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Holmes Brothers #2
Release Me
Originally published by Dorchester Publishing, June 2008
Tobias "Toby" Holmes was destined for NBA stardom. But when an SUV crashed into his car during his rookie year, his dreams of playing pro-basketball, along with his spine, were shattered. After floundering from one job to another, Toby has finally found his niche in the music business. And when the singing sensation he discovered is pegged to star in a new reality TV show, Toby finally sees light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel.
Sienna Culpepper has loved her childhood best friend forever, though he has never seen anything other than the girl with skinny legs, cornrows, and mad skills on the basketball court. When Toby returns to their hometown of New Orleans to start his career as a record producer/manager, Sienna is resigned to loving him from afar. However, when Sienna and Toby find themselves working together, feelings arise that has them both rethinking their friendship.
Tobias "Toby" Holmes was destined for NBA stardom. But when an SUV crashed into his car during his rookie year, his dreams of playing pro-basketball, along with his spine, were shattered. After floundering from one job to another, Toby has finally found his niche in the music business. And when the singing sensation he discovered is pegged to star in a new reality TV show, Toby finally sees light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel.
Sienna Culpepper has loved her childhood best friend forever, though he has never seen anything other than the girl with skinny legs, cornrows, and mad skills on the basketball court. When Toby returns to their hometown of New Orleans to start his career as a record producer/manager, Sienna is resigned to loving him from afar. However, when Sienna and Toby find themselves working together, feelings arise that has them both rethinking their friendship.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2008
149 people are currently reading
384 people want to read
About the author
Farrah Rochon
90 books2,509 followersA native of south Louisiana, Farrah Rochon officially began her writing career while waiting in between classes in the student lounge at Xavier University of Louisiana. After earning her Bachelors of Science degree and a Masters of Arts from Southeastern Louisiana University, Farrah decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a published novelist. She was named Shades of Romance Magazine's Best New Author of 2007. Her debut novel, Deliver Me, the first in her Holmes Brothers series, garnered rave reviews, earning Farrah several SORMAG Readers' Choice Awards.
In September 2010, Farrah joined the Kimani Romance family with the launch of her new series that follows the life of the fictional New York Sabers football team.
When she is not writing in her favorite coffee shop, Farrah spends most of her time reading her favorite romance novels, hanging around on Twitter, and trying to attend as many Broadway shows as her budget will allow. An admitted sports fanatic, Farrah feeds her addiction to football by watching New Orleans Saints games on Sunday afternoons.
In September 2010, Farrah joined the Kimani Romance family with the launch of her new series that follows the life of the fictional New York Sabers football team.
When she is not writing in her favorite coffee shop, Farrah spends most of her time reading her favorite romance novels, hanging around on Twitter, and trying to attend as many Broadway shows as her budget will allow. An admitted sports fanatic, Farrah feeds her addiction to football by watching New Orleans Saints games on Sunday afternoons.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 13, 2020
4.5 stars
In Release Me, I got more of the fantastic Holmes family, and I also got two Culpepper sisters. On top of that, the main story here was a friends to lovers very slow burn, and I adored it! Toby was awesome, but Sienna was even better! She knew what she wanted, even if she wasn't always able to go after it the way she thought she should have...
In Release Me, I got more of the fantastic Holmes family, and I also got two Culpepper sisters. On top of that, the main story here was a friends to lovers very slow burn, and I adored it! Toby was awesome, but Sienna was even better! She knew what she wanted, even if she wasn't always able to go after it the way she thought she should have...
January 11, 2020
This was the second in the Holmes Brothers series featuring the youngest, Toby and Sienna, which was a slow burn childhood friends-to-lovers that appears to pick up not too long after Deliver Me, which was book 1 about middle brother Eli, left off. Speaking of Eli, there was a plot inconsistency off the top that threw me because Toby tells us that Tosha, who is his BFF's eldest sister, was engaged to Eli once upon a time, but I could have sworn in book 1 that they were just high school sweethearts.
I will preface what follows with the fact that while it may not sound like it, I enjoyed this book, but I'm trying to read more critically and analytically in the sense that I want to examine why I like or dislike the things I read, so here goes.
It was published in 2008 so some of the material - like the references to Trump (which I noticed in Book 1 as well) since Sienna's sister is named Ivana, and examples of toxic masculinity (when Alex, his eldest brother, tells Toby to "go after what you want, not run from it like a scared little girl") does not age well.
When we first get to know Toby, I thought he was a bit of a patronizing jerk - Alex tells him to hire Sienna because she's in PR/Marketing and Toby says he needs a professional to handle promotion for his client. Well the joke's on him when he goes to his first meeting with the firm he's hired and Sienna happens to be assigned to his account. She then proceeds to kickass in her job and he comes to realize that he could "learn a thing or two from Sienna. The girl was on her game." Go Sienna!
Fast forward to the climax, when Toby meets his nemesis, and gets into a fight with him because he threatened his success in this new career, yet when he finds out that Sienna, who he claimed to love was raped* he allowed calmer heads to prevail and didn't feel overwhelmed with the need to kick the perpetrator's ass?
The subplot in this story was the enemies-to-lovers romance between Sienna's sister Ivana and Toby's college friend Jonathan. She's a voodoo priestess who used to be corporate but turned her back on it for its superficialities and he is a contracts lawyer/club owner. She kind of annoyed me for her self-righteous, prejudiced reverse snobbery. They first meet when she shows up at the heritage house he was renovating for his law office demanding that he leave the house alone having jumped to the conclusion that he was going to gut it without explaining why it was important to her. She had assumed because he was a lawyer that he was amoral and superficial - "the work I do actually does good for society. All you do is provide a place for people to get drunk, then defend them in court when they crash their cars into someone." Judgemental much? Meanwhile, he's smitten and just wants her to agree to a date where they could actually get to know each other.
Things wrap up rather quickly from there...I'm so used to epilogues that the endings in this series so far have felt really abrupt. That being said, I'll be getting a peek at Toby and Sienna (as well as Eli and Monica's) HEA in Alex's book, which does have an epilogue (because I checked) so that's what I'm reading next.
* Here was another plot inconsistency because I don't recall Sienna actually telling him who it was that assaulted her, yet fast forward to when she finally confronts her mother for being a terrible mom he knows to call the guy by his name to ask how the fancy gala went and whether or not the guy gave her any trouble?
I will preface what follows with the fact that while it may not sound like it, I enjoyed this book, but I'm trying to read more critically and analytically in the sense that I want to examine why I like or dislike the things I read, so here goes.
It was published in 2008 so some of the material - like the references to Trump (which I noticed in Book 1 as well) since Sienna's sister is named Ivana, and examples of toxic masculinity (when Alex, his eldest brother, tells Toby to "go after what you want, not run from it like a scared little girl") does not age well.
When we first get to know Toby, I thought he was a bit of a patronizing jerk - Alex tells him to hire Sienna because she's in PR/Marketing and Toby says he needs a professional to handle promotion for his client. Well the joke's on him when he goes to his first meeting with the firm he's hired and Sienna happens to be assigned to his account. She then proceeds to kickass in her job and he comes to realize that he could "learn a thing or two from Sienna. The girl was on her game." Go Sienna!
Fast forward to the climax, when Toby meets his nemesis, and gets into a fight with him because he threatened his success in this new career, yet when he finds out that Sienna, who he claimed to love was raped* he allowed calmer heads to prevail and didn't feel overwhelmed with the need to kick the perpetrator's ass?
The subplot in this story was the enemies-to-lovers romance between Sienna's sister Ivana and Toby's college friend Jonathan. She's a voodoo priestess who used to be corporate but turned her back on it for its superficialities and he is a contracts lawyer/club owner. She kind of annoyed me for her self-righteous, prejudiced reverse snobbery. They first meet when she shows up at the heritage house he was renovating for his law office demanding that he leave the house alone having jumped to the conclusion that he was going to gut it without explaining why it was important to her. She had assumed because he was a lawyer that he was amoral and superficial - "the work I do actually does good for society. All you do is provide a place for people to get drunk, then defend them in court when they crash their cars into someone." Judgemental much? Meanwhile, he's smitten and just wants her to agree to a date where they could actually get to know each other.
Things wrap up rather quickly from there...I'm so used to epilogues that the endings in this series so far have felt really abrupt. That being said, I'll be getting a peek at Toby and Sienna (as well as Eli and Monica's) HEA in Alex's book, which does have an epilogue (because I checked) so that's what I'm reading next.
* Here was another plot inconsistency because I don't recall Sienna actually telling him who it was that assaulted her, yet fast forward to when she finally confronts her mother for being a terrible mom he knows to call the guy by his name to ask how the fancy gala went and whether or not the guy gave her any trouble?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2022
SPOILER ALERT
The plot was good and I enjoyed the read for the simplicity of it but there were two major plot errors (Eli was engaged to Tosha?!? his HS gf, that detail wasn’t in the first book and it was Eli’s story) and (Toby knowing who rapped Ce Ce when she didn’t tell him his name when she told him what happened, like all of the sudden he knew?). I also felt like there were missing parts to the story line-Ce Ce did some major damage control to save all of their careers, and talked to Toby’s former basketball team mate after she found out they had a brawl. None of what she did was in the book, just that she did it. Honestly, I would have liked to have read what she did.
Like the first book’s ending I felt like this ending was abrupt, guess I like epilogues in my books but did read that it’s all tied together in the third book so will continue to read Alex’s story. Hopefully the three brothers’ story line will feel finished as I don’t intend to continue to read any of the others.
The plot was good and I enjoyed the read for the simplicity of it but there were two major plot errors (Eli was engaged to Tosha?!? his HS gf, that detail wasn’t in the first book and it was Eli’s story) and (Toby knowing who rapped Ce Ce when she didn’t tell him his name when she told him what happened, like all of the sudden he knew?). I also felt like there were missing parts to the story line-Ce Ce did some major damage control to save all of their careers, and talked to Toby’s former basketball team mate after she found out they had a brawl. None of what she did was in the book, just that she did it. Honestly, I would have liked to have read what she did.
Like the first book’s ending I felt like this ending was abrupt, guess I like epilogues in my books but did read that it’s all tied together in the third book so will continue to read Alex’s story. Hopefully the three brothers’ story line will feel finished as I don’t intend to continue to read any of the others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
wish-list
October 4, 2009Read the first book Deliver Me, last year and can't wait to read this one when it released in a few months. Farrah Rochon is a great great new author to try if you haven't yet. :)
May 30, 2017
Content warnings: heterosexual relationships, mentions of rape, sex, ptsd
Review tba.
Perfect read after the mess that was the circle.
Review tba.
Perfect read after the mess that was the circle.
January 3, 2021
Release Me: Holmes Brothers Book 2 is by Farrah Rochon. The setting is New Orleans after the rebuilding of the town after Katrina had hit. The Holmes brothers had been brought up by their Mother after their father’s death and Tobias was the youngest son.
Tobia or Toby had been drafter by an NBA team and was set to fulfill his dream of playing basketball when he was hit by a single mother who had fallen asleep while coming home after finishing her second job. Toby’s spine was injured and his basketball career ended before it began. He had tried several other things in search of something to do. However, it was all outside of New Orleans. So, when he finally came home, the family was thrilled; but cautious with his new job. He was breaking into the music business as a promoter. He had found Aria Jordan singing in her uncle’s club in a small town. He believed she would be big so he started representing her. He had brought her to New Orleans to break into the clubs there. Jonathan, a friend of his, was opening a club in New Orleans and had convinced him to let Aria sing there. After her smash there, he began looking for a PR company.
He found a PR representative who he thought would work really well for Aria and set up a meeting. Before the meeting, she had a heart attack and her clients were spread out over the company. As a junior agent, Sienna was given Aria as a client only minutes before the first meeting. Toby was shocked when he learned Sienna was representing Aria but decided to listen before he rejected her. He and Sienna had grown up together and he still saw her as his tomboy friend and not as a PR Rep. Sienna not only had to convince Toby she was right for the job, she also had to prove to her boss that she would do this.
Can Sienna do the job? Will Aria become the star she wants to be? Does Aria want to be a star bad enough to work for it?
Tobia or Toby had been drafter by an NBA team and was set to fulfill his dream of playing basketball when he was hit by a single mother who had fallen asleep while coming home after finishing her second job. Toby’s spine was injured and his basketball career ended before it began. He had tried several other things in search of something to do. However, it was all outside of New Orleans. So, when he finally came home, the family was thrilled; but cautious with his new job. He was breaking into the music business as a promoter. He had found Aria Jordan singing in her uncle’s club in a small town. He believed she would be big so he started representing her. He had brought her to New Orleans to break into the clubs there. Jonathan, a friend of his, was opening a club in New Orleans and had convinced him to let Aria sing there. After her smash there, he began looking for a PR company.
He found a PR representative who he thought would work really well for Aria and set up a meeting. Before the meeting, she had a heart attack and her clients were spread out over the company. As a junior agent, Sienna was given Aria as a client only minutes before the first meeting. Toby was shocked when he learned Sienna was representing Aria but decided to listen before he rejected her. He and Sienna had grown up together and he still saw her as his tomboy friend and not as a PR Rep. Sienna not only had to convince Toby she was right for the job, she also had to prove to her boss that she would do this.
Can Sienna do the job? Will Aria become the star she wants to be? Does Aria want to be a star bad enough to work for it?
February 1, 2020
Entertaining and enlightening
Rich in writes about Louisiana like no other as a native. Insightful look at the insides of reality shows in the mid 2000s. Toby Holmes is trying to rebuild his life after a horrible accident destroys his NBA career. As a music producer he needs that once in a lifetime chance to prove himself when his former best friend, Sierra reenters his life. Can they combine friendship and business? What is their future? Lots of humorous moments and an education in the true meaning of voodoo.
Rich in writes about Louisiana like no other as a native. Insightful look at the insides of reality shows in the mid 2000s. Toby Holmes is trying to rebuild his life after a horrible accident destroys his NBA career. As a music producer he needs that once in a lifetime chance to prove himself when his former best friend, Sierra reenters his life. Can they combine friendship and business? What is their future? Lots of humorous moments and an education in the true meaning of voodoo.
July 16, 2020
This is the second book in this series and, as stated, I love books in a series. I like to see characters continue to grow even though the book may have a focus on another character. That is the case for this book and I'm sure I will continue to enjoy see the characters in the other books.
As for this book, there was a point when I felt it was going to take one turn and it did another. It wasn't a bad turn just unexpected. An easy read which was entertaining.
As for this book, there was a point when I felt it was going to take one turn and it did another. It wasn't a bad turn just unexpected. An easy read which was entertaining.
July 5, 2022
A Book You Can't Release
Release Me is the type of book that alters my appearance when I read it, because it keeps me up late at night wondering what is going to happen next! Toby and Sierra have been best friends for years, but Sierra is now romantically interested in Toby, and too shy to tell him. Their road to happily ever after is rough and filled with detours, but they get there eventually. Want to know how? Read the book!!
Release Me is the type of book that alters my appearance when I read it, because it keeps me up late at night wondering what is going to happen next! Toby and Sierra have been best friends for years, but Sierra is now romantically interested in Toby, and too shy to tell him. Their road to happily ever after is rough and filled with detours, but they get there eventually. Want to know how? Read the book!!
June 2, 2017
That's what friends are for
You know you have a good story when the supporting cast and main cast each have you in your feelings wanting more. You have Toby and Cee Cee who have your friends turn lovers. But the next is Ivana and Jonathan, who are the epitome of opposite attract. The intertwining of the two had you rooting to see what was next.
You know you have a good story when the supporting cast and main cast each have you in your feelings wanting more. You have Toby and Cee Cee who have your friends turn lovers. But the next is Ivana and Jonathan, who are the epitome of opposite attract. The intertwining of the two had you rooting to see what was next.
April 23, 2021
A Must Read
The end is priceless and I never saw it coming. I was rooting for Sienna and Toby the whole time. Ms. Farrah, you have a knack for letting your readers devise our own scene instead of spelling it out in broad detail, well sometimes I like and most times I don't-LOL.
Take a bow, Ms. Farrah you have won me over to your family of readers. Now, on to Alex.
The end is priceless and I never saw it coming. I was rooting for Sienna and Toby the whole time. Ms. Farrah, you have a knack for letting your readers devise our own scene instead of spelling it out in broad detail, well sometimes I like and most times I don't-LOL.
Take a bow, Ms. Farrah you have won me over to your family of readers. Now, on to Alex.
December 20, 2017
Page Turner
Got the next book ready! So glad the story is continuing. Would like all characters have closure when series ends.
Got the next book ready! So glad the story is continuing. Would like all characters have closure when series ends.
January 14, 2018
Amazing!!
I truly enjoyed Sienna and Toby’s story. I liked how they were best friends come lovers. I’m so glad they got their happily ever after
I truly enjoyed Sienna and Toby’s story. I liked how they were best friends come lovers. I’m so glad they got their happily ever after
January 26, 2018
Awww
I loved this book. It was good from beginning to end. I want to hear more about johnathan and vonnie
I loved this book. It was good from beginning to end. I want to hear more about johnathan and vonnie
January 17, 2019
Worth the money, but...
October 10, 2020
Excellent
Every one of your books I read has not disappointed me. So when I am done reading each book, I am just going to give it five stars. Just no words anymore!!!!!
Every one of your books I read has not disappointed me. So when I am done reading each book, I am just going to give it five stars. Just no words anymore!!!!!
July 18, 2021
Say what you feel.
I absolutely loved the ebbs and flow of this book. So much going on with Toby and Sienna. Release Me was definitely a page turner.
I absolutely loved the ebbs and flow of this book. So much going on with Toby and Sienna. Release Me was definitely a page turner.
May 22, 2013
Sienna and Toby's story is sweet. The paths they took to get to each other is frustrating. Sienna is trying to make a name in the marketing business and Toby is trying to become a music producer/manager. This is where their worlds collide again after so many years apart. Sienna has loved Toby forever. Toby wants his best friend back. They dance around each other in the pursuit of their careers, working together to make Aria a star. Loved watching them realize how good they are together!!
Just like book 1, the side story was just as touching. Sienna's sister, Ivana had a bad taste in her mouth when it came to men. She stuck to her life of helping others (The Cause). Enter Jonathan, Toby's best friend from college. He is intrigued by her from the first meeting. He pursues her like he's never had to pursue a woman before. It is exhilarating to watch unfold. Looking forward to more of them in the future.
I know Alex's story is next and I can't wait. He took over the roll of father and has made amazing men out of his little brothers. It's definitely time for his HEA!! I hope there is much more of Monica and Eli and Toby and Sienna. I hope that Aria gets a story too!!
Just like book 1, the side story was just as touching. Sienna's sister, Ivana had a bad taste in her mouth when it came to men. She stuck to her life of helping others (The Cause). Enter Jonathan, Toby's best friend from college. He is intrigued by her from the first meeting. He pursues her like he's never had to pursue a woman before. It is exhilarating to watch unfold. Looking forward to more of them in the future.
I know Alex's story is next and I can't wait. He took over the roll of father and has made amazing men out of his little brothers. It's definitely time for his HEA!! I hope there is much more of Monica and Eli and Toby and Sienna. I hope that Aria gets a story too!!
May 29, 2013
4.5 stars
Basketball is my favorite sport, so I had to check this out. I’m really glad I did, even if basketball played really no part in this story. My husband is from New Orleans, so I love when romance novels take place there and I especially love when it’s post-Katrina.
For my full review, click here: http://wp.me/p3a6Qw-8A
Basketball is my favorite sport, so I had to check this out. I’m really glad I did, even if basketball played really no part in this story. My husband is from New Orleans, so I love when romance novels take place there and I especially love when it’s post-Katrina.
For my full review, click here: http://wp.me/p3a6Qw-8A
February 9, 2015
Loved it! A car accident destroyed Toby Holmes' dream of playing for the NBA. But when God closes one door HE opens another. So when Toby pursues his new career as a music producer/manager, he also gets a second chance to reconnect with Sienna, his best friend and the love of his life!
September 1, 2015
Great
Amazing. I like that Toby and Sienna finally get together. Love is so much sweeter when you find it with a best friend. You already know so much about each other, it only seems right. Looking forward to Alex's turn to find love.
Amazing. I like that Toby and Sienna finally get together. Love is so much sweeter when you find it with a best friend. You already know so much about each other, it only seems right. Looking forward to Alex's turn to find love.
August 15, 2017
Enjoyable read!
Farrah Rochon has again produced an enjoyable read, not just the story of Toby and Sienna but sizzling chemistry of the supporting actors. I also enjoyed the mystery that this novel has introduced with Mama Holmes, can't wait to read the next one!
Farrah Rochon has again produced an enjoyable read, not just the story of Toby and Sienna but sizzling chemistry of the supporting actors. I also enjoyed the mystery that this novel has introduced with Mama Holmes, can't wait to read the next one!
June 28, 2013
Very good series
January 25, 2015
It was really really good.
February 27, 2015
Great book!!
April 11, 2015
Toby
It was a delightful to watch Toby find wanted and needed to whole he had had all of his life, the friendship and love of a good woman Cee Cee.by
It was a delightful to watch Toby find wanted and needed to whole he had had all of his life, the friendship and love of a good woman Cee Cee.by
September 30, 2015
Lovely read.....
I enjoyed this book just as much as I enjoyed Deliver Me. This story was a light hearted and mostly clean story.
I enjoyed this book just as much as I enjoyed Deliver Me. This story was a light hearted and mostly clean story.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews