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Walkers Ford #2
Jaded
They can’t hide from desire…
After life as a cop in Denver leaves him burned-out, Lucas Ridgeway returns to Walkers Ford, South Dakota, to serve as their chief of police. He’s hoping to start over with a clean slate and avoid any emotional entanglements—even after his next-door neighbor kisses him senseless. Alana is passionate, dedicated, and most importantly leaving town soon. So why not have some fun?
Alana Wentworth comes from a larger-than-life political family, yet all she wanted was to be a librarian. Then after an embarrassing marriage proposal from Mr. Not-For-Her, she jumps at the chance to live her dream for a few months. She wasn't supposed to get involved with the community—or sexy, troubled Lucas. But when the time comes for Alana to put Walkers Ford behind her, she’s not ready. And Lucas may not be ready for her to go…
After life as a cop in Denver leaves him burned-out, Lucas Ridgeway returns to Walkers Ford, South Dakota, to serve as their chief of police. He’s hoping to start over with a clean slate and avoid any emotional entanglements—even after his next-door neighbor kisses him senseless. Alana is passionate, dedicated, and most importantly leaving town soon. So why not have some fun?
Alana Wentworth comes from a larger-than-life political family, yet all she wanted was to be a librarian. Then after an embarrassing marriage proposal from Mr. Not-For-Her, she jumps at the chance to live her dream for a few months. She wasn't supposed to get involved with the community—or sexy, troubled Lucas. But when the time comes for Alana to put Walkers Ford behind her, she’s not ready. And Lucas may not be ready for her to go…
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2014
9 people are currently reading
716 people want to read
About the author
Anne Calhoun
53 books656 followersAfter doing time at Fortune 500 companies on both coasts, I found myself living in the suburbs of a small Midwestern city. The glamour of various cube farm jobs had worn off, so I gave up making a decent living to take Joseph Campbell’s advice and follow my bliss: writing romance.
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January 30, 2014
4 stars.****Full review posted January 30, 2014
Lucas likes to work out to keep his body in shape.
Classy and well-bred yet reserved Alana Wentworth is the temporary librarian at Walkers Ford Public Library. She came to Walkers Ford to get over a bad breakup. Her only goal at the moment is to get under her landlord and Chief of Police, Lucas Ridgeway, to make him her rebound man. There's a little problem, though. Alana is not so savvy when it comes to men and figuring out how to get Lucas between her sheets seems to be quite a difficult endeavor. Well, Alana might end up surprised because Lucas is more than ready to cop a feel after he takes care of her clogged bathroom sink. They start a secret affair, sex without any commitment because Alana makes it very clear that she will go back to her job and her rich family in Chicago in a couple of weeks. During a town council meeting, however, Alana is charged with an assignment. This leads to her prolonged stay at Walkers Ford, yet it will only grant their affair a reprieve. Or is there really hope for more?
One thing is for sure, Lucas is determined to explore every nuance of her blushes.
As a side note
It's a five o'clock shadow.
Librarians are sexy…
The muscles in his face slackened just before his tongue touched the tip of her thumb.
Anne really knows how to write the somber, detached hero who displays a remote bearing. Lucas is no exception to the rule. After an 'incident' in Denver where he worked as a DEA cop, he came to Walkers Ford to live a less hectic life. His defense mechanisms are up all the time and readers need patience because his past remains a mystery for a long time. I liked the grounded, successful yet simple Alana, although there was something about her that irritated me (see minor quibble). I don't get tired of repeating it. I would LOVE to read Nate's story, a filthy rich businessman and former US Marine. He's a very intriguing character. Readers met him for the first time in Unforgiven and you will see him again in Jaded. Since he came home he isn't the same man anymore. The war changed him and left its mark and might have been the cause of his marital problems. I LOVE stories about a second chance at love. *hint* *hint* *makes puppy eyes*
If you want to read a light and fluffy romance novel, then Jaded might be the wrong book for you. While this story provides a much appreciated and multifaceted small-town feeling with a very interesting and eclectic cast of secondary characters, the story itself is surrounded by a touch of melancholy and sadness and the road to Alana and Lucas's HEA is quite bumpy. Don't let that put you off though, because Jaded is so worth reading.
As always, the sex scenes are so deliciously good. The author takes the reader on a sensual journey while Lucas and Alana explore their bodies. You are there when they exchange soft and carnal kisses that turn into passion and hot desire in no time flat. And you can feel their aroused breaths when they part their lips in anticipation of yet another sexy kiss. Those scenes ooze sensuality and intimacy as all get out. A touch, a look and chemistry ignites. It goes without saying that their carnal encounters made me shiver. Sweetness blending into passion and need, that's what Anne masters easily. In consequence, it feels so darn good to immerse myself in Anne's stories and to revel and ultimately drown in so many various sensations.
While the beginning was good, I wasn't quite sure how I'd be feeling about the MCs and the plot, though. Funnily enough, I've had some similar feelings when I read Unforgiven. But who I am to worry or even doubt Anne? She always delivers and Jaded is no exception to the rule. Soon enough, everything was tingling inside me and I was so back in the swing of things.
Even though Jaded works just fine as a standalone, I advise you to read the books in order--especially if you are a stickler for reading in order--because Marissa and Adam, main characters of Unforgiven, make more than a little cameo in Jaded.
Minor quibble
Like I mentioned already, this isn't a cheerful story and Alana telling herself again and again that she had to go back to Chicago added another layer of wistfulness to the plot that somewhat impaired the story in my opinion. Sometimes less is more, just tone it down a little bit.
Referring to a specific quote of Jaded I'd like to say that you have something wonderful here. In an age of increasing disconnectedness, Anne has written an engaging story that can connect her fans in different countries. Thank you, Anne, for another great read!
Recommended read.
My ranking
Unforgiven 4.5 stars
Jaded 4 stars
Official release date February 4, 2014
All quotes are taken from the pre-published copy and may be altered or omitted in the final copy.
**ARC courtesy of Berkley Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
http://baba.booklikes.com
Lucas likes to work out to keep his body in shape.
Classy and well-bred yet reserved Alana Wentworth is the temporary librarian at Walkers Ford Public Library. She came to Walkers Ford to get over a bad breakup. Her only goal at the moment is to get under her landlord and Chief of Police, Lucas Ridgeway, to make him her rebound man. There's a little problem, though. Alana is not so savvy when it comes to men and figuring out how to get Lucas between her sheets seems to be quite a difficult endeavor. Well, Alana might end up surprised because Lucas is more than ready to cop a feel after he takes care of her clogged bathroom sink. They start a secret affair, sex without any commitment because Alana makes it very clear that she will go back to her job and her rich family in Chicago in a couple of weeks. During a town council meeting, however, Alana is charged with an assignment. This leads to her prolonged stay at Walkers Ford, yet it will only grant their affair a reprieve. Or is there really hope for more?
One thing is for sure, Lucas is determined to explore every nuance of her blushes.
"I do it all the time," she added breathlessly.
"All the time?" he asked, as if he hadn't noticed.
She nodded.
"Show me."
The way Alana Wentworth blushed damn near slayed him. Every. Single. Time.
Blushing usually meant innocence, but the combination of soft hands on his body and the heated slide of her tongue banished any illusions he had about sheltered librarians.
"I'm not going to get hurt. Stop thinking about what you don't want to do, and tell me what you do want to do."
"I want to finish what we started last night."
"Too general," he said bluntly. "Be specific."
(…)
"I want to know what your beard feels like against my lips."
As a side note
It's a five o'clock shadow.
"More," she breathed.
With a twist of hips and shoulders he surged to his feet and pressed her into the narrow space between the fridge and the door to the dining room. She wound her legs around his hips and her arms around his neck, the better to revel in the sensation of his arm under her bottom and that delicious, sensitizing scuff against her mouth.
Librarians are sexy…
The muscles in his face slackened just before his tongue touched the tip of her thumb.
Anne really knows how to write the somber, detached hero who displays a remote bearing. Lucas is no exception to the rule. After an 'incident' in Denver where he worked as a DEA cop, he came to Walkers Ford to live a less hectic life. His defense mechanisms are up all the time and readers need patience because his past remains a mystery for a long time. I liked the grounded, successful yet simple Alana, although there was something about her that irritated me (see minor quibble). I don't get tired of repeating it. I would LOVE to read Nate's story, a filthy rich businessman and former US Marine. He's a very intriguing character. Readers met him for the first time in Unforgiven and you will see him again in Jaded. Since he came home he isn't the same man anymore. The war changed him and left its mark and might have been the cause of his marital problems. I LOVE stories about a second chance at love. *hint* *hint* *makes puppy eyes*
If you want to read a light and fluffy romance novel, then Jaded might be the wrong book for you. While this story provides a much appreciated and multifaceted small-town feeling with a very interesting and eclectic cast of secondary characters, the story itself is surrounded by a touch of melancholy and sadness and the road to Alana and Lucas's HEA is quite bumpy. Don't let that put you off though, because Jaded is so worth reading.
As always, the sex scenes are so deliciously good. The author takes the reader on a sensual journey while Lucas and Alana explore their bodies. You are there when they exchange soft and carnal kisses that turn into passion and hot desire in no time flat. And you can feel their aroused breaths when they part their lips in anticipation of yet another sexy kiss. Those scenes ooze sensuality and intimacy as all get out. A touch, a look and chemistry ignites. It goes without saying that their carnal encounters made me shiver. Sweetness blending into passion and need, that's what Anne masters easily. In consequence, it feels so darn good to immerse myself in Anne's stories and to revel and ultimately drown in so many various sensations.
While the beginning was good, I wasn't quite sure how I'd be feeling about the MCs and the plot, though. Funnily enough, I've had some similar feelings when I read Unforgiven. But who I am to worry or even doubt Anne? She always delivers and Jaded is no exception to the rule. Soon enough, everything was tingling inside me and I was so back in the swing of things.
Even though Jaded works just fine as a standalone, I advise you to read the books in order--especially if you are a stickler for reading in order--because Marissa and Adam, main characters of Unforgiven, make more than a little cameo in Jaded.
Minor quibble
Like I mentioned already, this isn't a cheerful story and Alana telling herself again and again that she had to go back to Chicago added another layer of wistfulness to the plot that somewhat impaired the story in my opinion. Sometimes less is more, just tone it down a little bit.
Referring to a specific quote of Jaded I'd like to say that you have something wonderful here. In an age of increasing disconnectedness, Anne has written an engaging story that can connect her fans in different countries. Thank you, Anne, for another great read!
"I want to take you upstairs, and turn off the lights, and watch your skin turn pink as I move inside you. When I've kissed you and your skin's marked by my mouth, you look like a rose in the moonlight. It gets darker when I'm moving inside you, that blood flush."
You used to care like this.
And now I remember why I stopped. It fucking hurts. Not the pain. The longing.
Recommended read.
My ranking
Unforgiven 4.5 stars
Jaded 4 stars
Official release date February 4, 2014
All quotes are taken from the pre-published copy and may be altered or omitted in the final copy.
**ARC courtesy of Berkley Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
http://baba.booklikes.com
May 8, 2016
I LOVED THIS BOOK!
It was a pleasure to read this beautiful and heartwarming contemporary romance story. This was my first time reading Anne Calhoun's book, so I didn't know what to expect. Turned out, I loved everything about this one! I loved both Lucas and Alana, and also the chemistry between them, which was, of course, off the chart. The sex scenes were extremely steamy and sensuous! I was impressed with the friendships between people in a small town of Walkers Ford. And most of all, there was a wonderful HEA, and I really loved it!
All in all, this was an amazing read. I will definitely read more books by this author.
It was a pleasure to read this beautiful and heartwarming contemporary romance story. This was my first time reading Anne Calhoun's book, so I didn't know what to expect. Turned out, I loved everything about this one! I loved both Lucas and Alana, and also the chemistry between them, which was, of course, off the chart. The sex scenes were extremely steamy and sensuous! I was impressed with the friendships between people in a small town of Walkers Ford. And most of all, there was a wonderful HEA, and I really loved it!
All in all, this was an amazing read. I will definitely read more books by this author.
June 20, 2016
This book was fantastic!! It was a perfect example of why I love small town romances.
“I believe that we all have a purpose in life, that God created us to fulfill a responsibility here on earth. We all have a place to be, where we’ll make an impact on the world. We can choose to listen to that call, or we can ignore it. The question is, when you hear the call, will you respond with your whole heart?”
Alana Wentworth is used to living her life for her political family, always being there for whatever they need to make their lives easier. But after getting a marriage proposal from Mr. Wrong, she decides to take a break and for a few months live the life she always wished she could have as the librarian of the small town Walkers Ford library. She wasn’t supposed to have any entanglements, but she couldn’t help but make friends, and try to make a difference when she is given the opportunity to present a proposal to improve the library before her contract ends, and she has to return to her family. And she wasn’t supposed to be attracted to her very sexy landlord, the town’s chief of police, Lucas Ridgeway. But what better way to make sure she returns a changed woman than convincing him that a fling would be perfect between them before she leaves in a few weeks.
He had a heart that had been broken so many times, the pieces weren’t even worth offering to someone else.
Lucas is disillusioned by life. Everything that happened in Denver, and his failure of a marriage has left him jaded and cold. He had hoped that returning to Walkers Ford would present him with the opportunity for a clean slate, where he could just uphold the law and never again form any emotional entanglements. But then his very tempting neighbour who is also his tenant kisses him senseless, and he can’t help but give in to the desire between them.
But can Alana and Lucas keep their hearts out of their lustful encounters, and can Alana leave Walkers Ford without leaving her heart behind?
Even though the sexy times between Alana and Lucas started very early, I was a bit hesitant about their romance. Their chemistry was scorching, but it seemed to only be based on lust and not more, which I need to love the romance. But as the story progressed so many things were revealed about Lucas and about Alana and they just won me over. Both are too afraid to feel more, Lucas because he has lost all hope for life being the way he wanted it to be: having a family and being able to save the people he protects, and Alana because she feels that her life should be lived for her family, for the assistance they need from her. And I loved seeing these two falling for each other, especially because they thought ending things would be easy.
What I loved most about this book, and what always makes me love small town romances is the secondary characters:
Cody the teenage boy who had to serve his community sentence by working in the library. He has such a hard life, trying to care for his three little brothers and his mom, and not knowing how they would get enough money for food. And then there’s his older brother being on parole, and making life even harder because he couldn’t keep out of trouble. I just loved this teenager. He was my favorite character of this book.
Tanya, Lucas’s cousin. Whose whole life was derailed and who was so very lost. She’s an addict, and it just broke my heart that she fell so far from what she dreamed of being. I really hope that she will get her own book in the near future.
Then there’s Lukas’s retired dog, Duke. I just loved him and the way Lucas was with him.
Mrs. Battle, the sweet little old lady who helped Alana in the library.
And the ending was just perfect. This was such a wonderful book with so many great characters and a wonderful little town to fall in love with. I simply loved it. A definite must read.
August 27, 2016
I so desperately wanted to love this, because Anne Calhoun is one of my favourite authors.
I feel so flat after reading it. I didn't feel the sizzling chemistry between Alana and Lucas. I found myself skimming. The sex scenes are always good with Anne but after each, Lucas basically got dressed and walked out. That feeling of I can NOT live without this other person, just didn't come through for me.
I feel so flat after reading it. I didn't feel the sizzling chemistry between Alana and Lucas. I found myself skimming. The sex scenes are always good with Anne but after each, Lucas basically got dressed and walked out. That feeling of I can NOT live without this other person, just didn't come through for me.
March 6, 2014
DNF for now at 45%.
I don't know. I used to think that I really liked this author's books, but now I think that maybe I really just like two of them (Liberating Lacey and the one with the virgin and the cop, ahem), because I am having some problems with this.
Alana Wentworth is a librarian on a short-term contract in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, South Dakota. (She has a backstory about how her parents are overbearing overachievers and not happy with her life choices.) Lucas Ridgeway is the local police chief. He works out a lot. (He has a backstory about developing compassion fatigue and getting a divorce.)
She rents a house from him and decides, as her time in the tiny town winds down, that she's going to sleep with him as a palate cleanser. So they do. Other stuff happens, I guess.
Some things that I recognize, somewhat unfortunately (hence the "maybe I don't actually like these books" realization) as themes from other Calhoun books:
*The heroine is very slender. All her heroines, they are always very slim, and also always seemingly watching their weight. And very conventionally attractive in a gamine way. (Which I find slightly boring. It lowers the stakes, you know, there's no chance the dude is ever going to turn her down, and the dude being into her body doesn't really hold a charge if she herself is always carefully doing Pilates to keep her waist narrow, and so is, by her own estimation, very attractive.) I am not into body shame. I don't mind that the heroine is very slim. But I do find it mildly irritating to read about a woman carefully restricting herself to half a sandwich because she's worried about weight gain now that she's approaching 30. It makes me worry that the heroine is not very relaxed about things in general, and then every time there's a mealtime scene, I feel tense and worried that she doesn't know how to have a good time. (EAT THE WHOLE SANDWICH once in a while, lady! Live it up! Let your hair down!)
*Her books are generally about people in a casual-sex relationship who find that the casual sex becomes less casual and more relationshippy. I think maybe I am not cool enough to enjoy this in every book. Is this what small-town cops and librarians do? You Do It and then get out of bed and put your pants back on and bail? It makes me tense. THERE, I said it.
*The trauma backstory of her female characters always seems to be about unsupportive parents. Sometimes it works (like in the book with the virgin from the fundie compound) but sometimes it really backfires for me. You know, if you're an upper-middle-class woman who's almost 30 and you have an advanced degree and you are extremely attractive (AND SLENDER, don't forget that part, it's crucially important) I feel like maybe you just need to do some therapy to deal with the fact that you want your mom and stepdad's approval even though you are not lighting the world on fire. I don't really want to read about it. It certainly isn't enough emotional stakes for me. It just seems like - GET OVER IT! Tell them you are perfectly happy as a librarian and tell them all to lump it if they don't like it. Why are you even still this weirdly emotionally entwined with your parents? Why do all of Calhoun's characters desperately want their mom and dad's approval? Is there no other backstory they could have?
It just doesn't work for me as the main keeping-people-apart obstacle, I guess. As a minor flavor of backstory, fine, whatever, but when the reason you can't settle down and date the (weirdly in shape for a small-town cop) dude next door like a normal person is that you want mommy to approve of your perfectly good life, it just makes me go AHHHHHHHHH WHY.
Update at 45%, where I'm going to leave off for now:
I'm calling it. I thought I was maybe too harsh in my previous review, and just picked it up again, to see the heroine offering to bring someone lunch, being rebuffed, and pressing again: "You know I can't eat the whole soup and sandwich from Gina's by myself."
WE GET IT SHE EATS LIKE A BIRD. Why is this always a thing in Calhoun books? It's okay if you have a heroine who can eat the whole sandwich. It's also okay, even if your heroine is extremely delicate and doesn't really believe in eating, to just not write about eating, or to only mention it once per book.
I also feel like, if I'm at 45% and the main couple are already sleeping together and the main drama is Alana's boring relationship with her successful sister and parents and whether or not she'll leave the small town... I don't know, I just don't care enough to keep going. The main couple are not that interesting to me, and the things that are kind of interesting (the economic drama of the American small town, the generational poverty of the kid who's helping the heroine at the library) are treated in your typical fairly pat romance-novel ways, and so both slightly upsetting/not escapist to read about, but also not treated in any kind of meaningful way. Just before I quit reading, the librarian was like "Everyone should just work over the internet and be an entrepreneur!" and I felt the swell of Small Town Miracle happening. Presumably she will magically turn Walker's Ford into a tech hub. In the middle of nowhere.
I am disappointed in this book. There, I said it! I was excited to read about the librarian/hot cop (CATNIP!!!) but I didn't like it very much at all.
I don't know. I used to think that I really liked this author's books, but now I think that maybe I really just like two of them (Liberating Lacey and the one with the virgin and the cop, ahem), because I am having some problems with this.
Alana Wentworth is a librarian on a short-term contract in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, South Dakota. (She has a backstory about how her parents are overbearing overachievers and not happy with her life choices.) Lucas Ridgeway is the local police chief. He works out a lot. (He has a backstory about developing compassion fatigue and getting a divorce.)
She rents a house from him and decides, as her time in the tiny town winds down, that she's going to sleep with him as a palate cleanser. So they do. Other stuff happens, I guess.
Some things that I recognize, somewhat unfortunately (hence the "maybe I don't actually like these books" realization) as themes from other Calhoun books:
*The heroine is very slender. All her heroines, they are always very slim, and also always seemingly watching their weight. And very conventionally attractive in a gamine way. (Which I find slightly boring. It lowers the stakes, you know, there's no chance the dude is ever going to turn her down, and the dude being into her body doesn't really hold a charge if she herself is always carefully doing Pilates to keep her waist narrow, and so is, by her own estimation, very attractive.) I am not into body shame. I don't mind that the heroine is very slim. But I do find it mildly irritating to read about a woman carefully restricting herself to half a sandwich because she's worried about weight gain now that she's approaching 30. It makes me worry that the heroine is not very relaxed about things in general, and then every time there's a mealtime scene, I feel tense and worried that she doesn't know how to have a good time. (EAT THE WHOLE SANDWICH once in a while, lady! Live it up! Let your hair down!)
*Her books are generally about people in a casual-sex relationship who find that the casual sex becomes less casual and more relationshippy. I think maybe I am not cool enough to enjoy this in every book. Is this what small-town cops and librarians do? You Do It and then get out of bed and put your pants back on and bail? It makes me tense. THERE, I said it.
*The trauma backstory of her female characters always seems to be about unsupportive parents. Sometimes it works (like in the book with the virgin from the fundie compound) but sometimes it really backfires for me. You know, if you're an upper-middle-class woman who's almost 30 and you have an advanced degree and you are extremely attractive (AND SLENDER, don't forget that part, it's crucially important) I feel like maybe you just need to do some therapy to deal with the fact that you want your mom and stepdad's approval even though you are not lighting the world on fire. I don't really want to read about it. It certainly isn't enough emotional stakes for me. It just seems like - GET OVER IT! Tell them you are perfectly happy as a librarian and tell them all to lump it if they don't like it. Why are you even still this weirdly emotionally entwined with your parents? Why do all of Calhoun's characters desperately want their mom and dad's approval? Is there no other backstory they could have?
It just doesn't work for me as the main keeping-people-apart obstacle, I guess. As a minor flavor of backstory, fine, whatever, but when the reason you can't settle down and date the (weirdly in shape for a small-town cop) dude next door like a normal person is that you want mommy to approve of your perfectly good life, it just makes me go AHHHHHHHHH WHY.
Update at 45%, where I'm going to leave off for now:
I'm calling it. I thought I was maybe too harsh in my previous review, and just picked it up again, to see the heroine offering to bring someone lunch, being rebuffed, and pressing again: "You know I can't eat the whole soup and sandwich from Gina's by myself."
WE GET IT SHE EATS LIKE A BIRD. Why is this always a thing in Calhoun books? It's okay if you have a heroine who can eat the whole sandwich. It's also okay, even if your heroine is extremely delicate and doesn't really believe in eating, to just not write about eating, or to only mention it once per book.
I also feel like, if I'm at 45% and the main couple are already sleeping together and the main drama is Alana's boring relationship with her successful sister and parents and whether or not she'll leave the small town... I don't know, I just don't care enough to keep going. The main couple are not that interesting to me, and the things that are kind of interesting (the economic drama of the American small town, the generational poverty of the kid who's helping the heroine at the library) are treated in your typical fairly pat romance-novel ways, and so both slightly upsetting/not escapist to read about, but also not treated in any kind of meaningful way. Just before I quit reading, the librarian was like "Everyone should just work over the internet and be an entrepreneur!" and I felt the swell of Small Town Miracle happening. Presumably she will magically turn Walker's Ford into a tech hub. In the middle of nowhere.
I am disappointed in this book. There, I said it! I was excited to read about the librarian/hot cop (CATNIP!!!) but I didn't like it very much at all.
September 8, 2016
*1,5 stars*
When I started Jaded I thought that I was in for a fluffy, potentially hot small town romance. I was wrong.
As much as I loved Liberating Lacey I found this book meh. Not only did I found the romance lukewarm, the story boring but at times the writing was off for me. It's hard to pinpoint but I think that it's due to how the author managed the time line as well as the lack of continuity in the line of ideas. And as a matter of fact instead of being interested by the heroes or their story I was more interested in guessing the characters of the next book...
Here are some examples:
""Sure," he said. "But the night shift gets a pay differential. She can afford to do that when I'm working. Until then, it's a choice between feeding us all or being around at night."
Alana looked around the kitchen overflowing with food. Without a word she got up and started packing leftovers into pans and plastic tubs. Macaroni and cheese, pasta salad, a casserole made from tater tots, ground beef, and cream of mushroom soup. "I'll give you a ride home," she said.
"I'll appreciate it," he said in return.
When she got back to the house,..."
"He drove her back to her house just before dawn, then went into his own house to catch a couple of hours of sleep before starting his day officially. His phone rang as he crossed the driveways to his truck. ..."
Also, the heroes are invited to the wedding of the first book couple. When Alana is asked about it she says that they were invited to the wedding as well as Adam marines ex team and their wives and girlfriends. But never during or before the wedding there was mention of above mentioned wives and girlfriends. Only the marines.
There as many other examples but I didn't bother to highlight them...
March 16, 2014
Rating 3.5 stars
I love me a good librarian romance though my complain was that the book needed to be a bit hotter. The heroine's time in Walkers Ford is coming to an end and before that happens she intends to share some quality time with her landlord, the hero and chief of police Lucas.
I loved their romance, it was low-key and they knew what they had was temporary. I felt Lucas was more invested than Alana, who I had a problem with, her reasons for wanting to go back to her family and their foundation, were kind of foolish, yet I liked the book. Even the plot when the heroine helps out a teenage delinquent was good and the one with the hero's cousin was sad.
I love me a good librarian romance though my complain was that the book needed to be a bit hotter. The heroine's time in Walkers Ford is coming to an end and before that happens she intends to share some quality time with her landlord, the hero and chief of police Lucas.
I loved their romance, it was low-key and they knew what they had was temporary. I felt Lucas was more invested than Alana, who I had a problem with, her reasons for wanting to go back to her family and their foundation, were kind of foolish, yet I liked the book. Even the plot when the heroine helps out a teenage delinquent was good and the one with the hero's cousin was sad.
February 6, 2014
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: A-
This is a romance that really sneaks up on the reader. It’s a nice read, and I remember thinking that exact thought as I passed the halfway mark. The characters are interesting, the small town is intriguing, the romance is sweet but not at all in your face. And then the last 20% hit and I was sucked in completely, as in I couldn’t put the book down until I finished the last page. The emotional buildup to the end and the culmination of everything that was building between the hero and heroine, Lucas and Alana, as well as their relationship with other members of their small town Walkers Ford, was so emotional and so well done, the journey for these two packs a big punch.
Alana planned to be in Walkers Ford only temporarily to help run the library and she’s asked to stay a little longer to put together a presentation on a major rebuild that the library needs to go through to make it more useable and useful to everyone in the community. Even though she’s sticking around just for a short time, she wants to be unlike her “normal” self before heading back to Chicago soon. So, acting a little out of character, she sets her sights on her neighbor and landlord Lucas. She doesn’t want anything permanent, neither does he and they start to sleep together and have a short term fling as Alana wraps up her Walkers Ford commitments. But she does what her sister warns her against doing, getting ensnared. Not only is Lucas starting to make her rethink her future plans, but she’s slowly become an important person the in community, making friends, having people begin to depend on her and she has to decide if she really wants to go back to a life that she was led into by her family, or make something for herself in this small town.
Lucas is dealing with some past pain that’s caused him to shut himself off, do the job and not let emotion play a role in anything he does. In fact, he’s really only close and sweet to his dog at the start. He’s hardened his heart after having it crushed in a few different ways, including a divorce and losing a young boy he was mentoring prior to moving to Walkers Ford. He’s not a mean guy, he’s just not willing to let go of that hard shell, let people in and let some of his decisions be based on his heart instead of his head. This all starts to change when he and Alana get closer and they end up being exactly what the other person needs. Alana needed a reason to make a change in her life for her and Lucas needed a reason to let go of the pain and see that happiness doesn’t always lead to heartbreak.
Like I mentioned above, this romance really sneaks up on you. I can’t say I was completely taken with Alana and Lucas together, it was initially all about sex and little else. But they started spending more time together and in that, their relationship deepened and you can see on page the importance they’re each starting to have in the other person’s life and how much they help each other change for the better. The romance, while the buildup is slow, is well worth the wait so stick with it because I was captivated by not only their relationship but the other relationships that ended up being so important to both Lucas and Alana.
For Lucas, he’s dealing with his addict cousin, a woman who’s been in and out of rehab many times and the cycle continues here. It’s a small look into Lucas, his family and how he goes from dealing with Tanya at the start of the story to how he deals with her after Alana’s influence. There’s also a young teen, Cody, who is serving community service hours at the library under Alana. He’s helping take care of his three younger brothers while his single mom works, struggling to make ends meet, which isn’t happening. I loved Cody’s supporting role and how it showed the impact Alana has on not only his life but what her overall impact on other members of the town is and could be. I’m a sucker for small town romances and this one just hit all the right buttons.
Bottom line, I started out liking this story but ended up loving the end result and the overall journey of Lucas and Alana. Theirs is an understated love story but just because it doesn’t jump off the page and smack you in the face, it’s still powerful, emotional and a great read.
Blog rating: A-
This is a romance that really sneaks up on the reader. It’s a nice read, and I remember thinking that exact thought as I passed the halfway mark. The characters are interesting, the small town is intriguing, the romance is sweet but not at all in your face. And then the last 20% hit and I was sucked in completely, as in I couldn’t put the book down until I finished the last page. The emotional buildup to the end and the culmination of everything that was building between the hero and heroine, Lucas and Alana, as well as their relationship with other members of their small town Walkers Ford, was so emotional and so well done, the journey for these two packs a big punch.
Alana planned to be in Walkers Ford only temporarily to help run the library and she’s asked to stay a little longer to put together a presentation on a major rebuild that the library needs to go through to make it more useable and useful to everyone in the community. Even though she’s sticking around just for a short time, she wants to be unlike her “normal” self before heading back to Chicago soon. So, acting a little out of character, she sets her sights on her neighbor and landlord Lucas. She doesn’t want anything permanent, neither does he and they start to sleep together and have a short term fling as Alana wraps up her Walkers Ford commitments. But she does what her sister warns her against doing, getting ensnared. Not only is Lucas starting to make her rethink her future plans, but she’s slowly become an important person the in community, making friends, having people begin to depend on her and she has to decide if she really wants to go back to a life that she was led into by her family, or make something for herself in this small town.
Lucas is dealing with some past pain that’s caused him to shut himself off, do the job and not let emotion play a role in anything he does. In fact, he’s really only close and sweet to his dog at the start. He’s hardened his heart after having it crushed in a few different ways, including a divorce and losing a young boy he was mentoring prior to moving to Walkers Ford. He’s not a mean guy, he’s just not willing to let go of that hard shell, let people in and let some of his decisions be based on his heart instead of his head. This all starts to change when he and Alana get closer and they end up being exactly what the other person needs. Alana needed a reason to make a change in her life for her and Lucas needed a reason to let go of the pain and see that happiness doesn’t always lead to heartbreak.
Like I mentioned above, this romance really sneaks up on you. I can’t say I was completely taken with Alana and Lucas together, it was initially all about sex and little else. But they started spending more time together and in that, their relationship deepened and you can see on page the importance they’re each starting to have in the other person’s life and how much they help each other change for the better. The romance, while the buildup is slow, is well worth the wait so stick with it because I was captivated by not only their relationship but the other relationships that ended up being so important to both Lucas and Alana.
For Lucas, he’s dealing with his addict cousin, a woman who’s been in and out of rehab many times and the cycle continues here. It’s a small look into Lucas, his family and how he goes from dealing with Tanya at the start of the story to how he deals with her after Alana’s influence. There’s also a young teen, Cody, who is serving community service hours at the library under Alana. He’s helping take care of his three younger brothers while his single mom works, struggling to make ends meet, which isn’t happening. I loved Cody’s supporting role and how it showed the impact Alana has on not only his life but what her overall impact on other members of the town is and could be. I’m a sucker for small town romances and this one just hit all the right buttons.
Bottom line, I started out liking this story but ended up loving the end result and the overall journey of Lucas and Alana. Theirs is an understated love story but just because it doesn’t jump off the page and smack you in the face, it’s still powerful, emotional and a great read.
February 9, 2014
What a FABULOUS story! Anne Calhoun has a way of taking you on a slow and inviting journey through the lives of people in Walkers Ford. It always takes me a chapter to get into the rhythm of this style of writing but I once get sucked in I want to curl up in a chair, read slowly and savor everything.
I adored Alana Wentworth. She was such a lovely person who took her role of tending to everyone else's needs seriously. She effortlessly went about her job of librarian in Walkers Ford not realizing how her presence affected others.
Chief of Police Lucas Ridgeway was a man carrying a lot of pain and went about his job of keeping the town safe while keeping people at arm's length. He was totally working the dark and brooding alpha role. I immediately wanted to hug him (and swoon of course).
The slow burn between Alana and Lucas was great. I've always enjoy the way Anne Calhoun can create two characters who bring their own set of issues to a relationship without making it about angst and drama. I loved how their relationship started hot and sexy and slowly and quietly bloomed into so much more emotionally. Their HEA was perfect.
The supporting characters were all a wonderful addition to this story. My heart went out to Cody Burton. Community Service brought him to the library and working for Alana. A young man helping his mother raising younger brothers meant his future wasn't too bright. Alana's encouragement brought out Cody's confidence to show his creative side, allowed him to feel his potential as an artist and give him hope for a positive future.
Mrs. Battle was delightful. She felt like everyone's grandmother who offered words of wisdom and loving support. Her relationship with Alana was heartwarming.
I loved Freddie, Alana's sister. What a ball of fire. Freddie was the one person who knew Alana was so much more than just her assistant. She recognized Alana's heart was in Walkers Ford and encouraged her to follow her heart. Their devotion to each other was fantastic and so endearing.
Obviously I'm a huge fan of the author and if you are too - this is yet another perfect addition. Now Go Forth and Read!
I adored Alana Wentworth. She was such a lovely person who took her role of tending to everyone else's needs seriously. She effortlessly went about her job of librarian in Walkers Ford not realizing how her presence affected others.
Chief of Police Lucas Ridgeway was a man carrying a lot of pain and went about his job of keeping the town safe while keeping people at arm's length. He was totally working the dark and brooding alpha role. I immediately wanted to hug him (and swoon of course).
The slow burn between Alana and Lucas was great. I've always enjoy the way Anne Calhoun can create two characters who bring their own set of issues to a relationship without making it about angst and drama. I loved how their relationship started hot and sexy and slowly and quietly bloomed into so much more emotionally. Their HEA was perfect.
The supporting characters were all a wonderful addition to this story. My heart went out to Cody Burton. Community Service brought him to the library and working for Alana. A young man helping his mother raising younger brothers meant his future wasn't too bright. Alana's encouragement brought out Cody's confidence to show his creative side, allowed him to feel his potential as an artist and give him hope for a positive future.
Mrs. Battle was delightful. She felt like everyone's grandmother who offered words of wisdom and loving support. Her relationship with Alana was heartwarming.
I loved Freddie, Alana's sister. What a ball of fire. Freddie was the one person who knew Alana was so much more than just her assistant. She recognized Alana's heart was in Walkers Ford and encouraged her to follow her heart. Their devotion to each other was fantastic and so endearing.
Obviously I'm a huge fan of the author and if you are too - this is yet another perfect addition. Now Go Forth and Read!
September 11, 2017
Just lovely!
June 4, 2017
I liked it very much. The story was nice. I liked both hero and heroine there. She was afraid to be involved and instead she deserved to be involved in that little community. He was very good. I like little town story but I cannot say this was the factor for this book because the previous one had the same background and I didn't like it. So it must be the book ;)
February 10, 2014
3.5 stars
Review to come
Full review
This was my first book by Anne Calhoun. After reading some great reviews of her other works by my GR friends, I had some pretty high expectations of this book. For the most part they were met and I enjoyed the story, just not as much as wanted to.
This book is the second installment in Walkers Ford series but can be read as a standalone. It's a small-town romance and I have a love-hate relationship with these stories. Sometimes they work really well for me, other times - they are a complete disappointment. This one falls in the middle, I liked it, but didn't love it.
I liked the main characters, though the heroine came as annoying at times. She struggled to live up to the expectations of her family (which btw, were impossibly high), and the same time she was so resigned to not being good or glamorous enough. She kept putting herself down and tying to convince herself and the others that she was happy the way things were - with her being in the background, doing everything to please the others, not acknowledging what she wanted and going for it.
I liked the hero better. He was closed off and distant in the beginning and, yet his good heart always shone through his armour. It was Alana that made him feel again, her presence in Walkers Ford and in his life gave him back the will to care for the others.
Their relationship started as no-strings-attached sex and gradually it became indispensable for both of them. I very much enjoyed the slow build up of their feelings.
The flow of the story was good, just a bit slow in the middle. Ms Calhoun created convincingly the small town atmosphere, all the supporting characters were well built and complemented the story of Lucas and Alana.
I felt let down with the ending of the story. I loved the happy end for Lucas and Alana but I found the transformation of Alana's sister and mother too good to be true. The sugary sweet ending didn't fit the realistic tone of the rest of the story.
I found the writing style subtle and a bit subdued, very much in tone with the nature of both Lucas and Alana. There was no major drama or dark secrets in this story, just normal issues and difficulties ordinary people face.
Overall, I liked both the story and the writing and would love to read more of Ms Calhoun's work.
Review to come
Full review
This was my first book by Anne Calhoun. After reading some great reviews of her other works by my GR friends, I had some pretty high expectations of this book. For the most part they were met and I enjoyed the story, just not as much as wanted to.
This book is the second installment in Walkers Ford series but can be read as a standalone. It's a small-town romance and I have a love-hate relationship with these stories. Sometimes they work really well for me, other times - they are a complete disappointment. This one falls in the middle, I liked it, but didn't love it.
I liked the main characters, though the heroine came as annoying at times. She struggled to live up to the expectations of her family (which btw, were impossibly high), and the same time she was so resigned to not being good or glamorous enough. She kept putting herself down and tying to convince herself and the others that she was happy the way things were - with her being in the background, doing everything to please the others, not acknowledging what she wanted and going for it.
I liked the hero better. He was closed off and distant in the beginning and, yet his good heart always shone through his armour. It was Alana that made him feel again, her presence in Walkers Ford and in his life gave him back the will to care for the others.
Their relationship started as no-strings-attached sex and gradually it became indispensable for both of them. I very much enjoyed the slow build up of their feelings.
The flow of the story was good, just a bit slow in the middle. Ms Calhoun created convincingly the small town atmosphere, all the supporting characters were well built and complemented the story of Lucas and Alana.
I felt let down with the ending of the story. I loved the happy end for Lucas and Alana but I found the transformation of Alana's sister and mother too good to be true. The sugary sweet ending didn't fit the realistic tone of the rest of the story.
I found the writing style subtle and a bit subdued, very much in tone with the nature of both Lucas and Alana. There was no major drama or dark secrets in this story, just normal issues and difficulties ordinary people face.
Overall, I liked both the story and the writing and would love to read more of Ms Calhoun's work.
February 10, 2014
Alana Wentworth left her high-powered family where she was the research librarian for her family’s foundation and moved to the small town of Walker’s Ford, South Dakota to serve as the temporary library director. After a bad break-up, she felt she needed to find herself and a spontaneous move to a new place was a life cleanser she was craving. She rents an old home from the town’s chief of police and is currently helping write a proposition to expand and remodel the library. As her time is coming to an end in Walker’s Ford, she has one goal – to sleep with her neighbor (and landlord) Lucas. He is gorgeous, sexy, and she wants him.
Lucas moved to Walker’s Ford hoping for a quieter life with his wife, but his marriage could not be saved. Three years later he has fallen in love with this community and can’t help but notice the blushing librarian that lives next door.
This book honestly bored me because never could get invested in Alana and Lucas. I like that Alana wants Lucas and isn’t afraid to pursue him. She blushes a lot and it was cute how much Lucas adored that about her. Their time together is hot and sexy, as Calhoun can write erotic scenes so well but I was never invested in their relationship. This book isn’t as emotionally gripping as her previous work and part of the problem may be that a lot of page time is spent on other matters than their relationship. Lucas has a sister with a drug addiction that frustrates him to no end. Alana takes a troubled teenager under her wing and his storyline has a lot of depth in this book, but it took away from the romance. Alana is also pressured by her family to return home and takeup her duties. This storyline along with her sister didn’t do anything for me.
I found it interesting that both Alana and Lucas came to Walker’s Ford for a life change and the effect of the town on both of their lives but it wasn’t enough to keep me interested in the story.
Rating: C
Lucas moved to Walker’s Ford hoping for a quieter life with his wife, but his marriage could not be saved. Three years later he has fallen in love with this community and can’t help but notice the blushing librarian that lives next door.
This book honestly bored me because never could get invested in Alana and Lucas. I like that Alana wants Lucas and isn’t afraid to pursue him. She blushes a lot and it was cute how much Lucas adored that about her. Their time together is hot and sexy, as Calhoun can write erotic scenes so well but I was never invested in their relationship. This book isn’t as emotionally gripping as her previous work and part of the problem may be that a lot of page time is spent on other matters than their relationship. Lucas has a sister with a drug addiction that frustrates him to no end. Alana takes a troubled teenager under her wing and his storyline has a lot of depth in this book, but it took away from the romance. Alana is also pressured by her family to return home and takeup her duties. This storyline along with her sister didn’t do anything for me.
I found it interesting that both Alana and Lucas came to Walker’s Ford for a life change and the effect of the town on both of their lives but it wasn’t enough to keep me interested in the story.
Rating: C
March 29, 2020
3.75
Alana Wentworth has always felt like the black sheep in her family because they all have prestigious job/title and her sister is marrying a rock star. But Alana wants simple things so in an effort to live her life to the fullest and not feel like just a spectator, she accepted a temporary position as a librarian in an other state. She'll go back to Chicago soon but in the meanwhile, she intend to have a fling. Not to say that she would choose just anyone, but the man she rent a home from (and who lives next door) couldn't be more perfect because
1- she's got the hots for him
2-just like her, he doesn't want a commitment
Lucas Ridgeway was working for the DEA task force in Denver before. But before he burns out, he decided to relocate to Walkers Ford, South Dakota, with a retired service dog, to work as their chief of police. These days, he's investigating break-in in town and forgot to tell the librarian he's sending her a teenage delinquent for his community service. The man is serious and somber, a bit closed off but never cold. His former job, his divorce and tense relationship with members of his family made him jaded and he think he's got nothing to offer a woman like Alana. Not that she agree with it but why get attached when she's going back soon anyway?
I thought the story laged in the middle and too many sex scenes for my taste but I can't say I wasn't touched by Alana and Lucas personal journey. There's something special for me about a jaded man who start to feel again that gets me every time.
Alana Wentworth has always felt like the black sheep in her family because they all have prestigious job/title and her sister is marrying a rock star. But Alana wants simple things so in an effort to live her life to the fullest and not feel like just a spectator, she accepted a temporary position as a librarian in an other state. She'll go back to Chicago soon but in the meanwhile, she intend to have a fling. Not to say that she would choose just anyone, but the man she rent a home from (and who lives next door) couldn't be more perfect because
1- she's got the hots for him
2-just like her, he doesn't want a commitment
Lucas Ridgeway was working for the DEA task force in Denver before. But before he burns out, he decided to relocate to Walkers Ford, South Dakota, with a retired service dog, to work as their chief of police. These days, he's investigating break-in in town and forgot to tell the librarian he's sending her a teenage delinquent for his community service. The man is serious and somber, a bit closed off but never cold. His former job, his divorce and tense relationship with members of his family made him jaded and he think he's got nothing to offer a woman like Alana. Not that she agree with it but why get attached when she's going back soon anyway?
I thought the story laged in the middle and too many sex scenes for my taste but I can't say I wasn't touched by Alana and Lucas personal journey. There's something special for me about a jaded man who start to feel again that gets me every time.
February 5, 2014
4.5 Stars! For more on this review, please see...
http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.c...
So in a roundabout way, I was vaguely aware of Anne Calhoun before I stumbled upon her latest release, Jaded, book two in the Walkers Ford series. I thought I recognized the author's name and asked my Nerds if they had read anything by her when a resounding 'Duh, Liberating Lacey' came back in response. How could I forget? Although I haven't had a chance to read this book yet, (can you feel Nikki's eyes roll?) this book gets a lot of chatter amongst the Herd. Without reading it, I can tell you that Hunter is a gorgeous hard bodied cop with a 'tool' belt he ain't afraid to use and there is plenty of scandaliciously hot sex. So after my memory was refreshed, it certainly wasn't a hard decision do delve into this series.
Walkers Ford, South Dakota is small town U.S.A., where the residents consist of the wealthy, poor, young and old and where the descendents from the original founding families (sorry, that sounds so Vampire Diary'ish) still reside. With so much town history there comes a lot of memories that aren't easily forgettable and reputations that precede themselves. I sit here and I attempt to think of exactly how to describe these characters that make up Walkers Ford and try to do them justice. Each character that Anne Calhoun has taken the time to develop in this series is flawed in some way. They have done what is necessary for their own survival and peace of mind, some don't give a damn what others in the town think of them or their reputation and some try to carry on discreetly and privately. These are not perfect characters. Hell, the town sweetheart's marriage is the product of an unfaithful relationship that the reader is aware of but not the rest of the townsfolk and it paints the innocent parties in a questionable light. Anne Calhoun's superb story telling made me happy, made me angry and made me cry. But most of all, she made me want to fight for the happiness that most of these characters deserved.
Jaded is the story of the town librarian and the chief of police. How cliché, right? It's the running joke between Alana and Lucas except that Alana isn't your typical small town librarian and Lucas isn't your good ole boy police chief. Alana Wentworth hails from a prestigious political family. Her step-father is a former Senator and her family heads the Wentworth Foundation that focuses on positive global change. Her mother plays the role of matriarch and party hostess while her older sister Freddie, lives in the limelight, jet setting across the globe and implementing the foundation's initiatives. Alana had been content to live her life in the background as her sister's research analyst until she's finally confronted with the notion that she truly doesn't know what she wants out of life. Putting aside her family's desire for her to tow the party-line, she accepts a temporary position as a library director and moves to middle-of-nowhere South Dakota to regroup.
"She really, really wanted to belong somewhere, to someone. Because there was a difference between being part of a package deal, and belonging."
As Alana's sabbatical draws to a close and her return to Chicago is imminent, she realizes she hasn't really cut the attachment to her family, and she is yet to have the life changing epiphany of her life's purpose. If she is to return home changed in the slightest, it's time to put her plan in motion and seduce Lucas Ridgeway, her landlord and incredibly good looking chief of police. Lucas' career has left him weary and cynical. A crushing blow in his personal and professional life has rendered him a mere shell of a man and he outwardly expresses no real sign of emotion. Lucas feels there really is no gray area to law enforcement and he follows his job to the letter of the law. His experiences have left him jaded believing that people are going to do what they want to do and you shouldn't waste your time trying to change a situation that has little hope of success.
Lucas is completely on board with the secretive, no strings attached, sexual proposition his gorgeous tenant has proposed. Except when personal and professional lines start to blur, this booty call arrangement morphs into something more than just physical. Alana doesn't see people as clear cut as Lucas. She sees the good in people and is quick to defend, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need, and encourages the potential in others. Without realizing it, Alana has formed deep rooted attachments and although her intentions were to avoid any painful goodbyes, she finds herself entangled in the lives of the citizens of Walkers Ford. Unexpectedly, Alana has finally found where she belongs, in a community that not only embraces her, but needs her. Except loyalties run deep and Alana accepts her fate that she must return home. She has obligations to her family she can no longer ignore and it is time to say goodbye to her temporary escape. The emotionless and broody cop? Well, she breathed new life and feeling into him, just in time for him to mourn her loss.
If you take anything away from Walkers Ford, I hope it's the sense of home. Home isn't a place you are tied to because of obligations. Home isn't a punishment you return to because you must right the wrongs of your past. Home isn't the place where you go through the motions of living but don't really live. Home is where your loved ones are and wherever you choose to make that home, is entirely up to you.
"I'll tell Mother you're going home." Alana looked at Lucas, and wove her fingers more tightly with his. "Tell her I'm already there."
http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.c...
So in a roundabout way, I was vaguely aware of Anne Calhoun before I stumbled upon her latest release, Jaded, book two in the Walkers Ford series. I thought I recognized the author's name and asked my Nerds if they had read anything by her when a resounding 'Duh, Liberating Lacey' came back in response. How could I forget? Although I haven't had a chance to read this book yet, (can you feel Nikki's eyes roll?) this book gets a lot of chatter amongst the Herd. Without reading it, I can tell you that Hunter is a gorgeous hard bodied cop with a 'tool' belt he ain't afraid to use and there is plenty of scandaliciously hot sex. So after my memory was refreshed, it certainly wasn't a hard decision do delve into this series.
Walkers Ford, South Dakota is small town U.S.A., where the residents consist of the wealthy, poor, young and old and where the descendents from the original founding families (sorry, that sounds so Vampire Diary'ish) still reside. With so much town history there comes a lot of memories that aren't easily forgettable and reputations that precede themselves. I sit here and I attempt to think of exactly how to describe these characters that make up Walkers Ford and try to do them justice. Each character that Anne Calhoun has taken the time to develop in this series is flawed in some way. They have done what is necessary for their own survival and peace of mind, some don't give a damn what others in the town think of them or their reputation and some try to carry on discreetly and privately. These are not perfect characters. Hell, the town sweetheart's marriage is the product of an unfaithful relationship that the reader is aware of but not the rest of the townsfolk and it paints the innocent parties in a questionable light. Anne Calhoun's superb story telling made me happy, made me angry and made me cry. But most of all, she made me want to fight for the happiness that most of these characters deserved.
Jaded is the story of the town librarian and the chief of police. How cliché, right? It's the running joke between Alana and Lucas except that Alana isn't your typical small town librarian and Lucas isn't your good ole boy police chief. Alana Wentworth hails from a prestigious political family. Her step-father is a former Senator and her family heads the Wentworth Foundation that focuses on positive global change. Her mother plays the role of matriarch and party hostess while her older sister Freddie, lives in the limelight, jet setting across the globe and implementing the foundation's initiatives. Alana had been content to live her life in the background as her sister's research analyst until she's finally confronted with the notion that she truly doesn't know what she wants out of life. Putting aside her family's desire for her to tow the party-line, she accepts a temporary position as a library director and moves to middle-of-nowhere South Dakota to regroup.
"She really, really wanted to belong somewhere, to someone. Because there was a difference between being part of a package deal, and belonging."
As Alana's sabbatical draws to a close and her return to Chicago is imminent, she realizes she hasn't really cut the attachment to her family, and she is yet to have the life changing epiphany of her life's purpose. If she is to return home changed in the slightest, it's time to put her plan in motion and seduce Lucas Ridgeway, her landlord and incredibly good looking chief of police. Lucas' career has left him weary and cynical. A crushing blow in his personal and professional life has rendered him a mere shell of a man and he outwardly expresses no real sign of emotion. Lucas feels there really is no gray area to law enforcement and he follows his job to the letter of the law. His experiences have left him jaded believing that people are going to do what they want to do and you shouldn't waste your time trying to change a situation that has little hope of success.
Lucas is completely on board with the secretive, no strings attached, sexual proposition his gorgeous tenant has proposed. Except when personal and professional lines start to blur, this booty call arrangement morphs into something more than just physical. Alana doesn't see people as clear cut as Lucas. She sees the good in people and is quick to defend, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need, and encourages the potential in others. Without realizing it, Alana has formed deep rooted attachments and although her intentions were to avoid any painful goodbyes, she finds herself entangled in the lives of the citizens of Walkers Ford. Unexpectedly, Alana has finally found where she belongs, in a community that not only embraces her, but needs her. Except loyalties run deep and Alana accepts her fate that she must return home. She has obligations to her family she can no longer ignore and it is time to say goodbye to her temporary escape. The emotionless and broody cop? Well, she breathed new life and feeling into him, just in time for him to mourn her loss.
If you take anything away from Walkers Ford, I hope it's the sense of home. Home isn't a place you are tied to because of obligations. Home isn't a punishment you return to because you must right the wrongs of your past. Home isn't the place where you go through the motions of living but don't really live. Home is where your loved ones are and wherever you choose to make that home, is entirely up to you.
"I'll tell Mother you're going home." Alana looked at Lucas, and wove her fingers more tightly with his. "Tell her I'm already there."
March 4, 2014
Small town romance. A sexy cop. A librarian. The cutest retired police dog. And a town brought together by an unlikely new addition to their ranks. I mean. Hello. That's just an amazing combo. Jaded was a fun read that easily kept me entertained as Alana and Lucas start up a bit of a fling before she's supposed to leave town and things, well, they get...complicated.
The quick of it is that Alana landed in Walker Ford as their temporary librarian to escape a bit of a blunder back home and to live a little on her own terms and not for what everyone else expected of her. But her time in Walker Ford is almost over and she wants one last thing before she leaves town...a hot and heavy fling with the town's police chief Lucas.
I really enjoyed both Alana and Lucas. Alana was delightful. She's good at what she does, puts her whole heart into everything and really makes a difference to the people around her--even if she doesn't think she's all that remarkable. And damn. Lucas is a lot of sexy in one tasty man package. And omg he is the sexiest thing doting on his senior pup the way he does. Instant *girly sigh* from me. He's also a bit of a damaged hero that's sporting a lot of hurts after a horrible incident and is in desperate need of someone who will just make him feel again.
The romance between them and seeing their fling turn into something more was nicely done. Things get pretty steamy and I loved watching not just their relationship evolve and them grow as individuals but the sexual side of things change and evolve as well. They were always nice but very much moved from just an orgasm and a thanks see ya later to a deeper emotional impact on each of them which was just wonderful to see. And holy hell...steamy. There's a LOT of heat in this one and it was excellent.
These two really complimented each other nicely in and out of the bedroom and I loved watching him coming back to life and feeling something other than pain and guilt and her realizing her worth and not only the impact she had on him but on the whole town.
And the town. They're an interesting group and felt pretty real. There are some ugly real to life things shown--poverty, health issues, etc--but seeing them deal with it and plug along was pretty touching and just had me falling for them in all their bits and pieces.
All in all, I had a really good time with Jaded. My only complaint was that more than once it was glaringly obvious I'd missed things by not reading book one which made for some awkward scenes since I didn't know the backstory/characters being spoken about. It didn't ruin the story obviously but made for some harder reading so I'd suggest picking up book one first. But other than that I loved the characters, the town and watching love sneak up on these two.
Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
The quick of it is that Alana landed in Walker Ford as their temporary librarian to escape a bit of a blunder back home and to live a little on her own terms and not for what everyone else expected of her. But her time in Walker Ford is almost over and she wants one last thing before she leaves town...a hot and heavy fling with the town's police chief Lucas.
I really enjoyed both Alana and Lucas. Alana was delightful. She's good at what she does, puts her whole heart into everything and really makes a difference to the people around her--even if she doesn't think she's all that remarkable. And damn. Lucas is a lot of sexy in one tasty man package. And omg he is the sexiest thing doting on his senior pup the way he does. Instant *girly sigh* from me. He's also a bit of a damaged hero that's sporting a lot of hurts after a horrible incident and is in desperate need of someone who will just make him feel again.
The romance between them and seeing their fling turn into something more was nicely done. Things get pretty steamy and I loved watching not just their relationship evolve and them grow as individuals but the sexual side of things change and evolve as well. They were always nice but very much moved from just an orgasm and a thanks see ya later to a deeper emotional impact on each of them which was just wonderful to see. And holy hell...steamy. There's a LOT of heat in this one and it was excellent.
Her hands found his lower abdomen, warm skin and ridged muscle that sent a hot zing along her nerves. She looked down. His pants had ridden down again, revealing the erection straining against the waistband of his boxers. She loosened his tie, pulled it free, and dropped it on the floor. Starting with the lowest button on his dress shirt, she worked her way up to his throat, then spread the fabric wide. He looked at her, his body bared to her, his gaze unapologetically unashamedly sexual.
And for good reason. He was built, ripped, whatever the slang was for not an ounce of fat under skin stretched over workout-honed muscles. She looked him over, her fingers winding in that tantalizing line of hair.
"That doesn't tickle?" she asked.
His abs tightened but his smile loosened. "Not enough to distract me from how close your hand is to my cock."
Heat flared in her cheeks. "Very close," she said as she trailed the tip of her middle finger down the chestnut brown hair, then squeezed the hard shaft straining against his zipper.
These two really complimented each other nicely in and out of the bedroom and I loved watching him coming back to life and feeling something other than pain and guilt and her realizing her worth and not only the impact she had on him but on the whole town.
And the town. They're an interesting group and felt pretty real. There are some ugly real to life things shown--poverty, health issues, etc--but seeing them deal with it and plug along was pretty touching and just had me falling for them in all their bits and pieces.
All in all, I had a really good time with Jaded. My only complaint was that more than once it was glaringly obvious I'd missed things by not reading book one which made for some awkward scenes since I didn't know the backstory/characters being spoken about. It didn't ruin the story obviously but made for some harder reading so I'd suggest picking up book one first. But other than that I loved the characters, the town and watching love sneak up on these two.
Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
February 16, 2015
Alana Wentworth comes from a large political family. After an embarrassing public proposal, she takes the opportunity to act as a stand in librarian in a small town of Walkers Ford and escape a life she never thought was meant for her. Lucas Ridgeway returned to Walker's Ford to serve as their chief of police after an incident in Denver bringing him back home to start over. He doesn't want any distractions but the blushing librarian next door is proving to be one he cannot ignore.
Cute story. I juggled between 3.5 stars and 4 stars on this one, and in the end I decided to give it 4 for many reason.
I really enjoyed the romance. I felt the sparks between them and so much more. The interaction between Lucas and Alana was comfortable and easy. After reading a bunch of heavy stuff, this was rather welcoming. There was sparks and of course just the right amount of chemistry.
It takes place in a small town and if you been following me for a while you know I love my small town romances. They make me all warm and fuzzy on the inside with their small close knit community and recurring characters. Speaking of which, thought I have not read the first book, I did look to see who was in it and Adam and Marissa do appear in this book as well!
The pace of the book was pretty good. The story flowed and I found myself really immersed in it. Sure there was some parts that were kind of slow in the end but they where brief and minor and did not take away from the overall enjoyment of the book.
I liked the storyline, especially in the end. Alana was not meant to stay in Walker's Ford. She was there to propose a project in rebuilding the library and in the end managed to show the community how important the library was to the town and it's people. How many of them it has helped, and how central it was to the community.
Lucas. A brooding chief of police with a retired police dog named Duke? Yes please. Thought Lucas did manage to get on my nerve at times, I was so glad that in the end he allowed to town and it's appeal to kind bring down his own walls and start to actually help people a little more on a personal level. I did not like how he treated Cody and Tanya at first, but everything clicked nicely in the end!
I liked the supporting characters. There was trouble and people who come from broken homes and Alana had managed to get entangled with each and one of them and make an impact on their lives. Even Lucas had bought down his walls in the end. I really loved that he did not give up on his cousin Tanya and had drug addiction as much as Alana did not give up on a teenager by the name of Cody who also came from a broken home.
Lovely story, so much more then just a romance I liked the other stuff that was going on in the background just as much. Of course I enjoyed the romance in this book as well. Thought a part of me wishes she didn't jump into Lucas bed right off, since I do love and enjoy the build up more. It did seem to work!
Looking forward to more from Walker's Ford and it's characters :) with familiar faces.
I got a copy of this book from goodreads first reads in exchange of an honest review.
Cute story. I juggled between 3.5 stars and 4 stars on this one, and in the end I decided to give it 4 for many reason.
I really enjoyed the romance. I felt the sparks between them and so much more. The interaction between Lucas and Alana was comfortable and easy. After reading a bunch of heavy stuff, this was rather welcoming. There was sparks and of course just the right amount of chemistry.
It takes place in a small town and if you been following me for a while you know I love my small town romances. They make me all warm and fuzzy on the inside with their small close knit community and recurring characters. Speaking of which, thought I have not read the first book, I did look to see who was in it and Adam and Marissa do appear in this book as well!
The pace of the book was pretty good. The story flowed and I found myself really immersed in it. Sure there was some parts that were kind of slow in the end but they where brief and minor and did not take away from the overall enjoyment of the book.
I liked the storyline, especially in the end. Alana was not meant to stay in Walker's Ford. She was there to propose a project in rebuilding the library and in the end managed to show the community how important the library was to the town and it's people. How many of them it has helped, and how central it was to the community.
Lucas. A brooding chief of police with a retired police dog named Duke? Yes please. Thought Lucas did manage to get on my nerve at times, I was so glad that in the end he allowed to town and it's appeal to kind bring down his own walls and start to actually help people a little more on a personal level. I did not like how he treated Cody and Tanya at first, but everything clicked nicely in the end!
I liked the supporting characters. There was trouble and people who come from broken homes and Alana had managed to get entangled with each and one of them and make an impact on their lives. Even Lucas had bought down his walls in the end. I really loved that he did not give up on his cousin Tanya and had drug addiction as much as Alana did not give up on a teenager by the name of Cody who also came from a broken home.
Lovely story, so much more then just a romance I liked the other stuff that was going on in the background just as much. Of course I enjoyed the romance in this book as well. Thought a part of me wishes she didn't jump into Lucas bed right off, since I do love and enjoy the build up more. It did seem to work!
Looking forward to more from Walker's Ford and it's characters :) with familiar faces.
I got a copy of this book from goodreads first reads in exchange of an honest review.
September 25, 2016
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: The Librarian and the cop start off with a bang, but will they fall in love for real?
Opening Sentence: “Alana Wentworth locked the front door to the Walkers Ford Public Library with one thing on her mind: Chief of Police Lucas Ridgeway.”
The Review:
Alana has taken a temporary position with the library in Walkers Ford to get away from the public debacle her last boyfriend made back in Chicago. Alana decides that a fling with Lucas is the one thing she needs in order to take charge of that aspect of her life. Lucas was a cop in Denver, but after getting burnt out he returned home to Walkers Ford. Lucas spends a lot of time with Alana because they are neighbors and she is renting a house from him.
When Lucas sends over Cody to do community service at the library; Alana begins to think about what she really wants out of life. She starts trying to help Cody achieve his dreams and find a way to provide a better life for his younger siblings. Lucas and Alana are growing closer and closer as they continue to hide their fling from the prying eyes of their small town. Soon they find that this might not be a fling, and they just might be in over their heads.
I did find the first book and read it, but this is not a series in which you need to read every book in order to understand what is going on. Although Lucas and Alana were in book 1 and Adam and Melissa are in book 2. I find more and more that I am just not a fan of romance novels where they hop into bed before we really know anything about the characters. Maybe that is harsh, but I like build up to the hot steamy stuff, not hot steamy stuff and then romance. Weird, I know that being said, overall this a good solid romance novel. A hot cop (check), a hot librarian (check, check) and a dog, but he is a cute dog. So if you are looking for a quick fun read, then look no further because Jaded is a great way to spend the afternoon.
Notable Scene:
“Librarians kept secrets. They heard odd stories, got requests that ranged from reasonable to wildly inappropriate it, and like cops, they learned not to bat an eyelash. But keeping the arousal humming under her skin from turning into a radiant aura visible in the spring darkness took every bit of her professional demeanor. And then some.”
FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of Jaded. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: The Librarian and the cop start off with a bang, but will they fall in love for real?
Opening Sentence: “Alana Wentworth locked the front door to the Walkers Ford Public Library with one thing on her mind: Chief of Police Lucas Ridgeway.”
The Review:
Alana has taken a temporary position with the library in Walkers Ford to get away from the public debacle her last boyfriend made back in Chicago. Alana decides that a fling with Lucas is the one thing she needs in order to take charge of that aspect of her life. Lucas was a cop in Denver, but after getting burnt out he returned home to Walkers Ford. Lucas spends a lot of time with Alana because they are neighbors and she is renting a house from him.
When Lucas sends over Cody to do community service at the library; Alana begins to think about what she really wants out of life. She starts trying to help Cody achieve his dreams and find a way to provide a better life for his younger siblings. Lucas and Alana are growing closer and closer as they continue to hide their fling from the prying eyes of their small town. Soon they find that this might not be a fling, and they just might be in over their heads.
I did find the first book and read it, but this is not a series in which you need to read every book in order to understand what is going on. Although Lucas and Alana were in book 1 and Adam and Melissa are in book 2. I find more and more that I am just not a fan of romance novels where they hop into bed before we really know anything about the characters. Maybe that is harsh, but I like build up to the hot steamy stuff, not hot steamy stuff and then romance. Weird, I know that being said, overall this a good solid romance novel. A hot cop (check), a hot librarian (check, check) and a dog, but he is a cute dog. So if you are looking for a quick fun read, then look no further because Jaded is a great way to spend the afternoon.
Notable Scene:
“Librarians kept secrets. They heard odd stories, got requests that ranged from reasonable to wildly inappropriate it, and like cops, they learned not to bat an eyelash. But keeping the arousal humming under her skin from turning into a radiant aura visible in the spring darkness took every bit of her professional demeanor. And then some.”
FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of Jaded. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
February 3, 2014
In the third instalment to the Walkers Ford series, Anne Calhoun features a hot cop and a sweet librarian. When Lucas Ridgeway returns to Walkers Ford, South Dakota for work, he wants to remain completely focus on the job without any distractions. However, temptation comes in the way of an intelligent and sweet woman named Alana Wentworth.
This Contemporary Romance series feels unique to me in that it doesn’t have the usual cutesy/fun/flirty humor that a lot of well-loved series have. But at the same time, it’s still very much engaging and well-written. The small-town vibe is just explored in a different way. The past books have some angst in them and although this latest serving follows along the same tone as the others, it’s not as dark I don’t think.
By far the most engaging part of this book is the romance. Calhoun really takes her time chipping at the surface and discovering what’s underneath her character’s skin. You come to understand the ins and outs of the relationship as well as become invested in it as well.
At the beginning, I did think it was a little slow, especially reading from Alana’s perspective. However, when Lucas and Alana are together, something explosive happens and I think that’s really where Calhoun was able to have fun with her characters.
Though not my favourite of the series, Calhoun rocks this romance like all her others in the past. Emotion-fused sex scenes make for a believable and timeless romance.
*ARC provided by publisher
February 11, 2014
I'm struggling with how to put into words exactly how this book made me feel. Isn't that ringing endorsement in and of itself? I'm speechless and thoughtless. Actually, I'm not so thoughtless, I have lots of thoughts and that is the problem. I wish I had a wand, like in Harry Potter, where I could just pull the thoughts right out of my head. Poof! I will say that I am an unapologetic certified Anne Calhoun fangirl. I'm pretty confident that whatever she writes will always work for me. This book is no exception.
Lucas was an enigma to me. There were parts of him that I did not understand at the end of the book but that's ok. Anne Calhoun's characters tend to do a lot of "emotional work" while I'm not looking. But the work is there, the progress is made and I always feel completely satisfied and happy as I close the book *SIGH*
I received a complimentary copy from Anne Calhoun and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and is not a paid review.
You can read my full review:
Straight Shootin' Book Reviews
Lucas was an enigma to me. There were parts of him that I did not understand at the end of the book but that's ok. Anne Calhoun's characters tend to do a lot of "emotional work" while I'm not looking. But the work is there, the progress is made and I always feel completely satisfied and happy as I close the book *SIGH*
I received a complimentary copy from Anne Calhoun and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and is not a paid review.
You can read my full review:
Straight Shootin' Book Reviews
February 26, 2014
I got a copy of this book from goodreads first reads in exchange of an honest review.
Love small town romances, so was really glad to get my hands on the copy of Jaded. Alana comes from a rich family that has build quiet a name for themselves. Thought she lived a very different life, coming to Walker's Ford might be just what the doctor ordered. Coming off a bad proposal, Alana takes the job to escape only to find Walker's Ford more then just another job.
I loved the romance. It started out with Alana doing her best to get Lucas into her bed with no attachments and ended with her surrendering herself completely to the man and the small town with it's citizens.
It had everything I loved about small towns, the recurring characters, the interesting supporting characters and a plot outside of the slow building romance.
Jaded was a well worth read and I found myself devouring the pages until I had to part with Walker's Ford, patiently awaiting the next book in the series.
Love small town romances, so was really glad to get my hands on the copy of Jaded. Alana comes from a rich family that has build quiet a name for themselves. Thought she lived a very different life, coming to Walker's Ford might be just what the doctor ordered. Coming off a bad proposal, Alana takes the job to escape only to find Walker's Ford more then just another job.
I loved the romance. It started out with Alana doing her best to get Lucas into her bed with no attachments and ended with her surrendering herself completely to the man and the small town with it's citizens.
It had everything I loved about small towns, the recurring characters, the interesting supporting characters and a plot outside of the slow building romance.
Jaded was a well worth read and I found myself devouring the pages until I had to part with Walker's Ford, patiently awaiting the next book in the series.
January 29, 2014
Read my review at Heroes and Heartbreakers
http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com...
http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com...
February 26, 2016
subtle elegance in this story. no big storylines, no big confessions. a story about discovery and renewal.
March 21, 2014
3.5 Jaded Stars!
This was such a sweet, feel good read.
Full review to come.
This was such a sweet, feel good read.
Full review to come.
September 29, 2014
This kinda reminds me of KA's Breathe. Town's fav cop hooking up with the librarian.
Anyway, Lucas is hot yes but Alana steals the show for me. SHE IS SO AWESOMEEEEEEE
Anyway, Lucas is hot yes but Alana steals the show for me. SHE IS SO AWESOMEEEEEEE
September 3, 2023
This one was a struggle for me. Something about the writing style and the scenes changing without any warning just completely turned me off.
Plus you never knew what Lucas was thinking. He came off as someone completely unfeeling. Reminded me of the guard in the Handmaid's Tale - you never really knew what his interest was and spent the entire book thinking he was going to turn on the Handmaid the first chance he got.
Add to it all these characters that were referenced and I had no idea who they were. Felt like I walked into the story from the middle, but this technically isn't part of a series.
I honestly don't know why I finished it; I thought about putting it down so many times. But at least now I can say with certainty that this isn't an author I'm going to return to.
Plus you never knew what Lucas was thinking. He came off as someone completely unfeeling. Reminded me of the guard in the Handmaid's Tale - you never really knew what his interest was and spent the entire book thinking he was going to turn on the Handmaid the first chance he got.
Add to it all these characters that were referenced and I had no idea who they were. Felt like I walked into the story from the middle, but this technically isn't part of a series.
I honestly don't know why I finished it; I thought about putting it down so many times. But at least now I can say with certainty that this isn't an author I'm going to return to.
February 25, 2020
Oh, I truly wanted to like this one. I AM a research librarian! I married a man from South Dakota! I was so excited for this. But the tired, tired tropes of: he's a REAL man because he's quiet, stoic = manly, women love being claimed, argh. Just give me a break. Just give me a freaking break. As the wife of a South Dakotan man, I can say that yes, culturally speaking, stoicism is huge. And yes, most humans (not just women, go figure) like to feel a part of something larger than themselves, whether that's a family structure or a town. I get that. But this just trades in toxic masculinity tropes that I am so very tired of. Hard pass.
Read
June 9, 2021DNF at 32%
Adoro Anne Calhoun, rimandavo la lettura di questo da tanto e mi è dispiaciuto non riuscire a farmelo piacere. Una bibliotecaria e il capo della polizia di una piccola cittadina: le carte in regola per un delizioso small town romance piccante. Purtroppo non sono entrata in sintonia con Alana e Lucas, non sentivo la loro connessione intellettuale, e neppure fisica. Delle sex scene meccaniche che non mi hanno dato un solo brivido. Dalla Calhoun mi aspetto molto, mooolto di meglio. BOCCIATO!
Adoro Anne Calhoun, rimandavo la lettura di questo da tanto e mi è dispiaciuto non riuscire a farmelo piacere. Una bibliotecaria e il capo della polizia di una piccola cittadina: le carte in regola per un delizioso small town romance piccante. Purtroppo non sono entrata in sintonia con Alana e Lucas, non sentivo la loro connessione intellettuale, e neppure fisica. Delle sex scene meccaniche che non mi hanno dato un solo brivido. Dalla Calhoun mi aspetto molto, mooolto di meglio. BOCCIATO!
August 17, 2014
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2014/02/12/...
Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher
They can’t hide from desire…
After life as a cop in Denver leaves him burned-out, Lucas Ridgeway returns to Walkers Ford, South Dakota, to serve as their chief of police. He’s hoping to start over with a clean slate and avoid any emotional entanglements—even after his next-door neighbor kisses him senseless. Alana is passionate, dedicated, and most importantly leaving town soon. So why not have some fun?
Alana Wentworth comes from a larger-than-life political family, yet all she wanted was to be a librarian. Then after an embarrassing marriage proposal from Mr. Not-For-Her, she jumps at the chance to live her dream for a few months. She wasn’t supposed to get involved with the community—or sexy, troubled Lucas. But when the time comes for Alana to put Walkers Ford behind her, she’s not ready. And Lucas may not be ready for her to go…
This blurb came from the author’s website.
After reading and enjoying Uncommon Passion last year when I saw a new Calhoun release I had to request it. I didn’t realize at the time that this was a small town, non-erotic, contemporary romance. I also didn’t know this was the second of the series until I realized a few things from the previous book were referenced. Thankfully my ignorance in no way prevented me from thoroughly enjoying this story and going back to read the first one. While the heat level was much lower than Calhoun’s erotic romances, she didn’t skimp on the characterization or world-building.
Alana grew up in the family of politicians turned philanthropies. They were all famous, very visible, and used to getting their own way. Alana on the other hand was never interested in the spotlight. She enjoyed the research aspect of the family foundation and as a result was a certified librarian. After years of taking the path of the least resistance when it came to her family she was shocked into finally taking some action and leaving to work as a contract librarian in Walkers Ford as she tried to find herself. Her contract was almost over when she decided that after weeks of not really flirting with her landlord the local chief of police that she was going to take things into her own hands and get what she wanted.
Lucas returned to his hometown of Walkers Ford after life as a cop in Denver left him bitter, disillusioned about people and life in general, and certainly not looking to settle down with anyone anytime soon. Serving as chief of police in his hometown meant he knew all the likely suspects, how they would end up, and expected them to live up to or really down to his expectations. However, he didn’t quite know where to categorize his classy tenant. He thought she was attracted to him but she also looked like the settling down-type and that didn’t work with his thoughts of the future. Then one night during a plumbing repair visit **no snickers** Alana took matters in her own hands and gave him an unmistakable signal.
I loved watching Alana and Lucas teach each other different aspects of life. Alana taught Lucas that it was OK to expect the best out of others or at give them the benefit of the doubt that they could choose to change. At the same time Lucas taught Alana that when you involve yourself in people’s lives they in turn develop expectations of you; thinking you will continue to be around and stay involved. I also thoroughly enjoyed watching the town and people of Walkers Ford suck Alana in bit by bit and force her to lose some of her distant objectivity. She also experienced first hand how she was changed by becoming personally invested in a project instead of just researching various options. Lucas learned that sometimes, all it takes is one person’s openly stated belief in another to change lives for the better.
In addition to Walkers Ford, I thought Alana’s interactions with her family explained her life pattern really well. They made me laugh while I also wished Alana would continue to refuse to let her family plan her life. At first I wasn’t a huge fan of Alana’s sister but as the story continued I found myself wanting more because it was evident she cared and acted in certain ways as a shield for their mother’s attention. I also loved the final scenes with Alana’s family because they showed the impact of Alana’s decisions and how her decisions reverberated through others.
Jaded was a very enjoyable read. Calhoun toned down the activity during the sex scenes compared to her erotic romance but she kept the sexual tension and attraction high. She retained her gift for characterization and I felt she expanded the details of her world-building. I thought her ability to capture and retain my interest in this subgenre shift bodes well for my future reading but is perhaps not so good for my wallet. I loved the journey Alana and Lucas took and how each had to grow, learn, and decide they were going to break out of their comfortable rut. I hope Calhoun returns to Walkers Ford for future installments.
Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher
They can’t hide from desire…
After life as a cop in Denver leaves him burned-out, Lucas Ridgeway returns to Walkers Ford, South Dakota, to serve as their chief of police. He’s hoping to start over with a clean slate and avoid any emotional entanglements—even after his next-door neighbor kisses him senseless. Alana is passionate, dedicated, and most importantly leaving town soon. So why not have some fun?
Alana Wentworth comes from a larger-than-life political family, yet all she wanted was to be a librarian. Then after an embarrassing marriage proposal from Mr. Not-For-Her, she jumps at the chance to live her dream for a few months. She wasn’t supposed to get involved with the community—or sexy, troubled Lucas. But when the time comes for Alana to put Walkers Ford behind her, she’s not ready. And Lucas may not be ready for her to go…
This blurb came from the author’s website.
After reading and enjoying Uncommon Passion last year when I saw a new Calhoun release I had to request it. I didn’t realize at the time that this was a small town, non-erotic, contemporary romance. I also didn’t know this was the second of the series until I realized a few things from the previous book were referenced. Thankfully my ignorance in no way prevented me from thoroughly enjoying this story and going back to read the first one. While the heat level was much lower than Calhoun’s erotic romances, she didn’t skimp on the characterization or world-building.
Alana grew up in the family of politicians turned philanthropies. They were all famous, very visible, and used to getting their own way. Alana on the other hand was never interested in the spotlight. She enjoyed the research aspect of the family foundation and as a result was a certified librarian. After years of taking the path of the least resistance when it came to her family she was shocked into finally taking some action and leaving to work as a contract librarian in Walkers Ford as she tried to find herself. Her contract was almost over when she decided that after weeks of not really flirting with her landlord the local chief of police that she was going to take things into her own hands and get what she wanted.
Lucas returned to his hometown of Walkers Ford after life as a cop in Denver left him bitter, disillusioned about people and life in general, and certainly not looking to settle down with anyone anytime soon. Serving as chief of police in his hometown meant he knew all the likely suspects, how they would end up, and expected them to live up to or really down to his expectations. However, he didn’t quite know where to categorize his classy tenant. He thought she was attracted to him but she also looked like the settling down-type and that didn’t work with his thoughts of the future. Then one night during a plumbing repair visit **no snickers** Alana took matters in her own hands and gave him an unmistakable signal.
I loved watching Alana and Lucas teach each other different aspects of life. Alana taught Lucas that it was OK to expect the best out of others or at give them the benefit of the doubt that they could choose to change. At the same time Lucas taught Alana that when you involve yourself in people’s lives they in turn develop expectations of you; thinking you will continue to be around and stay involved. I also thoroughly enjoyed watching the town and people of Walkers Ford suck Alana in bit by bit and force her to lose some of her distant objectivity. She also experienced first hand how she was changed by becoming personally invested in a project instead of just researching various options. Lucas learned that sometimes, all it takes is one person’s openly stated belief in another to change lives for the better.
In addition to Walkers Ford, I thought Alana’s interactions with her family explained her life pattern really well. They made me laugh while I also wished Alana would continue to refuse to let her family plan her life. At first I wasn’t a huge fan of Alana’s sister but as the story continued I found myself wanting more because it was evident she cared and acted in certain ways as a shield for their mother’s attention. I also loved the final scenes with Alana’s family because they showed the impact of Alana’s decisions and how her decisions reverberated through others.
Jaded was a very enjoyable read. Calhoun toned down the activity during the sex scenes compared to her erotic romance but she kept the sexual tension and attraction high. She retained her gift for characterization and I felt she expanded the details of her world-building. I thought her ability to capture and retain my interest in this subgenre shift bodes well for my future reading but is perhaps not so good for my wallet. I loved the journey Alana and Lucas took and how each had to grow, learn, and decide they were going to break out of their comfortable rut. I hope Calhoun returns to Walkers Ford for future installments.
September 12, 2021
Loved this book. These two people are meant for each other. Loved it so much. Will read more of her books. ⭐💕⭐💕⭐💕⭐💕⭐💕⭐💕⭐💕⭐💕⭐💕⭐💕⭐💕⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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