Lost Without You

Reality TV Romances #3

by Heather Thurmeier

Zoe Oliver never wanted to be on another reality TV show… until Chip Cormack made an offer too good to refuse. He’s guaranteed her a payday this time and a chance to redeem herself in America’s eyes. But Zoe worries she won’t be able to focus as her desire for Chip grows and her strength to resist him weakens. When she learns she’ll be roughing it in the woods with Chip and without luxuries like indoor plumbing and electricity, she’s instantly on edge, feeling naked and terrified that her scars will be exposed and her secrets revealed. When Zoe’s past turns up on the show, she fears she’ll lose not only the life she’s sacrificed everything else to have, but also the affections of the only man she’s ever trusted with her heart.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

236 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2013

About the author

Heather Thurmeier is a lover of margaritas and a hater of spiders. Born and raised in the Canadian prairies, she now lives in New York where she’s become an odd Canuck-Yankee hybrid. Heather’s currently writing her next romance, which will probably be filled with sassy heroines, sexy heroes that make your heart pound, laugh out loud moments and always a happily ever after. She loves to hear from readers on social media and at heatherthurmeier.com.

"Heather Thurmeier's hunky heroes and feisty heroines will have you laughing out loud, falling in love ... and coming back for more!" ~ Carly Phillips, NY Times Bestselling Author

"Heather Thurmeier writes sweet, funny romances that capture your heart!" --NYT and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Probst

Reviews

[Lauren at Live Read and Breathe Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Source: eARC for Honest Review from Author

So finally we get to find out the story behind Zoe and what makes her be such a bitch.

For the last two books Zoe has been a jerk with a huge chip on her shoulder who does nothing but push people away. We learn why she does this.



But in the mean time she finally let's her guard down with Chip who has been able to see the true Zoe even when she is in major bitch mode.



As we all know secrets have away of catching up on you and kick you in the ass and this is the case for Zoe.



With the help of Chip and the reality of the truth Zoe is forced to deal with the ramifications of her secrets and what pushing people away is doing to her.



Once she realizes her true reality she gets to find out about love and friendship which she never expected. Plus I was able to stop my hate on for Zoe and be happy for her HEA.

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[Traci Douglass · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOST WITHOUT YOU, by author Heather Thurmeier, is the perfect culmination of the Reality TV Romances Series.

For readers who have followed along in the series, this book deals with the turbulent relationship between Zoe Oliver and Chip Cormack. For those of you who may be new to this series, boy, are you in for a treat! Each book is a stand-alone story and can be read on its own, but I predict you’ll be hooked and picking the rest of the novels in this series as soon as you can. Ms. Thurmeier has a great writing voice and her characters are well drawn and vivid.

Suffice it to say flying sparks between the hero and heroine in this book would be the understatement of the century. More like a raging forest fire. Both are headstrong and motivated to get what they want out of life and love. But Zoe’s hidden past threatens to destroy her relationship with Chip before it can even begin.

With plenty of chemistry and steam and the intrigues on the set of the show, the ride is a joy to take and this book will keep you reading well past bedtime. If your looking for a great read this summer, LOST WITHOUT YOU is the book for you!

***I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Brandy Dorsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful end to this awesome series! I am a huge fan of Heather’s and I think she is an amazingly talented writer!
Zoe came off as such a bitch in the first two books in this series but there was enough hints dropped that it made me wonder what her deal is.
I never saw the romance coming with Chip. I thought he was a secondary character that didn’t have any real connection to the main players and I was so wrong! Heather knows how to deliver well-written characters that vibrate with passion and substance.
Zoe still pushes the bitch buttons but we finally got to see that there was a soul inside of her. I am glad these two finally found their happily ever after.

[Lisa Filipe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great end to the series, and I FINALLY got to find out what was up with Zoe!! I hope Heather writes another book in this series eventually so we can see where everyone is later on!

[Stephanie Haefner · Rating 4 out of 5]

So awesome to see Zoe get her HEA!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of author Heather Thurmeier's Reality TV Romance series, our wait is finally over! The third book of the series, Lost Without You, features Zoe's story! Yay!

Zoe Oliver is the bad girl/snarky bitch that America loved to hate in the first two books of the series. With hints of her story sprinkled in the other books, the reader's interest in reading about Zoe was peaked, and now we finally get to see who the real Zoe is when she returns to participate as the host in Wild Expedition, producer Chip Cormack's latest reality TV show!

Zoe's carefully cultivated facade of perfect hair, makeup, clothing, stiletto shoes and a standoffish bitchy persona is put to the test once again during a month in the Montana wilderness. A mutual interest between Zoe and reality TV producer Chip Cormack provides lots of sparks in a rugged camp setting. Even though Zoe fights their obvious attraction every time they get close, Chip is determined to break down her protective walls. With a very flirty contestant pursuing Zoe, and a blackmail attempt by another contestant who is from her childhood, Zoe's carefully hidden past is threatened to be revealed, and may ultimately cause her to lose a chance at happiness and love with Chip.

In the third book of the Reality TV Romance series, Lost Without You, author Heather Thurmeier weaves an entertaining tale of romance and intrigue that finally reveals the true story behind Zoe's public facade and persona. It is a story that will not disappoint the fans of this series. Set in the rugged Montana wilderness, the story is written in the third person narrative with alternating perspectives by Zoe and Chip. The reader follows Zoe and Chip's month long journey of developing a HEA relationship mixed in with the reality show's quirky trials and tribulations in a survival camp setting.

I really enjoyed how the author gradually revealed Zoe's hidden past, it kept my interest peaked as each little piece of the puzzle was revealed. I also enjoyed the backstory of Chip's attraction towards Zoe, since he was more of a mystery in the first two books of the series, it was fascinating to see how his plan to get close to Zoe once again was planned out and revealed. The author does a wonderful job of developing Zoe and Chip's relationship, it was intriguing, sizzling, emotional, and frustrating, it kept me turning the pages in search of how it would turn out for them.

While Zoe's hidden past and her developing relationship with Chip is the highlight of this entertaining story, the author also provides a reality show setting with a cast of quirky contestants who compete in a wilderness survival competition with humorous and dramatic trials and tribulations in true reality TV style. And if that isn't enough to peak your interest, all of our favorite cast of characters from the first two books in the series make a cameo appearance at the end of the book, which nicely wraps up the finale to the series in a thoroughly enjoyable way!

I really enjoyed reading each book in this series, but I have to admit that Lost Without You is my favorite! Zoe simply won me over, and even though I did enjoy her snarky persona in each of the books, I loved getting to know the real Zoe, as well as getting to know the mysterious Chip Cormack.

While each book in the series can be a stand alone read, I would suggest that you read the books in sequential order so you can enjoy the seamless flow of each story with intertwining threads running through them. This series of books that just like reality TV shows, they will get you hooked from the start!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

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[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost Without You is a touching love story of finding your true love that accepts you for YOU! I loved the concept for this book and all of Heather Thurmeier's reality TV based books. In a world where reality TV is some of the most watched shows on television, I thought this was a brilliant idea to base a series of books on. Lost Without You is Zoe's story. If you read Stuck on You... you either hate or love Zoe.. she really has no in between!

Zoe Oliver is a snarky, sarcastic, bitchy, uptight reality show vixen. She is hated by the public for some of the past shows she has appeared on. America either loves to hate her or just plain out hates her! She never thought she would be on another show, but Chip Cormack... a sexy producer she has worked with before makes her an offer she can't refuse. Zoe has a past, one that included LOTS of doctor bills... and she needs the money. Little did Zoe know that the deal that Chip offered her would be her roughing it in the wilderness in tents and without any necessities... like indoor plumbing or electricity!! How can her perfect hair and make-up, impeccable dress, and Jimmy Choos survive this???

Chip Cormack has had his eyes set on Zoe for a while now, but has been trying to figure out a way to get close to her. If that is even possible!! Zoe is an Ice Queen and has walls around her bigger than the Great Walls of China!! Chip knows there is more to Zoe than meets the eye. She is far more than a pretty face, and he knows it!! The trick will be getting her to loosen up, relax, and let him in. Chip is nothing if not consistent, and when he wants something he goes for it... watch out Zoe!! Will she be able to resist this incredibly sexy man, or will Chip win... that is the question!

I loved how the author gradually revealed Zoe's past to the reader. The story flowed and little details were dropped here and there just enough to keep my interest but also gain my curiosity. I also loved that we as readers were given Chip's POV and his back story of how he has felt about Zoe for a while now. It was not a wham bam love story, but one hat has been developing and coming to light. I thought the contestant characters were awesome!! I loved how they were a major part of the book, but didn't take away form the main characters... Chip and Zoe.

I give Lost Without You 4 stars on the knock my socks off scale. It could be read as a stand alone, but if you have read the other books in the Reality TV series, you will get a reunion with some of your favorite characters!!

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all three books now in the reality TV show series and despite my dislike of reality tv in general, I actually really enjoy these books. For some reason, while I may not like watching them, I love reading about them. Lost Without You brings back the villain of the last two: Zoe, and we finally get to see why she's the way she is. She's scarred, inside and out.


The show is about roughing it in the wilderness. Thankfully Zoe is a host, not a contestant. This was an interesting twist. At first I was bummed because there wasn't enough interaction with the contestants and not much drama when they did challenges, but this changed in the end as the action picked up and the drama got intense. There's a romance with the producer, a sort-of-stalker-guy, and a blackmailer.

I had a hard time with Zoe's trauma...I didn't feel it warranted the huge deal she made of it the rest of her life, and as someone who has been on the receiving end of extreme bullying, I found it questionable that she would turn around and bully others...but hey, "'till you've walked in her shoes", right?

I didn't care for Chip, the love interest. He came across as way too pushy for me, but I get most women like those types now.

I totally, not for a second, bought the whole "I got my hair stuck around a post" thing.

But despite the above quibbles, I did enjoy this book. I was hooked and kept wanting to know what was going to happen next. I didn't see some of the things coming, a huge plus. I was on the edge of my seat in the last 20% especially. Ms. Thurmeier delivered a very satisfying conclusion to this series.

Giveaway and stuff here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...

[Nikki Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell in love with the first book in this series, and couldn't wait for more! The heroine in Lost Without You, I will admit, I did NOT like! Zoe drove me nuts, her attitude made me want to smack her, and I wondered when i heard she was getting her own story how the author was going to redeem Zoe.

Starting off in Lost Without You, I picked up the same annoying vibes from Zoe. She acts so high maintenance and irked me. But as I got to know her, I noticed most of her attitude was a facade. She hid some things which she wants no one to know about. So when she comes face to face with a person from her past that could expose it all, Zoe freaks.

The hero of the book is Chip. We also know him from the other books in the series. I was always intrigued by him and had hoped we would get another glimpse of him, and sure enough, he got his own story! Hey, I won't complain about that. Chip has always kind of looked out for Zoe, and I was surprised when they were paired together as a match. It got quite...interesting many times throughout the story, as they fought their attraction. Both Zoe and Chip learn things about the other that surprise them and help to bond on a deeper connection.

As always, the author writes in a light, humorous style that keeps the pages flying and the smile spread across my face. Lost Without You is another fun, light contemporary romance that's sure to win readers over. If you like to read about heroines that deserve a little redemption and a hero that's sexy and fun, check out Lost Without You.

[Jillian (NetGalley Addict) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was part of a blog tour I received an ARC for my honest review.
4 1/2 stars

Zoe was lured back for her third try at reality t.v. because Chip promised her a payday, he just "forgot" to mention she would be the host not a contestant until she gets there. Zoe has pushed people away and used her looks so people won't know her secrets. When they start filming in the middle of nowhere sparks fly between these two headstrong people. Will Zoes past come back to ruin things for the two of them or will Zoe finally get her HEA? I was so excited to read this book, Zoe is the snarky bitch from two previous books in this series and I loved to hate her in those. She is still snarky and comes off as a bitch at times in this book, but you get to see another side of her and understand why she acts that way. Chip was more of a shadow in the other books so it was nice to get to know more about him, he is headstrong and manipulative, but you also get to see his tender loving side when it comes to Zoe. The two of them have some great clashes and the path to their HEA is not easy. I really liked this book; the author did a great job of taking two unlikable characters and making you fall in love with them.

[Monica Tillery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Heather Thurmeier's first two books in her Reality TV series, so I was excited to get the chance to read Lost Without You before its release. I was dying to know how she would not only humanize Zoe Oliver but how someone like her could possibly make her way to a HEA.
Well, I'm happy to report that Lost Without You delivered.
Zoe pushes people away and hides behind her facade of a perfect face, beautiful clothes, and killer shoes. When she joins Chip for his newest reality show, we get a glimpse of what it's like when she lets someone chip away at her armor.
There were times when I wanted to grab Zoe by her shoulders and shake some sense into her, but that's something only the best romances can evoke in me. Ms. Thurmeier does a lovely job of crafting a sweet, emotional love story with plenty of spice. The happy ending seems out of reach for a while, but she wraps it up beautifully in the end. All in all, I'd say if you read the first two, then you just HAVE to read this one. Even if you didn't, you won't want to miss Lost Without You.

[Jo Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this novel in exchange for my honest opinion, and I absolutely loved it! This is the third novel in the Reality TV Romances series, and it tells the story of Zoe Oliver and Chip Cormack. In the two previous novels, we know Zoe as the mean girl and Chip is the Producer of all of the reality shows that takes place in the novels. I thought it was a nice twist when Chip had Zoe meet with the other cast mates, and he gives her the surprise of all surprises in her reality TV history! Throughout this novel I was really rooting for Zoe and Chip's destined relationship. I was a little leery of Zoe because she was the mean girl in the last two novels...the girl you hated to love, but I really ended up enjoying her story. Also, the Epilogue was a great touch! I would love to see another novel featuring all of the couples. Either way, this was a great read, and I would definitely recommend this series!

[Lisa ~ Books Are My Drugs ~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 3 in the Reality TV Series

Zoe's back for the last book in the series. Underneath the put-together exterior & bitchiness, she's really just an insecure woman who was terribly bullied after a bad car accident in her teens. She threw up a huge wall to keep people from getting close & hurting her again.

Chip sees over Zoe's wall to the real woman behind it & he wants her, scars & all. He just has to get her to realize that she wants him back. So he offers her a job as host for his next reality show. Zoe needs the money to pay outstanding medical bills so she agrees (without knowing she'll be the host). Chip hopes that once she's mostly isolated in the woods she'll let down her guard & let him in.

She does to a degree, but every time he gets close she thinks about her past & how she can't let anyone know about who she really is & shuts him back down. Until someone who knew her before the accident spills the beans.

[Jen_C · Rating 4 out of 5]

3-1/2 solid stars. I think this was technically good but I didn't really like the characters enough to really connect with them. Zoe should have been in therapy years ago. How could her family let her go that long with such a horrible self image?

Alex was a complete d-bag and that half-hearted apology was ridiculous.

Rick seemed like a big stupid jock but us gotta give props to a guy who will defend your honor AFTER you knee him in his jewels.

Chip is a fairly good beta hero but you have to like guys who pursue you even when told not too to like him. He does have some really fabulous moments and says some utterly beautiful things to Zoe and that I loved! I just found some of his actions a bit dramatic.

Thank to the author and publisher. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would read more by this author because I think I would enjoy other characters more in other books.

[Yazmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Lost Without You by Heather Thurmeier, Zoe Oliver has been on two reality TV shows before and has always been seen as the bad girl. Now she has gone on her third TV show since she was promised a payday and a way to redeem herself on TV, only to find out that this time she is not a contestant but the host. But what she doesn’t expect is that she will be close to Chip the entire time while roughing it in the woods where the commodities she is used to are not anywhere close enough. Read More...

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been waiting for Zoe's story for awhile now, It was well worth the wait! Zoe is one of those charactors, who, when you first read about them, you are not quite sure if you like them or not. I kind of figured there was more to her than was initially seen in the other books.(This is the 3rd book-but, it can be read as a stand-alone) I was so right!
After reading about Zoe and Chip in the other books I am so glad they got their HEA! I love the adventures Chip comes up with for his reality shows & poor Zoe trying to fit in! Thank you Heather for another great story!