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From Every Angle #2
Close Up
A reunion to end all reunions
Since their separation years ago, Sean Maddock has imagined a lot of scenarios where he and Kristine would get back together. So finally getting served with divorce papers is a real shock. It's not until he seeks out Kristine and feels the same hot kick of desire that he suddenly knows why—he still wants his wife!
Clearly it's time to move on. But before Sean signs on the dotted line to end their marriage, he wants one more weekend. Just the two of them, closed up in an isolated cabin. Surely by Sunday night they will have played out all their sexy memories—maybe even made a few new ones. Then he'll be able to walk away…or not!
Since their separation years ago, Sean Maddock has imagined a lot of scenarios where he and Kristine would get back together. So finally getting served with divorce papers is a real shock. It's not until he seeks out Kristine and feels the same hot kick of desire that he suddenly knows why—he still wants his wife!
Clearly it's time to move on. But before Sean signs on the dotted line to end their marriage, he wants one more weekend. Just the two of them, closed up in an isolated cabin. Surely by Sunday night they will have played out all their sexy memories—maybe even made a few new ones. Then he'll be able to walk away…or not!
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2015
16 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Erin McCarthy
216 books4,830 followersUSA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy sold her first book in 2002 and has since written over a hundred novels and novellas in teen fiction, new adult, and adult romance. Erin has a special weakness for high-heeled boots, beaches and martinis. She lives in Ohio with her family, two grumpy cats and a socially awkward dog.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 8, 2015
This book is about a total creep named Sean. He invades the heroine's personal space to intimidate her and make her feel uncomfortable. He touches her (sometimes intimately) and kisses her without her consent and clearly against her wishes. Any 'no' from the heroine (Kristine) is either laughed off or ignored.
McCarthy seems to think that this is okay because Sean is Kristine's estranged husband. They haven't seen each other in ten years. It's obvious to me that this does not give him a right to touch her, violate her privacy, or deny her any dignity.
He was moving forward still, forcing her to back up until she was against the far wall under an exterior window, trying to keep a few feet of space between them. She laughed, meaning to sound cavalier, but it came out as nervous as she felt. ... He gave a sly smile, as if her nervousness amused him. With one hand, he reached behind him and closed the door.
Now she's trapped in an enclosed space with this creeper. That's just one example.
He is rich and wears a suit. He really enjoys and gets off on embarrassing and humiliating Kristine. Her shudders or shivers are interpreted by him as obvious proof that she's turned on by what he's doing, not - you know, and indication that he's creepy as hell and she's repulsed/disgusted/afraid/uncomfortable.
He makes unilateral decisions, such as: "We are going to sleep together one last time before getting divorced." and "I wish we were still a couple. I am going to fuck her until she can't think straight and then refuse to sign the divorce papers so that we can be together again!" Needless to say, Kristine does not get a say in these plans, neither does she know about the plans. He's not above using blackmail and manipulation to get his way.
I wish I could blame this type of "hero" on Christian Grey but the truth is he's existed long before James put pen to paper (fingers to keyboard?). And I'm comparing this to Grey NOT because of BDSM - there's no BDSM in this by technical proper definition - but because Grey is a prime example of an asshole and so is Sean.
He also says really condescending, patronizing shit to her, like:
"That was always your setback - you didn't believe in yourself enough."
Or how about:
"I don't remember you that way," he said.
"What?" Kristine was confused... "What way?"
"Insecure." He shook his head to emphasize the point.
This would be me: "Excuse me?! What the fuck did you just say to me!?!?" But Kristine just takes it, as if she agrees with him or something. Even if you internally agree with his assessment of you, you still tell him to go fuck himself on principle. Everyone knows that. Grow some ovaries, girl!
...
Kristine as a character just annoyed me. One, by not telling Sean off about a million times when she should have. I'm talking about in response to his condescending comments, here, as she does at least attempt to fend off his creepy nonstop sexual advances. It's not her fault he's a creeper who can't take 'no' for an answer and enjoys her discomfort. Two, she is passive-aggressive. For instance, when Sean tells her he likes her better without make up, she shows up at the door when he picks her up with a full face on. Three, she is very insecure. Part of this stems from her being chubby, but most of it is from her crushing feeling that she is immature, worthless, and a failure. It's not fun to read about.
...
The plot... Um... Well. There's not much of one. Repairing their abandoned marriage is really the only thing going on here. And by "repairing" I mean, him 'convincing' her to have lots and lots of sex. There's a small, insignificant sideplot about Kristine working at a art gallery that was vandalized and her dealing with her nutty, activist, almost abusive mother - but it's hardly worth mentioning.
...
Tl;dr - Unless you like smarmy assholes who reach over and start touching your girly bits when you didn't want/ask/need/encourage/give permission for such behavior AND not to mention he does that when you are in a vulnerable precarious position where you are unable to defend yourself, I would skip this one. If you really like domineering creepers who say condescending things to you in a sneering voice - this is for you. If, perhaps, you believe that women have a right to say 'no' or 'please turn around and don't watch me while I change' or 'I don't want to do that,' it would be best if you never read this.
P.S. He also takes pictures of her naked without her permission.
1 REAL STAR, 1 ROMANCE STAR
Harlequin Blaze October 2014
McCarthy seems to think that this is okay because Sean is Kristine's estranged husband. They haven't seen each other in ten years. It's obvious to me that this does not give him a right to touch her, violate her privacy, or deny her any dignity.
He was moving forward still, forcing her to back up until she was against the far wall under an exterior window, trying to keep a few feet of space between them. She laughed, meaning to sound cavalier, but it came out as nervous as she felt. ... He gave a sly smile, as if her nervousness amused him. With one hand, he reached behind him and closed the door.
Now she's trapped in an enclosed space with this creeper. That's just one example.
He is rich and wears a suit. He really enjoys and gets off on embarrassing and humiliating Kristine. Her shudders or shivers are interpreted by him as obvious proof that she's turned on by what he's doing, not - you know, and indication that he's creepy as hell and she's repulsed/disgusted/afraid/uncomfortable.
He makes unilateral decisions, such as: "We are going to sleep together one last time before getting divorced." and "I wish we were still a couple. I am going to fuck her until she can't think straight and then refuse to sign the divorce papers so that we can be together again!" Needless to say, Kristine does not get a say in these plans, neither does she know about the plans. He's not above using blackmail and manipulation to get his way.
I wish I could blame this type of "hero" on Christian Grey but the truth is he's existed long before James put pen to paper (fingers to keyboard?). And I'm comparing this to Grey NOT because of BDSM - there's no BDSM in this by technical proper definition - but because Grey is a prime example of an asshole and so is Sean.
He also says really condescending, patronizing shit to her, like:
"That was always your setback - you didn't believe in yourself enough."
Or how about:
"I don't remember you that way," he said.
"What?" Kristine was confused... "What way?"
"Insecure." He shook his head to emphasize the point.
This would be me: "Excuse me?! What the fuck did you just say to me!?!?" But Kristine just takes it, as if she agrees with him or something. Even if you internally agree with his assessment of you, you still tell him to go fuck himself on principle. Everyone knows that. Grow some ovaries, girl!
...
Kristine as a character just annoyed me. One, by not telling Sean off about a million times when she should have. I'm talking about in response to his condescending comments, here, as she does at least attempt to fend off his creepy nonstop sexual advances. It's not her fault he's a creeper who can't take 'no' for an answer and enjoys her discomfort. Two, she is passive-aggressive. For instance, when Sean tells her he likes her better without make up, she shows up at the door when he picks her up with a full face on. Three, she is very insecure. Part of this stems from her being chubby, but most of it is from her crushing feeling that she is immature, worthless, and a failure. It's not fun to read about.
...
The plot... Um... Well. There's not much of one. Repairing their abandoned marriage is really the only thing going on here. And by "repairing" I mean, him 'convincing' her to have lots and lots of sex. There's a small, insignificant sideplot about Kristine working at a art gallery that was vandalized and her dealing with her nutty, activist, almost abusive mother - but it's hardly worth mentioning.
...
Tl;dr - Unless you like smarmy assholes who reach over and start touching your girly bits when you didn't want/ask/need/encourage/give permission for such behavior AND not to mention he does that when you are in a vulnerable precarious position where you are unable to defend yourself, I would skip this one. If you really like domineering creepers who say condescending things to you in a sneering voice - this is for you. If, perhaps, you believe that women have a right to say 'no' or 'please turn around and don't watch me while I change' or 'I don't want to do that,' it would be best if you never read this.
P.S. He also takes pictures of her naked without her permission.
1 REAL STAR, 1 ROMANCE STAR
Harlequin Blaze October 2014
Read
August 14, 2017"With sizzle so hot it could keep a cold Minnesota lake house warm, this pairing, while slightly disconnected from the purported “art mystery” angle of this series, manages to keep you turning the pages and rooting for their reunion" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Miniseries: From Every Angle
Miniseries: From Every Angle
January 20, 2020
2,5 Sterne ⭐️
September 2, 2014
*4.5 stars*
July 15, 2017
A short read that took me a bit longer than I expected. It wasn't a bad book, I just couldn't get really into it. The story is a pretty straightforward second chance romance – Kristine & Sean get married when they're 19 & 21 and after 6 months of married life they get into a silly argument and don't see each other for 10 years, yet stay married all that time. For most of their separation they live in different state yet this story starts when Kristine moves back to within a mile of Sean to work as a gallery coordinator. She decides that it's probably time to finally divorce Sean so she serves him divorce papers which leads him to realize she moved back and want to meet up with her before they get a divorce. When sparks fly the second they see each other he realizes that he *needs* a sex-filled weekend with her to have closure from their relationship. The story goes how you'd predict with their weekend together meaning "more" and both not wanting the divorce any longer. Kristine does have some financial & family troubles that plays a part in the story but for the most part the story pretty much doesn't deviate from what you'd expect. Not a bad story at all, just nothing to write home about.
February 25, 2021
Close Up is the second in Erin McCarthy’s series from Harlequin Blaze.
Sean and Kristine married young and inexperience and immaturity meant their relationship hit the rocks rather quickly and floundered. A decade later, Kristine serves Sean with divorce papers, hoping to get a better handle on her life, and move forward. Neither of them is really over it though, and sometimes what people need most is a second chance.
Erin McCarthy’s story is both poignant and steamy. Sean and Kristy were always extremely compatible physically, but needed to develop the tools to be compatible the rest of the time too.
Would have loved slightly more wrap up for a moor suspense plot, but this is an engaging and hot read.
Sean and Kristine married young and inexperience and immaturity meant their relationship hit the rocks rather quickly and floundered. A decade later, Kristine serves Sean with divorce papers, hoping to get a better handle on her life, and move forward. Neither of them is really over it though, and sometimes what people need most is a second chance.
Erin McCarthy’s story is both poignant and steamy. Sean and Kristy were always extremely compatible physically, but needed to develop the tools to be compatible the rest of the time too.
Would have loved slightly more wrap up for a moor suspense plot, but this is an engaging and hot read.
April 17, 2020
Sean and Kristine were married very young. Ten years have passed when Sean gets divorce papers..he runs into Kristine and proposes a weekend together to get each other out of their season as there still seems to be sparks there between them. That weekend goes good and Sean thinks things will be good for them until Kristine gets a call about her mom.. They part ways for a while but young love and 10 years make no difference. A HEA that was so sweet and good! A great book!
not-finished
November 26, 2023i don't know what happened that i didn't finish reading this one
November 24, 2016
Sex mit dem Ex ist eigentlich niemals eine gute Idee …
Ein Trip mit dem Ex in die romantische Blockhütte aus ihren Flitterwochen? Reine Erpressung von Kristines sexy Noch-Ehemann Sean! Aber sie muss ihn milde stimmen, sonst unterschreibt er die Scheidungspapiere nie. Sie will endlich wieder frei sein und selbstbestimmt ihren Weg gehen. Und es ist ja nur ein Wochenende – bei dem es plötzlich heißer zwischen ihnen prickelt als jemals zuvor. Schon bald verliert sich Kristine in einem Strudel der Lust der ihre guten Vorsätze gefährlich auf die Probe stellt.
„Scharf, temporeich und superheiß!“
Publisher’s Weekly
Quelle: HarperCollins
kurze Einblicke:
Zum Teufel mit ihm! "Das würdest du nicht wagen."
"Oh, ich glaube, du kennst mich und weißt, dass das mein absoluter Ernst ist. Betrachte es einfach als einen Handel, Kristy. Du bekommst, was du haben willst, und ich bekomme, was ich haben will."
"Das ist das Gruseligste, was ich je von dir gehört habe."
Er lachte, obwohl sie keine hatte, was an dieser Situation so amüsant sein sollte. "Sag mir, was du wirklich empfindest. Warum ist die Vorstellung für dich so entsetzlich, mit mir zweit Tage allein zu sein?"
Seite 98
Wieder wurde sie von einem heftigen Schaudern erfasst. "Oh Gott, Sean, ich glaube nicht, dass ich das kann. Ich komme mit dem Plumpsklo klar, auch damit, dass ich zu einem Schlauch greifen muss, wenn ich mich duschen will, und dass ich mir dabei den Hintern abfriere. Aber ich komme nicht mit Spinnen klar, die groß genug sind, um sie zu satteln und auf ihnen zu reiten wie auf einem Pony.
Seite 156
Wenn ihm vor einer Woche jemand gesagt hätte, er würde heute in einem Bott sitzen und angeln und dabei von seiner strickenden Exfrau begleitet werden - er hätte einen Lachkrampf bekommen.
Es war aber auch zu bizarr. Er und Kristine, die gemeinsam auf dem Lake Vermillion treibend einen friedlichen, angenehmen Nachmittag verbrachten.
Seite 194
meine Meinung:
Um einen Pageturner wie der erste Teil handelt es sich hier nicht, aber die Geschichte ist sehr interessant und für den ein oder anderen auch sehr authentisch. Vielleicht gerade weil man damit selbst schon Erfahrungen gesammelt hat!
Mit den Charakteren Kristine & Sean haben wir ein verheiratetes Paar, welches seit 10 Jahren nur noch auf dem Papier verheiratet ist und sie sich tatsächlich auch die ganze Zeit nicht gesehen haben! Sie haben sich weiter entwickelt und sind heute nicht nur älter - sondern auch klüger und erwachsener.
Es ist eine tolle Idee wenn man Charaktere hat die sich eigentlich kennen bis ins kleinste Detail und trotzdem vom anderen überrascht werden können. Vielleicht mag ich das auch nur, weil es mir auch so erging als ich damals wieder mit meinem Freund zusammen kam. Aber es ist ein ganz besonderes knistern, das in der Luft liegt und einfach umso überraschter ist wenn wirklich etwas unvorhersehbares geschieht.
Gut, die Location hier ist auch nicht unbedingt die Originellste und es braucht schon mehr als einen guten Menschenverstand das man sich bei der Arbeit "rein zufällig" über den Weg läuft nach 10 Jahren. Aber ich denke man sollte dem eine Chance geben, den Zufälle - Schicksale und Vorhersehungen gibt es auch im echten Leben. Warum also auch nicht hier?
Was mich irritiert hat, ist das wir wieder mit unserem Künstler zu tun haben. Was hat es mit ihm, der bereits zum zweiten Mal eine Nebenrolle aufnimmt auf sich? Haben wir es hier vielleicht doch nicht mit einer Trilogie zu tun und es folgt mehr? Auch er, als Singlemann ist doch eigentlich ein potenzieller und auch sehr ungewöhnlicher Charakter für eine Hauptprotagonisten. Warum also immer eine Nebenrolle?
Ich werde mich da einfach mal überraschen lassen was noch alles so kommt und freue mich auf den dritten Teil - indem wir es so wie es scheint auch wieder in die gleiche Kerbe schlagen.
Ein Trip mit dem Ex in die romantische Blockhütte aus ihren Flitterwochen? Reine Erpressung von Kristines sexy Noch-Ehemann Sean! Aber sie muss ihn milde stimmen, sonst unterschreibt er die Scheidungspapiere nie. Sie will endlich wieder frei sein und selbstbestimmt ihren Weg gehen. Und es ist ja nur ein Wochenende – bei dem es plötzlich heißer zwischen ihnen prickelt als jemals zuvor. Schon bald verliert sich Kristine in einem Strudel der Lust der ihre guten Vorsätze gefährlich auf die Probe stellt.
„Scharf, temporeich und superheiß!“
Publisher’s Weekly
Quelle: HarperCollins
kurze Einblicke:
Zum Teufel mit ihm! "Das würdest du nicht wagen."
"Oh, ich glaube, du kennst mich und weißt, dass das mein absoluter Ernst ist. Betrachte es einfach als einen Handel, Kristy. Du bekommst, was du haben willst, und ich bekomme, was ich haben will."
"Das ist das Gruseligste, was ich je von dir gehört habe."
Er lachte, obwohl sie keine hatte, was an dieser Situation so amüsant sein sollte. "Sag mir, was du wirklich empfindest. Warum ist die Vorstellung für dich so entsetzlich, mit mir zweit Tage allein zu sein?"
Seite 98
Wieder wurde sie von einem heftigen Schaudern erfasst. "Oh Gott, Sean, ich glaube nicht, dass ich das kann. Ich komme mit dem Plumpsklo klar, auch damit, dass ich zu einem Schlauch greifen muss, wenn ich mich duschen will, und dass ich mir dabei den Hintern abfriere. Aber ich komme nicht mit Spinnen klar, die groß genug sind, um sie zu satteln und auf ihnen zu reiten wie auf einem Pony.
Seite 156
Wenn ihm vor einer Woche jemand gesagt hätte, er würde heute in einem Bott sitzen und angeln und dabei von seiner strickenden Exfrau begleitet werden - er hätte einen Lachkrampf bekommen.
Es war aber auch zu bizarr. Er und Kristine, die gemeinsam auf dem Lake Vermillion treibend einen friedlichen, angenehmen Nachmittag verbrachten.
Seite 194
meine Meinung:
Um einen Pageturner wie der erste Teil handelt es sich hier nicht, aber die Geschichte ist sehr interessant und für den ein oder anderen auch sehr authentisch. Vielleicht gerade weil man damit selbst schon Erfahrungen gesammelt hat!
Mit den Charakteren Kristine & Sean haben wir ein verheiratetes Paar, welches seit 10 Jahren nur noch auf dem Papier verheiratet ist und sie sich tatsächlich auch die ganze Zeit nicht gesehen haben! Sie haben sich weiter entwickelt und sind heute nicht nur älter - sondern auch klüger und erwachsener.
Es ist eine tolle Idee wenn man Charaktere hat die sich eigentlich kennen bis ins kleinste Detail und trotzdem vom anderen überrascht werden können. Vielleicht mag ich das auch nur, weil es mir auch so erging als ich damals wieder mit meinem Freund zusammen kam. Aber es ist ein ganz besonderes knistern, das in der Luft liegt und einfach umso überraschter ist wenn wirklich etwas unvorhersehbares geschieht.
Gut, die Location hier ist auch nicht unbedingt die Originellste und es braucht schon mehr als einen guten Menschenverstand das man sich bei der Arbeit "rein zufällig" über den Weg läuft nach 10 Jahren. Aber ich denke man sollte dem eine Chance geben, den Zufälle - Schicksale und Vorhersehungen gibt es auch im echten Leben. Warum also auch nicht hier?
Was mich irritiert hat, ist das wir wieder mit unserem Künstler zu tun haben. Was hat es mit ihm, der bereits zum zweiten Mal eine Nebenrolle aufnimmt auf sich? Haben wir es hier vielleicht doch nicht mit einer Trilogie zu tun und es folgt mehr? Auch er, als Singlemann ist doch eigentlich ein potenzieller und auch sehr ungewöhnlicher Charakter für eine Hauptprotagonisten. Warum also immer eine Nebenrolle?
Ich werde mich da einfach mal überraschen lassen was noch alles so kommt und freue mich auf den dritten Teil - indem wir es so wie es scheint auch wieder in die gleiche Kerbe schlagen.
May 16, 2015
It took me a while to get into this book. Many times I just wanted to close it and not finish it because it was not catching my attention at all. And to be honest it didn't get interesting until Kristina and Sean set off for their weekend together and that didn't happen until the middle of the book.
Kristina and Sean is a story of a second chance at love. After 10 years of being separated Kristina files for a divorce but Sean isn't signing the papers until he sees Kristina again after 10 years. He convinces her to go away with him for the weekend and OH BOY!! Do they have one hot weekend and discover that the love they both thought was dead is very much alive. They both know come Sunday morning Sean signs the divorce papers and Kristina moves on with her life alone and without Sean. So what will they do?
Kristina and Sean is a story of a second chance at love. After 10 years of being separated Kristina files for a divorce but Sean isn't signing the papers until he sees Kristina again after 10 years. He convinces her to go away with him for the weekend and OH BOY!! Do they have one hot weekend and discover that the love they both thought was dead is very much alive. They both know come Sunday morning Sean signs the divorce papers and Kristina moves on with her life alone and without Sean. So what will they do?
July 15, 2015
ya know, even a woman is capable of "growing a pair". this heroine was SO helpless, so incapable of getting or keeping any decent job--grow UP already! so, while there is an important art exhibit going on, Kristine (the gallery manager) and Sean (the head of security) take a weekend off to spend time on an island together. sure! now i know why Kristine can't keep a decent job. what were the student loans for? did she actually study and finish a degree? hard to believe. Sean was likable, but both of them let a marriage continue for TEN YEARS while not being in touch at all. sure, THAT's realistic. and while they are on a boat for fishing, she's KNITTING. like it's not wet, dirty, and smelly on a boat! nice little love story set in totally unrealistic setting and situations. this is the first EM book that i have not loved. save yourself a couple bucks and skip this one.
November 27, 2015
http://www.unbrindelecture.com/2015/1...
Ce second tome est plus réussi que le premier même si l'intrigue n'est pas assez aboutie. En effet, on s'attache à ces deux personnages charismatique notamment Kristine , une jeune femme qui se bat pour prendre en main son destin... on passe un bon moment avec cette romance contemporaine que j'ai un peu de mal à classer dans les romances érotiques .
A suivre ....
Ce second tome est plus réussi que le premier même si l'intrigue n'est pas assez aboutie. En effet, on s'attache à ces deux personnages charismatique notamment Kristine , une jeune femme qui se bat pour prendre en main son destin... on passe un bon moment avec cette romance contemporaine que j'ai un peu de mal à classer dans les romances érotiques .
A suivre ....
March 23, 2015
Kristine was a little whiny and worthless throughout most of the book whereas Sean was obviously the catch in this relationship. Seems a little absurd for two people to spend 10 years estranged and never file for divorce but I'm sure its not unheard of. They had great chemistry and their history together made them reuniting quickly believable enough. A solid Harlequin read.
April 8, 2015
This is a story about a couple's reunion after 10 years apart. These character's get a second chance at love and the sizzle between them is still as hot as the day they met. This book is filled with lots of hope, love, and craziness.
November 10, 2014
Erin McCarthy never lets me down. This is hot, steamy and a great story. Loved this book as usual!!
October 13, 2014
I think Erin McCarthy did a super job writing this book.It is sexy and romantic and very well written.I love this book.I recommend this book to everyone.It is awesome!
September 23, 2014
such a good book like all Erin McCarthy's books it makes you happy and sad and happy again.
would defently recommend this to any one who likes a sweet story to read!#
would defently recommend this to any one who likes a sweet story to read!#
October 15, 2014
Heroine annoyingly ditsy at first, but there were some funny parts and loving parts and I came to root for this couple to make it by the end of the book.
November 20, 2014
All in all a funny, feel good read, ended a bit abrupt but any longer it would have become boring so yes I can live with the ending. Enjoyed it and will recommend it anytime.
March 2, 2015
Lost love
I liked the plot. But the ending seemed to be too turn on a dime. It was never really explained what changed her thinking about Sean and her. It left me hanging.
I liked the plot. But the ending seemed to be too turn on a dime. It was never really explained what changed her thinking about Sean and her. It left me hanging.
deals
November 6, 20156 November 2015: $1.99 on Kindle
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews