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For Love Of Charley
It's been ten years since Cole Jordan was run out of Canyon Bend, ten years he spent accumulating a vast fortune. Now he's back with only one goal in mind. To win the woman he left behind, the woman he never forgot. This time, not even her wealthy, overprotective uncle will stop him. Because everything he's done, he's done for love of Charley. After Cole made passionate love to her one night, he vanished without a word, so Charley doesn't trust him worth a damn when he reappears. Especially when she discovers it's his company that bought half of her business, the Red Dog Saloon. But Cole has big plans for the town that once shunned him, and as Charley finds herself working with him daily, the love she's tried so hard to suppress blooms again. Only one thing stands in their way; Cole's refusal to tell her why he left so abruptly. While they fight their way back to each other, outside influences work to keep them apart at any cost€¦even death.
228 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2006
5 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Allred
10 books1,103 followersKatherine Allred was born in Arkansas and spent her formative years there learning to love books at her grandfather's knee. When she was five, her mother remarried and moved them to Michigan, where they stayed for the next ten years. At age fifteen, the entire family moved back home to Arkansas, and she's been there ever since, except for brief stints in other countries and states while her hubby was in the army.
After receiving a BS in journalism from Arkansas State University, Katherine began her writing in earnest. To date, she's had seven books published, with number eight being released in April, 2009, and number nine just completed.
A member of Romance Writers of America, Katherine has achieved many awards for her novels, including the 2006 EPPIE award, winning the PASIC Book of Your Heart contest in 2002, and having a novel named Best Book of the Year by Romance Reviews Today in 2005. She currently writes for Eos, the science fiction imprint of Harper Collins Publishing.
After receiving a BS in journalism from Arkansas State University, Katherine began her writing in earnest. To date, she's had seven books published, with number eight being released in April, 2009, and number nine just completed.
A member of Romance Writers of America, Katherine has achieved many awards for her novels, including the 2006 EPPIE award, winning the PASIC Book of Your Heart contest in 2002, and having a novel named Best Book of the Year by Romance Reviews Today in 2005. She currently writes for Eos, the science fiction imprint of Harper Collins Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 17, 2012
2 Stars
Disappointing is the first word that comes to mind and that is mainly because
The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred, is one of my favorite books and this can't hold a candle to it. It amazes me that is the same author. It started out cute with a plot I have seen before. Cole and Charley were in love and each other's soul mates when they were young. At age 20 Cole asks Charley to marry him, she loses her virginity and the next day he disappears never to be heard of again for 10 years. There are lots of holes or missing details in the plot and when they reconnect the dialog seems forced and choppy. I almost put the book down which is very rare for me. The Sweet Gum Tree and What Price Paradise were much better reads by Katherine Allred.
Disappointing is the first word that comes to mind and that is mainly because
The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred, is one of my favorite books and this can't hold a candle to it. It amazes me that is the same author. It started out cute with a plot I have seen before. Cole and Charley were in love and each other's soul mates when they were young. At age 20 Cole asks Charley to marry him, she loses her virginity and the next day he disappears never to be heard of again for 10 years. There are lots of holes or missing details in the plot and when they reconnect the dialog seems forced and choppy. I almost put the book down which is very rare for me. The Sweet Gum Tree and What Price Paradise were much better reads by Katherine Allred.
April 15, 2011
It was a very good read though i was a little disappointed cause their love was so deep and heart warming but the re-union was rushed for me,but overall a good read
Ten years ago Cole Jordan spent a night of passion with the love of his life. He'd planned on spending the rest of his life with Charley, but when he returned home, he found her uncle waiting for him with an ultimatum that forced him to leave town without explaining why to Charley. Cole has spent years accumulating a fortune, planning for when he can return to Canyon Bend and reclaim Charley.
Charley never understood why Cole left after making love to her, but she's never forgiven him for the way he hurt her. Now that he is back, she's not prepared to trust him with her heart again. But Cole has no intention of letting anyone get in the way of him finally having the woman of his dreams,Cole never stopped loving Charley,Cole was afraid that if he reveals the reason for his leaving, he would lose Charley forever.
At the same time, someone is trying to destroy the couple's reunion. After a couple of near death incidents, Cole is convinced he knows who the suspect is. But voicing his suspicion might cause him Charley's love. The length and the sacrifices that Cole went through for the woman he loved absolutely melt my heart. As much as I love to see Cole receive his heart's desire, the reunion was a bit rushed for me. One minute she was fighting him then the next, she was pursuing him
I really felt for Cole he was always on cross-roads when it came to winning back their love but at the end everything was sorted and their love won
Charley and Cole are wonderful characters that made me
desperately want them to get a second chance at the love that was stolen from them
The plot holds readers interest,characters are well developed and story paces a nice speed though for me it was a little rushed but its a gr8 book
Good read,though not a keeper for me
Recommend it
Ten years ago Cole Jordan spent a night of passion with the love of his life. He'd planned on spending the rest of his life with Charley, but when he returned home, he found her uncle waiting for him with an ultimatum that forced him to leave town without explaining why to Charley. Cole has spent years accumulating a fortune, planning for when he can return to Canyon Bend and reclaim Charley.
Charley never understood why Cole left after making love to her, but she's never forgiven him for the way he hurt her. Now that he is back, she's not prepared to trust him with her heart again. But Cole has no intention of letting anyone get in the way of him finally having the woman of his dreams,Cole never stopped loving Charley,Cole was afraid that if he reveals the reason for his leaving, he would lose Charley forever.
At the same time, someone is trying to destroy the couple's reunion. After a couple of near death incidents, Cole is convinced he knows who the suspect is. But voicing his suspicion might cause him Charley's love. The length and the sacrifices that Cole went through for the woman he loved absolutely melt my heart. As much as I love to see Cole receive his heart's desire, the reunion was a bit rushed for me. One minute she was fighting him then the next, she was pursuing him
I really felt for Cole he was always on cross-roads when it came to winning back their love but at the end everything was sorted and their love won
Charley and Cole are wonderful characters that made me
desperately want them to get a second chance at the love that was stolen from them
The plot holds readers interest,characters are well developed and story paces a nice speed though for me it was a little rushed but its a gr8 book
Good read,though not a keeper for me
Recommend it
September 7, 2015
After reading what price paradise this book fell short of the author's capabilites. I read her books for her ability to create flawed but endearing characters and the love story she writes for those characters....this book fell short in the romance department and the characters felt a little flat....but compared to all the junk I have been enduring it was a breath of fresh air....still worth dropping everything to finish it in one sitting.
June 26, 2012
Definitely another great book. I really enjoyed this book. This is the third book by Katherine that I have read and I have to say they are all wonderful reads. Great story lines and loveable characters. Would definitely recommend this book:)
February 12, 2016
Sorely disappointed with the story cos it sure didn't live up to my expectations
January 23, 2015
I’m not usually a fan of second chance love story for some reason. I believe it’s because I’m a romantic at heart and so cannot take the pain of wasted years even if the couple get a happy ending. I want everyone to have a happy ending straight away. Though as Katherine Allred is one of my favourite authors I had to read this book.
Ahhhh what to say about this book. The love story is beautiful, and you can feel the love and pain of separation in both of the main characters. It is not the best Katherine Allred book, that for me would be What Price Paradise but this is still a lovely read. I will admit Cole ‘plan’ to ignore Charley and pretend he’s only interested in the business side was a silly idea, but I cannot complain as it happened to work and when Charley showed more of a interest in him, he did not pretend indifference but they communicated and talked instead.
“Good. I want her to be impressed. I just don’t want her to think I’m trying to do it.” “And they say women are devious.”
Cole was sweet, to think he worked so hard 10 years just for Charley. He did it to be good enough for her, sure he should have spoken to Charley about his reason for leaving before actually leaving her. I think it’s adorable that no one else came into either Cole or Charley’s lives as they both loved each other so much even when they weren’t together.
“I’ve missed you, too, baby,” he whispered. “You’ll never know how much. And as hard as it will be to wait, I’ll give you all the time you need to trust me again. I won’t push you.” He leaned over and brushed her lips with his. “I love you, Charley.”
The writing sometimes really got to me, it just the way the book is written is beautiful. The words and characters touch your heart.
How do you stop a body, heart and soul that have only been half alive from reaching out to the one thing that can make them whole?
The reason this book is not a 5 star for me is because the last 15% of the book I though was a little odd, as in it came out of nowhere. It was not something I expected, I guess what could be a good thing as it was a twist but I thought it was just sprung on the reader. I am glad I read this book though as it was lovely. It was a nice easy read, there was not too much angst or Cole was not a massive jerk/stalker so it was a nice change to what I normally read.
Honestly if you have not read a Katherine Allred book then you are missing out.
Ahhhh what to say about this book. The love story is beautiful, and you can feel the love and pain of separation in both of the main characters. It is not the best Katherine Allred book, that for me would be What Price Paradise but this is still a lovely read. I will admit Cole ‘plan’ to ignore Charley and pretend he’s only interested in the business side was a silly idea, but I cannot complain as it happened to work and when Charley showed more of a interest in him, he did not pretend indifference but they communicated and talked instead.
“Good. I want her to be impressed. I just don’t want her to think I’m trying to do it.” “And they say women are devious.”
Cole was sweet, to think he worked so hard 10 years just for Charley. He did it to be good enough for her, sure he should have spoken to Charley about his reason for leaving before actually leaving her. I think it’s adorable that no one else came into either Cole or Charley’s lives as they both loved each other so much even when they weren’t together.
“I’ve missed you, too, baby,” he whispered. “You’ll never know how much. And as hard as it will be to wait, I’ll give you all the time you need to trust me again. I won’t push you.” He leaned over and brushed her lips with his. “I love you, Charley.”
The writing sometimes really got to me, it just the way the book is written is beautiful. The words and characters touch your heart.
How do you stop a body, heart and soul that have only been half alive from reaching out to the one thing that can make them whole?
The reason this book is not a 5 star for me is because the last 15% of the book I though was a little odd, as in it came out of nowhere. It was not something I expected, I guess what could be a good thing as it was a twist but I thought it was just sprung on the reader. I am glad I read this book though as it was lovely. It was a nice easy read, there was not too much angst or Cole was not a massive jerk/stalker so it was a nice change to what I normally read.
Honestly if you have not read a Katherine Allred book then you are missing out.
October 22, 2013
4 Tender, Sweet, STARS
Ten years earlier, he'd been forced to leave Canyon Bend, Nevada in disgrace, destitute and alone. Now he was back. Back to claim the one and only he wanted from this town. And this time, no was going to stop him.
Katherine Allred has done it again! Ever since I read The Sweet Gum Tree, Katherine has not disappointed with For Love of Charley.
It has been ten years since Cole broke Charley's heart by up and leaving with no goodbye, no explanation. Charley has never forgotten that heartache. Ten years later, Cole returns to make things right. He will not leave her a second time. He is still completely in love with her after all these years, and Charley...well, she is too!
How do you stop a body, heart and soul that have only been half alive from reaching out to the one thing that can make them whole?
Cole comes back to town with a plan. He is going to work with Charley slowly, but masterly. I enjoyed how Cole didn't come on too strong with her. He allowed her to be comfortable and he allowed her to face the emotions she needed to face with him.
"Cole?" She caught his hand and held on.
He sat down next to her and cupped her cheek with his other hand. "What is it, Charley?"
"I've missed you."
Cole squeezed his eyes shut reflexively as pain shot through him. Charley was limp, her breathing regular. "I've missed you, too, baby," he whispered. "You'll never know how much. And as hard as it will be to wait, I'll give you all the time you need to trust me again. I won't push you."
Cole and Charley's relationship was flawless. I felt for both of them. I could feel the pain both of them went through with the loss of ten years of not being together.
"Yes, ten years is a long time. A long time to wonder what you did wrong, wonder why the man who said he loved you vanished from your life without a trace. And it's an even longer time to love someone when you think you'll never see him again. But I did. Cole is the only man I'll ever love and time won't change that."
With every passing page, I never doubted the passion for these two characters.
Ten years earlier, he'd been forced to leave Canyon Bend, Nevada in disgrace, destitute and alone. Now he was back. Back to claim the one and only he wanted from this town. And this time, no was going to stop him.
Katherine Allred has done it again! Ever since I read The Sweet Gum Tree, Katherine has not disappointed with For Love of Charley.
It has been ten years since Cole broke Charley's heart by up and leaving with no goodbye, no explanation. Charley has never forgotten that heartache. Ten years later, Cole returns to make things right. He will not leave her a second time. He is still completely in love with her after all these years, and Charley...well, she is too!
How do you stop a body, heart and soul that have only been half alive from reaching out to the one thing that can make them whole?
Cole comes back to town with a plan. He is going to work with Charley slowly, but masterly. I enjoyed how Cole didn't come on too strong with her. He allowed her to be comfortable and he allowed her to face the emotions she needed to face with him.
"Cole?" She caught his hand and held on.
He sat down next to her and cupped her cheek with his other hand. "What is it, Charley?"
"I've missed you."
Cole squeezed his eyes shut reflexively as pain shot through him. Charley was limp, her breathing regular. "I've missed you, too, baby," he whispered. "You'll never know how much. And as hard as it will be to wait, I'll give you all the time you need to trust me again. I won't push you."
Cole and Charley's relationship was flawless. I felt for both of them. I could feel the pain both of them went through with the loss of ten years of not being together.
"Yes, ten years is a long time. A long time to wonder what you did wrong, wonder why the man who said he loved you vanished from your life without a trace. And it's an even longer time to love someone when you think you'll never see him again. But I did. Cole is the only man I'll ever love and time won't change that."
With every passing page, I never doubted the passion for these two characters.
December 28, 2015
This is my third story by Allred. I really liked her other two so I had high expectations for this one.
Cole is forced out of town by his girlfriend's family because he isn't good enough for her. Ten years later, he's made a name for himself so he comes back to win her again. Nothing original about this plot, and honestly I don't know why so many authors attempt it because it's dumb and not believable. And don't get me started on why characters find it so hard to just tell the truth? Half of the drama in this book could have been solved if Cole was just honest from the beginning. The "twist" ending was silly - I'm so over crazy stalkers. I'm more interested in reading a story about Cole's soon-to-be step sister and the cranky rancher.
Cole is forced out of town by his girlfriend's family because he isn't good enough for her. Ten years later, he's made a name for himself so he comes back to win her again. Nothing original about this plot, and honestly I don't know why so many authors attempt it because it's dumb and not believable. And don't get me started on why characters find it so hard to just tell the truth? Half of the drama in this book could have been solved if Cole was just honest from the beginning. The "twist" ending was silly - I'm so over crazy stalkers. I'm more interested in reading a story about Cole's soon-to-be step sister and the cranky rancher.
June 11, 2013
I did like The Sweet Gum Tree, but I totally didn't this one. The effort to prolong through the years the pain of a desperate love story based on lies and misunderstandings was weak and predictable. Cole's plans to gain Charley back sounded sometimes silly. The intro of mystery at the second half of the book was like a potpourri addition. And the main question remains: Hey, Cole, tell me the secret of quick gold farming, pretty please?
November 7, 2012
I read the Sweet Gum Tree and was captivated by this author's writing! I loved it and really enjoyed this book too. The main characters are great and I loved the history they share that is revealed throughout the book! I can't wait to read Katherine Allred's other books! Consider me a fan!!
September 9, 2014
3.5 Stars
Everything about it was a bit over the top, especially the last 30% or so. It was almost like a soap opera. Very sweet and entertaining read. Overall, I liked it but didn't love it.
Everything about it was a bit over the top, especially the last 30% or so. It was almost like a soap opera. Very sweet and entertaining read. Overall, I liked it but didn't love it.
September 15, 2014
Meh. Don't bother.
March 25, 2015
**4 1/2 Stars**
I really loved this story. It encompasses a beautiful romance between two wonderful people who are given a second chance at love. This is the second book I've read by this author. As much as I liked this one, I really, really loved the first book I read, [[ASIN:B0032UDTXA Second Time Around]]. That too was a contemporary romance about a couple who get a second chance at love. Ms. Allred has an engaging writing style and is extremely at weaving a good tale. Furthermore, she has the ability to create characters that are not only relatable, and likeable, but that are also very realistic. In this story, the hero is totally devoted to his beloved Charley, a woman that he has loved for over ten years. After Cole was forced to abandon Charley, he lived only for the day when he could return and reclaim her as his own. This romance is one of the most touching that I've ever read. A hero like Cole is truly one in a million.
Charley and Cole dated for two years. On the night Cole proposes to Charley and she gives him her innocence, he is forced to leave town when he is threatened by Charley's wealthy, influential uncle. During the first year, Cole tries, to no avail, to contact Charley. Finally Cole comes to the realization that Charley's uncle was right--he had nothing to give to his beloved and she deserved better. However, instead of deciding to move on and leave Charley to find a better man, Cole is determined to become a man who is deserving of his lady love. To that end Cole spends the next ten years working his butt off building a successful business. Everything he does and everything he achieves is with one goal in mind; to return to reclaim Charley. During the time that they are separated, Cole keeps close tabs on his beloved--it wouldn't do to lose her to another man, after all. Finally, after a ten year absence, Cole is ready to put his plan in place.
Knowing Charley as well as he does, Cole is aware that to tell Charley the truth about his reasons for returning will only cause her to push him away, so instead he pretends that his only purpose for being in town is business. Two years previous, when Charley needed an influx of cash, she sold half her business. Unknown to Charley at the time, the company to which she sold half her bar is owned by none other than Cole. When Cole shows back up in her life and announces that he is her business partner and he has big plans for their bar, Charley is beyond incensed. Cole has an uphill battle before he can gain his fondest desire--win back Charley's love and devotion. Nonetheless, Cole is nothing if not determined. He will have Charley back! Nothing and no one is going to stand in his way; not even Charley's interfering uncle who is still intent on keeping the couple apart. Intrigue is added to the story by way of a villainous plot to kill Cole or Charley or both. The story that unfolds is truly super fantastic.
The only complaint I have, and it's an extremely minor one, is that I would have welcomed a few additional background details to help more fully flesh out the story. For one thing, why is Charley called Charley? Is that her actual name, or is it a short form for another, such as Charlotte? Also, you learn that Charley is resolved to only ever having one lover in her life. Thus when Cole abandons her she has no intention of getting involved with another man, and she doesn't. Charley's resolution apparently stems from her mother's history of being a bit of a ho. LOL The only information we are given about Charley's parents is that her father died when she was young at which point Charley and her mother came to live with Charley's uncle, her mother's brother. Shortly thereafter Charley's mother also passed away. So I was left wondering when exactly did Charley's mother's life devolve into a den of promiscuity? Was it while she was married to Charley's father, and if so, did it affect their marriage? Or was after Charley's father died, and if so, how is it that this apparent promiscuity made such an impact on the young Charley? Was she and/or her mother held up to ridicule because of her mother's loose morals; did Charley perhaps witness her mother in the "act" with men on more than one occasion? To my mind something significant must have happened for Charley to be so against the idea of having more than one lover. I mean, just because a woman sleeps with more than one man doesn't mean she's of loose morals. In any event, we aren't given any information regarding this aspect of the story; one which has a profound impact on one of the protagonists, and I was left to wonder why it was so significant.
Additionally, I would have welcomed more information about Cole's personal life during the years that he and Charley were apart; I particularly wanted to know if Cole had had any relationships, sexual or otherwise, with other women during that period. On the one hand, I find it very hard to believe that a hot, gorgeous, sexy, virile man such as Cole could live ten years without having intercourse with anyone, but on the other, his devotion to Charley is such that I found it difficult to visualize him with anyone else, even just for a casual sexual encounter. In any event no information regarding this issue is given and is left completely up to the reader's discretion. That's both ingenious and irritating on the author's part. LOL The only mention of Cole possibly having had a relationship with another woman is when Charley is trying to figure out who may have wanted to kill Cole and she theorizes that it could be a woman from his past because "surely Cole dated other women during the time he was gone." When her cousin points out that she Charley hadn't dated during that period of time, Charley's response was "I know, but that's different. Cole's a man."
Those minor issues aside, I really loved this book. It's definitely one that I will reread in the future, and probably more than once. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre of books, especially if you're looking for a sweet, tender, second chance at love. FYI, this is not a clean romance. There is sex, which is fairly graphic, although not, IMO, overly so. Furthermore, no crude language is used. Happy reading!
March 19, 2020
It actually was pretty good the first 50% of the book but after that it went really downhill...
September 1, 2022
Neither main character had any personality whatsover. Ugh.
June 29, 2011
**3.5 stars**
This story is about Cole and Charley and what happened ten years ago to make Cole leave town after he proposed to Charley and made love to her. He's now back in town and has a whole plan of how to win Charley over.
I really liked this story. Like I've mentioned in all my reviews of Katherine Allred's books, she really makes you connect with the characters on an emotional level. She also details everything so you can really "see" it.
Cole and Charley were really sweet together. I think the only problem I had was it seemed Charley forgave too easily. I understand it's been ten years but I would've wanted an explanation first!
Also,
This story is about Cole and Charley and what happened ten years ago to make Cole leave town after he proposed to Charley and made love to her. He's now back in town and has a whole plan of how to win Charley over.
I really liked this story. Like I've mentioned in all my reviews of Katherine Allred's books, she really makes you connect with the characters on an emotional level. She also details everything so you can really "see" it.
Cole and Charley were really sweet together. I think the only problem I had was it seemed Charley forgave too easily. I understand it's been ten years but I would've wanted an explanation first!
Also,
June 30, 2012
Rating Clarification 3.5 Stars. This book just didn't do it for me. After reading What Price Paradise I was hoping for another 5 star awesome read. Don't get me wrong the book wasn't bad just not my favorite. It was like it was just lacking something. I am not sure what that is but maybe if I figure it out i will update my thoughts on here. A good read but not great.
November 12, 2012
It actually started pretty good. It was written from alternating POV's and that was quite a treat. But then at the 80% mark, or close to it, there was an interesting turn in the story that turned me off and then it went downhill for me. Almost like a lifetime movie gone to potty...I ended up rushing through the book to get to my HEA. Maybe other readers may appreciate this better than me.
November 10, 2012
Cole Jordan is one hell of a man, I can not imagine walking away from the love of you life because of one of her family members. Charley was heartbroken for 10 years and never knew the truth. To love someone for a decade and never see them or never try again is so crazy.
November 1, 2013
This book reminded me of The Sweet Gum Tree. It was sad, sweet, difficult and overall triumphant because in the end he got her just like he wanted. Great read once i started it i couldn't put it down until i was finished.
December 8, 2014
In typical Katherine Allred fashion, story is beautifully developed, the characters are believable and they story comes full circle... is it as good as The Sweet Gum Tree? nope but then again I don't think none of her books will ever compare to that gem!! Still worth the read!!
June 5, 2015
This is my third book by Katherine Allred. It was not as good as "The Sweet Gum Tree" but it was still a good read that I had trouble putting down. The author has a way of bringing life to her main characters that makes you feel like they are family.
Want to read
August 24, 2010harus gw akuin covernya bagusss
^o^
^o^
June 23, 2011
apart for 10 years, the hero has never forgotten the heroine. finally he makes it back home to prove that he was worthy of her love
October 29, 2011
Good stuff people!! Katherine Allred writes good emotional romances! :)
November 8, 2011
Not my fav of Katherine Allred.
December 3, 2011
Another great book from Katherine Allred! All of her books have sweet, likable characters that make your heart melt and this one didn't disappoint!
February 29, 2012
not as perfect as sweet gum tree but still like it.....=) changed it to three stars....
July 29, 2014
With Sweet Gum Tree as my favorite, "For the Love of Charley" was a nice read also. A good love story and mystery all in one.
March 30, 2013
it was a good book but a bit rushed for my taste...i mean Cole left charley for 10 years not 10 mins...she just forgave him and jumped straight into bed...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews