Taming McGruff

Once Upon a Romance #3

by Laurie LeClair

Can following misguided dreams end up making you better than you ever imagined you could be? In this Once Upon A Romance Series Book 3 romantic comedy, carefree, fun-loving Priscilla King wants to make her own unique stamp on the family store. However, she's the littler sister no one takes seriously. She longs to prove herself worthy of the King name. But will anyone listen to her? Hell-bent on revenge against her mother, Griffin James, seeks to destroy King's Department Store. First, he plans to take over the store, ruin it, and then blame it all on the woman who ran it for years and caused his father's disgrace and downfall. But when he meets Priscilla, he only wants to protect her from himself. How can he move forward with his plans of destruction when his heart won't follow along? By marrying the daughter of his enemy, can Griffin make both their dreams come true? Or will love and their hearts forever stand in the way? Once Upon A Romance Series: If The Shoe Fits, Book 1 Waking Sleeping Beauty, Book 2 Taming McGruff, Book 3

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2013

About the author

Bestselling author Laurie LeClair writes romantic comedies, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and women’s fiction. Laurie has a not-so-secret love for characters who make her laugh, cry, and who linger in her mind long after the story ends. Laurie’s habit of daydreaming has gotten her into a few scrapes and launched her to take up her dream of writing. Finally, she can put all those stories in her head to rest as she brings them to life on the page.

Laurie loves to write, read, bake, travel, and discover new adventures. She considers herself a New Texan (New England born and raised and now living in Texas). She lives in Central Texas with her husband, Jim. Laurie loves to hear from her readers.

You can contact her at
http://www.laurieleclair.com
http://www.twitter.com/LeClairbooks http://www.facebook.com/laurieleclair.75

Check out Laurie’s website contests and sign up for her newsletter to get insider information and to be automatically entered in her newsletter giveaways at http://www.laurieleclair.com


Books by Laurie LeClair:

Once Upon A Romance Series (romantic comedy)
If The Shoe Fits - Book 1
Waking Sleeping Beauty - Book 2
Taming McGruff - Book 3
The Reluctant Beauty - Book 4
Awakened By A Kiss - Book 5
Tangled At First Sight - Book 6
Finding Mr. Just Right - Book 7
Making A Splash - Book 8

The Heart Romance Series(contemporary romance/smalltown romance)
Secrets Of The Heart - Book 1
Crimes Of The Heart - Book 2
Lies Of The Heart - Book 3


The Bounty Hunter Series (romantic suspense)
Murphy’s Law - Book 1
Riley’s Rules - Book 2

Wanted: Fairy Godmother (romantic comedy)

The Sweet Spot Series (romantic comedy)
The Dating Dilemma - Book 1

Runaway Wife (romance, women's fiction)

The Long Journey Home (romance, women’s fiction)

Sweet Summertime (romance, women's fiction, second chances, reunions)

The Heart Remembers (holiday romance, contemporary romance)

Reviews

[Gina Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used the book series to fill prompts for the 52 Book Challenge 2023

There are 3 books in the series and I did read all three this past week. I used each for a prompt.

Prompt 5, Title starting with the letter “I”
If The Shoe Fits, Once Upon a Romance Book 1
Author: Laurie LeClair

Prompt 9, A book with a dedication
Waking Sleeping Beauty, Once Upon a Romance Book 2
Author: Laurie LeClair

Prompt 16, Featuring one of “The Seven Deadly Sins”
Taming McGruff, Once Upon a Romance Book 3 (Wrath)
Author: Laurie LeClair

This book is the absolute best of the three. Griff is hard hearted, he has a plan to destroy King's Department Store. The goal, destroy Agnus King, the step mother of Charlie and mother of Francine and Priscilla. He is taking it down and doesn't care who he destroys in the process. His wrath is fueled by revenge and he is only focused on his goal. The woman he hates more than anything or anyone.

This hatred, vengeance, and evil plan to destroy hundreds of employees lives in the process is why I used this book for the 7 deadly sins prompt.

Read all three books. They're sappy and romantic and sweet but underneath all that is a great story that is resolved in this book.

This book could also be used for

2, features an inheritance
9, book with a dedication
11, book about secrets
16, featuring one of the deadly sins
20, siblings
25, fashionable character, designer and decorator, dresses nice, it's a maybe
26, has an epilogue
31, set in a workplace
39, final book in a series
44, a contemporary setting

[T.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end to a wonderful fairy tale. I loved getting a glimpse of all the King daughters through Griffin and Priscilla. The attraction between these two was like watching magnets connect to each other. It was good to see the couple facing their problem and learning how to forgive and continue on with life while leaving the past behind. Learning new things about the Kings were really a highlight for me in this book. I'm sad that the series is over but enjoyed the HEA for the King family.

[Annabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story little confused about the ending with the babies. How can Charlie's twins be a month younger than Francies baby when she was pregnant before Marcus was with her but never mind loved the book

[Ty · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just can't say no to a big-bad-wolf adaptation. Especially a romantic one, and super pink, to boot hahaha
I'd only disagree with the baby-names, except Madeline, I didn't like the others.

A good enough series, interesting too... To pass time.

[A G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun Pixie dust and the wounded warrior

Simular to others in the series it's a love a first sight reworked fairytale. This one has a bit of filler and some slow points. Great overall story and good for the fuller plot and plan. Just wish I could skip forward in a few places.

Romance level: closed bedroom sex after marriage. Quick to fall and marry romance.

[Jennifer Seaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! I just can't seem to put this series down. I grabbed it on my new kindle paperwhite so that I could easily read in the go. The characters are unforgettable and this hint of fairy tale is awesome. If you want a fun romance this is it!!

[Valerie Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Awesome and funny.

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Priscilla (Prissy) and Griff....big heart sigh! I loved how this story turned out! Both of 'em needed great big hugs. So happy they found one another.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book and series. They are addictive but at least short and easy to read. Definitely escapism at its finest.

[Lynn Hemmelgarn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three great books

I loved all three books. I enjoyed the characters & the development of each of them.
I’m going to read more books by this author.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the "Once upon a Romance" series by Laurie LeClair. I must admit that this was my favorite so far! Pricilla, "Prissy" for short, is the child who wanted freedom the most and gives it up way to easily. She falls for the new head of the department store she works for, Griffin James ("McGruff"). Griffin is brought in so that Marcus can go back to his first love, cooking. Prissy's sister Charlie, the owner of the department store, finds out she is having twins and will not be able to handle the running of the store and she hires Griff to do so. Prissy, much like her sister Francie, really doesn't have a place where she fits in in the store until she puts herself out there like Francie did. Prissy re-designs the salon and then comes up with an idea to drive sales for housewares, etc. She will re-design someone's home. She chooses Griff's since it is so plain and empty.

Griff has ulterior motives for coming to work at King's Department Store. His father was the founder's best friend and attorney. When Mr. King passed away, the wicked stepmother to Charlie and mother to Francie and Prissy, ruined Griff's father's life and drove him to drink himself to death. Griff want's revenge. What better way to get revenge than to marry the daughter of the woman who he blames for his horrible childhood.

Sparks fly, anger boils over, and feelings are hurt and healed. Great story. Escape to fairy tales...they are special places.

[Theresa Scarangella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prissy King saw a uptight good looking man at Kings. he was going to see Charlie. His name was Griffin Jones. Griff met a spunky cute girl. Prissy took him to see Charlotte. He was going to manage the store until Charlie has the twins. She just found out about the babies. Griff couldn't wait until he could ruin this company and get his revenge. he then found out that Prissy was the stepsister.
Later that evening Prissy shows up at Griffs door with Chinese food. There was a storm so she stayed over. They slept in the same bed with their clothes on. This was tough for Griff. A known rich and good at keeping companies afloat. she was like a pixie which he nicknamed her. He told her he was dangerous. She called him McGruff because he was stuffy. She doesn't know why he affects her this way.
As this is the third book in the series, it could be read alone, but I read them in order. I loved the way Laurie has the main characters connect so well and the banter that happens between them. I like the joking and the way the family is as a unit. You will not be disappointed in the book or the series.

[Stories & Verse · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I was not sure which fairy tale this was retelling. Then I thought about it and I think this is from the Three Billy Goats Gruff story.

I would describe this story as a marriage of convenience turned to love at first sight. Griffen (aka McGruff) sets out to take revenge on the King family only to find that he is in love with his target of revenge. So what started out as a plan to marry for convenience actually turns out to be love at first sight.

I liked this story. I liked the chemistry between the main characters. There was some turbulence in the relationship but don't despair happily ever after is on its way!

This is the third book in what currently is a 15 book series. I am doing a Once Upon a Romance marathon. I read the first two books about 1 year ago, and now I am continuing on to the 4th book. Please comment below if you are also doing a Laurie LeClair Once Upon a Romance series binge read!

[Lisa Swanepoel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is without a doubt my favourite from this series. Pricilla and Griffin are very lovable characters and the story that is woven around them is beautiful, tragic and hopeful, filled with dreams, mistakes and love. A wonderful easy romantic story for anyone who still loves an innocent fairytale.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute happily ever after modern take on the beauty and the beast story. I enjoyed this story as Pixie Prissie melts the heart of Mcgruff. This was a nice short story that made me smile. I loved the characters and in this story we managed to catchup about the other characters too. A good light series to read. xxx

[Karianne Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I debated giving this book 2 stars. It is very similar to the past two; it feels like LC just changed the names and a few of the scenarios. If you haven't read the first two this is a good stand alone book. It's not that I think it's badly written, because it is very good on it's own, I just think it's too similar to the first two and the theme is a bit worn out.

[Kathryn Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure which fairy tale this is from, beauty and the beast maybe? Anyway again a great romantic story.

[Kristy Ferraro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this series in two days. Love this book and the others.
Fantastic love story, kept you wanting to read.

[Xian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how the stories of Charlie, Francie and Prissy developed and their men are swoon-worthy too. Who said fairy tales are only for young girls?

[Ruth Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read 3 of them and they were all very good reads. I just found out that there are 2 more in the series but I'll have to wait a bit before getting them.

[Cary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light fluff but enjoyable.

[Karen Mccollin]

It was a great read love it