What do you think?
Rate this book
Escape to New Zealand #6
Just Not Mine
Destiny can sneak up on you. Or it can smack you in the face.
Hugh Latimer’s coping with a few problems just now. A broken hand, missing the European rugby tour . . . and a half-brother and sister who are playing havoc with his love life. Instead of packing down in the scrum, he’s driving the carpool to ballet—or forgetting it’s his turn. When he hears his neighbor wailing out bad pop in the wee hours, it’s the last straw.
Josie Pae Ata is a fortunate woman. A new house, good friends, a gorgeous boyfriend—oh, and stardom, too. Getting involved with her new neighbors would bring risks she doesn’t need. But life has a way of changing the rules. And when you get more than you can handle, sometimes all you can do is hang on for the ride.
Note: This romance, like New Zealand, contains a bit of steam. If that isn’t your cuppa, you may want to visit a different country . . . er, book.
Hugh Latimer’s coping with a few problems just now. A broken hand, missing the European rugby tour . . . and a half-brother and sister who are playing havoc with his love life. Instead of packing down in the scrum, he’s driving the carpool to ballet—or forgetting it’s his turn. When he hears his neighbor wailing out bad pop in the wee hours, it’s the last straw.
Josie Pae Ata is a fortunate woman. A new house, good friends, a gorgeous boyfriend—oh, and stardom, too. Getting involved with her new neighbors would bring risks she doesn’t need. But life has a way of changing the rules. And when you get more than you can handle, sometimes all you can do is hang on for the ride.
Note: This romance, like New Zealand, contains a bit of steam. If that isn’t your cuppa, you may want to visit a different country . . . er, book.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2014
401 people are currently reading
1154 people want to read
About the author
Rosalind James
55 books1,219 followersRosalind James writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense published both by Montlake Romance and independently. Her stories are set in New Zealand, Idaho, California, New York . . . really, anyplace that seems cool. (Research trips, especially those involving lots of rugby, are a bonus.) Her books are available in ebook, paperback, and audio formats. Rosalind is a former marketing executive who spent several years in Australia and New Zealand, where she fell in love with the people, the landscape, and the culture of both countries. She attributes her rapid success to the fact that "Lots of people would like to escape to New Zealand! I know I did!"
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
December 13, 2020
One of the best of the series! Hugh has a hard time of it, but becomes just as good a man as Drew and Finn. And Josie is a tough, beautiful country girl who is exactly what Hugh needed.
July 24, 2014
My favorite Escape to New Zealand book! I've read them all & in order. I think that this one could be read as a standalone. There are a few characters from previous books, but very easy to follow if you read just this one. This book has the least amount of rugby in it. Hugh, the H is injured early in the story, so the entire book is told off the rugby "paddock" (field-NZ slang, lol). Hugh has some flaws and admits to them! I liked that. He complains quite a bit and does realize that also. He was mostly raised by his divorced mom & rarely saw his dad as a kid. Now in his late 20s, his dad and step mom pass away & he has to help out with his 12 yr old sister and 8 yr old brother. He meets Josie, and is attracted to her and she is attracted to him. The story development is terrific. I did not find any slow points. There is a spoiler that an Amazon reviewer revealed before I started this book. grrrr--- The **** that the ammy reviewer revealed didn't come up in the story until 40-45% through the book! So I had that in the back of my mind up until then! I thought Amelia, Hugh's sister was just about right as an adolescent angsty girl. Any more & she would have been OTT. I've known girls like her (I have 2 daughters!) The kids play a big part in Hugh's daily life, which causes Hugh to rethink his priorities. There is romance between Hugh and Josie, and it is very sweet at times & very sexy too. Hugh is very devoted to Josie & stands up for her on many occasions. I love Josie in this story. She is a TV soap star & it like a femme fatale on her show-but wants to break out of that type of role. There is a part with her family that is so great- especially with her mom(one of the best book moms EVER!). There is way more talking to each other than internal dialogue throughout the entire book. The epilogue could have been a tiny bit longer, but I liked it. NO cliffy :) I love the NZ slang/phrases. Also love the writing style and the events and people all seemed very real.
July 5, 2014
A very touching romance with the hero and the heroine really grow into each other. Each have full developed lives that either need changing or have been changed. The love story come in this moment of their lives and is all the richer for it.
The very humanness of the romance is captivating along with the rugby, fame, New Zealand, Kiwi's Soaps, and a look into Maori life.
Even if you haven't read the series so far you should really like it.
The very humanness of the romance is captivating along with the rugby, fame, New Zealand, Kiwi's Soaps, and a look into Maori life.
Even if you haven't read the series so far you should really like it.
February 19, 2022
3, 3.5 stars maybe. Ok, enjoyable but nothing special. Not the best out of this series for me. I really liked Hugh a lot more when he appeared as a minor character in other books in the series, but somehow in his own book he wasn't quite as captivating. I did like Josie.
I liked that there was no cheating, even though at first Josie had another boyfriend.
I liked that there was no cheating, even though at first Josie had another boyfriend.
November 5, 2015
Hugh is a rugby player with the All Blacks of New Zealand. Josie is a soap star of Maori descent. They both look great from the outside, but both are dealing with sorrows and obstacles in their private lives.
Hugh's father and step-mother died in a car accident, leaving him with two much younger half-siblings. He's had to change teams and his entire life to try to help care for them. Then his paternal aunt informs him that she's going back to England and he'll have to deal with them on his own, in essence become their sole parent at age 26.
Josie had uterine cancer 3 years ago and is still dealing with the fact that she'll never have children. This leaves her reeling, since both by nature and nurture she's a big believer in large families. Then her partner of 3 years leaves her behind in favor of the bright lights of Australia.
Hugh and Josie find themselves living next door to each other. There's attraction from the start, but the author allows them to find each other at a pace that makes it more real than the insta-lust so favored nowadays.
There are no serial killers, small town sheriffs or pushy best-friends/senior cupids, just two attractive, outwardly successful adults dealing with life and love in the best way they know now.
Ms. James has spoiled me, making me addicted to her brand of adult, rugby-centric contemporary romance.
Hugh's father and step-mother died in a car accident, leaving him with two much younger half-siblings. He's had to change teams and his entire life to try to help care for them. Then his paternal aunt informs him that she's going back to England and he'll have to deal with them on his own, in essence become their sole parent at age 26.
Josie had uterine cancer 3 years ago and is still dealing with the fact that she'll never have children. This leaves her reeling, since both by nature and nurture she's a big believer in large families. Then her partner of 3 years leaves her behind in favor of the bright lights of Australia.
Hugh and Josie find themselves living next door to each other. There's attraction from the start, but the author allows them to find each other at a pace that makes it more real than the insta-lust so favored nowadays.
There are no serial killers, small town sheriffs or pushy best-friends/senior cupids, just two attractive, outwardly successful adults dealing with life and love in the best way they know now.
Ms. James has spoiled me, making me addicted to her brand of adult, rugby-centric contemporary romance.
June 6, 2014
So much fun to return to Rosalind James' romantic New Zealand and her cadre of dedicated rugby players!
April 23, 2018
This has been my favorite book so far.
The billboard incident is hilarious 😆. This is also the first book I have read where the heroine is a TV Soap actress.
Nicely done
The billboard incident is hilarious 😆. This is also the first book I have read where the heroine is a TV Soap actress.
Nicely done
May 13, 2022
I absolutely loved this one! This was exactly what I have come to expect from James. Hugh and Josie were thoughtful and mature characters, and it reflected in their story. I adored the kiddos too. I missed more of the rugby aspect, but that was my only complaint.
April 15, 2015
I read (and loved) this book when it first came out, and I just finished listening to the audiobook. Each of the Escape to New Zealand books becomes my favorite as I read it. But this one may remain in the top spot for a while to come. The narrator, Claire Bocking, just keeps getting better, in my opinion, and I marvel at how well she defines each character. I think I laughed and cried more listening to this book, especially in the final chapters, than any other. Ever. Go Josie and Hugh.
We get to visit with familiar characters from previous books, which I love, but the story centers on Hugh Latimer, a 28 year old rugby player who, because of a family tragedy, changes teams to be near his half brother and sister, Charlie (8), and Amelia (12). He shares responsibility for them with his aunt, but his part is mainly financial. Then he breaks his hand at the end of the season, and is thrown for a loop when his aunt decides to take an extended vacation out of the country.
Hugh is very responsible, and he tries his best, but is overwhelmed by the thought of running a house and raising 2 kids. But his instincts are spot on, and he tries very hard to get things right. The dialogue between him and the kids is priceless, especially when he discusses dating with Amelia, who, at 12 years old, is an expert on everything, and will not let Hugh catch a break on anything. Her younger brother is sweet, sensitive, and very naive, but at the same time, sees and hears everything.
When Hugh meets his next door neighbor, Josie, there is instant chemistry, but Josie already has a partner, and Hugh respects that, so they begin as friends, even as they are falling in love with each other.
The story is beautifully written, very emotional. All of the characters are well developed, and the narration is the best. I loved it
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
We get to visit with familiar characters from previous books, which I love, but the story centers on Hugh Latimer, a 28 year old rugby player who, because of a family tragedy, changes teams to be near his half brother and sister, Charlie (8), and Amelia (12). He shares responsibility for them with his aunt, but his part is mainly financial. Then he breaks his hand at the end of the season, and is thrown for a loop when his aunt decides to take an extended vacation out of the country.
Hugh is very responsible, and he tries his best, but is overwhelmed by the thought of running a house and raising 2 kids. But his instincts are spot on, and he tries very hard to get things right. The dialogue between him and the kids is priceless, especially when he discusses dating with Amelia, who, at 12 years old, is an expert on everything, and will not let Hugh catch a break on anything. Her younger brother is sweet, sensitive, and very naive, but at the same time, sees and hears everything.
When Hugh meets his next door neighbor, Josie, there is instant chemistry, but Josie already has a partner, and Hugh respects that, so they begin as friends, even as they are falling in love with each other.
The story is beautifully written, very emotional. All of the characters are well developed, and the narration is the best. I loved it
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
August 30, 2020
2.5 stars... Unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me. I saw that many consider this one to be their favorite of the series, and I can understand why. It just didn’t work for me. Once again, I listened to this on audible escapes.
This story is about Hugh and Josie. Hugh breaks his thumb and has to sit out for several months of the Rugby season while he’s healing. He has had custody of his 2 half siblings, ever since their parents passed away about 18 months prior. Hugh feels extremely overwhelmed by the prospect of taking care of them on his own, and is struggling to make things work. Josie is an actress on a NZ soap opera and is in a relationship with an actor (who is living in Australia) for the past three years. She moves in next door to Hugh, and they meet and start to become friends. They spend time together with his siblings... mostly doing low key things and helping Josie do some DIY around her home. Hugh is interested but since Josie is already taken, nothing happens between them for quite a while in this book. They eventually figure their shit out and have a HEA as a family of 4, but it’s pretty slow going and a little sad.
Here’s what bothered me... Josie doesn’t leave her boyfriend, he leaves her. I hate reading about someone clinging to their relationship and not being able to figure out on their own that it wasn’t right. It always makes me feel like the next partner is second best in some ways. Like if Josie’s ex HAD asked her to marry him instead, she would have gone along with it. That bothers me, even though I know that Josie has a better relationship with Hugh than she ever had with her ex.
This one is safe with exceptions... she’s in a relationship for half the story including off page sex, he goes on a date and kisses OW, TW: infertility.
This story is about Hugh and Josie. Hugh breaks his thumb and has to sit out for several months of the Rugby season while he’s healing. He has had custody of his 2 half siblings, ever since their parents passed away about 18 months prior. Hugh feels extremely overwhelmed by the prospect of taking care of them on his own, and is struggling to make things work. Josie is an actress on a NZ soap opera and is in a relationship with an actor (who is living in Australia) for the past three years. She moves in next door to Hugh, and they meet and start to become friends. They spend time together with his siblings... mostly doing low key things and helping Josie do some DIY around her home. Hugh is interested but since Josie is already taken, nothing happens between them for quite a while in this book. They eventually figure their shit out and have a HEA as a family of 4, but it’s pretty slow going and a little sad.
Here’s what bothered me... Josie doesn’t leave her boyfriend, he leaves her. I hate reading about someone clinging to their relationship and not being able to figure out on their own that it wasn’t right. It always makes me feel like the next partner is second best in some ways. Like if Josie’s ex HAD asked her to marry him instead, she would have gone along with it. That bothers me, even though I know that Josie has a better relationship with Hugh than she ever had with her ex.
This one is safe with exceptions... she’s in a relationship for half the story including off page sex, he goes on a date and kisses OW, TW: infertility.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2016
1.5 stars rounded to 2.
This book was a little frustrating. I had a hard time connecting to either MC. There were also some other issues going on that made this book more complex, but not necessarily more enjoyable for me. I also found this story boring.
What I liked:
1) The engaging writing, as always. I never feel dumber after reading James' books and that's a great thing.
2) I actually liked the H in this book. In the beginning, he was a little iffy to me, with his declarations of liking fast women and such. His words, not mine. After understanding his family situation more, I couldn't help but admire him. Yes, he wasn't perfect, but he was also trying to hard to be a good person for the sake of his siblings.
3) The h wasn't some damsel in distress. She didn't need a job or any help from the H. I like that she wasn't weak.
What I didn't like:
1) I felt like there were too many issues being tackled in this book. It was very sad and I wasn't looking for that when I started this book.
2) The h was pretty judgy. I did not like that about her at all. She should have been the one groveling, not the H.
3) This story was sort of boring. I had a hard time connecting with either MC, to be honest, and it made it hard for me to finish this book.
This book was a little frustrating. I had a hard time connecting to either MC. There were also some other issues going on that made this book more complex, but not necessarily more enjoyable for me. I also found this story boring.
What I liked:
1) The engaging writing, as always. I never feel dumber after reading James' books and that's a great thing.
2) I actually liked the H in this book. In the beginning, he was a little iffy to me, with his declarations of liking fast women and such. His words, not mine. After understanding his family situation more, I couldn't help but admire him. Yes, he wasn't perfect, but he was also trying to hard to be a good person for the sake of his siblings.
3) The h wasn't some damsel in distress. She didn't need a job or any help from the H. I like that she wasn't weak.
What I didn't like:
1) I felt like there were too many issues being tackled in this book. It was very sad and I wasn't looking for that when I started this book.
2) The h was pretty judgy. I did not like that about her at all. She should have been the one groveling, not the H.
3) This story was sort of boring. I had a hard time connecting with either MC, to be honest, and it made it hard for me to finish this book.
March 14, 2022
The focus of this book was the hero's two kids (his stepsister and stepbrother, age 12 and age 8). Heroine is his next door neighbor and the star of soap opera, the evil Dr. Eva.
SPOILER SPOILER PSOILER SPOILER SPOILER
Hero is only 28 and not ready to be a dad. He does his best but longs for his previous life of a professional rugby player without kids. He is still a pro rugby player but had to switch teams to be closer to the kids. They live with him.
Heroine is not able to have biological kids as she had cancer and a hysterectomy. She tells hero. Hero says he needs to think. She blows up and runs away. They eventually make up and get married.
In book 11, one of the players has a teenage cousin who gets pregnant with twin boys. She decides that Josie and Hugh can be the adopted parents. So they do adopt twin boys eventually.
SPOILER SPOILER PSOILER SPOILER SPOILER
Hero is only 28 and not ready to be a dad. He does his best but longs for his previous life of a professional rugby player without kids. He is still a pro rugby player but had to switch teams to be closer to the kids. They live with him.
Heroine is not able to have biological kids as she had cancer and a hysterectomy. She tells hero. Hero says he needs to think. She blows up and runs away. They eventually make up and get married.
In book 11, one of the players has a teenage cousin who gets pregnant with twin boys. She decides that Josie and Hugh can be the adopted parents. So they do adopt twin boys eventually.
June 15, 2014
I love the whole series, but this might be my favorite so far! With the first couple books I felt like something was missing, not so with this one. Don't know if my own tastes have changed over time or Rosalind's writing is evolving, but either way I'm loving it!
January 11, 2025
Hugh an All Black broke his had the last game and it now recovering. His half brother and sister orphaned when his father and step mother were killed have been being cared for by his aunt, he pays the bills and is home when he can be. She however has a 3 month trip to U.K. planned and he now he is stuck with broken hand and the children full time. He is 27 yrs old SO out of his element with sweet 8 yr old boy and bossy 12 yr old girl.
He then meets the smoking hot new neighbor next door Josie, but she has a partner in Australia. Unknown to him she is an actress so is her partner. She doesn't know he is rugby player either.
Josie wants to keep working in NZ not move to Oz but her long distance boyfriend of 3 yrs is set on taking his career to UK and other places and doesn't want to be tied down to NZ or so he says. He finally tells her knowing she will not go which is what he wants and he didn't mention there is someone more fertile he also wants. He tells Josie she is not enough woman for him, so cruel and hurtful.
This is a story about the dynamics of family, what they mean to each character and how if you love someone for real you take the ups, downs and the baggage.
He then meets the smoking hot new neighbor next door Josie, but she has a partner in Australia. Unknown to him she is an actress so is her partner. She doesn't know he is rugby player either.
Josie wants to keep working in NZ not move to Oz but her long distance boyfriend of 3 yrs is set on taking his career to UK and other places and doesn't want to be tied down to NZ or so he says. He finally tells her knowing she will not go which is what he wants and he didn't mention there is someone more fertile he also wants. He tells Josie she is not enough woman for him, so cruel and hurtful.
This is a story about the dynamics of family, what they mean to each character and how if you love someone for real you take the ups, downs and the baggage.
August 5, 2019
This one definitely was a slow burn and it needed to be. Both Hugh and Josie had issues to work through and Josie was sort of with someone else at the start. I loved that Hugh was smitten with Josie at the start and how once Josie let her know she had a partner how disappointed he was. As neighbors though Hugh made sure was around to help and had the kids with him, which helped hide his feelings. But once Josie's partner was out of the picture Hugh didn't let grass grow under his feet, but he also made his move in a respectful manner. Things were so easy for them, easy until Hugh had to face his place in his siblings life and just what was going to happen in the future. It was easy to understand both Hugh and Josie's reactions and the drama surrounding their reactions to each other. Josie's talk with her mom was just what she needed as was the drive him alone with Hugh and the kids. Both of them needed to realize what they wanted in order to live a happy life.
April 12, 2018
best of the series so far (but still nothing special) - 3*
Finally we have a couple where both are from NZ. Josie is an beautiful actress on a daily soap who moves next door to Hugh. He is an All Black but he is injured. So there is not as much rugby as in the other books. He is looking after his half siblings as his father and step-mother have died in a car accident. Josie helps him out a bit. I liked seeing them both just being normal people and not a lot of crazy drama other than that brought about by looking after kids. there were some times I really wondered if Hugh could be that dense about the kids but over all it was a quick pleasant read.
Finally we have a couple where both are from NZ. Josie is an beautiful actress on a daily soap who moves next door to Hugh. He is an All Black but he is injured. So there is not as much rugby as in the other books. He is looking after his half siblings as his father and step-mother have died in a car accident. Josie helps him out a bit. I liked seeing them both just being normal people and not a lot of crazy drama other than that brought about by looking after kids. there were some times I really wondered if Hugh could be that dense about the kids but over all it was a quick pleasant read.
April 25, 2019
This was so sweet. I really fell in love with Hugh. He may not have seen it but he was doing a great job with those kids. It's not easy to do what he did at his age. I loved the interaction between the kids and Hugh and Josie the best and they really made the story for me. But man, that ending had my bawling like a baby. It was like a calming balm to the soul.
June 23, 2021
This is one of my favourites in the series. When Hugh Latimer suddenly finds himself guardian of his young half-brother and half-sister, his life is upended completely. The All Black must relocate from Wellington to Auckland and then injures his hand badly. Josie is a famous New Zealand actress with secrets of her own. Lovely characters with great depth, I love Josie's mum. A lovely read.
April 10, 2015
I just finished the Audio book of this! WOW it was amazing Claire Bocking did an amazing job,with all charters. She brought the book to life! I felt like I was listening to a friend spill. WOUNDERFUL job!
I have found that this book in the series was one of my favorite. I found that the book was very realistic dealing with the hurdles in the book.
It was a very fresh,realistic,once you got started,I did not want to put it down. I loved how the soap opera story line was placed in the book because Josie, made it clear what was real in romance and not.
The love that grew,I found my self saying come on,the chemistry was there,but both were scared for different reasons,the love story rolls so smooth,and in a realistic way,that it had me believing or rather visioning it being played out on the big screen!
This wasn't your day to day romance book,there where parts that were tragic,inner feelings.
Hugh not knowing what he was doing all alone was what was needed to be done,and with the help of Josie tragic past help turn on the light bulb(so to speak) by showing him love comes in all shapes and ways,Rosalind James did a wonderful way of bringing out life's events nice and smooth.
I love the way the books play out, how you do not need to read in order to understand the Big Family she has made with the charters.
This was for me the best Romance book I have read in a long while,she made you believe in the charters,she brought out Josie and Hugh in a smooth way,as I said seeing this amazing romance grow,not rushed,but realistic.
The Love scenes were done in a way that was incredible sexy,having my heart rate increasing at some parts,but the job was done in a very tastefully way!
The book gets you learning more and more about NewZealand,the culture and life styles ,Love learning more about Maori History.
I keep finding myself wanting more and more of her story lines,
There was one nano of a section,That I wish gave me more.(don't want to give a spoiler,if you want to know hit me up. Only one part I wish I was given as a reader a nano of more as there was so much building of all the charters that I wish............
This new Romance book was such a sweet loving feel good book.I would say give it a go,you will not be disappointed ! I promise.
I have received a free copy of this book,in exchange for my Honest review.
The opinion stated is my own!
By far my favorite one, well besides book 1 lol, this was a love story unseen,that went from friend ship into love! This is one I am so looking forward to the audio portion, to see how the emotions play out, I bet they will so be played out. What two great character a soap star and and a injuried ruby player.
Making a great love stroy!!! I
I love how RJ has such passion for her country and sharing it all with us as if we can be part of it!
More of a review after the audio comes out, I'm so looking forward to listening to it!!!
I have found that this book in the series was one of my favorite. I found that the book was very realistic dealing with the hurdles in the book.
It was a very fresh,realistic,once you got started,I did not want to put it down. I loved how the soap opera story line was placed in the book because Josie, made it clear what was real in romance and not.
The love that grew,I found my self saying come on,the chemistry was there,but both were scared for different reasons,the love story rolls so smooth,and in a realistic way,that it had me believing or rather visioning it being played out on the big screen!
This wasn't your day to day romance book,there where parts that were tragic,inner feelings.
Hugh not knowing what he was doing all alone was what was needed to be done,and with the help of Josie tragic past help turn on the light bulb(so to speak) by showing him love comes in all shapes and ways,Rosalind James did a wonderful way of bringing out life's events nice and smooth.
I love the way the books play out, how you do not need to read in order to understand the Big Family she has made with the charters.
This was for me the best Romance book I have read in a long while,she made you believe in the charters,she brought out Josie and Hugh in a smooth way,as I said seeing this amazing romance grow,not rushed,but realistic.
The Love scenes were done in a way that was incredible sexy,having my heart rate increasing at some parts,but the job was done in a very tastefully way!
The book gets you learning more and more about NewZealand,the culture and life styles ,Love learning more about Maori History.
I keep finding myself wanting more and more of her story lines,
There was one nano of a section,That I wish gave me more.(don't want to give a spoiler,if you want to know hit me up. Only one part I wish I was given as a reader a nano of more as there was so much building of all the charters that I wish............
This new Romance book was such a sweet loving feel good book.I would say give it a go,you will not be disappointed ! I promise.
I have received a free copy of this book,in exchange for my Honest review.
The opinion stated is my own!
By far my favorite one, well besides book 1 lol, this was a love story unseen,that went from friend ship into love! This is one I am so looking forward to the audio portion, to see how the emotions play out, I bet they will so be played out. What two great character a soap star and and a injuried ruby player.
Making a great love stroy!!! I
I love how RJ has such passion for her country and sharing it all with us as if we can be part of it!
More of a review after the audio comes out, I'm so looking forward to listening to it!!!
February 21, 2018
Another fun book about a NZ hot rugby player falling in love.
Josie is an actress on a local soap opera and her boyfriend is an actor who's in Aussie making a film. Hugh lives next door with his Aunt Cora and his much younger brother and sister who lost their parents in a drunk driving accident. After 18 month of this arrangement Aunt Cora decides that she needs to go back to the UK saddling Hugh with the full responsibility while he's injured and not playing.
This one was a little slow out of the gate for me, but still worth it by the end. Hugh is sweet and endearing and under a lot of pressure to take care of these kids. Josie has her own personal demons to deal with and a long distance boyfriend who isn't much of one.
I would have liked a slightly faster pace, but this was still fun to read.
Josie is an actress on a local soap opera and her boyfriend is an actor who's in Aussie making a film. Hugh lives next door with his Aunt Cora and his much younger brother and sister who lost their parents in a drunk driving accident. After 18 month of this arrangement Aunt Cora decides that she needs to go back to the UK saddling Hugh with the full responsibility while he's injured and not playing.
This one was a little slow out of the gate for me, but still worth it by the end. Hugh is sweet and endearing and under a lot of pressure to take care of these kids. Josie has her own personal demons to deal with and a long distance boyfriend who isn't much of one.
I would have liked a slightly faster pace, but this was still fun to read.
August 3, 2014
I love this entire series by Rosalind James (I like al books I've so far read by Ms James, in fact). Firstly - imagine a big strong All Black falling for you? Who wouldn't like that? Secondly, Ms James's time in Australia and NZ was obviously well spent because she has captured the vernacular and turn of phrase so well, even more so that she's managed to convey the way us Aussies and Kiwis speak, on paper, and in a non-annoying way!
I was very glad that this book moved away from having an American lead female though - with the number of All Blacks who'd fallen for Americans (and one Canadian) they were in danger of becoming the All Stars!
I was very glad that this book moved away from having an American lead female though - with the number of All Blacks who'd fallen for Americans (and one Canadian) they were in danger of becoming the All Stars!
June 8, 2014
Another wonderful installment to a wonderful series
Another wonderful installment to a wonderful series
I love Rosalind James Escape to New Zealand series. This book is another wonderful installment to a equally wonderful series. I didn't know much about New Zealand or Rugby before reading these books, but I have really enjoyed learning. The characters are fresh and honest every time and the story lines are interesting and suck you in. You will hopefully love this book as much as I do, as well as all the others in this series.
Another wonderful installment to a wonderful series
I love Rosalind James Escape to New Zealand series. This book is another wonderful installment to a equally wonderful series. I didn't know much about New Zealand or Rugby before reading these books, but I have really enjoyed learning. The characters are fresh and honest every time and the story lines are interesting and suck you in. You will hopefully love this book as much as I do, as well as all the others in this series.
December 3, 2014
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars here. In the end however, I went with 4 because I really appreciate that, as is the standard for this series, this is a story about flawed people in a realistic, adult relationship. Their circumstances are not perfect but they deal with them as best they can. These are characters I can care about. Especially Charlie. He was a sweetheart!
December 27, 2025
Review to come.
September 9, 2015
I love this series. Sweet and steamy romance.
June 15, 2017
Another excellent story in Rosalind James’s Escape to New Zealand series, Just Not Mine is about rugby player Hugh Latimer and his new life as guardian of his half-sister and brother.
This story was a bit different than the other books in this series in that the relationship between the hero and heroine was very slow moving, and also sort of took a backseat to the kids in the story. Which was actually okay - twelve year-old Amelia was precocious and entertaining with all her warnings about what would go wrong if Hugh didn’t do things correctly, and eight year-old Charlie was darling in his attempts to fix Hugh up with different women.
I actually kept abandoning this book to go read a few others because it just wasn’t holding my attention very well. But that being said, I did end up liking the book. I loved Hugh’s growth as he became more involved with raising his half-sister and brother, and how he went from thinking “these children aren’t mine” to “I’m all they have and we’ll make the best of it.” His relationship with nextdoor neighbor Josie was sweet, but almost frustrating in how slow it developed. This is a romance book...I want to read about relationships and romance!
One thing this book did have going for it that the others didn’t...NO RUGBY! We still catch a glimpse of some of Hugh’s rugby teammates, but they are off season during this book, so there weren’t any pages recounting games.
I said in my review for Just My Luck (Escape to New Zealand, #5) that I was wondering if I would get tired of this series at some point. I started to think I had reached that point with this book, but Ms. James pulled it off again, just in a different way. It isn’t often I fall in love with characters who are young children, but I loved Amelia and Charlie. So even though this book wasn’t a typical Escape to New Zealand addition, I ended up liking it anyway.
This story was a bit different than the other books in this series in that the relationship between the hero and heroine was very slow moving, and also sort of took a backseat to the kids in the story. Which was actually okay - twelve year-old Amelia was precocious and entertaining with all her warnings about what would go wrong if Hugh didn’t do things correctly, and eight year-old Charlie was darling in his attempts to fix Hugh up with different women.
I actually kept abandoning this book to go read a few others because it just wasn’t holding my attention very well. But that being said, I did end up liking the book. I loved Hugh’s growth as he became more involved with raising his half-sister and brother, and how he went from thinking “these children aren’t mine” to “I’m all they have and we’ll make the best of it.” His relationship with nextdoor neighbor Josie was sweet, but almost frustrating in how slow it developed. This is a romance book...I want to read about relationships and romance!
One thing this book did have going for it that the others didn’t...NO RUGBY! We still catch a glimpse of some of Hugh’s rugby teammates, but they are off season during this book, so there weren’t any pages recounting games.
I said in my review for Just My Luck (Escape to New Zealand, #5) that I was wondering if I would get tired of this series at some point. I started to think I had reached that point with this book, but Ms. James pulled it off again, just in a different way. It isn’t often I fall in love with characters who are young children, but I loved Amelia and Charlie. So even though this book wasn’t a typical Escape to New Zealand addition, I ended up liking it anyway.
January 8, 2017
Hugh Latimer is stepping up for his step-brother and step-sister. After the death of his father and step-mother he has moved home and teams to give them some stability. But after he breaks his hand AND his aunt Cora decides to spend three months in the UK with her boyfriend he finds out what stepping up really entails.
Josie Pae Ata is an actress who plays the bitchy villain on a medical soap opera, her boyfriend is also an actor and is currently in Australia shooting a film. Josie has bought the house next to Hugh's parents home and is in the process of renovating.
Hugh has no idea who Josie is and Josie has no idea who Hugh is. In fact, Josie thinks that the wild man next door might be on benefits or a bit shady! Despite being, respectively, an All Black and a famous (in New Zealand) actress, Hugh and Josie are refreshingly down to earth.
I enjoyed this sixth book in the Escape to New Zealand series. Watching Hugh learn, mainly from his bossy step-sister, how to look after children was amusing. I also thought some of his incredulity that children have to be reminded to do everything was spot on, we do tend to micro-manage children too much, although I suppose if parents didn't go through their backpacks looking for permission slips and double-check that their children had their PE kit the children would get out of anything they didn't like doing. As Hugh is injured, we see much less rugby than in previous books. I liked the insight into acting on a daily soap opera and the frustrations of being pigeon-holed into a stock one-dimensional character.
Overall, despite being the sixth in the series this is still going strong for me, even if the idea that six members of the All Blacks have found love in short succession seems unrealistic.
Josie Pae Ata is an actress who plays the bitchy villain on a medical soap opera, her boyfriend is also an actor and is currently in Australia shooting a film. Josie has bought the house next to Hugh's parents home and is in the process of renovating.
Hugh has no idea who Josie is and Josie has no idea who Hugh is. In fact, Josie thinks that the wild man next door might be on benefits or a bit shady! Despite being, respectively, an All Black and a famous (in New Zealand) actress, Hugh and Josie are refreshingly down to earth.
I enjoyed this sixth book in the Escape to New Zealand series. Watching Hugh learn, mainly from his bossy step-sister, how to look after children was amusing. I also thought some of his incredulity that children have to be reminded to do everything was spot on, we do tend to micro-manage children too much, although I suppose if parents didn't go through their backpacks looking for permission slips and double-check that their children had their PE kit the children would get out of anything they didn't like doing. As Hugh is injured, we see much less rugby than in previous books. I liked the insight into acting on a daily soap opera and the frustrations of being pigeon-holed into a stock one-dimensional character.
Overall, despite being the sixth in the series this is still going strong for me, even if the idea that six members of the All Blacks have found love in short succession seems unrealistic.
February 7, 2017
I'm really enjoying this series! Hugh Latimer switched from the Hurricanes to the Blues to be near his half brother and sister after their parents died. His Aunt Cora has been living with them and taking care of the kids, and Hugh has continued his life playing rugby for the Blue and the All Blacks. Until he breaks his hand. And then Cora announces she's taking an extended trip back to the UK (where she's from) to pursue a romance - since Hugh's home he can take care of Amelia and Charlie! Josie Pae Ata is an actress for a popular NZ soap opera as well as a model. She's been with her boyfriend for 3 years, but now he's got an acting gig in Australia and they are trying to hang on to a long distance romance. She recently bought the house next to Hugh's he starts helping her with her projects to update the house. Although Hugh is very attracted to Josie, she makes it known she doesn't cheat. But after she breaks up with her partner (I have a hard time getting used to that terminology!) Hugh's definitely interested. They are both dealing with their own issues and their lives not turning out quite how they expected, but I love how they come together, how they deal with the kids and even the turmoil. I think this has been one of my favorites!
March 12, 2018
Definitely a different take on a famous person romance than I'm familiar with. Having the heroine's sexuality (not to be confused with her sexual preference or sexual history) be such a huge part of why she's famous is thought-provoking. It's something the hero has to come to terms with and given the prevalence of #MeToo in the media, it makes me consider the compromises women have to make. Since Just Not Mine was published in 2014, it speaks to how long this has been a problem within the entertainment industry.
In addition, the look at how insular the New Zealand industry is compared to the US industry was interesting. It reminds me of how all these stars start on DeGrassi or Neighbours before getting a foot in the door to break into the US industry.
So in conclusion, this is not a light contemporary. It's not angsty-heavy, but it's definitely more of family drama like Just Say (Hell) No.
In addition, the look at how insular the New Zealand industry is compared to the US industry was interesting. It reminds me of how all these stars start on DeGrassi or Neighbours before getting a foot in the door to break into the US industry.
So in conclusion, this is not a light contemporary. It's not angsty-heavy, but it's definitely more of family drama like Just Say (Hell) No.
July 16, 2019
Another awesome read. This series is so good. If you're looking for feel-good books, with not too much crazy drama and some spice...these are for you. The characters are well developed, the story moves along at a steady pace. Josie and Hugh's story was a treat to read because I came across them (and the series) when I read book 11: Just Say (Hell) No and couldn't start reading (listening) to the series on Audible (Romance package...shameless plug here). I was happy to know their way to happiness and the ultimate result in book 11.
This book and the entire series is just great. I definitely recommend it....Also, I seriously and looking into going to visit New Zealand...to check out some of the places Rosalind mentioned in her books, the people and enjoy the cultural adventure and hey would it be "choice" if I, maybe, accidentally meet an AB...hey you never know!).
This book and the entire series is just great. I definitely recommend it....Also, I seriously and looking into going to visit New Zealand...to check out some of the places Rosalind mentioned in her books, the people and enjoy the cultural adventure and hey would it be "choice" if I, maybe, accidentally meet an AB...hey you never know!).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews