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The Lone Stars #2
Saving Grace
Grace Kelley isn’t blonde, demure, and she definitely isn’t a princess. At the moment, fifteen dollars and a single peppermint stand between her and starvation. When she meets a teenaged girl in trouble, Grace’s life takes a turn for the better. She goes from a homeless singer to a nanny in no time flat.
Professionally, Chord Robbins has the world at his feet. As the coach of the Super Bowl winning NFL team, The Austin Lone Stars, there is nothing he can’t do. But his home life is hell. He has three kids, no discipline, and his wife left him for her yoga instructor. When Grace stumbles into his life, he promptly throws her out. But she won’t stay away. Since he can’t get rid of her, he hires her.
When these two get together, it proves that all is fair in love and football… and losing is just the beginning.
Professionally, Chord Robbins has the world at his feet. As the coach of the Super Bowl winning NFL team, The Austin Lone Stars, there is nothing he can’t do. But his home life is hell. He has three kids, no discipline, and his wife left him for her yoga instructor. When Grace stumbles into his life, he promptly throws her out. But she won’t stay away. Since he can’t get rid of her, he hires her.
When these two get together, it proves that all is fair in love and football… and losing is just the beginning.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2014
185 people are currently reading
967 people want to read
About the author
Katie Graykowski
33 books409 followersKatie Graykowski is an internationally bestselling author of 25 novels.
Her latest release, Texas Rose Happily Ever-After, the 5th book in the Texas Rose Ranch series. It's out 4/11/2023.
Katie's hard at work on the 5th book in her PTO Murder Club mystery. It's called Puzzled Pieces and is out 5/30/2023.
For news about Katie, please visit www.katiegraykowski.com.
Her latest release, Texas Rose Happily Ever-After, the 5th book in the Texas Rose Ranch series. It's out 4/11/2023.
Katie's hard at work on the 5th book in her PTO Murder Club mystery. It's called Puzzled Pieces and is out 5/30/2023.
For news about Katie, please visit www.katiegraykowski.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
December 30, 2014
**originally posted at Bedroom Bookworms
So I really, really liked Perfect Summer. I gave it 4.5 stars back when I read it, and since then I’ve thought about going back and changing it to 5 because I just really, really liked it. I felt like it was the perfect mix of funny and sexy and realism and fantasy. So when Saving Grace (the sequel) came out, I was really quite stoked. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like it was quite as great as Perfect Summer. I still liked it. I just didn’t love it. The humor was just a little over the top and it pushed the boundaries of believability to me. That being said, if you’re in the mood for some light-hearted laughs, it’s still well-written and full of likeable characters.
Overall Rating: 3.5 stars- Worth a few minutes before bedtime.
I’m not going to go on and on. I love Katie Graykowski’s writing but even my favorite authors have a miss sometimes. I wouldn’t go quite THAT far with this one, but it just didn’t give me that man-I-loved-that feeling that most of her writing does. The characters are all completely lovable, but the plot just left me underwhelmed.
If you choose to read Saving Grace, you need to start it with a good dose of suspended disbelief. We have a broke and embarrassed street performer (Grace) saving the neck of a dipshit teenager. (That part? Totally believable. Why are we all idiots as teenagers?) But of course, the dipshit teenager belongs to a rich guy named Chord and you can guess the rest.
Saving Grace felt like a mix of Little Orphan Annie, The Sound of Music, and The Three Stooges. While I like all three of those things, together the outlandish nature of everything (the neurotic dog really put it over the top for me) just didn’t work for me.
It was a light, not-unpleasant read, but just not appointment reading like my previous experience with Katie’s books.
Smut Factor : 3 stars- Not Bad
Character likability : 4 stars- I wish we were friends.
Storytelling: 3 stars- It could happen
Writing and editing quality : 3 stars - A few errors, but nothing that took away from the story.
So I really, really liked Perfect Summer. I gave it 4.5 stars back when I read it, and since then I’ve thought about going back and changing it to 5 because I just really, really liked it. I felt like it was the perfect mix of funny and sexy and realism and fantasy. So when Saving Grace (the sequel) came out, I was really quite stoked. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like it was quite as great as Perfect Summer. I still liked it. I just didn’t love it. The humor was just a little over the top and it pushed the boundaries of believability to me. That being said, if you’re in the mood for some light-hearted laughs, it’s still well-written and full of likeable characters.
Overall Rating: 3.5 stars- Worth a few minutes before bedtime.
I’m not going to go on and on. I love Katie Graykowski’s writing but even my favorite authors have a miss sometimes. I wouldn’t go quite THAT far with this one, but it just didn’t give me that man-I-loved-that feeling that most of her writing does. The characters are all completely lovable, but the plot just left me underwhelmed.
“I’m not calling you a pussy, I’m just saying your vagina is bigger than mine.”
If you choose to read Saving Grace, you need to start it with a good dose of suspended disbelief. We have a broke and embarrassed street performer (Grace) saving the neck of a dipshit teenager. (That part? Totally believable. Why are we all idiots as teenagers?) But of course, the dipshit teenager belongs to a rich guy named Chord and you can guess the rest.
“Yes, I want to date you. I want to get dressed up and take you out on the town – no kids allowed. I want to go to cocktail parties with you and benefits and text you a million times a day and call you up to see what you’re doing even though I only saw you ten minutes ago. You know. . . sappy boyfriend crap.”
Saving Grace felt like a mix of Little Orphan Annie, The Sound of Music, and The Three Stooges. While I like all three of those things, together the outlandish nature of everything (the neurotic dog really put it over the top for me) just didn’t work for me.
It was a light, not-unpleasant read, but just not appointment reading like my previous experience with Katie’s books.
“You’re my life. . . my everything. You’re the other half of the soul.”
Smut Factor : 3 stars- Not Bad
Character likability : 4 stars- I wish we were friends.
Storytelling: 3 stars- It could happen
Writing and editing quality : 3 stars - A few errors, but nothing that took away from the story.
September 22, 2015
Hated the heroine
I loved everything about this book, except the heroine.
She was rude. She just appeared in the hero's life one night and called him a bad parent right to his face because he had trouble punishing his kids.
Then, she proceeded to push her way into their lives and tell the hero that she needed to be included in every decision he made. He hired her as a Nassau, she called herself a family officer, but she was hired to be a nanny. She pushed the hero around constantly and told him over and over again that he's not raising his kids right. She just totally disgusts me.
She broke into the hero's locked office and went through his things. When he confronted her, she said that in order to take care of the kids she needed access to every room. Like, what?
She didn't get any better as the book went on. She forced herself on the kids as a mother figure and then starts calling his kids hers. It's just so messed up.
All of the other characters were great. I'm not going to lie, there were more than a few times I wished that the hero had the balls to put the heroine in her place, but other than that, they were all interesting.
The story line was interesting enough.
I do wish that the author wrote more about the hero's ex-wife.
All in all, I liked the first one a lot better.
I loved everything about this book, except the heroine.
She was rude. She just appeared in the hero's life one night and called him a bad parent right to his face because he had trouble punishing his kids.
Then, she proceeded to push her way into their lives and tell the hero that she needed to be included in every decision he made. He hired her as a Nassau, she called herself a family officer, but she was hired to be a nanny. She pushed the hero around constantly and told him over and over again that he's not raising his kids right. She just totally disgusts me.
She broke into the hero's locked office and went through his things. When he confronted her, she said that in order to take care of the kids she needed access to every room. Like, what?
She didn't get any better as the book went on. She forced herself on the kids as a mother figure and then starts calling his kids hers. It's just so messed up.
All of the other characters were great. I'm not going to lie, there were more than a few times I wished that the hero had the balls to put the heroine in her place, but other than that, they were all interesting.
The story line was interesting enough.
I do wish that the author wrote more about the hero's ex-wife.
All in all, I liked the first one a lot better.
August 15, 2018
Re-read August 2018
Re-read January 2018
Sweet! Very very very sweet. Actually it was a bit to sweet.
Re-read January 2018
Sweet! Very very very sweet. Actually it was a bit to sweet.
December 29, 2015
Story of Grace and Chord (ugh on that name). She's a former reality singing show contestant whose 15 mins of fame was used up with a nipple slip that she can't live down. She's busking in Austin and sees a young teen getting manhandled by a much older man and she steps in to stop a potential rape. Chord is the teen's father and the coach of the pro football team (from Book 1). His kids are out of control, have no boundaries and no consequences for their actions. She calls him on it and he kicks her out -- but the kids have other ideas. She becomes the Nanny and things heat up.
I really really liked Book 1, but I found this one to be not as good. Characters weren't as developed; Chord was an ass and despite some of the romantic things he says, he's really just a jerk. I also feel like whole chapters got eliminated or something. While Perfect Summer had a great combo of romance and relationship angst, Saving Grace has drama that felt disjointed and even Grace's actions near the end seemed out of character.
This also felt rushed -- needs lots of proofing to catch grammar mistakes; incorrect word usage, etc.
I really really liked Book 1, but I found this one to be not as good. Characters weren't as developed; Chord was an ass and despite some of the romantic things he says, he's really just a jerk. I also feel like whole chapters got eliminated or something. While Perfect Summer had a great combo of romance and relationship angst, Saving Grace has drama that felt disjointed and even Grace's actions near the end seemed out of character.
This also felt rushed -- needs lots of proofing to catch grammar mistakes; incorrect word usage, etc.
August 20, 2014
3.5 stars
This was an easy and sweet read with a little humour and fun thrown in the mix. I enjoyed it and am glad I read it. I couldn't rate it higher though as the story didn't Jane any outstanding elements to me and whilst I enjoyed reading it I will not be thinking about it longer than when I start my next book.
This was an easy and sweet read with a little humour and fun thrown in the mix. I enjoyed it and am glad I read it. I couldn't rate it higher though as the story didn't Jane any outstanding elements to me and whilst I enjoyed reading it I will not be thinking about it longer than when I start my next book.
April 2, 2015
I really adore Graykowski's writing style. This book, like her others, made for a sweet romantic read with a touch of humor. All the characters were solid and likeable. The plot was somewhat unrealistic, but it still made for a charming, simple read. Her books make are perfect light reading such as on the beach etc. No unnecessary angst or lots of drama etc.
January 4, 2015
Grace and Chord! What a cute book! I liked the flirty banter between the two. It was a fun and quick read!
October 12, 2015
Delightful!!!
October 19, 2019
I read a previous book from a different series by this author and loved the feisty banter paired with spicy sexy encounters which had some warm-hearted charm added in. What surprised me most was the deeper subject matter that should have been an utter angst-fest, but turned out to have a wryness, down home quality to it that kept me deeply interested instead of fleeing in my usual way. I wanted another helping of that so snatched up this book when I wanted a sports romance.
Saving Grace is the second book in The Lone Stars series. It read standalone easily though I was well aware who the previous couple were. I do want to go back for the first story and more of the series now that I've met them all.
Grace Kelley wanted to be a music sensation, but a warddrobe malfunction on The Voice got her kicked off. Each time she found a good job and a career opportunity, her uncle, who is also her adopted dad's failing health forced her to quit or be let go. She has fifteen dollars to her name, is singing on the street outside the big Austin music festival, and needs to come up with the rent payment on her uncle's care facility. Who knew a Good Samaritan act saving a young teen girl from a pervert would land her a cushy position as the pro football team coach's nanny or that she'd be swapping witty comebacks and fighting not to jump into the man's bed. She goes it alone. It's better that way.
Chord Robbins had his own great football career and now coaches a Superbowl Champion team. He wanted a family and he got one. Too bad his wife was operating from an entirely different playbook and left him for her yoga instructor. His kids are out of control and he needs help. Sub in feisty Grace Kelley who is no Mary Poppins though he has a few fantasies about seeing her in the costume. If only he can believe that he can have something real and permanent with her without it going sour like it did with his ex.
This one for the first half was loaded with great repartee of the witty, sarcastic, and sexual innuendo sort that had me chuckling several times. It cruised along quickly, but not so fast that I couldn't buy it. The book swapped back and forth between Grace and Chord, filled in their backgrounds which included their hang-ups over long term relationships and enduring love. I saw where it was headed and worried a tad bit as they started to self-sabotage their chances, but, like the earlier book I read, the conflict flared up, but after a waike-up call, a conversation cleared it up.
The pace trotted along smoothly in a romcom way and it got spicy with the build up and then the bedroom antics. But, there's a sparkle even when they are going about family or work stuff. It was an easy, engaging read that brought the country charm to the suburbs. Not really any on field action, but Chord did deal with a lot of behind the scenes, off season stuff that a coach has to tackle so the sports element was there in a different way. I definitely want more of the author's sassy writing style, the fun group of characters in this series all centered around the football team, and more spicy football romancing.
Saving Grace is the second book in The Lone Stars series. It read standalone easily though I was well aware who the previous couple were. I do want to go back for the first story and more of the series now that I've met them all.
Grace Kelley wanted to be a music sensation, but a warddrobe malfunction on The Voice got her kicked off. Each time she found a good job and a career opportunity, her uncle, who is also her adopted dad's failing health forced her to quit or be let go. She has fifteen dollars to her name, is singing on the street outside the big Austin music festival, and needs to come up with the rent payment on her uncle's care facility. Who knew a Good Samaritan act saving a young teen girl from a pervert would land her a cushy position as the pro football team coach's nanny or that she'd be swapping witty comebacks and fighting not to jump into the man's bed. She goes it alone. It's better that way.
Chord Robbins had his own great football career and now coaches a Superbowl Champion team. He wanted a family and he got one. Too bad his wife was operating from an entirely different playbook and left him for her yoga instructor. His kids are out of control and he needs help. Sub in feisty Grace Kelley who is no Mary Poppins though he has a few fantasies about seeing her in the costume. If only he can believe that he can have something real and permanent with her without it going sour like it did with his ex.
This one for the first half was loaded with great repartee of the witty, sarcastic, and sexual innuendo sort that had me chuckling several times. It cruised along quickly, but not so fast that I couldn't buy it. The book swapped back and forth between Grace and Chord, filled in their backgrounds which included their hang-ups over long term relationships and enduring love. I saw where it was headed and worried a tad bit as they started to self-sabotage their chances, but, like the earlier book I read, the conflict flared up, but after a waike-up call, a conversation cleared it up.
The pace trotted along smoothly in a romcom way and it got spicy with the build up and then the bedroom antics. But, there's a sparkle even when they are going about family or work stuff. It was an easy, engaging read that brought the country charm to the suburbs. Not really any on field action, but Chord did deal with a lot of behind the scenes, off season stuff that a coach has to tackle so the sports element was there in a different way. I definitely want more of the author's sassy writing style, the fun group of characters in this series all centered around the football team, and more spicy football romancing.
February 19, 2023
Please note, this review was previously published in 2015 under a profile used by multiple people. I am removing those reviews and republishing them on my new, personal profile.
SAVING GRACE was another light-hearted and fun read in the Lone Stars series. Stumbling into the Robbins’ family turns out to be the best thing that’s happened to Grace in a very long time. Living in her car and with no money to her name, taking a job as a live-in-nanny for an NFL coach and his three kids is a no-brainer. She now has security, stability, a roof over her head and is earning enough money to get her beloved uncle into a better care facility, so she doesn’t want to do anything that could jeopardise her good fortune. And that includes sleeping with her very new and very hot boss, Chord.
Grace was amazing and a fantastic mother figure to Chord’s three kids. She was a lot of fun but also firm when the kids needed discipline. She turns Chord’s hectic home life and troublesome kids into the family he desperately wanted but didn’t know how to get. She even got Chord to lighten up, have fun and become a better father to his children.
Chord was also good, but he did have trust issues, which is understandable when you find out what his ex-wife did to him. But sadly it’s those trust issues that cause problems for their relationship after he finally convinces her to give him a chance.
I love that Katie writes such strong female characters and knows how to inject good humour into her stories. We got to catch up on how Summer and Clint are doing in their relationship and there’s more interaction with the Lone Stars team in this book. There’s a potential for a lot of books in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2018
DNF.
This started out so promising. Clever, I thought. But then the proofreading went out the window (homonyms will not be caught by spell check, so you actually have to read carefully, authors!). And the football knowledge seemed good until we got to heroine Grace, who becomes the nanny, asking for Sundays as her permanent day off—assuming Chord, the NFL coach, can be with them that night. Umm...no. I know the book starts in the off-season, but that was clearly not the deal with Sundays. So, no. Also, I realized the tension was the he's-my-boss-so-I-can't-fuck-him deal, and I am not into that trope. Life is too short, and the book had been free on a deal, so I stopped reading.
This started out so promising. Clever, I thought. But then the proofreading went out the window (homonyms will not be caught by spell check, so you actually have to read carefully, authors!). And the football knowledge seemed good until we got to heroine Grace, who becomes the nanny, asking for Sundays as her permanent day off—assuming Chord, the NFL coach, can be with them that night. Umm...no. I know the book starts in the off-season, but that was clearly not the deal with Sundays. So, no. Also, I realized the tension was the he's-my-boss-so-I-can't-fuck-him deal, and I am not into that trope. Life is too short, and the book had been free on a deal, so I stopped reading.
October 27, 2018
Trust in love
Another great book by Katie Graykowski, my second book by her. I love that all the females, in her books, are so independent, feisty, warm hearted and so loving. Trust issues abound in this book, but Chord and Grace find that love overpowers their lack of trust. Meeting Coco and then HW, and Cart was all meant to be for Grace. She showed the kids a motherly love that had been lacking in their lives. The family and stability that Grace and Chord needed resulted in a beautiful HEA. I intend to read more books by Ms Graykowski.
Another great book by Katie Graykowski, my second book by her. I love that all the females, in her books, are so independent, feisty, warm hearted and so loving. Trust issues abound in this book, but Chord and Grace find that love overpowers their lack of trust. Meeting Coco and then HW, and Cart was all meant to be for Grace. She showed the kids a motherly love that had been lacking in their lives. The family and stability that Grace and Chord needed resulted in a beautiful HEA. I intend to read more books by Ms Graykowski.
December 10, 2024
Very cute nanny romance.
I loved the heroine Grace. She's a perfect nanny for hero Chord's 3 rambunctious children. A bit of a too-good-to-be-true Mary Poppins whose self-reliance is simultaneously impressive and annoying (because her pride causes problems and misunderstandings with Chord).
Chord spends the first half of the book riding a fine line between attentive and pushy. He's lucky the attraction is reciprocated, otherwise he'd be in danger of sexual harassment.
Found-family and NFL teams go hand-in-hand and this is no exception.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
I loved the heroine Grace. She's a perfect nanny for hero Chord's 3 rambunctious children. A bit of a too-good-to-be-true Mary Poppins whose self-reliance is simultaneously impressive and annoying (because her pride causes problems and misunderstandings with Chord).
Chord spends the first half of the book riding a fine line between attentive and pushy. He's lucky the attraction is reciprocated, otherwise he'd be in danger of sexual harassment.
Found-family and NFL teams go hand-in-hand and this is no exception.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
February 24, 2020
Such a sweet story! I've read the first book a while ago and really liked it but I have to admit that this second book was even better. Grace and Chord were perfect together and I really loved the children. The writing and humour had me laughing out loud quite often and this dog was something else. A great read which reminded me a bit of the Chicago Stars series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I'm off getting the next book on my kindle to start right away.
May 12, 2020
This was fun to read and I genuinely enjoyed it, but the pacing was weird and the conflict was sort of an afterthought. Grace enters their life with a splash, and it feels like within moments, Chord (what kind of name is Chord, anyway?) is imagining having a relationship with her, but as soon as that becomes a reality, he suddenly is sure that he can't trust her. Meanwhile, Miss "My Music is So Important To Me" forgets about music entirely until people remind her that she loves it.
September 7, 2017
i really like the writing style and the romance is sweet. it is a really easy read. love this author's female leads but i had quite a few issues with the character of Chord. sometimes you can just find so much wrong with a character that it drags you away from the story and this happened here. the story overall was rather predictable but it was still a great story to read and very well written
September 26, 2018
FANTASTIC ROMANTIC ADVENTURE
A cute and very entertaining romance about a single father raising three children and a young woman who comes into their lives. She brings harmony and unity into this family and helps to enrich not only their personal lives but also creates a strong friends support system.
A cute and very entertaining romance about a single father raising three children and a young woman who comes into their lives. She brings harmony and unity into this family and helps to enrich not only their personal lives but also creates a strong friends support system.
October 24, 2018
Okay so I read this series as a whole and must say it reminds me of KA series rock chicks and I must say it was amazing!! Loved the characters and the lone star boys too each have an amazing couple with loads of laughs and lol hilarious women!!! Definitely a must read I devoured it!!! Wish there was more !!!!
January 25, 2019
Not one if my favorite books
Grace was sweet but annoying in this book. I liked Chord but everything just felt rushed. Everything happened too fast and It took away from the believability factor. Usually editing doesn't bother me to much but it was definately annoying. I'm glad it's done.
Grace was sweet but annoying in this book. I liked Chord but everything just felt rushed. Everything happened too fast and It took away from the believability factor. Usually editing doesn't bother me to much but it was definately annoying. I'm glad it's done.
February 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. The writing and story are solid. My only complaint was all the street name/location dropping. I feel it was unnecessary to the story and as someone from Austin it was a little distracting.
September 22, 2018
This story made me laugh out loud (no really).
The dialog between characters in this book was so good. It had me laughing more than once. I wasn't sure I wanted to continue reading about football players, but now I have to finish the series. Well done.
The dialog between characters in this book was so good. It had me laughing more than once. I wasn't sure I wanted to continue reading about football players, but now I have to finish the series. Well done.
October 20, 2018
Cute and sweet
A lovely story filled with likeable characters and an adorable dog with more issues than vogue. Grace is proof of good karma. She does a good deed helping Coco from a bad situation and it turns her life around.
A lovely story filled with likeable characters and an adorable dog with more issues than vogue. Grace is proof of good karma. She does a good deed helping Coco from a bad situation and it turns her life around.
October 26, 2018
Great read.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s was a little “sweeter” than I usually read but it was funny and delightful. I was repeatedly laughing out loud while reading. Grace and Chord were great together. Their relationship was so much fun!
I really enjoyed this book. It’s was a little “sweeter” than I usually read but it was funny and delightful. I was repeatedly laughing out loud while reading. Grace and Chord were great together. Their relationship was so much fun!
March 15, 2019
Must read series!
You will laugh and maybe shed a tear in this story. I absolutely recommend this series. The female characters are fun and zany, you wish you had them in your life.
You will laugh and maybe shed a tear in this story. I absolutely recommend this series. The female characters are fun and zany, you wish you had them in your life.
May 31, 2019
I love these books. They have great characters and laugh out loud parts. If. If you like funny and sometimes sad, and feel good books that you wish would not end read Katie Graykowski books. They are great.
March 26, 2021
My first book by Katie Graykowski.
I really liked it. All the characters had depth. They were interesting. There was romance, there was humor. There was lot of friendly banter.
I am definitely going in for more books by this author
I really liked it. All the characters had depth. They were interesting. There was romance, there was humor. There was lot of friendly banter.
I am definitely going in for more books by this author
July 5, 2017
Book 2
I loved Chord and Grace. Their story was awesome. I'm ready for Devon's story and then a grown up Coco
I loved Chord and Grace. Their story was awesome. I'm ready for Devon's story and then a grown up Coco
September 11, 2018
4 & 1/2 stars rounded up
Read this on KindleUnlimited
Read this on KindleUnlimited
October 2, 2018
I enjoyed this quick, safe, fun read. It provided good escape after a difficult day.
October 25, 2018
Fun book
This was a great book! I really enjoyed the characters and their storyline was great. I look forward to reading more about them and others in the next book.
This was a great book! I really enjoyed the characters and their storyline was great. I look forward to reading more about them and others in the next book.
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