor, Jack, whom she begs to kick down her door so she can get in. While the date fizzles, her meeting with her neighbor sizzles. He's hot, he's nice, and parts of her really sit up and take notice. But he's a handyman, and therefore can't be part of her plan.
Jack is rather amused by his neighbor, who at first seems to be a bit of a mess. He can't believe what she wants him to do, but goes along with it. Then he offers his help to repair the damage, and witnesses the non-start of her special date. He hears all about her problem with her grandfather and what her solution is. Jack is really attracted to her, but he has some issues that tell him to keep his distance. He has a bit of a white knight complex and that tends to get him involved with people that end up using him. The worst of it was when he fell in love and married, only to find out that his wife was more interested in what he could give her than in who he was. Because Jack is more than just a handyman. By day he owns his own online investment counseling company, and in his spare time he renovates and sells houses. He is quite wealthy. But he has discovered that it is hard to tell these days if a woman he is dating is really interested in him. So he doesn't tell Christy everything about himself, leaving her to believe he's just a poor as she is.
It's at this point that a friendship starts to build between Christy and Jack. He offers to make some repairs to her place and they spend time together just talking. He witnesses the disasters of some of her later dates. He knows he should stay away from her because of his issues and her needs, but he just can't help himself. And when she decides to make a trip to Florida to see her grandfather, Jack's protective instincts kick in and he offers to go along for the ride. Christy is hesitant at first because of the way he makes her feel, but gives in with little persuasion. It doesn't take too long for Christy to realize that her original plan was a terrible idea. It had never felt right and the more she's around Jack the more she realizes money is the wrong thing to base a relationship on. But having told Jack her plans, she can't figure out how to tell him she's changed her mind.
I loved seeing them together in Coral Cove. Christy's past has made her a bit low on the self confidence side. She makes beautiful jewelry, but is afraid to try selling it for fear it won't do well. Jack gives her the encouragement she needs to try, and his confidence in her gives her the courage to really look at the possibilities. Because he wasn't always rich, he remembers what it's like to be nervous about going after your dreams. Jack also introduces her to the fun of simple things, like beach shows, quirky hotels and unusual restaurants. The time she spends with him has her falling in love with him a little more each day.
As Jack gets to know Christy, he realizes that she isn't really a gold-digger, she's just trying to take care of her grandfather. The attraction he feels for her gets stronger, but he also begins to like the person she is. I loved the way he called her Alice. He starts to fall for her sweetness. He had logical reasons for hiding the truth from her at the beginning, but now it's starting to eat at him. The guilt has a tendency to have him pull back just as they start to get closer, frustrating both of them. He knows he has to tell her the truth but isn't sure how she's going to react.
I understood his reasons for not telling her at first, but not really any excuse for not coming clean sooner. He held onto his secrets a little too long, and when he confessed Christy was hurt and angry. She felt he had betrayed her trust in him. At this point I felt that both of them needed to let go a little. I felt that Jack was a bit arrogant in thinking she should get over her anger quickly. The depth of her hurt and anger seemed to surprise him. But I also felt that Christy shouldn't have held on to her anger quite so long. After all, it was her actions that had made him reluctant to tell the truth to start with. I did like the way that it made Christy determined to solve her problems herself and the solution she came up with. I also loved how, with her grandfather's help, Jack was finally able to make amends with Christy and they got the future they wanted. The epilogue was great.
I loved the setting of Coral Cove. The previous series of Destiny, Ohio, was terrific and this looks to be just as good. The secondary characters are all great. I loved Christy's grandfather, and his own look into his past loves and mistakes made a great parallel to Christy and Jack. It had a nice twist at the end also. I really enjoyed meeting some of the other people, too. Reece and his iguana pet were interesting, and I'd love to see more of him. I'm also intrigued by Fletcher, the tightrope walker, and his story. I'd love to know more about him.
May 27, 2014
We are back in Destiny, Ohio! Well, sorta. For a time anyway.
ALL I WANT IS YOU marks the first book in Toni Blake’s new Coral Cover series. As the book begins in Destiny where Christy Knight is feeling the financial pinch, readers feel the immediate connection to her losses and her dire situation. Christy had to drop out of school in her second to last semester because her family back home suffered from a fire, killing her family as well as burning down everything that belonged to her. Without insurance, Christy was left with nothing and was forced to work, trying to stay afloat. However, her grandfather in Florida is suffering his own financial problems and because his home takes such great care of him, Christy wants to do something to help her granddaddy who is her only remaining family left.
Christy comes up with a plan and it’s to lure a rich man into her life. Hopefully, it will help her but when her first date goes terribly wrong and her neighbour is there to witness it all, Christy is quickly loosing hope.
While the quest to snatch a rich man trope isn’t my favourite, nor does it come off as very romantic at first, I found that Toni Blake makes it work regardless. One of the things I adore about Blake’s writing is that she is so readily able to pour her heart into her books. There is so much emotion, whether its sympathy for Christy’s bad situation or if it’s the same sadness that Jack experiences when he thinks about his wife. You end up feeling it all.
What I also love about Blake’s books is that there always seems to be an underling message through everything she writes. There’s a life lesson, a realization that the characters experience that mimic the ways of real life and that to me what makes her books stand out. They are sexy, entertaining Contemporary Romances, but I feel like after reading this book, you also feel enlightened about love and life in general as well. I haven’t ever encountered another author who does this as well as Toni Blake does.
Here’s a quote that perfectly describes what I mean:
“Life is all about balance. And walking on the tightrope is really just a metaphor for life. It’s…a balance of putting yourself at risk and keeping yourself upright at the same time. It’s about the discipline to teach yourself to do the impossible. Anybody can walk on a tightrope if they’re brave enough and dedicated enough. Anybody can learn to do the impossible – if they want it bad enough. I just wanted it bad enough. So what’s impossible for you?”
How can you read that and not walk away inspired by Toni Blake’s words?
ALL I WANT IS YOU is a beautifully written, heartfelt story of strength, bravery, trust and love. If you’re looking for a book that is more than just a classic romance, then the Coral Cove series is for you.
*ARC provided by publisher
Read my alternate review att Fresh Fiction
July 6, 2017
Toni Blake's Destiny, Ohio is one of my favourite Small Town romance series so as you can imagine I was really pleased when she was using the character of Christy Knight to segue into the Coral Cove series. Since the tragic death of her parents, things have not run smoothly for Christy now settled in Cincinnati and she desperately feels that only marrying a wealthy man will be the end of her problems. Enter the sexy neighbor, Jack Duvall who may just be the man of her dreams except he is a handyman..Thus starts a path where both Jack and Christy have to overcome some preconceptions before the course of true love can really run smooth.
Even though I really like Toni Blake's writing style I can't say I enjoyed the premise of this story. Even though we knew Christy had been through some tough times her decision to use a man to handle her problems just seemed weak. And then for Jack to hold back information about his past just compounded the problem. Fortunately the move to Coral Cove and some interesting characters there gives me some hope that the series will improve into the future.
Even though I really like Toni Blake's writing style I can't say I enjoyed the premise of this story. Even though we knew Christy had been through some tough times her decision to use a man to handle her problems just seemed weak. And then for Jack to hold back information about his past just compounded the problem. Fortunately the move to Coral Cove and some interesting characters there gives me some hope that the series will improve into the future.
March 1, 2016
All I Want Is You is the first book in the Coral Cove series by Toni Blake. Christy Knight needs a rich husband. Her grandfather is about to be kicked out of the rest home he is living in due to lack of funds and she is barely making ends meet. But maybe if she could find herself a rich husband, Grandpa Charlie can stay at the home he loves. But when she rushes home to go on a date and finds herself locked out because her landlord finally broke down and did some repairs, she freaks. Enter neighbor, Jack Duvall. He gallantly kicks the door open for her.
Cute story and pleasant enough, I guess. It just didn't have the umph or "it" for me. I think I was more into Grandpa Charlie and his romance. There were some interesting characters introduced that I was curious about so I may check out other books in the series.
Cute story and pleasant enough, I guess. It just didn't have the umph or "it" for me. I think I was more into Grandpa Charlie and his romance. There were some interesting characters introduced that I was curious about so I may check out other books in the series.
May 15, 2014
I don't have a problem with a short story being short, but I'm so tired of downloading a short story and half the download (or less) is story and the rest is the first chapter of whatever the author is trying to sell.
The story itself? Meh. Not worth the time.
The story itself? Meh. Not worth the time.
January 17, 2016
Title: All I Want Is You
Author: Toni Blake
Publisher: Harper Collins
Series: A Coral Cove Novel
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"All I Want Is You" by Toni Blake was a beautiful contemporary romance. This author really knows how to write a novel that will keep your interest from the very first page till the very end.
What I loved about "All I Want Is You"
How this author was able to get Christy Knight and Jack Duvall together was really interesting. I liked how this author gave the reader a little poem or saying from various authors at the beginning of each charter. Who knew when Christy ask Jack to 'kick down her door' that this would be the creating of a new destiny for the two of them. We find Christy now living in Cincinnati was alone only having her grandfather Charlie, some wonderful friends, and her beautiful jewelry 'reworked old jewelry' that she made, however, this wasn't enough. Why? Christy had learned that her grandfather had 'money problems' and alone with her own money issues that had come upon her due to the death of her parents. What was she to do? After Christy talks with her roommate Bethany she had decides what she needs to do, but will this work out for her as she charts this journey? It looks like before this plan is set up it will be stopped and we find that Jack who is thought to be a handy man is now fixing Christy's door that he kicked in for her earlier. This story will move very fast and there will be so much going on. Now, Jack has become a friend of Christy's and learning of her plans to visit her grandfather in Coral Cove, Florida and he tags along. Was Jack beginning to care for Christy? With Jack having trust issues and secrets will he be able to work these out? After Christy get to 'Sunnymeade Retirement and Healthcare Center' to visit her grandfather it looks like everything is going well on the visit, but is it. A lots will come out from this visit at Coral Cove such as Christy brings jewelry with her that she had made now selling on the beach at the 'Sunset Celebration' and later we will learn she also approaches some consignment shops. What will come of this for Christy? We also find out a little more about grandfather Charlie's first love Susan (Mrs. Waters) and will all of Jack's secrets be brought out that he has held so close. What is Jack so afraid of? During this visit both Christy and Jack had time to talk but what was really lacking from these two? Why was Christy so upset when she finally finds out just what all had gone on in Jack life that he had been unwilling to share with her? In the end what will Christy be will to except from Jack? I really don't want to tell to much more away about this amazing read. I want you to pick up the excellent well written read to see for yourself just how this author brings it all out to the reader. This was done so well that I was left only saying Wow!
What I also liked... The main and secondary characters!
The characters were all well developed, likable, colorful and well portrayed...Christy, Jack, grandpa Charlie, Bethany, Amy, Sue, Anna, Mrs. Hart, The Harrington's, Nurse Ron, John and Nancy Romo, Donald King, Susan Waters, Della Mae, Alice, Reece Donovan, FiFi, Fletcher McCloud, Duke Dawson, Logan, Lucky, Tessa, Mike, Rachel, Kyle, Lydia, Candy, Nurse Angie, Abner, Polly, Dinah and I am sure I have left someone out but all made this novel so very interesting and so captivating that I am still at awe of it all.
What I really loved!
In the end I loved this quote "Have faith in me ...please. Have faith in me to never hurt you again, Have faith in me to always be honest with you, to always trust you. Have faith in in me to be the man you deserve, Have faith in me to love you and make you happy"...will become so real for Jack and Christy as they find their way back to one another. "All I Want Is You" was a sweet beautiful romance that I would definitely recommend to you as a excellent read.
Author: Toni Blake
Publisher: Harper Collins
Series: A Coral Cove Novel
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"All I Want Is You" by Toni Blake was a beautiful contemporary romance. This author really knows how to write a novel that will keep your interest from the very first page till the very end.
What I loved about "All I Want Is You"
How this author was able to get Christy Knight and Jack Duvall together was really interesting. I liked how this author gave the reader a little poem or saying from various authors at the beginning of each charter. Who knew when Christy ask Jack to 'kick down her door' that this would be the creating of a new destiny for the two of them. We find Christy now living in Cincinnati was alone only having her grandfather Charlie, some wonderful friends, and her beautiful jewelry 'reworked old jewelry' that she made, however, this wasn't enough. Why? Christy had learned that her grandfather had 'money problems' and alone with her own money issues that had come upon her due to the death of her parents. What was she to do? After Christy talks with her roommate Bethany she had decides what she needs to do, but will this work out for her as she charts this journey? It looks like before this plan is set up it will be stopped and we find that Jack who is thought to be a handy man is now fixing Christy's door that he kicked in for her earlier. This story will move very fast and there will be so much going on. Now, Jack has become a friend of Christy's and learning of her plans to visit her grandfather in Coral Cove, Florida and he tags along. Was Jack beginning to care for Christy? With Jack having trust issues and secrets will he be able to work these out? After Christy get to 'Sunnymeade Retirement and Healthcare Center' to visit her grandfather it looks like everything is going well on the visit, but is it. A lots will come out from this visit at Coral Cove such as Christy brings jewelry with her that she had made now selling on the beach at the 'Sunset Celebration' and later we will learn she also approaches some consignment shops. What will come of this for Christy? We also find out a little more about grandfather Charlie's first love Susan (Mrs. Waters) and will all of Jack's secrets be brought out that he has held so close. What is Jack so afraid of? During this visit both Christy and Jack had time to talk but what was really lacking from these two? Why was Christy so upset when she finally finds out just what all had gone on in Jack life that he had been unwilling to share with her? In the end what will Christy be will to except from Jack? I really don't want to tell to much more away about this amazing read. I want you to pick up the excellent well written read to see for yourself just how this author brings it all out to the reader. This was done so well that I was left only saying Wow!
What I also liked... The main and secondary characters!
The characters were all well developed, likable, colorful and well portrayed...Christy, Jack, grandpa Charlie, Bethany, Amy, Sue, Anna, Mrs. Hart, The Harrington's, Nurse Ron, John and Nancy Romo, Donald King, Susan Waters, Della Mae, Alice, Reece Donovan, FiFi, Fletcher McCloud, Duke Dawson, Logan, Lucky, Tessa, Mike, Rachel, Kyle, Lydia, Candy, Nurse Angie, Abner, Polly, Dinah and I am sure I have left someone out but all made this novel so very interesting and so captivating that I am still at awe of it all.
What I really loved!
In the end I loved this quote "Have faith in me ...please. Have faith in me to never hurt you again, Have faith in me to always be honest with you, to always trust you. Have faith in in me to be the man you deserve, Have faith in me to love you and make you happy"...will become so real for Jack and Christy as they find their way back to one another. "All I Want Is You" was a sweet beautiful romance that I would definitely recommend to you as a excellent read.
June 11, 2021
Christy is broke. She had to drop out of college in her last semester when her parents house caught on fire and they (the parents) died. She lost everything because her parents let their insurance lapse. Since then she has been struggling financially. Her grandpa lives in a facility in FL and his money is running out. He will have to go on Medicaid and move to a facility that accepts (this wasn't said, but this is what would happen in "real life." It can be difficult to find a facility that has an open Medicaid bed).So, Christy decided she just needs to find a rich guy to solve her and her grandpa's financial issues.
She meets Jack when she asks him to kick open her door to get ready for one of those rich guy dates (yes, that happened). What follows becomes a friendship that gradually transitions to lovers. While I didn't like Christy's goal to hook-up with rich dudes, it was a bit different from the regular contemporary romance trope. Her reasons weren't completely selfish and she was a likeable character.
Jack was burned before, so he isn't honest with Christy about his real financial situation (yes, you are correct if you guessed he has money). What follows is some angst, talking, angst, more talking.
This book's strength is the secondary characters. Charlie- the grandpa, Reece and Fifi (the motel owner and his pet iguana), Fletcher (his wife left and he believes she will return).
She meets Jack when she asks him to kick open her door to get ready for one of those rich guy dates (yes, that happened). What follows becomes a friendship that gradually transitions to lovers. While I didn't like Christy's goal to hook-up with rich dudes, it was a bit different from the regular contemporary romance trope. Her reasons weren't completely selfish and she was a likeable character.
Jack was burned before, so he isn't honest with Christy about his real financial situation (yes, you are correct if you guessed he has money). What follows is some angst, talking, angst, more talking.
This book's strength is the secondary characters. Charlie- the grandpa, Reece and Fifi (the motel owner and his pet iguana), Fletcher (his wife left and he believes she will return).
June 7, 2014
It took me a bit to see remember how this one was connected to the Destiny series, but once I did, it was full steam ahead. I felt so bad for Christy and how her life changed for the worst through no reason of her own. I thought Christy did a good job of trying to keep it together. I didn't like her plan of trying to land a rich guy to help her out. I knew that she was the type of person that couldn't live with herself if she did that.
I did like that Christy was up front with Jack about what she was doing with her dates, even if I didn't like the idea. I thought that they would be good together, but not sure if either of them could get past their issues.
The road trip to Florida and the time spent there seemed magical for them. They allowed their true self to show through to the other, with no games. I knew that it wouldn't last, but didn't expect Jack's secret to implode them. I would have thought that Christy would have understood why Jack kept those things to himself.
I did like how this one resolved, liked that both of them gave up something and am glad that they headed back to Florida, it is the best place for them.
I did like that Christy was up front with Jack about what she was doing with her dates, even if I didn't like the idea. I thought that they would be good together, but not sure if either of them could get past their issues.
The road trip to Florida and the time spent there seemed magical for them. They allowed their true self to show through to the other, with no games. I knew that it wouldn't last, but didn't expect Jack's secret to implode them. I would have thought that Christy would have understood why Jack kept those things to himself.
I did like how this one resolved, liked that both of them gave up something and am glad that they headed back to Florida, it is the best place for them.
June 20, 2014
Just wonderful!
May 8, 2014
This is the first book in the Coral Cove series but it is loosely tied to Blake's Destiny series
Christy has been having a string of bad luck. When financial straits hit she decides she needs to marry a rich man who will help her pay for her grandfather's nursing home, school loans, and debts from her parents recent funerals. Since she always wanted to marry for love she isn't happy with the new plan but doesn't see another way to support herself. When she gets locked out of her apartment she asks her across the street neighbor, a handsome handyman, to kick her door down so she can get in and ready for a date with a rich guy. Chaos ensues and Christy's life continues to get more complicated.
I really loved this story! I loved Christy and how she tried to be a gold digger but couldn't pull it off, Jack for his standoffish ways, Abner's crazy hats, Grandpa Charlie, Coral Cove, Fifi, everything! Christy and Jack have a pretty slow build to their relationship. As Jack has been burned before he doesn't tell Christy that he is actually rich when he finds out she is looking for a rich guy. But as they get to know one another he has a hard time staying away from her. And Christy knows that her life would be simpler if she was with a rich man but she is so drawn to Jack that she is soon ready to forgo her rich man ideals and happily settle down with Jack. This is a pretty big plot point throughout the story but so many other things happen.
While there is a bit of drama and a will they won't they vibe for a bit, there was still a lightness and ease to the story that made the pages fly by. The writing is entertaining and engaging. I found myself laughing or smiling a lot while I read this book. I also wanted to reach through and smack Jack a few times but eventually he more than made up for all the times he annoyed me.
We get small glimpses of Grandpa Charlie as a young man as he relieves his biggest regret. We also have several other secondary characters that were interesting and I hope they get stories of their own.
Coral Cove seems to be a community for second chances. Whether in life, love, or relationships. The people there are open, friendly and accepting of others. Most of the residents seem to be a bit on the odd side but that just made them more entertaining. I can't wait to read another book in this series. The town and characters are unique and interesting and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Christy has been having a string of bad luck. When financial straits hit she decides she needs to marry a rich man who will help her pay for her grandfather's nursing home, school loans, and debts from her parents recent funerals. Since she always wanted to marry for love she isn't happy with the new plan but doesn't see another way to support herself. When she gets locked out of her apartment she asks her across the street neighbor, a handsome handyman, to kick her door down so she can get in and ready for a date with a rich guy. Chaos ensues and Christy's life continues to get more complicated.
I really loved this story! I loved Christy and how she tried to be a gold digger but couldn't pull it off, Jack for his standoffish ways, Abner's crazy hats, Grandpa Charlie, Coral Cove, Fifi, everything! Christy and Jack have a pretty slow build to their relationship. As Jack has been burned before he doesn't tell Christy that he is actually rich when he finds out she is looking for a rich guy. But as they get to know one another he has a hard time staying away from her. And Christy knows that her life would be simpler if she was with a rich man but she is so drawn to Jack that she is soon ready to forgo her rich man ideals and happily settle down with Jack. This is a pretty big plot point throughout the story but so many other things happen.
While there is a bit of drama and a will they won't they vibe for a bit, there was still a lightness and ease to the story that made the pages fly by. The writing is entertaining and engaging. I found myself laughing or smiling a lot while I read this book. I also wanted to reach through and smack Jack a few times but eventually he more than made up for all the times he annoyed me.
We get small glimpses of Grandpa Charlie as a young man as he relieves his biggest regret. We also have several other secondary characters that were interesting and I hope they get stories of their own.
Coral Cove seems to be a community for second chances. Whether in life, love, or relationships. The people there are open, friendly and accepting of others. Most of the residents seem to be a bit on the odd side but that just made them more entertaining. I can't wait to read another book in this series. The town and characters are unique and interesting and I can't wait to see what happens next.
August 21, 2014
Not exactly as good and angsty/moving as the first books in the Destiny series, but still much better than most of available contemporary romances, thanks to Toni Blake's talent.
I really enjoyed discovering Coral Cove, the new destination where Christy and Jack drove to for a vacation and end up settling up at the end. I really liked the loose link between this series and the Destiny one.
The plot was ok, though slightly predictable. There were a few quite funny moments relating to Christy's initial harebrained plot to catch a rich guy. Just enough to make me smile, not enough to make her look desperate or completely believing in that scheme either. Compared to some previous books, I had the feeling the characters did not have that much depth, did not really change/mature that much during the book. Christy certainly did, Jack not that much and only regarding his views on relationships and trust. Moreover I regretted not having any insight on his relationship with his parents that might have made a buffer or helped somehow after his divorce. It felt like one aspect totally left out, forgotten, which might have helped make this book more.
For fans of Toni Blake (one of my auto-buy authors), I can safely recommend this book, which is more of a comfort food than a gourmet highly enjoyable meal. For readers not familiar with her works, I'd recommend to start with the fantastic Letters from an unknown lover and the earlier books in the Destiny series (can be read out of order).
I really enjoyed discovering Coral Cove, the new destination where Christy and Jack drove to for a vacation and end up settling up at the end. I really liked the loose link between this series and the Destiny one.
The plot was ok, though slightly predictable. There were a few quite funny moments relating to Christy's initial harebrained plot to catch a rich guy. Just enough to make me smile, not enough to make her look desperate or completely believing in that scheme either. Compared to some previous books, I had the feeling the characters did not have that much depth, did not really change/mature that much during the book. Christy certainly did, Jack not that much and only regarding his views on relationships and trust. Moreover I regretted not having any insight on his relationship with his parents that might have made a buffer or helped somehow after his divorce. It felt like one aspect totally left out, forgotten, which might have helped make this book more.
For fans of Toni Blake (one of my auto-buy authors), I can safely recommend this book, which is more of a comfort food than a gourmet highly enjoyable meal. For readers not familiar with her works, I'd recommend to start with the fantastic Letters from an unknown lover and the earlier books in the Destiny series (can be read out of order).
August 16, 2014
I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads.
I think the basic premise of this book - Christy is a down-on-her-luck, penniless, seemingly useless, orphan - didn't sit well with me, and it colored the whole experience. She can't pay her bills and now her beloved grandfather is out of money, too. So she hatches a scheme to marry a rich guy who will bail both her and Gramps out.
So I'm not endeared to the main character from the start. Instead of figuring out a way to solve her problems HERSELF, like a big girl, she decides she needs a big, strong, rich guy to help (Note: She eventually solves her problems herself, but for me it was too little, too late).
One big "Meh" from me.
I think the basic premise of this book - Christy is a down-on-her-luck, penniless, seemingly useless, orphan - didn't sit well with me, and it colored the whole experience. She can't pay her bills and now her beloved grandfather is out of money, too. So she hatches a scheme to marry a rich guy who will bail both her and Gramps out.
So I'm not endeared to the main character from the start. Instead of figuring out a way to solve her problems HERSELF, like a big girl, she decides she needs a big, strong, rich guy to help (Note: She eventually solves her problems herself, but for me it was too little, too late).
One big "Meh" from me.
January 23, 2015
I couldn't even finish this book. It was just way too typical and poorly done. The main character seemed like a 14 year-old, not a 24 year-old. There was something in the way she acted so innocent and naive that drove me nuts. Her decision making is so poor that I couldn't even stand it. Her only options weren't to be poor or marry rich. She was offered the perfect opportunity to save some money by her friends back home, but she was just too artistic to be held back by small town life. That is just dumb. Move back, save money, use the weekends to sell your stupid jewelry at craft shows and what not and then move on when you can afford to! What an idiot. And one of my biggest complaints is that you could tell the male perspective was written by a woman. Was not a fan at all.
didnt-finish
January 6, 2015I was really looking forward to the start of Toni Blake's new series, but I only made it halfway through before giving up. The heroine came off as completely unlikeable. She's clear from the beginning about looking for a wealthy husband, and even though her reason is selfless, it left a bad taste in my mouth. Also, I could never understand what the hero saw in her. She seemed like a hot mess, and not something a mature guy would be looking for.
August 18, 2015
I liked the quirky secondary characters. Not a big fan of the big misunderstanding/communication breakdown trope. I don't like being lied to so I don't like it when a character has it happen to them, although I do understand Jack's reasons. I also think he should have been honest sooner. I also think Christy didn't need to take her grandfather's troubles as her responsibility.
March 10, 2015
A first in the new series by Toni Blake. Although I loved and enjoyed her books I thought it was pretty light and sweet than she usually does and those preceded it. Enjoyed it nonetheless.
August 8, 2014
3.5 Stars
Review to come.....
Review to come.....
July 29, 2015
Good. Easy read. However you knew how it would end from the. Beginning.
July 17, 2016
Way too long and drawn out
September 9, 2016
4 stars – Contemporary Romance
November 3, 2014
4.5 stars.
I can always count on Toni Blake to get me out of my reading funk.
I can always count on Toni Blake to get me out of my reading funk.
June 12, 2021
I give this story 3.5 stars because it really wasn’t up to the author’s standards. The story was slow with only a few bright spots. Christy Knight lost her parents in a fire without any insurance at all. Being completely on her own for the first time she had to drop out of college and work just to make ends meet. Unfortunately she had a roommate that gave her the idea of just dating guys with money to help her and her Grandpa who lived in a home in Florida. It was this idea that got Christy in hot water with her neighbor Jack DuVall. He had been burned by a girlfriend who attached herself to his money and he knew he would not let that happen again. It was easier not to let anyone know about his wealth especially since he loved the simple life anyway. The story follows Christy and Jack on their journey of learning how to trust others.
April 19, 2024
Pros:
Fans of Nora Roberts who miss her writing contemporary romance without paranormal elements are likely to really enjoy this story and probably the author’s writing in general. She had a lot of the elements I expect from a Nora Roberts book (female main character with a personal struggle, someone starting a business, a cute small town).
Cons:
The miscommunication in this book isn’t bad it is just so much and seems to be the heart of every single problem. While that is realistic it is frustrating to watch from the outside and I never felt connected enough to the characters for it to feel natural and not a planned challenge, that’s a me problem not the book.
Fans of Nora Roberts who miss her writing contemporary romance without paranormal elements are likely to really enjoy this story and probably the author’s writing in general. She had a lot of the elements I expect from a Nora Roberts book (female main character with a personal struggle, someone starting a business, a cute small town).
Cons:
The miscommunication in this book isn’t bad it is just so much and seems to be the heart of every single problem. While that is realistic it is frustrating to watch from the outside and I never felt connected enough to the characters for it to feel natural and not a planned challenge, that’s a me problem not the book.
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