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The Trilogy Collection #1

Opposites Attract

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TAKING A LEAP

Bradley Morgan is the quintessential computer geek and nice guy, through and through. The only problem is that in his opinion, nice guys almost always finish last when it comes to hot women like his sexy co-worker Alyssa Jones. But things change after Alyssa finds her boyfriend cheating. Suddenly, nice guys like Brad don’t look so bad. So when Brad agrees to ghostwrite the sex scenes for a romance novel as a favor for desperate client Maria White and asks for Alyssa’s help after hours, she agrees wholeheartedly and things really start to heat up. Brad and Alyssa learn you should never judge a book by its cover and that sometimes love requires a leap of faith.

LIGHT MY FIRE

Amy Gerald’s life is filled with whirlwind romance. Unfortunately, it’s all on the pages of the romance novels she publishes. That is until she volunteers to cat-sit for her friend Maria White and meets Troy O’Donnell, the hunky fireman who lives next door. The problem is, this commitment-phobic consummate bachelor is far more willing to run into a burning building than allow love into his life. Troy will grasp at any excuse, even the ridiculous assumption that Amy is a lesbian, just to avoid his growing feelings for her. Amid a comedy of errors and misunderstandings, which includes Troy’s first hilarious visit to a gay bar, Amy manages to light Troy’s fire, but can she also conquer his fears?

SECOND TIME AROUND

Antonio Sanchez thought that at 32 his life was all mapped out—wife, kids, career—until some major bumps in the road radically alter his course and send him careening right into the path of newly divorced Maddie Morgan. After being thrust back into single life, Antonio moves back in with his old-fashioned parents and has to learn to juggle being a part-time dad to his kids, his job at the firehouse and his role as Best Man for his newly engaged best friend Troy, all in addition to facing his unquenchable desire for Maddie. Throw in a slew of matchmaking friends and relatives, led by Maria whose apartment appears to be the Bermuda Triangle for floundering lovers and Antonio and Maddie discover just how complicated things can get. Can the pair prove that love really is better the second time around?

This book has been previously published. It has been edited for rerelease.

164 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 15, 2006

32 people are currently reading
509 people want to read

About the author

Cat Johnson

364 books1,764 followers
📚Find Series Reading Order and Book Lists at Cat's site CatJohnson.net

🎥 For Film/TV Inquiries Email Cat@Catjohnson.net

It all started in first grade when Cat Johnson won the essay contest at Hawthorne Elementary School and got to ride in the Chief of Police's car in the Memorial Day Parade...and the rest, as they say, is history. As an adult, Cat generally tries to stay out of police cars and is thrilled to be writing for a living. She has been published under a different name in the Young Adult genre, but released her first romance in 2006.

Today, she is a NY Times & USA Today best-selling, award-winning author of contemporary romance. A promo ho, she's sponsored real live bull riding cowboys and promoted romance using bologna.

--from the author's website

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5 stars
107 (29%)
4 stars
132 (36%)
3 stars
83 (22%)
2 stars
30 (8%)
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13 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Auntee.
1,356 reviews1,472 followers
June 24, 2008
When I'm in the mood for a good, hot short story I know I can count on this author. Not every author can do justice with this format but I have yet to be disappointed by Ms. Johnson. She gives you just enough plot, characterization and romance and makes you care about what happens to the characters as well, yet leaves you wanting more!
This book contains three short stories whose characters are all connected either through marriage or friendships or careers. As the title suggests, the H/H in each story are considered opposites of each other, either in social status or personality. Yet they manage to be perfect for each other. I really enjoyed all the stories--each one left me with a smile on my face. This is for anyone who enjoys a light, sexy read in a short story format!
Profile Image for Linda.
887 reviews83 followers
August 27, 2013
Three delightful contemporary romances in one book and all thanks to Maria and her apparent need to cruise with her life partner Ehlena. Well that and Maria just plain outright matchmaking.
First up are Brad and Alyissa, both work for Geeks are us and appear to have nothing in common until Maria's cat spill coffee all over her computer while she is editing her historical romance novel that has to be submitted to her publisher Amy the next morning, enter Brads involvement he takes her emergency call for repair and finds himself not only fixing her computer but re- writing the sex scene the computer lost but to do it he gets Alyissa who has talked him into doing the rewrite to help and well , things get hot from there.

Next up is Amy and Troy , Amy is. Maria's publisher of her historical romance novel and this years cat sitter as Maria and Ehlena can cruise again. Troy is Maria"s hunky fireman neighbor who keeps playing amy's white knight with plenty of misconceptions on Troys part , you eventually lead to a fire or two needing to be extinguished between these two.


And finally is Maddie and Antonio. Maddie is Brad's divorced sister and Antonio is Troy's best freind ;separated from his wife for over six months and well this one can not all be blamed on Maria the whole crew had a hand in this matchmaking venture.

So what did I think of this book, fun easy happy ending reads, Just plain outright enjoyable read, no major heart wrenching angst just some bumps in the road that in the case of these stories add to the light feeling of the stories and are a bit comical. So if you want a quick light hearted romance this book fits the bill!
Profile Image for Annette Oliva.
57 reviews37 followers
September 4, 2013
Opposites Attract is three short, interconnected stories. In “Take a Leap,” computer geek Brad is attracted to his co-worker Alyssa, who just happened to breakup with her cheating boyfriend. When Brad has to ghostwrite a sex scene for Maria, a client whose laptop Brad had just fixed, Alyssa volunteers to help. During their work, Alyssa begins to see there is more to Brad than meets the eye. In “Light My Fire,” Amy, Maria’s friend and former publisher, agrees to cat sit for Maria. While she’s staying at Maria’s apartment, she meets Maria’s hunky firefighter neighbor Troy. Naturally, they are attracted to each other, but a series of misunderstandings almost keeps them from seeing that they’re meant for each other. In “Second Time Around,” another hunky firefighter Antonio, a friend of Amy and Troy, meets Maddie, Brad’s sister. Antonio is on the verge of divorce and Maddie has just went through a terrible divorce. Seeing how attracted they are to each other, Amy, Troy, Brad, Alyssa (who is now married to Brad) and, of course, Maria, decide to play matchmaker. The more Antonio and Maddie get to know each other, the more they become attracted to each other. And as their attraction grows, Antonio makes a decision about his failing marriage and his relationship with Maddie.

I really enjoyed all three stories, but my personal favorite was the third one. I loved how it really included all the characters from previous stories. You’re not left wondering what happens to the other characters. I would definitely recommend this book to those who like fun, quick, sexy reads, with not just one happy ending but three.
Profile Image for Elaine.
258 reviews5 followers
January 21, 2013
Cat Johnson can sure write 'em! This book consists of 3 inter-related short stories that will leave you with a smile on your face.

Story 1- a computer repair geek gets a chance with the hot girl he's been watching for a while; sweet story.

Story 2- (LOVED this one) editor housesits/petsits for one of her authors, who happens to be a lesbian. Her super-hot firefighter neighbor thinks she too is a lesbian, so while they are both attracted to each other, the communication lines continually get crossed, due to other circumstances. Funny and frustrating.

Story 3- Two recently separated/divorced people get pushed together/set up by well meaning friends (all characters interrelated from other stories). A very sweet 2nd chance story.

Great writing, funny, sweet, touching, tear to the eye here and there. All around reading enjoyment.
289 reviews2 followers
November 24, 2018
Alpha's

The name of this book says it all. The men were hit by the love bug, attraction or love at first sight. The women were just as alpha. Swoon worthy stories, I love them.
Profile Image for Christine D.
2,721 reviews7 followers
October 22, 2019
2.5 stars
there was some witty banter in these interlinked novellas but they were just ok.
1,194 reviews5 followers
December 24, 2019
5 Stars

Another good book in the series. Three enjoyable stories, somewhat connected. Sometimes I really enjoy short stories. I highly recommend this series and Cat Johnson.
Profile Image for Sandy.
2,492 reviews10 followers
January 23, 2020
Any book by Cat Johnson is a good book and this is just another example of this authors talent.
Profile Image for I Roberts.
153 reviews
July 4, 2021
Awesome. Might just be my favorite romance novel.
Profile Image for Donna.
1,277 reviews
September 22, 2021
This was written in 2006. Despite a few technology changes, it is still a good read. This author usually has sexier scenes, but I guess she was still learning when she wrote it. It is three stories in one. Each is short and fun with a little bit of steam.
Profile Image for Kelly.
5,690 reviews228 followers
November 29, 2012
Three short stories tied together by the mostly unintentional matchmaking skills of Maria White.

Taking a Leap - Very cute, sweet, sexy romance between the hot girl and the computer geek. I loved that they had to write naughty stuff together to help out their client. Seriously, I got such a kick out of how awkward it was when they had to read the sexy parts that the other had written. Brad was sporting wood, Alyssa was noticing him as a man. Rawr!

Light My Fire - Another seriously sweet story. Although Troy's belief that Amy had to be a lesbian even after they'd tangled tongues gave me frowny face (it was a mild frowny face, nothing major, I promise), it kind of made sense given the things he was picking up on. I mean, when a girl tells you that she used to date someone named "Whitney", you'd probably think the same thing. Still, it was cute and fun and I enjoyed it.

Second Time Around - Enjoyable, but probably the weakest of the three stories. I did like seeing previous characters drop in and meddle in Antonio and Maddie's budding relationship and the sex was nice.

Bottom Line: Very fun with enough sexy to make me grin.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,839 reviews39 followers
September 5, 2013
3 short, interconnected stories that all seem to involve accountant/author Maria White.

In Taking a Leap, we meet Brad the Geek and Alyssa with the Sexy Voice. Brad agrees to repair Maria's laptop while she's on vacation, and has to rewrite a scene from Maria's novel. He enlists Alyssa's help (who's recently single) and from there love blooms. Ta-da!

In Light My Fire, we meet Maria's first publisher Amy, who's agreed to cat-sit for Maria, who's off on yet another cruise (how many cruises can one take in a given year?). Anyhoo, Amy meets the hunky firefighter Troy who lives across the hall from Maria (I must be in the wrong area, the firefighters I see aren't hunky, they're more doughy). Of course they're attracted to each other, but Troy is slow to pick up on the clues Amy's practically throwing at him. Again by the end love has bloomed. Ta-da!

The last story, Second Time Around focuses on Troy's friend Antonio (recently separated from his wife), and Brad the Hot Geek's sister Maddie (newly divorced) are introduced at a New Year's Eve party where: Maria White's apartment. After a couple of dates, they get together, and love blooms. Ta-da!

All in all a cute novella, something I'd probably read again :)
Profile Image for Carly.
807 reviews3 followers
September 5, 2013
I received this book free in exchange for a honest review.


This book contains three very sweet short stories in which the characters are linked through marriage and friendship. I really liked all three stories which is very rare for me. Usually in books that contain more than one story, I find at least one of them not to my liking. It has everything a girl could want a sexy computer geek and a couple of hot sexy firemen.

In Taking A Leap, Bradley Morgan is the sexy computer geek who is extremely attracted to his co-worker Alyssa Jones. He takes the opportunity to get closer to her when he asks her to help re-write sex scenes for a client's romance novel.

In Light My Fire, Amy Gerald volunteers to take care of her friends cat and meets her friend's hot sexy firefighter neighbor, Troy O'Donnell. They are both extremely attracted to each other, but due to a series of misunderstandings and fears Troy ends the relationship. However, fate had other plans.

In Second Time Around, recently divorced Antonio Sanchez meets Maddie Morgan who is also recently divorced. Like the characters in the other stories, Antonio and Maddie have a very sweet whirlwind romance.


In total, a very enjoyable book.

360 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2015
Taking a Leap~Brad is the quintessential Geek next Door except he's in the cubicle next to Alyssa...he has wanted her for quite some time, and with the new project he's working on he has the perfect reason and occasion to get close to her..has she finally found one of the good guys....

Light my Fire~Troy has come to learn that anyone who comes to his neighbors place is probably gay like her and he has no problem with that until he meets the new cat sitter Amy...Amy is used to steamy situations..in the books she's reviewing, but in her personal life not so much...can these two work around the road blocks between them or was it doomed to failure.....

Second time Around~Antonio is done being in a rut. His wife asked for some time apart, well that was 6 months ago and now he's still at his parents house....after deciding to go with her brother and his wife to a New Years Eve party Maddie is interested in a guy, too bad he's still married and not really on the market...is it possible for lightning to strike twice let alone 3 times and after a scary appointment will things go smoothly for these two.... I really enjoyed all three of these awesome stories...onto the next
Profile Image for ⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm.
2,343 reviews17 followers
August 29, 2014
With this book having three short stories in it, I figured I would review each individually.

TAKING A LEAP
This was a fairly cute story, reminding me of Vicki Lewis Thompson's Nerd series. I liked how clueless Brad was, but also his sensitivity and caring for Alyssa. Alyssa was a bit vain, but also very easy to connect with. (4 stars)

LIGHT MY FIRE
This was by far my favorite of the three stories! It was a comedy of errors and I loved where the misunderstandings took the couple! Troy was a clear favorite in this story, but I loved Amy and Henri almost as much! (5 stars)

SECOND TIME AROUND
This story was my least favorite of the three, because I didn't like the fact that the hero was ready to jump in bed with Maddie before he'd even gotten the divorce from his current wife. The story tied Brad back into things, as Maddie is his sister and Antonio was Troy's best friend. Nice way to bring the three couples together, but this story was the weakest one for me. (2 stars)
Profile Image for Sophie "Beware Of The Reader".
1,572 reviews389 followers
August 27, 2013
It's definitely a book about good and charming hot boys.
Three small stories in one book, each one with "good boy meets hot chick".
You've got Brad "The Geek" and Alyssa. The geek becomes a hot boy once in sweat pants and tight T-shirt with shower head. Alyssa is impressed by the sex scene he's written and goes for real sex.
Amy (editor) and Troy (Greek God of a fireman) is all about misunderstanding. Troy is strongly attracted but thinks Amy is lesbian. Always her savior they will end in the same bed.
And last is the story of Maddie (divorced lawyer) and Antonio (separated hot fireman too). Their family and friends play matchmaker and ... you guess te happy end.
It's sweet, light and quick to read.
Profile Image for Chanel.
1,833 reviews
November 10, 2013
This was a book of three short stories. The stories are connected through characters, and events, but each storyline has an ending. Granted, since the stories are very short, the endings come too fast. At least in the next story you are able to get a brief update on the other couples, which is a good thing. These are brief romance stories and not as erotic as you usually get from this author. What the author did very well, was able to make the characters so likable with fun and interesting plots, that you really are rooting for the couples.
She even takes you into their careers and families. We'll done and once you complete this book, then read Nice&Naughty as it continues with more short love stories about the hot firemen, their loves, friends, and families
Rate4.25
Profile Image for Jenn.
330 reviews27 followers
September 10, 2013
Taking a leap:


Light my fire:

Ok, I more than liked it, but this GIF was too perfect to pass up!!

Second time around:

Eh... not so much...
Profile Image for Melindeeloo.
3,268 reviews158 followers
July 25, 2012
Cute little trio of connected sexy shorts - a geek and two firemen get HEAs. I liked this enough that I got the follow on which continued with more fireman romances for friends of the ones in the last two stories here. Johnson also writes some more erotic stuff, but these were on the more mainstream steamy side.
Profile Image for Leanne Crabtree.
Author 12 books80 followers
May 21, 2014
Three interconnecting stories of opposites attracting.

I liked them all but if I had to pick a favourite of the three it would be the middle one, Troy and Amy's story--the fireman and the publisher. All the mix ups they had made me smile.

As for the other two, they were cute stories with great characters.
Profile Image for Xhex87.
215 reviews
March 8, 2013
This was a great short read. It is one book with 3 different stories told about the same group of friends. I think the stories get better with each one and I love that even with it being short you get to see where the couples end up.
I would use this as a filler book. Something fun you read in between books or when you just need something light and fun.
Profile Image for Caryn Watson Watz Books and Teasers.
493 reviews6 followers
August 25, 2013
fun charming sexy guys n beautiful girls 3 awesome short stories for those time you just want a quicky well this is defiantly the book for you. the main characters are linked in some way to each other an its beautifully written with steamy sex scenes. defiantly a must read or add to your TBR list today
Profile Image for JMV.
1,076 reviews1 follower
August 27, 2013
**ARC**. First off, I really enjoyed the way the stories all had a common theme, Maria. Three different stories that all had to do with how opposites attach and fall in love. My favorite was the geek and the beauty. Only problem was how fast the couples knew they loved each other. All in all, Short but sweet!
4,540 reviews29 followers
October 23, 2015
The first story was a lot of fun. the second one was frustrating because the hero was making all of the false assumptions, and never once asked the heroine to confirm or deny. The third one was ok, but mentioned getting a church annulment as if it were a foregone conclusion, when as far as I could see they had absolutely no grounds for it, so it completely threw me out of the story.
Profile Image for Sassafrass.
3,204 reviews103 followers
December 8, 2012
each of these stories were cute and satisfying with lovely HEA endings that warmed me all over. It was a perfect way to cap off my Thanksgiving weekened that was filled with warmth and comfort foods. I would like to read the next book in this collection too.
Profile Image for Tamara.
Author 16 books365 followers
November 30, 2012
A trilogy of connected stories,all really enjoyable. Different from other Cat Johnson books I have read. A little less heat, and sadly no cowboys, but a really cute, sweet Geek ad some hunky firefighters, so it's all good
Profile Image for Maria.
1,003 reviews33 followers
August 24, 2013
Cute trio of shorts. Each story is intertwined with the characters that make appearances.
Of the three my favorite is Alyssa and Brad and their helping a novelist with her book.
Fun reads worth every minute of your time!
Profile Image for Amanda.
39 reviews
August 24, 2013
These three short stories were so much fun. I liked the format of three stories in one book that connected to each other. All three had me smiling and laughing. The first was probably my favorite since the geek saved the day and got the girl.
Profile Image for Dana.
392 reviews31 followers
August 29, 2013
Three fun, sweet and sexy stories all rolled into one!! I really enjoyed all three of these and recommend them to anyone looking for a low angst quick read.all three stories are linked so is flows really well :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews

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