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The Cortell Brothers #1
Maintenance Required
Eric
I live my life by a certain standard. There are right and wrong ways to do things, and I always make sure that I'm on the right side. My brothers call me a wet blanket. They say I'm buttoned-up, boring, and that I don't know how to let loose. There's a reason I'm that way, and she just walked through my door. With one wild night, I've thrown all my moral guidelines out the window. Now I'm stuck with her and there's no possible way this could work between us. We're complete opposites in every way, but damn she's sexy. Not that it matters. There will never be more between us. One of us will end up killing the other first.
Kat
After a long shift in the cancer ward at the children's hospital, I just want to let loose. My friend set me up on a date, and I gladly took it to let off some steam. I've got a fun outfit and I'm ready to let loose. But my one night of fun was spoiled the minute he walked through that door. I was just looking for a good time, and I got him instead. He's good-looking, but that's about all that he has going for him. He's not at all my type, and now he seems to think that I'm some loose whore. It was one night! But I'm stuck with him, so I have to find a way to make this work. If I don't figure out a way to make the man loosen up, I'll go insane.
I live my life by a certain standard. There are right and wrong ways to do things, and I always make sure that I'm on the right side. My brothers call me a wet blanket. They say I'm buttoned-up, boring, and that I don't know how to let loose. There's a reason I'm that way, and she just walked through my door. With one wild night, I've thrown all my moral guidelines out the window. Now I'm stuck with her and there's no possible way this could work between us. We're complete opposites in every way, but damn she's sexy. Not that it matters. There will never be more between us. One of us will end up killing the other first.
Kat
After a long shift in the cancer ward at the children's hospital, I just want to let loose. My friend set me up on a date, and I gladly took it to let off some steam. I've got a fun outfit and I'm ready to let loose. But my one night of fun was spoiled the minute he walked through that door. I was just looking for a good time, and I got him instead. He's good-looking, but that's about all that he has going for him. He's not at all my type, and now he seems to think that I'm some loose whore. It was one night! But I'm stuck with him, so I have to find a way to make this work. If I don't figure out a way to make the man loosen up, I'll go insane.
Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2020
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About the author
Giulia Lagomarsino
117 books812 followersGiulia Lagomarsino is the author of the action-packed series Owens Protective Services, along with four other series that feature hot men, strong women, and storylines that will leave you laughing, crying, and begging for more. To find her reading order, visit her website http://giulialagomarsinoauthor.com or join her reading group https://www.facebook.com/groups/Giuli....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
July 4, 2023
All the feels!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚🖤💙❤️💖
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: ☺️😊😁😉🥰
The Hero: Eric - He is the oldest of 7 boys in the Cortell Family He owns his own remodeling company which has been growing. When his parents left town to move to North Carolina, they left him with the house with the understanding that his brothers could live there until they moved out. His two youngest brothers (millennials no less), Andrew and Joe still lived with him and thought he was too stiff and regimented. Andrew set him up on a blind date so he decided to take it easy for once and go.
The heroine: Katherine (a.k.a. Kat or Kiki) - she was a nurse at a children’s hospital who worked hard during and liked to let loose on her days off. When her friend sets her up on a blind date, and he turns out to be a bit straight laced, she decides to have some fun and loosen him up a bit.
The story: Eric meets Kiki in the bar and they play a drinking game and end up at his place. Eric isn’t usually the type for a one night stand, but things heated up really fast and he was attracted to Katherine. Though he kind of regretted it the morning after when he had a hangover and thought she might be a bit more slutty than the girls he usually dated. He was kind of a jerk and brought her home immediately after breakfast.
When Kiki finds out weeks later that she is pregnant, everything changes. I loved that she immediately went to tell Eric about the pregnancy, since I hate it when it is all a big secret in books. And Eric’s reaction was pretty great (he fainted). These two are certainly opposites so there were some pretty funny scenes. Especially when they try to broaden each others horizons by each picking something to do to bring each other out of their comfort zones.
I liked the fact that the relationship slowed down a bit after the one night stand so they took the time to get to know each other. I also liked learning so much about each of them and how they really grew to love each other and bring out the best in each other. Then there were some huge surprises in the story that blew my mind a bit.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚🖤💙❤️💖
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: ☺️😊😁😉🥰
The Hero: Eric - He is the oldest of 7 boys in the Cortell Family He owns his own remodeling company which has been growing. When his parents left town to move to North Carolina, they left him with the house with the understanding that his brothers could live there until they moved out. His two youngest brothers (millennials no less), Andrew and Joe still lived with him and thought he was too stiff and regimented. Andrew set him up on a blind date so he decided to take it easy for once and go.
The heroine: Katherine (a.k.a. Kat or Kiki) - she was a nurse at a children’s hospital who worked hard during and liked to let loose on her days off. When her friend sets her up on a blind date, and he turns out to be a bit straight laced, she decides to have some fun and loosen him up a bit.
The story: Eric meets Kiki in the bar and they play a drinking game and end up at his place. Eric isn’t usually the type for a one night stand, but things heated up really fast and he was attracted to Katherine. Though he kind of regretted it the morning after when he had a hangover and thought she might be a bit more slutty than the girls he usually dated. He was kind of a jerk and brought her home immediately after breakfast.
When Kiki finds out weeks later that she is pregnant, everything changes. I loved that she immediately went to tell Eric about the pregnancy, since I hate it when it is all a big secret in books. And Eric’s reaction was pretty great (he fainted). These two are certainly opposites so there were some pretty funny scenes. Especially when they try to broaden each others horizons by each picking something to do to bring each other out of their comfort zones.
I liked the fact that the relationship slowed down a bit after the one night stand so they took the time to get to know each other. I also liked learning so much about each of them and how they really grew to love each other and bring out the best in each other. Then there were some huge surprises in the story that blew my mind a bit.
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July 3, 2023
This book had me experiencing a whole range of emotion. I loved how we got to witness not only their relationship growth but their growth as individuals. The Cortell brother's were hilarious and the family element in the book is what really tied the while story up
November 1, 2020
This was my first book by this author so going into Maintenance Required I had no idea what to expect and I ended up on the emotional ride of a lifetime.
Eric and Kat were a legit disaster in the beginning the chemistry between them was there but every time they opened their mouth they seemed to say the wrong thing. When they decided to put all that to rest and give it a solid try the chemistry between them spread like wildfire what started as a fiery physical chemistry ignited a fire that touched Eric and Kat in the deepest parts of their soul.
I loved how Kat had Eric stepping out of his comfort zone it felt as though they were too different but, in those moments, you could feel the life she was breathing into him just be being herself.
I’m head over heels in love with all of the Cortell brothers. The love and respect they have for one another, their laugh out loud banter and outrageous antics while also being each other’s strength when one of them has none left to give.
The small town feel and the gossipy town folks were almost as ridiculous and entertaining as the brothers.
Maintenance Required is my first ugly cry book of 2020. It captivated me with Eric and Kat’s very first interactions their connection burned at the surface until it lit them both on fire with the emotional connection they formed. The storyline consumed me it was wrought with emotion that I felt to my core. The Cortell brothers brought a balance of light and laughter to this beautifully written story that breathes life into you, breaks you and carefully puts you back together with the love of soul mates and the irrefutable bond between brothers.
Eric and Kat were a legit disaster in the beginning the chemistry between them was there but every time they opened their mouth they seemed to say the wrong thing. When they decided to put all that to rest and give it a solid try the chemistry between them spread like wildfire what started as a fiery physical chemistry ignited a fire that touched Eric and Kat in the deepest parts of their soul.
I loved how Kat had Eric stepping out of his comfort zone it felt as though they were too different but, in those moments, you could feel the life she was breathing into him just be being herself.
I’m head over heels in love with all of the Cortell brothers. The love and respect they have for one another, their laugh out loud banter and outrageous antics while also being each other’s strength when one of them has none left to give.
The small town feel and the gossipy town folks were almost as ridiculous and entertaining as the brothers.
Maintenance Required is my first ugly cry book of 2020. It captivated me with Eric and Kat’s very first interactions their connection burned at the surface until it lit them both on fire with the emotional connection they formed. The storyline consumed me it was wrought with emotion that I felt to my core. The Cortell brothers brought a balance of light and laughter to this beautifully written story that breathes life into you, breaks you and carefully puts you back together with the love of soul mates and the irrefutable bond between brothers.
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September 23, 2020 Release day is November 2nd!
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“Eric, I’m telling you man, she’s quiche.”
I stared at him, wondering what the hell he was saying. My brother had a habit of talking like an idiot. He was part of the millennial generation that spoke in a completely different language. One that I would never understand.
He rolled his eyes and sighed. “She’s hot and totally perfect for you. Just go out with her.”
I finished pulling the two by fours out of my pickup truck and slammed the tailgate. “I’m not doing it, Andrew. I’ve had a long day and more work still ahead of me. If you really thought she was so perfect for me, you should have given me her number, not set up a date for us for tonight.”
Andrew ran behind me, ducking out of the way when I swung the two by fours to the side and almost knocked him in the head. Dumbass. He’d learn to move out of the way.
“Come on. Don’t do this to me. I told her that you were a stand up guy and completely reliable.”
“You said that?” I asked, not at all believing him. My brother didn’t say anything unless he said it like a millennial, which basically meant that any normal person wouldn’t understand a word out of his mouth.
“I’m translating for you. Please, man. Kelsey will be pissed if you stand her friend up, and then she’ll never go out with me.”
“So, this is really about you getting with the friend.”
“Well, not totally. Man, don’t be so salty. This chick is totally on fleek. I’m telling you, I can’t even.”
“Would you just shut the hell up? I can’t talk to you when you get like this. I have no fucking clue what you’re saying.”
He groaned in frustration. “I’m saying that you need to ‘chill out’,” he said using air quotes. “This woman is…” He scrunched his eyes as if it took all his willpower to come up with an English word. “Stylin’. She dresses nicely. She’s the total package.”
“See, why can’t you just say that to begin with?”
“Because I sound stupid when I try to talk like you.”
“No,” I laughed. “You sound stupid when you don’t finish your sentences because it’s some secret language that you and your friends have. I’m telling you, if you ever get a real job and try to fit in with the rest of society, I’m going to have to send you to finishing school.”
“I already finished school, you asshole.”
Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Maintenance-Re...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maintenance-...
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=giulia+lago...
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Maintenance...
Read an excerpt now!
“Eric, I’m telling you man, she’s quiche.”
I stared at him, wondering what the hell he was saying. My brother had a habit of talking like an idiot. He was part of the millennial generation that spoke in a completely different language. One that I would never understand.
He rolled his eyes and sighed. “She’s hot and totally perfect for you. Just go out with her.”
I finished pulling the two by fours out of my pickup truck and slammed the tailgate. “I’m not doing it, Andrew. I’ve had a long day and more work still ahead of me. If you really thought she was so perfect for me, you should have given me her number, not set up a date for us for tonight.”
Andrew ran behind me, ducking out of the way when I swung the two by fours to the side and almost knocked him in the head. Dumbass. He’d learn to move out of the way.
“Come on. Don’t do this to me. I told her that you were a stand up guy and completely reliable.”
“You said that?” I asked, not at all believing him. My brother didn’t say anything unless he said it like a millennial, which basically meant that any normal person wouldn’t understand a word out of his mouth.
“I’m translating for you. Please, man. Kelsey will be pissed if you stand her friend up, and then she’ll never go out with me.”
“So, this is really about you getting with the friend.”
“Well, not totally. Man, don’t be so salty. This chick is totally on fleek. I’m telling you, I can’t even.”
“Would you just shut the hell up? I can’t talk to you when you get like this. I have no fucking clue what you’re saying.”
He groaned in frustration. “I’m saying that you need to ‘chill out’,” he said using air quotes. “This woman is…” He scrunched his eyes as if it took all his willpower to come up with an English word. “Stylin’. She dresses nicely. She’s the total package.”
“See, why can’t you just say that to begin with?”
“Because I sound stupid when I try to talk like you.”
“No,” I laughed. “You sound stupid when you don’t finish your sentences because it’s some secret language that you and your friends have. I’m telling you, if you ever get a real job and try to fit in with the rest of society, I’m going to have to send you to finishing school.”
“I already finished school, you asshole.”
November 8, 2020
I am on the fence about this book, I really liked Eric but Kate, well she really rubbed me the wrong way, I didn't think she deserved Eric nor did I like how she had two polar opposite personalities for work and outside of work. I felt bad for Kat with what happens later on in the book as no one should go through that and her vulnerability made her more personable. Eric and his brothers gave me plenty of laughs though so it was worth pushing past my dislike of Kat and hopefully I like the other brothers gals better than Kat.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 24, 2020
Be prepared to cry
I expect small town romances to be light hearted fun which this book strated out as but halfway through changed drastically. Just did not feel the change matched the tone of the rest of the story. It came comepletly out of nowhere seems just for shock value.
I expect small town romances to be light hearted fun which this book strated out as but halfway through changed drastically. Just did not feel the change matched the tone of the rest of the story. It came comepletly out of nowhere seems just for shock value.
October 20, 2020
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
This is my first time reading a book by this author, and WOW was it amazing.
This book had ALL the feels!! The plot was definitely well developed, unpredictable, realistic, and original. You can expect to laugh, ugly cry, get angry and frustrated, feel sympathy, relief, and be filled with joy and happiness.
Eric Cortell is a natural protector and caregiver. He thrives on being responsible and taking care of those he loves, even his pain in the a$$ brothers. And there's a lot of them! He's also a fixer that's probably why he's in the construction/handyman business. He's been living a life of routine and order. That is, until he meets Katherine who shakes up his life and has him throwing caution to the wind.
Katherine is fun, adventurous, independent and caring. She's unhibited, likes to have a little fun and forget about the stress of her job. When she meets Eric things start out rocky, to say the least. But once they get to actually know each other, their chemistry is off the charts!
Katherine pushes Eric outside of his comfort zone and brings out a more outgoing and bold side that he didn't realize was missing in his life. Their relationship started @ss backwards but they take a venturesome approach, which is fitting for them. Even the rest of the Cortell brothers LOVE her and think she brings out a better side of him.
This story will rip your heart out but mend it back together by the end. Katherine is the yin to Eric's yang. They go through so much together in such a short amount of time, creating a bond and love that is truly unbreakable. Their story, albeit unconventinal, is beautiful. I can't wait to see what is in store for the rest of the Cortell brothers!
August 4, 2023
6 stars for Eric and Kat!! Oh jeeeez when I say I had all the feels, I mean it.
This book was everything and so was this couple
This book was everything and so was this couple
August 13, 2023
Did not finish - negative stars
Holy hell, this was bad.
It felt like it was written by a 16 year old. Or maybe someone who had never been in a relationship? A 40 year old virgin?
I gave it a chance. About 50 pages before I called it quits. There were just too many things that made me roll my eyes or say wtf? I'm not even going to detail the plethora of editing errors.
Also, there was drinking and driving - not cool.
I hope this was self-published. I can't imagine anyone else willingly taking this on.
Holy hell, this was bad.
It felt like it was written by a 16 year old. Or maybe someone who had never been in a relationship? A 40 year old virgin?
I gave it a chance. About 50 pages before I called it quits. There were just too many things that made me roll my eyes or say wtf? I'm not even going to detail the plethora of editing errors.
Also, there was drinking and driving - not cool.
I hope this was self-published. I can't imagine anyone else willingly taking this on.
January 1, 2024
Fun, sexy mexy, plenty of action and yes at times tears.
This is by far the best series and the offspring series I have read this year.
The complex threads that Giulia weaves her stories, and her characters keeps you coming back for more. You will be riveted to the pages and find that hours have passed by the time you manage to pull yourself away.
You will laugh your arse off when you are not sweating through the action.
This is by far the best series and the offspring series I have read this year.
The complex threads that Giulia weaves her stories, and her characters keeps you coming back for more. You will be riveted to the pages and find that hours have passed by the time you manage to pull yourself away.
You will laugh your arse off when you are not sweating through the action.
March 15, 2024
I am so glad I discovered this author with Dead Man’s Hand. Right from the beginning I was taken with her writing style and knew I wanted more.
This is the first book in the Cortell Brothers and the hero in this book is Eric, the oldest of six brothers. He’s the dependable brother. He’s the stodgy brother, the dull one, completely uninterested in going outside his comfort zone. At the start of the book he very reluctantly agrees to go on a blind date to help out his brother. He meets Kiki in a bar and they soon discover they have nothing in common. She’s adventurous, he’s set in his ways and both realize they are not a match made in heaven. They decide to play a weird drinking game where they take a shot every time they discover something new they don’t have in common. Of course they get sloshed and end up rolling in hay so to speak. Because of their sloshed condition they take no precautions and wouldn’t you know it, she turns up at his place to let Eric know they are going to be parents. I don’t want to give away any more the story. Instead I really encourage you to find out for yourselves.
This story is an absolute delight and had me smiling the entire book. Well it did until near the end when it took a serious and sad tone. But as this change was equally well written, it added another dimension to the story.
Eric is the kind of hero every woman would love to have loving her. He’s responsible, dependable,caring, the best kind of brother you could ask for. He’s unintentionally funny and he’s wonderful on every page. Kiki or Kat as he calls her because Kiki is the name of a bird, is a tiny bit tough to take at times but that’s more because she doesn’t really see what a treasure Eric is at times.
Equally wonderful and hilarious in every scene they are in is his younger brother’s. Two of them still live at home with Eric - his parents moved away and left the house with Eric as long as Joe and Andrew still needed a place to live. They cause him no end of frustration and some of the best scenes include them.
The small town they live in is quirky and delightful. The town Facebook page is such a hoot and I love it.
For me this is a “if you love Claire Kingsley’s books, you will love Giulia Lagomarsino” vibe. This series, at least this book, gives me the same heartwarming feeling that M. Kingsley’s books do. Much to my delight, she has a very large backlist, all available on KU that I will definitely be reading and no doubt enjoying very much.
This is the first book in the Cortell Brothers and the hero in this book is Eric, the oldest of six brothers. He’s the dependable brother. He’s the stodgy brother, the dull one, completely uninterested in going outside his comfort zone. At the start of the book he very reluctantly agrees to go on a blind date to help out his brother. He meets Kiki in a bar and they soon discover they have nothing in common. She’s adventurous, he’s set in his ways and both realize they are not a match made in heaven. They decide to play a weird drinking game where they take a shot every time they discover something new they don’t have in common. Of course they get sloshed and end up rolling in hay so to speak. Because of their sloshed condition they take no precautions and wouldn’t you know it, she turns up at his place to let Eric know they are going to be parents. I don’t want to give away any more the story. Instead I really encourage you to find out for yourselves.
This story is an absolute delight and had me smiling the entire book. Well it did until near the end when it took a serious and sad tone. But as this change was equally well written, it added another dimension to the story.
Eric is the kind of hero every woman would love to have loving her. He’s responsible, dependable,caring, the best kind of brother you could ask for. He’s unintentionally funny and he’s wonderful on every page. Kiki or Kat as he calls her because Kiki is the name of a bird, is a tiny bit tough to take at times but that’s more because she doesn’t really see what a treasure Eric is at times.
Equally wonderful and hilarious in every scene they are in is his younger brother’s. Two of them still live at home with Eric - his parents moved away and left the house with Eric as long as Joe and Andrew still needed a place to live. They cause him no end of frustration and some of the best scenes include them.
The small town they live in is quirky and delightful. The town Facebook page is such a hoot and I love it.
For me this is a “if you love Claire Kingsley’s books, you will love Giulia Lagomarsino” vibe. This series, at least this book, gives me the same heartwarming feeling that M. Kingsley’s books do. Much to my delight, she has a very large backlist, all available on KU that I will definitely be reading and no doubt enjoying very much.
October 18, 2020
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
This is the first book in the Cortell Brothers series and focuses on the oldest brother Eric. He is the responsible, straight laced brother who looks after everyone else. Kat is new to town and a children’s cancer nurse. They meet after a blind date gone wrong.
This book is full of witty banter which had me laughing out loud, some steamy scenes along with utter heartbreak, which made me sob. I loved that Kat challenged Eric early on and those scenes were absolutely brilliant! And all the millennial speak was priceless!
The brothers characters were so well thought out and Kats was too, she did make me get incredibly frustrated with her and I felt her friend Chrissy was spot on, I was like YES, finally someone has told her! I thought the topics that were covered in the book (which I won’t talk about as I don’t want to spoil anything) were very well done and clearly researched well.
This is the first book in the Cortell Brothers series and focuses on the oldest brother Eric. He is the responsible, straight laced brother who looks after everyone else. Kat is new to town and a children’s cancer nurse. They meet after a blind date gone wrong.
This book is full of witty banter which had me laughing out loud, some steamy scenes along with utter heartbreak, which made me sob. I loved that Kat challenged Eric early on and those scenes were absolutely brilliant! And all the millennial speak was priceless!
The brothers characters were so well thought out and Kats was too, she did make me get incredibly frustrated with her and I felt her friend Chrissy was spot on, I was like YES, finally someone has told her! I thought the topics that were covered in the book (which I won’t talk about as I don’t want to spoil anything) were very well done and clearly researched well.
November 4, 2020
Eric has always felt like he needed to be the one to keep his brothers in line so he has focused on being the proper role model that he believes that they need but along the way he has lost part of himself. All it takes is being set up on a date and spending the night with the wrong woman to turn his carefully constructed life upside down.
Kat is a woman with a huge heart who choose to live her life with spontaneity and adventure and the only thing serious she wants in her life is her career as a nurse. When she and Eric are thrown together there is no denying the chemistry between them, but they are too different for anything more than one night. When fate has other plans will their differences bring them together or tear them apart?
This story has all the feels and although Kat and Eric take us on quite the ride there is no denying that they are exactly what the other needs in their life.
Kat is a woman with a huge heart who choose to live her life with spontaneity and adventure and the only thing serious she wants in her life is her career as a nurse. When she and Eric are thrown together there is no denying the chemistry between them, but they are too different for anything more than one night. When fate has other plans will their differences bring them together or tear them apart?
This story has all the feels and although Kat and Eric take us on quite the ride there is no denying that they are exactly what the other needs in their life.
November 2, 2020
This book makes sure that you have the kleenex with you. This book is one that sucks you in right away. You meet Eric and his crazy brothers Andrew and Joe the brothers just make the book that more appealing. Eric gets set up on a blind date and so does Katherine but its not supposed to be with each other they just think that it is when the real dates don't show up. They get thrown together and have to figure out how to navigate this because as they would say throughout the book they are to different. They ultimately go through something tragic and I just felt it in my heart wanting to sob as I read the story which I love in a book that you can really get into it.
July 3, 2022
Incredible
This book made me laugh at first. It hooked me with two people who seemed unlikely, but yet incredibly right.
Then it ripped my heart out and left me a crying,a broken mess.
Katherine and Eric belonged together but somehow they kept one another guessing what the other thought, then fate, the evil bit** stepped in and threw them for a curve. My heart went I this journey and I felt all of it.
I really wanted to hate the author for making my emotions run wild, and yet I want to hug her for incredible writing,an incredible story and for making me feel so much.
Bravo!!!
This book made me laugh at first. It hooked me with two people who seemed unlikely, but yet incredibly right.
Then it ripped my heart out and left me a crying,a broken mess.
Katherine and Eric belonged together but somehow they kept one another guessing what the other thought, then fate, the evil bit** stepped in and threw them for a curve. My heart went I this journey and I felt all of it.
I really wanted to hate the author for making my emotions run wild, and yet I want to hug her for incredible writing,an incredible story and for making me feel so much.
Bravo!!!
November 5, 2020
Giulia Lagomarsino is a new authors to me, but I liked the blurb to Maintenance Required so I knew I had to give the story a read. I mean, small town romance, one night stand, and opposites attracting? I was here for it! I was so happy to know that the blurb lived up to my expectations. The story was lovely and cute and everything I like about small town romances. Erick and Catherine’s chemistry was what you’d expect from an opposites-attract type of romance and made for swoons and steam in all the right places. Plus, I loved the all the banter between all the brothers. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series and more from Giulia Lagomarsino.
June 15, 2021
This is the first book in the Cortell Brothers series and Eric’s story. Eric is the oldest of his brothers and straight lace and responsible as they come. Katherine (Kat) is a nurse in a children’s hospital, she’s fun, a risk taker, enjoys her life to the fullest, and the complete opposite as Eric. When a blind date brings these two together their journey begins. The banter between the brothers is hilariously funny. A great read filled with humor, misunderstandings, ups and downs, steam, and love.
November 2, 2020
This book brings us the Cortell family. Derek’s brothers. Now we all know and love Derek so obviously we are all curious what his family is like. Well you won’t be disappointed at all!
Eric is so responsible it hurts. There probably isn’t a massage therapist on the planet that can work out all his tense muscles from how tight he is clenching his butt cheeks from how tense he stays. Shocker right knowing Derek? Well alcohol and a blind date that ended up being a case of mistaken identity allowed this man to unwind for the night and meet Kat.
The morning after didn’t go so well for Eric but it went great for his brothers. Ha!
Then Mr. Responsible ended getting a visit down the road from Kat who just happened to be a lot more responsible than he realized and he found out that they made a baby from their wild night.
Obviously chaos ensues. Lots of hilarity. Foot in mouth moments. Brothers who are the perfect example of millennials and why we can’t understand a word they say yet they can still make total sense. Romance. Then BOOM! Guilia drops her bomb and crushes our hearts like usual.
Didn’t think she could do that in this book since it’s not in the Reed Security world? Well she proves us wrong!
I’m excited for this new series and to see where she takes it. Maybe we’ll see some more visits from the Reed Security guys.
Eric is so responsible it hurts. There probably isn’t a massage therapist on the planet that can work out all his tense muscles from how tight he is clenching his butt cheeks from how tense he stays. Shocker right knowing Derek? Well alcohol and a blind date that ended up being a case of mistaken identity allowed this man to unwind for the night and meet Kat.
The morning after didn’t go so well for Eric but it went great for his brothers. Ha!
Then Mr. Responsible ended getting a visit down the road from Kat who just happened to be a lot more responsible than he realized and he found out that they made a baby from their wild night.
Obviously chaos ensues. Lots of hilarity. Foot in mouth moments. Brothers who are the perfect example of millennials and why we can’t understand a word they say yet they can still make total sense. Romance. Then BOOM! Guilia drops her bomb and crushes our hearts like usual.
Didn’t think she could do that in this book since it’s not in the Reed Security world? Well she proves us wrong!
I’m excited for this new series and to see where she takes it. Maybe we’ll see some more visits from the Reed Security guys.
April 18, 2021
This is the first book in the Cortell Brothers series based around the seven Cortell brothers and my first book by this author. Amazon was recommending a later book in the series for me on K.U. when I saw the suggestion that this series should be read in order. Which works for me as I much prefer to start at the beginning of a series than jump into the middle or end and then if I like it have to go back and read the earlier books. I’m a little OCD like that. Being that it had several 4 and 5 star reviews on Goodreads, the series had been popular enough for the author to have published six books and honestly, since it was free on K.U. I decided to give it a look see. I’m glad I did. I’ve never given a book I had so many conflicted feelings about 5 stars. Although Logomarsino doesn’t make it obvious (at least to me) I believe the title refers to the idea that relationships require regular maintenance to thrive.
I didn’t dislike the female lead Katherine or Kiki or Kat Beck. But I didn’t love her either. Which as a guy is a big red flag when it comes to enjoying a contemporary romance. I admired her heart for caring for her patients in the hospital’s pediatric cancer center. I liked the way she wasn’t bothered by Eric’s younger brothers who could be ridiculous. That said after their first night together I had to agree with the male lead Eric Cortell’s first impression of her for the same reasons. But like Eric I got past that as I got to know Kat. My biggest problem with the Kat character was that Eric seemed to be willing to bend and try to change and put a whole lot more into making their relationship work than she did. The times she said she’d been a bitch, she wasn’t wrong. Eric asked very little of her and never asked her to change anything about herself while she kept reminding him what a stiff wet blanket he was and how he needed to get out of his comfort zone and loosen up.
I found I could more easily identify with the Eric character. Obviously the fact that I’m a man helped. Also, while I’m not the overly cautious rule follower, afraid of what everyone will think of me personality Eric was, you also won’t find me bungy jumping off a bridge anytime soon. You also won’t find me in a tattoo and body piercing shop but I suspect that’s more a generational thing since a few of my daughters have both and I have no issues with their ink and piercings. The big thing like I said was I appreciated how Eric extended himself to try and make Kat happy to the point of doing things that took him way out of his comfort zone. I also like that as his brother told Kat, when he fucks up he owns it and tries to make amends for it.
Chrissy, Kat’s BFF and her voice of reason, even though she was a secondary character was probably my favorite character in the book. My second favorite may have been Anna, Eric’s office manager. I had mixed feelings about the younger Cortell brothers Andrew, Joe and Will. At times they served the same purpose for Eric as Chrissy did for Kat. But most of the time they came off as far too juvenile for guys in their mid to late twenties. And what was with all the physical violence between the brothers? I am one of four boys. Growing up my brothers and I and our friends and their brothers had our share of disagreements that sometimes got a little physical. But we didn’t try to rearrange each other’s faces. And certainly by the time we were all in our twenties and thirties we were beyond settling our disagreements by punching each other. Kat had 2 sisters. Where were they when everyone else gathered to support her? I have one last issue with this story. After slogging through chapters of emotional trauma as Eric and Kat dealt with the even that drove them apart, I wish the author would have spent a little more time giving us their happy reunion.
So at this point you’re probably wondering if I had so many issues with this story, why I gave this book 5 stars? The answer is I’ve read hundreds of contemporary romances. Of those I can count on one hand the number of books that ripped out my heart like this story did. The way the author wrote the scenes around the event that caused the heartbreak and breakup of Eric and Kat, were so well done, so powerful and realistic, they made my heart ache even though I knew it was fictional. I like how it took them time to heal and find their way back to each other. Any story that can put me through that sort of emotional ringer deserves 5 stars whatever other issues I had with it.
I didn’t dislike the female lead Katherine or Kiki or Kat Beck. But I didn’t love her either. Which as a guy is a big red flag when it comes to enjoying a contemporary romance. I admired her heart for caring for her patients in the hospital’s pediatric cancer center. I liked the way she wasn’t bothered by Eric’s younger brothers who could be ridiculous. That said after their first night together I had to agree with the male lead Eric Cortell’s first impression of her for the same reasons. But like Eric I got past that as I got to know Kat. My biggest problem with the Kat character was that Eric seemed to be willing to bend and try to change and put a whole lot more into making their relationship work than she did. The times she said she’d been a bitch, she wasn’t wrong. Eric asked very little of her and never asked her to change anything about herself while she kept reminding him what a stiff wet blanket he was and how he needed to get out of his comfort zone and loosen up.
I found I could more easily identify with the Eric character. Obviously the fact that I’m a man helped. Also, while I’m not the overly cautious rule follower, afraid of what everyone will think of me personality Eric was, you also won’t find me bungy jumping off a bridge anytime soon. You also won’t find me in a tattoo and body piercing shop but I suspect that’s more a generational thing since a few of my daughters have both and I have no issues with their ink and piercings. The big thing like I said was I appreciated how Eric extended himself to try and make Kat happy to the point of doing things that took him way out of his comfort zone. I also like that as his brother told Kat, when he fucks up he owns it and tries to make amends for it.
Chrissy, Kat’s BFF and her voice of reason, even though she was a secondary character was probably my favorite character in the book. My second favorite may have been Anna, Eric’s office manager. I had mixed feelings about the younger Cortell brothers Andrew, Joe and Will. At times they served the same purpose for Eric as Chrissy did for Kat. But most of the time they came off as far too juvenile for guys in their mid to late twenties. And what was with all the physical violence between the brothers? I am one of four boys. Growing up my brothers and I and our friends and their brothers had our share of disagreements that sometimes got a little physical. But we didn’t try to rearrange each other’s faces. And certainly by the time we were all in our twenties and thirties we were beyond settling our disagreements by punching each other. Kat had 2 sisters. Where were they when everyone else gathered to support her? I have one last issue with this story. After slogging through chapters of emotional trauma as Eric and Kat dealt with the even that drove them apart, I wish the author would have spent a little more time giving us their happy reunion.
So at this point you’re probably wondering if I had so many issues with this story, why I gave this book 5 stars? The answer is I’ve read hundreds of contemporary romances. Of those I can count on one hand the number of books that ripped out my heart like this story did. The way the author wrote the scenes around the event that caused the heartbreak and breakup of Eric and Kat, were so well done, so powerful and realistic, they made my heart ache even though I knew it was fictional. I like how it took them time to heal and find their way back to each other. Any story that can put me through that sort of emotional ringer deserves 5 stars whatever other issues I had with it.
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November 5, 2020I can’t rate it and I think there should be a trigger warning. It’s just not right that we are at eights months into a pregnancy- the entire book is based on this whoops baby and then. Bam. What was an entertaining book is one I can’t finish. I even read the authors start with relation to trying to quote millennial speak. No mention of loss. So warning to anyone sensitive to loss.. I just can’t...😔
April 1, 2021
That was just awful :(
In the words of somebody in the book “I just can’t even”
The words whore and slut peppered the story because of their ONS. Kat was not the type of h I like. And .
In the words of somebody in the book “I just can’t even”
The words whore and slut peppered the story because of their ONS. Kat was not the type of h I like. And .
November 2, 2020
I feel really fortunate here; I have gotten in on the beginning of one of Giulia's series. I came in at the end of Reed Security (twenty-six books), and I loved each and every one I got to read from TNT through Goodknight. Her dialogue and scenes between characters is roll on the floor hilarious. I went into Maintenance Required, not knowing quite what to expect since this a completely different series than the Reed Security series. Maintenace Required exceeded all expectations.
Eric is the oldest of the Cotrell brothers. You might have met his brother Derek in the Reed Security book, "Irish." Eric is your typical first-born, perfectionist, rule-follower, and bossy. The rest of his brothers spend the book trying to break him out of his comfort zone and get him to loosen up. In a case of mistaken identity and throwing caution to the winds, Eric finds out what happens when you loosen up. What we get from there is an exceptionally well-written tale of learning to take chances in life and on people, trusting, loving, and becoming far more than you ever thought you would be.
Katherine is Eric's opposite; she's bold, brave, tender-hearted, and willing to accept adventure. Along with Eric's brothers, she pushes Eric and learns to lean on him. This book is not only about Eric's growth; it also about Katherine's. And one thing we all know about change--it can be painful. This book astounded me as I read it--it was so much more than the blurb implied, and it was a fantastic beginning to a new series. Katherine (Kat) and Eric are going to make a beautiful cornerstone of the series. However, at times this is not an easy read. It was heartbreaking at times and delved into a subject many don't discuss often. Having to walk along with Eric and Kat as they made their painful journey was a tear-jerker at times. However, there are some scenes from the story that was so hilarious you laughed out loud. Not to mention Eric's interactions with his brothers and his new office assistant, poor Eric, there were times he just couldn't do anything right.
I don't know how people have not been raving about this author before now. Every book I have read of hers has delighted me with the humor, the relationships between characters, and how, although standalones, still manage to weave an ongoing epic story. You have a golden opportunity here to get in on the ground floor of a Lagomarsino series--take it and read Maintenance Required.
Eric is the oldest of the Cotrell brothers. You might have met his brother Derek in the Reed Security book, "Irish." Eric is your typical first-born, perfectionist, rule-follower, and bossy. The rest of his brothers spend the book trying to break him out of his comfort zone and get him to loosen up. In a case of mistaken identity and throwing caution to the winds, Eric finds out what happens when you loosen up. What we get from there is an exceptionally well-written tale of learning to take chances in life and on people, trusting, loving, and becoming far more than you ever thought you would be.
Katherine is Eric's opposite; she's bold, brave, tender-hearted, and willing to accept adventure. Along with Eric's brothers, she pushes Eric and learns to lean on him. This book is not only about Eric's growth; it also about Katherine's. And one thing we all know about change--it can be painful. This book astounded me as I read it--it was so much more than the blurb implied, and it was a fantastic beginning to a new series. Katherine (Kat) and Eric are going to make a beautiful cornerstone of the series. However, at times this is not an easy read. It was heartbreaking at times and delved into a subject many don't discuss often. Having to walk along with Eric and Kat as they made their painful journey was a tear-jerker at times. However, there are some scenes from the story that was so hilarious you laughed out loud. Not to mention Eric's interactions with his brothers and his new office assistant, poor Eric, there were times he just couldn't do anything right.
I don't know how people have not been raving about this author before now. Every book I have read of hers has delighted me with the humor, the relationships between characters, and how, although standalones, still manage to weave an ongoing epic story. You have a golden opportunity here to get in on the ground floor of a Lagomarsino series--take it and read Maintenance Required.
November 14, 2020
His life is regimented, he’s responsible, rigid, and according to his younger brothers, a wet blanket. When he dates, he has rules as to how long he waits to take them to bed, and he dates a specific type of woman, so when he agrees to go on a blind date his younger brother set up for him, he’s so out of his comfort zone it is amusing. Eric is the oldest son of the Cortell’s and he is the responsible one. His parents gave him the family home with the stipulation that he take care of his brothers. These guys are hilarious and their antics and relationship amongst all of them is entertaining to be a part of and read.
Katherine is a nurse in a children’s hospital and needs a bit of fun to relax and enjoy life. She’s at the dive bar to meet a blind date and when she sees Eric walk in and he is focusing on her, she assumes he’s her date. After looking him over, she can see that they are complete opposites, and her night is in danger of being a dud. Her over the top reaction to meeting Eric is entertaining to say the least, but it at least breaks the ice between them. The one night stand they have finds them both having a hard time forgetting each other, even if they can’t remember the night they spent together.
I loved this story and the Cortell boys. I love their relationship and the way that they call each other out on their stuff. It reminds me of my kids, to be honest and the camaraderie, love and loyalty they have for each other is heartwarming. These boys are family for life, and they may fight, put down and pick on each other, but their love is deep and strong. They have each other’s backs and prove that in this story. This story was fun to read for a bit, but it got very heavy and tragic as well. It pulled at my heartstrings and broke my heart, but it was a beautiful story, and I would recommend it with my whole heart. The tragedy, heartbreak, love, strength, and families in this story were written so well. I loved it and give it a 5-star review. I am worried, but I also can’t wait for the story in the series, Collateral Damage. If you’ve read Ms. Lagomarsino’s Reed Security Series and loved it, you will love The Cortell Brothers as well.
Katherine is a nurse in a children’s hospital and needs a bit of fun to relax and enjoy life. She’s at the dive bar to meet a blind date and when she sees Eric walk in and he is focusing on her, she assumes he’s her date. After looking him over, she can see that they are complete opposites, and her night is in danger of being a dud. Her over the top reaction to meeting Eric is entertaining to say the least, but it at least breaks the ice between them. The one night stand they have finds them both having a hard time forgetting each other, even if they can’t remember the night they spent together.
I loved this story and the Cortell boys. I love their relationship and the way that they call each other out on their stuff. It reminds me of my kids, to be honest and the camaraderie, love and loyalty they have for each other is heartwarming. These boys are family for life, and they may fight, put down and pick on each other, but their love is deep and strong. They have each other’s backs and prove that in this story. This story was fun to read for a bit, but it got very heavy and tragic as well. It pulled at my heartstrings and broke my heart, but it was a beautiful story, and I would recommend it with my whole heart. The tragedy, heartbreak, love, strength, and families in this story were written so well. I loved it and give it a 5-star review. I am worried, but I also can’t wait for the story in the series, Collateral Damage. If you’ve read Ms. Lagomarsino’s Reed Security Series and loved it, you will love The Cortell Brothers as well.
November 6, 2020
So this was a new author to me and I must say the blurb called to me. I will say during the first few chapters of this book I wasn't a fan of either character. Eric was a stick in the mud, grumpy and responsible man. He didn't have any fun and if it was offered, he shut it down quickly. His man concern was his job and making sure his brothers were taken care of. His brothers that lived with him were seriously annoying. I'm not even sure how he lived with them to be honest. They talked like millenials that's for sure. One night he gives into the fun and it makes for an interesting next morning and the days to follow. Katherine is a nurse who's job is very tiresome and rewarding. Sure getting close to the patients might make for some sad moments and hard to work but she handles everything pretty smoothly including her boss who has no compassion what so ever. When her and Eric try to get along, I found her kinda annoying because she wasn't the nicest to Eric. She played off what they had and was just trying to push his buttons all the time. I get that she wanted him to live a little but she pushed him to do things that he would have never done. I didn't think she really cared about him to be honest again. The more I read with this, they decided to take things slow and that's when I started to really like the characters. I like the game that they played although I think Eric got the worst of the worst in it. Poor guy was always passing out. They tried to keep it quiet and just get to know each other but in the town they live in, it was very hard to do. This town was one small and knew everyone's business before they did. It made for some comical times though. I will say I'm glad they started out with the mature brother cause I'm not sure if I'll read the next books in this series or not. It will all depend on who's next in the series whether or not I'll read. This was a good book and like I said it takes you a little bit to really love these characters. I get why the author named the book what she did cause it explains it perfectly.
November 9, 2020
So this was a new author to me and I must say the blurb called to me. I will say during the first few chapters of this book I wasn't a fan of either character. Eric was a stick in the mud, grumpy and responsible man. He didn't have any fun and if it was offered, he shut it down quickly. His man concern was his job and making sure his brothers were taken care of. His brothers that lived with him were seriously annoying. I'm not even sure how he lived with them to be honest. They talked like millenials that's for sure. One night he gives into the fun and it makes for an interesting next morning and the days to follow. Katherine is a nurse who's job is very tiresome and rewarding. Sure getting close to the patients might make for some sad moments and hard to work but she handles everything pretty smoothly including her boss who has no compassion what so ever. When her and Eric try to get along, I found her kinda annoying because she wasn't the nicest to Eric. She played off what they had and was just trying to push his buttons all the time. I get that she wanted him to live a little but she pushed him to do things that he would have never done. I didn't think she really cared about him to be honest again. The more I read with this, they decided to take things slow and that's when I started to really like the characters. I like the game that they played although I think Eric got the worst of the worst in it. Poor guy was always passing out. They tried to keep it quiet and just get to know each other but in the town they live in, it was very hard to do. This town was one small and knew everyone's business before they did. It made for some comical times though. I will say I'm glad they started out with the mature brother cause I'm not sure if I'll read the next books in this series or not. It will all depend on who's next in the series whether or not I'll read. This was a good book and like I said it takes you a little bit to really love these characters. I get why the author named the book what she did cause it explains it perfectly.
REVIEW BY AMY
REVIEW BY AMY
November 13, 2020
I fell hard for this author when I read her Reed Security series and now, she is back with something a little different but one thing that has not changed is her characters bring the real-life emotions which makes for the start of something epic with this new series. Eric is the oldest son in his family which means that the majority of responsibility falls to him. This makes Eric a stickler for certain things and is very structured. The rest of his brothers do what they can to try and get him out of his comfort zone and suggest a blind date. Katherine is a newcomer to the town and she works in the cancer ward of the local hospital. She is the complete opposite of Eric. She is a thrill seeker who likes to live life to the fullest and dealing with what she sees every day, it makes sense. Somehow, by the grace of friends and family, Eric and Katherine wind up on a blind date where neither one can recollect their time spent together the next day. When they say that opposites attract, these are the two that prove that to a T. However, by being exposed to each other, they both learn and grow. Overall, this is one heartfelt read from beginning to end. There are some scenes that will have you laughing your head off and others that may require tissues. If you are looking for “that next book,” then this is the one to one click immediately as it will exceed all expectations. I look forward to reading more with these Cortell brothers. I volunteered to read a copy of this book.
November 10, 2020
So heartbreaking! This one will gut you with the unexpected event that befalls this couple. A couple that's brought together by a lusty one night that turns into a surprise. This first story in a new series by an outstanding author is so emotional as Eric and Kat deal with the news and then suffer through the tragedy. Eric is the oldest of the Cortell brothers and is responsible and usually in control. He's a hard sell for me and it took awhile for me to warm up to him. His relationships with his brothers run the gambit with the older ones being settled and living on their own and the younger ones still at home (which is now Eric's) and being PITAs. I didn't mind the younger ones too much with their slang and live-in-the-moment lift style that drove Eric crazy. Eric had to be living under a rock not to know at least half of what they were saying. Who doesn't know what thirsty means now days? I liked Kat at the beginning when she was Kiki with her take charge attitude and her stressful job as a nurse. As the story continued I didn't like her so much and when she was mean to Eric I wanted to pull her hair. Throughout the story I couldn't see these two together. Other than their sexual chemistry they didn't fit. While I didn't care much for this heartbreaker of a story or the main couple I looked forward to the continuation of the series with this interesting group of brothers. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
November 4, 2020
I'm delighted that Giulia Lagomarsino has released the first book in a new series, but I'm not going to lie, I'm still very much in mourning for the Reed Security series (if you haven't read this series you need to get with the program & do so) which is at the top of my list of favorite series' ever. Eric believes that he needs to be the perfect example for all of his brothers, so he's very stuffy, tense, and dare I say it?! Boring. Luckily, he ends up on a blind date that changes his life for the better, and that poor woman, Kat, knew from the jump that he wouldn't be her type, but she decided to go with it anyway because she needed to blow off some steam since her job really takes it out of her. They spent one HOT night together, and thankfully, Eric's brothers totally made it better the next morning (& I'm still laughing hard). However, these two will see each other again so let the games begin. With Ms. Lagomarsino's signature humor (and I actually mean hysterically funny shenanigans), her talent for destroying my heart, and everything in between, Maintenance Required is the start of what will be another EPIC series. So, I'm telling you that you have to hit those one click buttons immediately because everyone (& I mean EVERYONE) needs this author in their lives. HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!
January 31, 2023
To begin, the two main characters, Eric and Katherine/Kiki/Kat, is neither truly all that likeable in my opinion. I had to push myself to stay in the book. He is rigid in his ways, an upright, moral man who believes in and practices family values to a fault. She, on the other hand, is more carefree, open to trying new things, even risky things, but she seems indifferent to how she affects and hurts others which left me cold. To suggest they wouldn't be right for each other is an understatement, and yet it would be wholly wrong because they turn out to be perfect for each other. I am glad I stuck with it through the first part of the book because it turned around for me and had my undivided interest. There is a lot of humor in the book. Eric is one of 6 brothers, two of them still living with Eric who is the elder of the bunch, and they interact with each other through anger, angst and humor throughout. When something unthinkable happens Eric and Kat are tested to the limit. Be prepared to cry. And, by that, I mean be ready to sob. This story is so moving, heart wrenching and deep; it will touch the reader in a profound way. What an author this Giulia Lagomarsino is, filled with so much talent and depth. She has an innate ability to treat life's worst events with tenderness and love.
August 9, 2025
I don’t often write reviews… but this book. I don’t even know what to say. First of all, this is the most immature female main character I have ever read. The way she treats the male main character and the lack of respect she shows him is appalling. He is called “a wet blanket, stuck up, uptight, etc.” throughout the book and he was the only one who actually acted like an adult. Also, the author needs to look up what a millennial is and the age range that they are….. a common theme throughout the book is the MMC brothers speaking like millennials. I am a millennial and I can tell you with 100% certainty that I have never heard anyone born within a decade of me in either direction speak the way they spoke. Also, this book could use some trigger warnings. I’m not typically a sensitive person but this book took a COMPLETE 180 and covered, in detail, a VERY traumatic experience. It was very light hearted, spicy, lots of banter (although the banter was primarily the FMC being beyond immature) and turned into an extremely emotional story. I honestly wish I hadn’t finished this because it was a waste of my reading time and ended up being something I wouldn’t have read if I had known the direction the ending took. And it wasn’t just a “shocking plot twist…,” it was like two completely different books. Ok I’m done. Sorry author, this one just didn’t do it for me.
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