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The Sullivan Brothers #1
The Love Ambush
Levi Sullivan is a total player and the world’s biggest flirt. He’s also my brother’s best friend, and the man I’ve had a crush on for most of my life.
My defense mechanism has been to pretend, even to myself sometimes, that I hate him.
Now, the two of us are stuck in the merriest little town on earth for my brother’s destination wedding, and it’s impossible to avoid Levi.
Life isn't going that great for me. I'm struggling to complete my nursing degree, my sisters hate me and refuse to listen to anything I say - a real problem considering I'm their guardian - and now my brother wants me to make nice with Levi so we can help my brother have the wedding of the century.
If I don’t keep hating Levi, I’m going to fall for him and he’s definitely going to break my heart.
Except, Levi keeps showing up and helping me out even when I tell him I don't need it. And I’m no longer sure he’s the player I thought he was.
So much is riding on me not falling for Levi, but he keeps chipping away at all my defenses.
My defense mechanism has been to pretend, even to myself sometimes, that I hate him.
Now, the two of us are stuck in the merriest little town on earth for my brother’s destination wedding, and it’s impossible to avoid Levi.
Life isn't going that great for me. I'm struggling to complete my nursing degree, my sisters hate me and refuse to listen to anything I say - a real problem considering I'm their guardian - and now my brother wants me to make nice with Levi so we can help my brother have the wedding of the century.
If I don’t keep hating Levi, I’m going to fall for him and he’s definitely going to break my heart.
Except, Levi keeps showing up and helping me out even when I tell him I don't need it. And I’m no longer sure he’s the player I thought he was.
So much is riding on me not falling for Levi, but he keeps chipping away at all my defenses.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2025
About the author
Katharine Sadler
48 books122 followersKatharine Sadler lives with her husband in North Carolina. She’s been writing since she was ten and has wanted to be a writer even longer. When she’s not writing or otherwise gainfully occupied, she reads like it’s an addiction, exercises, skis whenever she gets the chance, and adds more books to her Amazon wish list.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 28, 2025
Okay..okay. This book was just a little over 600 pages and I finished it in 4 days! I have to say this was a first by Katharine Sadler and I was impressed. She kept my attention the entire time.
**This Review Containers Spoilers**
I absolutely loved the story. It was a brother’s best friend trope..a story of a family being torn apart by their parents not fulfilling their duties as parents and sisters sticking together no matter how hard life got. The love between the sisters was heartwarming but the love between Levi and Gentry 🔥.
Now the story between Levi and Gentry, hold onto your seats this was not only a brother’s best friend trope but I also felt like it was an enemies to lovers too. More so on Gentry’s side than Levi. The love that Levi showed towards Gentry when she didn’t even want it or thought he was being a jerk. 😅 she was a little hard headed but she came around.
Brodie, his love for his sisters was heartfelt. Loved that he came out with the truth about Levi, to spare him the continued heartache of not being able to have Gentry because of past actions no fault to him. Brodie was a true brother, he showed so much care, support and love to his sisters in place of his parents. I’m hoping he gets his own story, I would love to learn more about his love story.
Loved Levi’s relationship with his brothers and I have a feeling I’ll be reading about one of their stories next. They all sound kind of hot. 🥵
I truly love small town romances, this small town came together to show Gentry and her family how much they care and support them.
**This Review Containers Spoilers**
I absolutely loved the story. It was a brother’s best friend trope..a story of a family being torn apart by their parents not fulfilling their duties as parents and sisters sticking together no matter how hard life got. The love between the sisters was heartwarming but the love between Levi and Gentry 🔥.
Now the story between Levi and Gentry, hold onto your seats this was not only a brother’s best friend trope but I also felt like it was an enemies to lovers too. More so on Gentry’s side than Levi. The love that Levi showed towards Gentry when she didn’t even want it or thought he was being a jerk. 😅 she was a little hard headed but she came around.
Brodie, his love for his sisters was heartfelt. Loved that he came out with the truth about Levi, to spare him the continued heartache of not being able to have Gentry because of past actions no fault to him. Brodie was a true brother, he showed so much care, support and love to his sisters in place of his parents. I’m hoping he gets his own story, I would love to learn more about his love story.
Loved Levi’s relationship with his brothers and I have a feeling I’ll be reading about one of their stories next. They all sound kind of hot. 🥵
I truly love small town romances, this small town came together to show Gentry and her family how much they care and support them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2025
I devoured everything by Katharine Sadler while I had Kindle Unlimited so I knew I was going to love this book. First of all I was thrilled it was based in Catalpa Creek, as that meant coming across familiar characters that I’d already grown so fond of by reading the previous books. Secondly I think the familiarity expanded that feeling of really being there, like going back someplace you’ve previously visited. The characters are extremely likeable and well written; in fact the whole book is such an easy read that, had it not been for 3 kids and the summer holidays, I probably would have finished it much quicker. I can’t wait for the others and highly recommend reading this or any of Katharine Sadler’s books for that matter.
August 30, 2025
The Love Ambush is the first book in Sadler's new series, The Sullivans. This brother's best friend, enemies to lovers romance features Gentry Lendew and Levi Sullivan.
Gentry's mother hasn't been heard from in 8 months, and her father walked out way before that. At 22, she has stepped in as guardian to her two younger sisters: 16-year old Sophie and 14-year old Emily. Gentry abandoned her dreams of becoming an artist and found a job as an office manager at the local clinic while also attending nursing school (even though she hates the sight of blood).
Gentry has an older brother, Brodie, who moved away from Catalpa Creek but he continues to support his family, sending home money as often as possible. Brodie is engaged to a woman named Daphne, and the sisters are flying out to attend the wedding in Yuletide. (If you have read some of Sadler's other works, you'll appreciate the references to some of her other series. Great fun!)
Levi, Brodie's best friend, is on the same flight. Gentry had a huge crush on him while they were growing up however, Levi's recent behavior turned her off the man. She doesn't trust him and prefers to keep her distance. Levi, however, is quite smitten with Gentry, not that she sees that. He sees Gentry, and how much she gives of herself to her sisters. When the two youngest Lendews start an argument on the flight, Levi graciously offers to trade seats with Gentry and sends her up to first class. While on the flight, the sisters endeavor to convince Levi to step in as Gentry's boyfriend, giving her something to focus on other than them. Once at the farmhouse where they will be staying, they even work their magic so that Gentry and Levi end up sharing a room. Gotta love that forced proximity!
While in Yuletide, Gentry is hit with a double whammy - now that he is married, her brother no longer intends to send money home, which puts Gentry in a very difficult financial position. She also finds that her long lost father not only unexpectedly turned up at the wedding but he also intends to move back to Catalpa Creek with his new bride, into their house!
Its a good thing Gentry has Levi's support, even if she continues to push him away. In challenging times, one definitely needs to learn to lean on their friends!
I love Sadler's writing and I've fallen in love with her characters over and over again. I always find it fun to discover how she continues to treat readers with these standalone, interconnected stories. The Love Ambush was no different. While Levi has his faults, because who doesn't, he is charming and sweet and caring and completely besotted with Gentry. He clearly lifts her up and helps her appreciate her own worth.
I'm already looking forward to reading the next book in The Sullivans series. While there are quite a few possible main characters, I'm guessing the next installment will be Deacon's story... perhaps with Amelia as his co-star. Time will tell.
Gentry's mother hasn't been heard from in 8 months, and her father walked out way before that. At 22, she has stepped in as guardian to her two younger sisters: 16-year old Sophie and 14-year old Emily. Gentry abandoned her dreams of becoming an artist and found a job as an office manager at the local clinic while also attending nursing school (even though she hates the sight of blood).
Gentry has an older brother, Brodie, who moved away from Catalpa Creek but he continues to support his family, sending home money as often as possible. Brodie is engaged to a woman named Daphne, and the sisters are flying out to attend the wedding in Yuletide. (If you have read some of Sadler's other works, you'll appreciate the references to some of her other series. Great fun!)
Levi, Brodie's best friend, is on the same flight. Gentry had a huge crush on him while they were growing up however, Levi's recent behavior turned her off the man. She doesn't trust him and prefers to keep her distance. Levi, however, is quite smitten with Gentry, not that she sees that. He sees Gentry, and how much she gives of herself to her sisters. When the two youngest Lendews start an argument on the flight, Levi graciously offers to trade seats with Gentry and sends her up to first class. While on the flight, the sisters endeavor to convince Levi to step in as Gentry's boyfriend, giving her something to focus on other than them. Once at the farmhouse where they will be staying, they even work their magic so that Gentry and Levi end up sharing a room. Gotta love that forced proximity!
While in Yuletide, Gentry is hit with a double whammy - now that he is married, her brother no longer intends to send money home, which puts Gentry in a very difficult financial position. She also finds that her long lost father not only unexpectedly turned up at the wedding but he also intends to move back to Catalpa Creek with his new bride, into their house!
Its a good thing Gentry has Levi's support, even if she continues to push him away. In challenging times, one definitely needs to learn to lean on their friends!
I love Sadler's writing and I've fallen in love with her characters over and over again. I always find it fun to discover how she continues to treat readers with these standalone, interconnected stories. The Love Ambush was no different. While Levi has his faults, because who doesn't, he is charming and sweet and caring and completely besotted with Gentry. He clearly lifts her up and helps her appreciate her own worth.
I'm already looking forward to reading the next book in The Sullivans series. While there are quite a few possible main characters, I'm guessing the next installment will be Deacon's story... perhaps with Amelia as his co-star. Time will tell.
August 30, 2025
Gentry has her hands full as she became the guardian to her two younger sisters, Emily, 14, and Sophie, 16, when their dad abandoned them, and their mom left shortly after. There hasn’t been any contact with either of them since they left, so Gentry is trying to hold things together by working as an office manager at the local clinic while attending nursing school.
Gentry’s brother, Brodie, is getting married, and her brother’s best friend, Levi, is also going to be in the wedding. Gentry wants to avoid him as he ghosted her several years ago, right after he kissed her. But since Levi moved back to Catalpa Creek, he’s being nice to her. She doesn’t want anything to do with him, but will have to tolerate him at the wedding.
Gentry’s sisters want to set her up with Levi on the wedding trip so Gentry will keep her nose out of their business. The sisters make a point to put Gentry and Levi together as much as possible, and Gentry is starting to see Levi in a new light. But when their father shows up at Brodie’s wedding and announces he and his new bride are going to move in with them, Gentry is suspicious, even though her sisters are overjoyed. Levi is also suspicious and wants to protect Gentry and her sisters, but since Gentry found out Levi knew her father was coming to the wedding, she’s mad at Levi once again. But as Gentry sees her father and new wife coming out of the realtor’s office, she turns to Levi for help as she doesn’t want her father to sell their house out from under them. Can they prevent her father from selling their house? Can Levi prove to Gentry that he wants a real relationship with her? Will Gentry ever forgive Levi? You'll fall in love with Levi and Gentry with this fun read!
Gentry’s brother, Brodie, is getting married, and her brother’s best friend, Levi, is also going to be in the wedding. Gentry wants to avoid him as he ghosted her several years ago, right after he kissed her. But since Levi moved back to Catalpa Creek, he’s being nice to her. She doesn’t want anything to do with him, but will have to tolerate him at the wedding.
Gentry’s sisters want to set her up with Levi on the wedding trip so Gentry will keep her nose out of their business. The sisters make a point to put Gentry and Levi together as much as possible, and Gentry is starting to see Levi in a new light. But when their father shows up at Brodie’s wedding and announces he and his new bride are going to move in with them, Gentry is suspicious, even though her sisters are overjoyed. Levi is also suspicious and wants to protect Gentry and her sisters, but since Gentry found out Levi knew her father was coming to the wedding, she’s mad at Levi once again. But as Gentry sees her father and new wife coming out of the realtor’s office, she turns to Levi for help as she doesn’t want her father to sell their house out from under them. Can they prevent her father from selling their house? Can Levi prove to Gentry that he wants a real relationship with her? Will Gentry ever forgive Levi? You'll fall in love with Levi and Gentry with this fun read!
September 17, 2025
Finally Levi and Gentry's romance.Have been waiting for these two for a while and i was not dissapointed.
Gentry has had a crush on Levi since forever.Now she hates him(so she tells herself) so she doesn't fall for him and get her heart broken.
Levi ghosted Gentry three years ago after he kissed her,because his best friend and Gentry's older brother told him to stay away from her.Now Levi is back in town,trying to build the family construction business with his brother's He wants Gentry and plans to win her over,but she blocks him every time.
When they end up together in Yuletide for her brother's wedding,Gentry starts to realise Levi has changed,but she has a lot on her plate,so romance is off the cards.
Levi eventually wins Gentry over,but there is lots of drama,tears,rebellious teens,along with laughter,sweet moments and romance before they get to their happily ever after.
Levi was absolutely amazing,the way he was there for Gentry and her sisters.Gentry was a sweetheart, she dropped everything and stepped up and took over guardianship of her sisters.
Another great romance from Katharine Sadler.
Cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gentry has had a crush on Levi since forever.Now she hates him(so she tells herself) so she doesn't fall for him and get her heart broken.
Levi ghosted Gentry three years ago after he kissed her,because his best friend and Gentry's older brother told him to stay away from her.Now Levi is back in town,trying to build the family construction business with his brother's He wants Gentry and plans to win her over,but she blocks him every time.
When they end up together in Yuletide for her brother's wedding,Gentry starts to realise Levi has changed,but she has a lot on her plate,so romance is off the cards.
Levi eventually wins Gentry over,but there is lots of drama,tears,rebellious teens,along with laughter,sweet moments and romance before they get to their happily ever after.
Levi was absolutely amazing,the way he was there for Gentry and her sisters.Gentry was a sweetheart, she dropped everything and stepped up and took over guardianship of her sisters.
Another great romance from Katharine Sadler.
Cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 3, 2026
76% and idk if I can finish. I’ve been skimming a lot over the repeated crap but it’s not my vibe.
I hate this book. Gentry (wtf kind of name is that, especially for a girl?) has guardianship of her 2 sisters. Their older brother helps them out with money but he’s getting married so he’s gotta cut them off. Before he dropped that info on her she was asking for more money because one of the girls wants to level up in gymnastics & the other needs/wants new soccer cleats. These aren’t needs, they’re luxuries. It drove me nuts!
The sisters are spoiled brats. They’d be living with their aunt if their older sister Gentry didn’t take care of them. They treat her like crap & no one but Levi (the H) calls them out for it.
It irritated me to no end that Levi is always helping G & she’s a brat to him, always thinking the worst. Her Dad ditched their family & their Mom got hooked on pain pills afterwards. The dad shows up to the brother’s wedding & G is livid that Levi knew it was a possibility he’d show up. The dad should be paying child support but she can’t get over her own bs to hold him accountable. Also, she doesn’t even consider that her brother wanted their dad at HIS wedding, it’s all about her. I found Gentry insufferable & her sisters.
I hate this book. Gentry (wtf kind of name is that, especially for a girl?) has guardianship of her 2 sisters. Their older brother helps them out with money but he’s getting married so he’s gotta cut them off. Before he dropped that info on her she was asking for more money because one of the girls wants to level up in gymnastics & the other needs/wants new soccer cleats. These aren’t needs, they’re luxuries. It drove me nuts!
The sisters are spoiled brats. They’d be living with their aunt if their older sister Gentry didn’t take care of them. They treat her like crap & no one but Levi (the H) calls them out for it.
It irritated me to no end that Levi is always helping G & she’s a brat to him, always thinking the worst. Her Dad ditched their family & their Mom got hooked on pain pills afterwards. The dad shows up to the brother’s wedding & G is livid that Levi knew it was a possibility he’d show up. The dad should be paying child support but she can’t get over her own bs to hold him accountable. Also, she doesn’t even consider that her brother wanted their dad at HIS wedding, it’s all about her. I found Gentry insufferable & her sisters.
September 3, 2025
This is book 1 in Sadler's new series The Sullivan Brothers. I thought this was a great introduction to the series that focuses on main characters Gentry Lendew and Levi Sullivan. Levi is our Sullivan brother, and I just loved him from the start. Besties with Gentry's brother who in all honesty I wanted to like but found it super difficult at times, he would come across like such a jerk and Gentry continued to stand up for him and feed us stories that would make him seem redeemable so I'm on the fence about him. Gentry has some serious walls up, especially when it comes to Levi - again thanks to her brother and some half-truths or down right lies he's said for self-preservation. Thanks not to say that Levi is an angel, he's got some secrets too, but I love how dedicated and focused he is when he finds an in with Gentry. A wonderful second chance romance that is smooth flowing with great characters and small-town community that takes care of their own and a wonderful balance of sweet and steam. I'm very much looking forward to more in this series and from Sadler!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 3, 2025
I really enjoyed Levi and Gentry's story. It is a charming small town romance. If you love older brother's best friend, he falls first, forced proximity romances, then this is a must read. It was the perfect length. It kept my interest the entire time. And I enjoyed the character development for Levi, Gentry, Gentry's sisters.
There is a bit of a parent trap vibe. After being abandoned by their parents, Gentry returns home to raise her 2 younger sister. They think she is too overbearing and try to push Gentry into a relationship with Levi (their brotherss best fried) so she can get a life and get off their backs. Levi is perfect for Gentry. He helps her rediscover herself, makes her sisters realize how much she sacrifices for them, and when her slimey dad weasles his way back into her life, Levi finds a way to protect Gentry from his schemes.
The story gives a glipse into Levi's crazy but loveable brothers. Looking forward to reading more about Levi's brothers in future books.
There is a bit of a parent trap vibe. After being abandoned by their parents, Gentry returns home to raise her 2 younger sister. They think she is too overbearing and try to push Gentry into a relationship with Levi (their brotherss best fried) so she can get a life and get off their backs. Levi is perfect for Gentry. He helps her rediscover herself, makes her sisters realize how much she sacrifices for them, and when her slimey dad weasles his way back into her life, Levi finds a way to protect Gentry from his schemes.
The story gives a glipse into Levi's crazy but loveable brothers. Looking forward to reading more about Levi's brothers in future books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2025
I’ve been anxiously awaiting the Sullivan brothers, especially Levi! He did not disappoint. I loved how he treated Gentry, not just when she saw him, but the things he did for her without her knowing. Poor Gentry. I despised everyone in her family. Her sisters were brats and her brother was awful to her (I won’t even talk about her parents). They each had their moments where they showed that they may have some redeeming qualities, but she deserved so much better than any of them. Her brother was the cause of all of her issues with Levi because he lied to her constantly about him. Such a disservice to Levi as well. Levi’s brother on the other hand were awesome. I’m excited to see their stories play out.
August 31, 2025
I love when the guy falls first, and he falls hard. And he refuses to give up on winning the hand of the FMC because he knows his love is real. Gentry's anger with Levi is unfounded and continues to be unfounded as their relationship progresses and regresses. But there has to be conflict, so it makes literary sense, and it makes it all that more amazing when she finally accepts Levi, forgives him, and loves him unconditionally.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 5, 2025
- Small town romance
- Close proximity
- Enemies to lovers
- Second chance-ish
- Brother's best friend
I love a second chance romance! The main characters, Levi and Gentry, weren't exactly together, but Gentry liked him and they did kiss....after which Levi completely ghosted her.
But now Gentry's brother is getting married and Levi was his best friend, so he's back in town. Gentry is determined to stay far away from Levi, but her matchmaking sisters have different plans....
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
- Close proximity
- Enemies to lovers
- Second chance-ish
- Brother's best friend
I love a second chance romance! The main characters, Levi and Gentry, weren't exactly together, but Gentry liked him and they did kiss....after which Levi completely ghosted her.
But now Gentry's brother is getting married and Levi was his best friend, so he's back in town. Gentry is determined to stay far away from Levi, but her matchmaking sisters have different plans....
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 13, 2025
Brilliant contemporary romance set in a small town. Lots of great characters to get to know & meet again hopefully! Story flowed well, Gentry & Levi's relationship was complicated at the start & you become invested in them & want them to make it work. Great start to series, keen to read more!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 25, 2025
I’ve been waiting for The Love Ambush and Katherine Sadler did not disappoint. Gentry and Levi’s chemistry is off the charts—tension, longing, and small-town fate keep them circling each other until love finally wins. A rom-com with heart, heat, and history.
August 30, 2025
If you're a fan of small-town romance, you're going to really enjoy the story of Gentry and Levi.
Gentry is doing her very best to raise her sisters with limited resources. Levi has been in love with Gentry since the days when he hung out with her brother. Their unexpected meeting during a trip to her brother's wedding leads to both positive and negative outcomes.
Back home, these outcomes change Gentry's family dynamics. This causes Levi, Gentry, and their hometown to work together to help her save their family home and keep her guardianship of her sisters.
This small-town romance book has it all: great characters, drama galore, chemistry, and, of course, all the feels! I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
Gentry is doing her very best to raise her sisters with limited resources. Levi has been in love with Gentry since the days when he hung out with her brother. Their unexpected meeting during a trip to her brother's wedding leads to both positive and negative outcomes.
Back home, these outcomes change Gentry's family dynamics. This causes Levi, Gentry, and their hometown to work together to help her save their family home and keep her guardianship of her sisters.
This small-town romance book has it all: great characters, drama galore, chemistry, and, of course, all the feels! I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
June 14, 2026
Had to knock off a whole star for the scene where her brother walks in on them and says the weirdest shit a sibling has ever said in literature.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews