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Hunk for the Holidays #3
Unwrapped
Good things come in sexy packages...
Jacqueline Maguire has a problem tying the knot. After fleeing the altar (again), the runaway bride drives off with no particular destination in mind. Which is how Jac finds herself stranded in a snowstorm with a hot, hard-bodied stranger who treats her to the naughtiest night of her life... but come morning, he's long gone.
Contractor Patrick McPherson is deeply committed to his bachelor lifestyle. No strings, no rings. As the Christmas season approaches, however, Patrick still can't quite forget his curvalicious one-night stand. Then Jac shows up unexpectedly, and all holiday hell breaks loose. Because this year, Patrick is getting the biggest Christmas surprise of his life...
Jacqueline Maguire has a problem tying the knot. After fleeing the altar (again), the runaway bride drives off with no particular destination in mind. Which is how Jac finds herself stranded in a snowstorm with a hot, hard-bodied stranger who treats her to the naughtiest night of her life... but come morning, he's long gone.
Contractor Patrick McPherson is deeply committed to his bachelor lifestyle. No strings, no rings. As the Christmas season approaches, however, Patrick still can't quite forget his curvalicious one-night stand. Then Jac shows up unexpectedly, and all holiday hell breaks loose. Because this year, Patrick is getting the biggest Christmas surprise of his life...
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 29, 2015
27 people are currently reading
842 people want to read
About the author
Katie Lane
59 books578 followersKatie Lane is the USA Today bestselling author of the Deep in the Heart of Texas, Hunk for the Holidays, Overnight Billionaires, Tender Heart Texas, Bad Boy Ranch, Kingman Ranch, Holiday Ranch series. Katie lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and when she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, traveling, and cuddling with her high school sweetheart and cairn terrier, Roo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
September 28, 2016
Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NQOL7E
Merry Christmas! May your relatives be sane or your eggnog heavily spiked! I lurve me some Katie Lane and am always ready for some of her saucy humor. Add in a little Christmas magic, a rowdy mass of relatives and a hero in for the surprise of his life and Unwrapped turned into fun little taste of the holiday spirit.
The quick of it is that Jac's auntie was a kook and in order to claim her inheritance she's gotta get hitched. Lucky for her the Fates have brought a one night stand from weeks earlier into her life just in time for her to snag her a hubby for the holidays.
I really loved Patrick. He's a straight arrow kind of guy. Serious, pragmatic, hard working, has a herd of critters and is just a tasty lickable treat (who rocked a kilt now and again) noms! Jac though...was a challenge. She sure made it hard to love her. Whew boy. She loves her family fiercely, is a survivor and given to flights of fancy. She didn't always make the best choices and sometimes made me want to shake her about a bit but finally...finally she pulled through for me.
These two had some nice chemistry between them and a little steam but whew they had a good dollop of antagonism between them and could clash something fierce. Different personalities and motives gave them a run for their money for most of the book. Things changed for them though and ah they were nice together when that hit. I would have loved to see the transition happen though. The weeks of getting to know each other and having fun without the grr args happening. Most of it took place off page which was a bit disappointing. They went from bickering to swoony in the turn of a page and it kept me from totally falling for Jac and bonding with her since most of her good bits were off page and her difficult moments on page.
All in all, though, I enjoy the ride. Unwrapped was full of Christmas spirit and the insanity of the holidays as two opposites found love and had to fight for their happily ever after. Patrick's family was large and crazy and the chaos and magic of the season glowed brightly with them. I love big families and holidays and couldn't help but smile over some of the crazy they all brought to the scene.
~~~~~~~~~~
Lurve me some Katie Lane! So far so good with this one. Yummy hero. I'd totally lick him. But that is SO not him on the cover. Hero is long haired blonde. Urms...
Reviewing for herding cats & burning soup.
June 8, 2018
3.5
Jacqueline Maguire has ran off from her second wedding in less than a year, thanks to a stipulation in her aunt's will stating that she have to marry if she wants the money. Jac wants it not just for her but also because she know what it is to not have it. She also have an overactive imagination that never stop, thanks to tv shows and movies.
When Patrick McPherson open the door to a woman in a wedding dress, he think it's just an other schemes of his matchmaking aunt. Jac is more surprised when the man answer the door. Is that a... Oh no, I'm not telling you, you have to read this book if you wanna know ;p
"Did she want to leave, slash his tires, or kiss him?"
It's difficult to explain, but I expected more from the hero. I just feel like he wasn't as charming as he seemed to be when we saw him in the previous books. But there's something you can always expect from Katie Lane and it's the original and quirky details she put in her stories and Unwrapped certainly began in an unusual way. The heroine is also unconventional. I liked her but also found her way of thinking a little hard to follow at time, when even her doesn't always make the difference between fiction and reality. I really liked the character of Bailey, Jac's sister. In fact, I'm sad she doesn't have a book or at least a novella.
Even if I didn't give the books in this series the 4 or 5 star I usually give this author, I had a really great time reading about the McPherson and it's certainly a series I would recommend.
Jacqueline Maguire has ran off from her second wedding in less than a year, thanks to a stipulation in her aunt's will stating that she have to marry if she wants the money. Jac wants it not just for her but also because she know what it is to not have it. She also have an overactive imagination that never stop, thanks to tv shows and movies.
When Patrick McPherson open the door to a woman in a wedding dress, he think it's just an other schemes of his matchmaking aunt. Jac is more surprised when the man answer the door. Is that a... Oh no, I'm not telling you, you have to read this book if you wanna know ;p
"Did she want to leave, slash his tires, or kiss him?"
It's difficult to explain, but I expected more from the hero. I just feel like he wasn't as charming as he seemed to be when we saw him in the previous books. But there's something you can always expect from Katie Lane and it's the original and quirky details she put in her stories and Unwrapped certainly began in an unusual way. The heroine is also unconventional. I liked her but also found her way of thinking a little hard to follow at time, when even her doesn't always make the difference between fiction and reality. I really liked the character of Bailey, Jac's sister. In fact, I'm sad she doesn't have a book or at least a novella.
Even if I didn't give the books in this series the 4 or 5 star I usually give this author, I had a really great time reading about the McPherson and it's certainly a series I would recommend.
September 27, 2015
Vampire (or not), a mysterious hobo and mysterious accidents mix with family and love during the holidays…
Two things caught my attention at first, the eye-catching cover and the author. I’ve read, and loved, many of her cowboys and couldn’t wait to dive into this holiday story.
On the surface, Jac Maguire seems to be all about the money. Running away from wedding number two, which would have assured her future, she finds herself at the mercy of the weather and a handsome stranger.
Patrick McPherson, enjoying his peace and quiet, is bowled over by his unexpected guest. Is she just another “fix up” arranged by his great aunt Wheezie? Despite suspicions on both sides—where did those fangs come from—they quickly come together in a definitely un-stranger-like way. Thus begins an unlikely non-courtship as the two, surrounded by family and friends, work to find out what their relationship really is all about.
I enjoyed this story, though for different reasons than I initially thought. I warmed up to Jac eventually. On the surface, she came across as superficial and materialistic. She made herself more at home in Paddy’s place than I felt comfortable with (when you read it, you will know what I mean). My opinion changed though after slowly finding out more about her need for money and why it was so important to her.
Paddy was easier to like with his upfront style and easy-going nature. His burst of the romantic was a very nice touch, and the kilt didn’t hurt either! Aunt Wheezie was a hit for me as her need to see her family settled and her own vulnerability, and crankiness, was beyond endearing. Throw in a mysterious Santa-like hobo and I was hooked! ~ Diane, 3.5 stars
~~~
It's the holiday season! Add in a dash of crazy relatives, a meddling, matchmaking aunt, and a New Year's Eve deadline, plus the fact that Jacqueline "Jac" Mcguire is a runner, and you have the promise of a fun story.
Jac's running out on her second wedding. Through a crazy set of circumstances, Jac ends up running into Patrick McPherson and ends up having the night of her life.
Patrick is happy with his lot in life. He's living a bachelor life, loves his job with the family business and doesn't feel the need to have a permanent woman in his life when there are so many to choose from...until Jac crashes into his life. One night isn't enough—but after a night fueled with passion, Jac is gone when he comes back from a quick trip to the store.
Fast forward on month later, Jac is back and she's not alone... So what happens now? Will Jac and Patrick reignite the flame or are they destined to burn out with when the truth comes out?
Oh, how I wanted to love this book! The premise of their story hooked me in, but unfortunately it fell very flat for me. I adored Patrick and his family, especially his cray Aunt Wheezy. Patrick seemed genuine and real, but most importantly, he was likeable from the start.
Jac, though… Wow, I struggled to get into the story because I really didn't like her character—especially in scenes with Gerald. She came across as spoiled, phony and flighty. This book had so much potential, but it just didn't quite work for me. ~ Missy, 3-3.5 stars
Two things caught my attention at first, the eye-catching cover and the author. I’ve read, and loved, many of her cowboys and couldn’t wait to dive into this holiday story.
On the surface, Jac Maguire seems to be all about the money. Running away from wedding number two, which would have assured her future, she finds herself at the mercy of the weather and a handsome stranger.
Patrick McPherson, enjoying his peace and quiet, is bowled over by his unexpected guest. Is she just another “fix up” arranged by his great aunt Wheezie? Despite suspicions on both sides—where did those fangs come from—they quickly come together in a definitely un-stranger-like way. Thus begins an unlikely non-courtship as the two, surrounded by family and friends, work to find out what their relationship really is all about.
I enjoyed this story, though for different reasons than I initially thought. I warmed up to Jac eventually. On the surface, she came across as superficial and materialistic. She made herself more at home in Paddy’s place than I felt comfortable with (when you read it, you will know what I mean). My opinion changed though after slowly finding out more about her need for money and why it was so important to her.
Paddy was easier to like with his upfront style and easy-going nature. His burst of the romantic was a very nice touch, and the kilt didn’t hurt either! Aunt Wheezie was a hit for me as her need to see her family settled and her own vulnerability, and crankiness, was beyond endearing. Throw in a mysterious Santa-like hobo and I was hooked! ~ Diane, 3.5 stars
~~~
It's the holiday season! Add in a dash of crazy relatives, a meddling, matchmaking aunt, and a New Year's Eve deadline, plus the fact that Jacqueline "Jac" Mcguire is a runner, and you have the promise of a fun story.
Jac's running out on her second wedding. Through a crazy set of circumstances, Jac ends up running into Patrick McPherson and ends up having the night of her life.
Patrick is happy with his lot in life. He's living a bachelor life, loves his job with the family business and doesn't feel the need to have a permanent woman in his life when there are so many to choose from...until Jac crashes into his life. One night isn't enough—but after a night fueled with passion, Jac is gone when he comes back from a quick trip to the store.
Fast forward on month later, Jac is back and she's not alone... So what happens now? Will Jac and Patrick reignite the flame or are they destined to burn out with when the truth comes out?
Oh, how I wanted to love this book! The premise of their story hooked me in, but unfortunately it fell very flat for me. I adored Patrick and his family, especially his cray Aunt Wheezy. Patrick seemed genuine and real, but most importantly, he was likeable from the start.
Jac, though… Wow, I struggled to get into the story because I really didn't like her character—especially in scenes with Gerald. She came across as spoiled, phony and flighty. This book had so much potential, but it just didn't quite work for me. ~ Missy, 3-3.5 stars
November 25, 2015
Not gonna to lie folks, I accepted Unwrapped by Katie Lane because of the cover. Yep, I wanted to unwrap it. After, I realized this was book three in the Hunk for the Holidays series. Thankfully, it totally works as a standalone and was deliciously good, so I will grabbing the first two for future holiday reads. Win-win.
Unwrapped had a wonderful set-up. The author unwraps the plot in the first chapter and it was hilarious and heated. Kane even weaves in a little mystery allowing me to slip in with a sigh and a giggle.
Jacqueline is a little flawed, but good at the core and while you may initially find her shallow, Lane soon has you caring for her, even as you laugh and roll your eyes. Patrick is a contractor and quite the bachelor, but has not been able to forget Jacqueline. The author used a familiar trope to bring these two together again and it worked. Both characters see growth as their relationship developed adding depth. She then weaved in interfering Aunts, a vivacious best friend and a sister you do not want to mess with.
The story was balanced and while at times heated, it had a small-town vibe and was set in Denver Colorado. I loved the page time spent on family and friends as these two work towards their happy. Unwrapped was a great little romance for the holidays that will leave you with a smile.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Unwrapped had a wonderful set-up. The author unwraps the plot in the first chapter and it was hilarious and heated. Kane even weaves in a little mystery allowing me to slip in with a sigh and a giggle.
Jacqueline is a little flawed, but good at the core and while you may initially find her shallow, Lane soon has you caring for her, even as you laugh and roll your eyes. Patrick is a contractor and quite the bachelor, but has not been able to forget Jacqueline. The author used a familiar trope to bring these two together again and it worked. Both characters see growth as their relationship developed adding depth. She then weaved in interfering Aunts, a vivacious best friend and a sister you do not want to mess with.
The story was balanced and while at times heated, it had a small-town vibe and was set in Denver Colorado. I loved the page time spent on family and friends as these two work towards their happy. Unwrapped was a great little romance for the holidays that will leave you with a smile.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
October 5, 2015
I love Lane's Hunk for the Holiday series. It's filled with love, family and laughs. In this book Patrick finally meets the woman who will change his world.
I loved Jacqueline and how active her imagination is. These two meet for the first time after Jacqueline runs out on her second wedding. She gets into accident and finds a cabin. The cabin is occupied by Patrick and it just so happens he is wearing a kilt and has vampire teeth.
After the one night the spend together
Jacqueline heads back to NYC and discovers she is pregnant. She asks her best friend to go with her to see if he's really a vampire. lol
Seriously this book had some cute and funny moments. At times I wondered if
I would stop laughing. Jacqueline really did think and do some outrageous things but it made the story fun and exciting.
If you are looking for a good holiday read filled with humor, love and a hot man in a kilt you will enjoy this book from the beginning to the end! I hope Lane has more of this series planned in the future :-)
I loved Jacqueline and how active her imagination is. These two meet for the first time after Jacqueline runs out on her second wedding. She gets into accident and finds a cabin. The cabin is occupied by Patrick and it just so happens he is wearing a kilt and has vampire teeth.
After the one night the spend together
Jacqueline heads back to NYC and discovers she is pregnant. She asks her best friend to go with her to see if he's really a vampire. lol
Seriously this book had some cute and funny moments. At times I wondered if
I would stop laughing. Jacqueline really did think and do some outrageous things but it made the story fun and exciting.
If you are looking for a good holiday read filled with humor, love and a hot man in a kilt you will enjoy this book from the beginning to the end! I hope Lane has more of this series planned in the future :-)
December 17, 2015
With the way that this one opened up it was hard not to like Jacqueline. I loved that she thought Patrick was a kilt wearing vampire and was ok with how things progressed for them. After how Patrick went on and on about the condoms I knew that Jacqueline would end up pregnant and it would rock Patrick's world as he found out. Of course that is just what happened. While I did get a bit tired of the whole you are being honest with me crap that went on between Patrick and Jacqueline. I was glad that things were settled by the end, because when they just let themselves be Patrick and Jacqueline were great for each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2015
Let's just say it's Halloween and you've run away from another of your weddings and you crash your sister's car and walk through a blizzard to a creepy, deserted-looking cabin in your filthy, soggy wedding dress and the cabin door opens. Standing on the other side is a big, shirtless guy in a kilt who snarls, "Trick or treat." You notice his fangs and:
1. Run screaming into the night only to realize you have nowhere to go
2. Force yourself to take a bubble bath to warm up and find nothing to wear but his shirt
3. Agree to sleep on the couch, but let yourself be sweetly seduced during the night by Patrick, the Scottish vampire who's snugged up against you
4.End up with morning sickness weeks later but know that can't be right, because Twilight notwithstanding, everyone knows that vampires can't reproduce...
Well, that's how this crazy fun book begins and if your name is
Jacqueline Danielle Maguire, you did all those things. Just for some
background, Jac and her sister, Bailey, were jokingly named by their hard-up bartender mother. After her death when they were young, the girls were shuttled around to various relatives and finally ended up with a wealthy, disdainful aunt. Now that she's passed away, they could inherit billions of dollars if they agree to marry someone of a "certain social standing" by the end of the year. Bailey, a lawyer, is not at all interested. Jac has tried, but can't quite make it to the altar for a sham marriage to someone she doesn't love.
So back to Halloween. Early the next day, Patrick left the fishing cabin to get coffee (and other supplies!) while Jac was still asleep. He hurried back from the store with the coffee and plans to rekindle his heated night and finds no one there. He cynically decides that Jac left because she just wasn't that interested. He doesn't know that Bailey had been bullying the local Sheriff's Department to locate her car and find out what had happened to her sister on Halloween night, and that they tracked her to the cabin and were able to get her and her luggage on a plane back to New York.
Since Jac didn't see Patrick when she awoke in the morning, she assumed he wasn't that interested and had just gone to work. So she decides she'll keep their lovely, sexy night a private memory and return home, determined to quit wishing there could be something more between them than all that wonderful chemistry!
When time confirms she really is pregnant, Jac decides to go back to Denver to track Patrick down and find out what kind of man the father of her child really is (and if he still has fangs!)
So flighty Jac drags her platonic best friend, Gerald, with her to Denver to track down Patrick. All she really knows is the truck in his driveway had M&M Construction on the side. Jac and Geri find Patrick on a job site and pretend to be a married couple (with her in a black wig)interested in building a house. This leads to a bump on her head from a falling thermos, a trip to the emergency room where her identity and pregnancy are revealed and a whole lot of heat flaring up between Patrick and Jac.
How to proceed from this point is up for grabs and everyone in both families has an opinion, and the holiday season just got a whole lot more fun for Jacqueline Maguire and Patrick MacPherson and their families.
A fun, funny book with lots of hot, steamy scenes, quirky characters and reasons to believe in happily ever after.
Check out more reviews at https://ladieswholunchreviews.wordpre...
1. Run screaming into the night only to realize you have nowhere to go
2. Force yourself to take a bubble bath to warm up and find nothing to wear but his shirt
3. Agree to sleep on the couch, but let yourself be sweetly seduced during the night by Patrick, the Scottish vampire who's snugged up against you
4.End up with morning sickness weeks later but know that can't be right, because Twilight notwithstanding, everyone knows that vampires can't reproduce...
Well, that's how this crazy fun book begins and if your name is
Jacqueline Danielle Maguire, you did all those things. Just for some
background, Jac and her sister, Bailey, were jokingly named by their hard-up bartender mother. After her death when they were young, the girls were shuttled around to various relatives and finally ended up with a wealthy, disdainful aunt. Now that she's passed away, they could inherit billions of dollars if they agree to marry someone of a "certain social standing" by the end of the year. Bailey, a lawyer, is not at all interested. Jac has tried, but can't quite make it to the altar for a sham marriage to someone she doesn't love.
So back to Halloween. Early the next day, Patrick left the fishing cabin to get coffee (and other supplies!) while Jac was still asleep. He hurried back from the store with the coffee and plans to rekindle his heated night and finds no one there. He cynically decides that Jac left because she just wasn't that interested. He doesn't know that Bailey had been bullying the local Sheriff's Department to locate her car and find out what had happened to her sister on Halloween night, and that they tracked her to the cabin and were able to get her and her luggage on a plane back to New York.
Since Jac didn't see Patrick when she awoke in the morning, she assumed he wasn't that interested and had just gone to work. So she decides she'll keep their lovely, sexy night a private memory and return home, determined to quit wishing there could be something more between them than all that wonderful chemistry!
When time confirms she really is pregnant, Jac decides to go back to Denver to track Patrick down and find out what kind of man the father of her child really is (and if he still has fangs!)
So flighty Jac drags her platonic best friend, Gerald, with her to Denver to track down Patrick. All she really knows is the truck in his driveway had M&M Construction on the side. Jac and Geri find Patrick on a job site and pretend to be a married couple (with her in a black wig)interested in building a house. This leads to a bump on her head from a falling thermos, a trip to the emergency room where her identity and pregnancy are revealed and a whole lot of heat flaring up between Patrick and Jac.
How to proceed from this point is up for grabs and everyone in both families has an opinion, and the holiday season just got a whole lot more fun for Jacqueline Maguire and Patrick MacPherson and their families.
A fun, funny book with lots of hot, steamy scenes, quirky characters and reasons to believe in happily ever after.
Check out more reviews at https://ladieswholunchreviews.wordpre...
October 1, 2015
My Review:
I really enjoyed the start to this book which takes place on Halloween. It's also the day that Jacqueline abandoned her second groom at the altar in Colorado. She ends up in the mountains, on a snowy road where she wrecks to avoid Big Foot...or maybe it was just a deer.
See, Jacqueline is a character...very open to flights of fancy...at least in the beginning of the book. In fact after their night together, she's sure that Patrick is a Highland's vampire (it was Halloween). She also has to get married in order to inherit her billions from her aunt.
Patrick has his own stuff going on. He works construction for the family firm, but isn't quite happy with what he's doing there. But he has other offers on the table.
There's a LOT going on in this book, and it just seemed like too much because it gave the book a disjointed feel.
In the beginning, Jacqueline seems like a ditzy blonde who is completely shallow and only wants money and to go shopping. This just didn't seem to fit her background, which was pretty rough. But she's also the perfect homemaker and decorator. On one hand she's supposed to be completely loyal and protective, but she left two poor men at the altar and is willing to do the same to Patrick, too. Her character just didn't make sense to me.
Then there's Patrick's HUGE family which had several different side-story lines. His niece looking for her bio-dad (honestly, this story line should have been completely cut...it was distracting and didn't affect the story at all.) Aunt Wheezie who's a modern-day matchmaker, but I was worried she was going to drop dead at any moment. Then there are his parents who don't seem able to communicate with one another although they've been married for forty-some years...again, why was I supposed to care? There's the drama with the company and an old college friend who just happened to have the perfect job for Patrick. Oh, and in the climax, he just conveniently ran into the same guy in the HUGE Denver airport...yeah, that's believable.
So, yeah, there were a few things I had issues with in this book. But all of it was told with Katie Lane's distinctive sarcastic voice. I'm thinking maybe I've just moved past her books, because I just haven't enjoyed the last two as much as I used to enjoy her stories. But regardless of all that, it is a very read-able book and is filled with scenes of Christmas...and a bare-chested, kilted Scotsman who's a Thor look-alike. (I did happen to really LOVE that part.)
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the start to this book which takes place on Halloween. It's also the day that Jacqueline abandoned her second groom at the altar in Colorado. She ends up in the mountains, on a snowy road where she wrecks to avoid Big Foot...or maybe it was just a deer.
See, Jacqueline is a character...very open to flights of fancy...at least in the beginning of the book. In fact after their night together, she's sure that Patrick is a Highland's vampire (it was Halloween). She also has to get married in order to inherit her billions from her aunt.
Patrick has his own stuff going on. He works construction for the family firm, but isn't quite happy with what he's doing there. But he has other offers on the table.
There's a LOT going on in this book, and it just seemed like too much because it gave the book a disjointed feel.
In the beginning, Jacqueline seems like a ditzy blonde who is completely shallow and only wants money and to go shopping. This just didn't seem to fit her background, which was pretty rough. But she's also the perfect homemaker and decorator. On one hand she's supposed to be completely loyal and protective, but she left two poor men at the altar and is willing to do the same to Patrick, too. Her character just didn't make sense to me.
Then there's Patrick's HUGE family which had several different side-story lines. His niece looking for her bio-dad (honestly, this story line should have been completely cut...it was distracting and didn't affect the story at all.) Aunt Wheezie who's a modern-day matchmaker, but I was worried she was going to drop dead at any moment. Then there are his parents who don't seem able to communicate with one another although they've been married for forty-some years...again, why was I supposed to care? There's the drama with the company and an old college friend who just happened to have the perfect job for Patrick. Oh, and in the climax, he just conveniently ran into the same guy in the HUGE Denver airport...yeah, that's believable.
So, yeah, there were a few things I had issues with in this book. But all of it was told with Katie Lane's distinctive sarcastic voice. I'm thinking maybe I've just moved past her books, because I just haven't enjoyed the last two as much as I used to enjoy her stories. But regardless of all that, it is a very read-able book and is filled with scenes of Christmas...and a bare-chested, kilted Scotsman who's a Thor look-alike. (I did happen to really LOVE that part.)
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
September 30, 2015
Posted on What I'm Reading
Let me start that I enjoy Katie Lane's books. They are filled with great characters that fun and lovable. However, I had a fear about this book when I met the heroine. Oh boy, Jacqueline Maguire isn't an easy character to love. Actually, I was afraid I was going to crack a tooth cause I clenching my jaw so tight. She infuriated me with her behavior. At the beginning of the story, she seems like this money hungry woman who just after her inheritance and would do anything to get it. She sounds like a real winner. However, once we get past her motives and get to know her, she actually is a surprise and sweet caring person. She's someone you could like, but getting to that part is rough. Trust me, I seriously wanted to jump in the book and beat her. Then we have the confirm bachelor, Patrick McPherson. He has no desire to marry or have a family, but fate has other plans for him. It all starts one Halloween night. I like Patrick, because he's just straightforward and gruff. He's not an easy guy to penetrate his walls. Yet, somehow Jacqueline does.
These two characters are like oil and water, but somehow they mix well together. Jacqueline is a dreamer with an overactive imagination that gets her into a little trouble, while Patrick a stick in the mud (seriously that's probably the best way to describe him). Anyway, they need to work out there issues cause Halloween night left a bun in oven.
All right, Unwrapped is a pretty good story about two people that need to learn to compromise and work together, which isn't easy for either party. Why not toss in a little holiday magic, because it seems to find it's way into the story. You have McPherson clan that just adds so much to the story. It wouldn't be the holiday's if Aunt Wheezy didn't find herself matchmaking or trying to solve everyone's problem. So, sit back grab something to hold onto, because this holiday read make you realize that family shenanigans are just part of the holidays.
copy provided by Forever Romance
Let me start that I enjoy Katie Lane's books. They are filled with great characters that fun and lovable. However, I had a fear about this book when I met the heroine. Oh boy, Jacqueline Maguire isn't an easy character to love. Actually, I was afraid I was going to crack a tooth cause I clenching my jaw so tight. She infuriated me with her behavior. At the beginning of the story, she seems like this money hungry woman who just after her inheritance and would do anything to get it. She sounds like a real winner. However, once we get past her motives and get to know her, she actually is a surprise and sweet caring person. She's someone you could like, but getting to that part is rough. Trust me, I seriously wanted to jump in the book and beat her. Then we have the confirm bachelor, Patrick McPherson. He has no desire to marry or have a family, but fate has other plans for him. It all starts one Halloween night. I like Patrick, because he's just straightforward and gruff. He's not an easy guy to penetrate his walls. Yet, somehow Jacqueline does.
These two characters are like oil and water, but somehow they mix well together. Jacqueline is a dreamer with an overactive imagination that gets her into a little trouble, while Patrick a stick in the mud (seriously that's probably the best way to describe him). Anyway, they need to work out there issues cause Halloween night left a bun in oven.
All right, Unwrapped is a pretty good story about two people that need to learn to compromise and work together, which isn't easy for either party. Why not toss in a little holiday magic, because it seems to find it's way into the story. You have McPherson clan that just adds so much to the story. It wouldn't be the holiday's if Aunt Wheezy didn't find herself matchmaking or trying to solve everyone's problem. So, sit back grab something to hold onto, because this holiday read make you realize that family shenanigans are just part of the holidays.
copy provided by Forever Romance
March 27, 2017
DID NOT FINISH after 42 pages.
I just couldn't.
OMG the main character Jac... was so stupid.. shallow... flighty... gold digger... STUPID.
"I had sex with a vampire!" - because the person who answered the door was wearing fangs. ON HALLOWEEN.
Not in the cute "Oooh he's dressed as a vampire". No, she legitimately thought he was a vampire. "Other than in the Twilight books... vampires can't get women pregnant! I looked it up on the internet!"
Also, I honestly do not know how old the character is supposed to be, but UGH. She acted 16.
And what a fucking gold digger, running away from 2 weddings even though OMG I NEED THE MONEY by marrying someone!
I just couldn't. Nope couldn't do it any more.
Normally I like Katie Lane's books... well... the Deep in the Heart of Texas series... even though I have my issues with them.
This book though? No. I could not get on board.
I just couldn't.
OMG the main character Jac... was so stupid.. shallow... flighty... gold digger... STUPID.
"I had sex with a vampire!" - because the person who answered the door was wearing fangs. ON HALLOWEEN.
Not in the cute "Oooh he's dressed as a vampire". No, she legitimately thought he was a vampire. "Other than in the Twilight books... vampires can't get women pregnant! I looked it up on the internet!"
Also, I honestly do not know how old the character is supposed to be, but UGH. She acted 16.
And what a fucking gold digger, running away from 2 weddings even though OMG I NEED THE MONEY by marrying someone!
I just couldn't. Nope couldn't do it any more.
Normally I like Katie Lane's books... well... the Deep in the Heart of Texas series... even though I have my issues with them.
This book though? No. I could not get on board.
September 6, 2015
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first novel that I have read by Katie Lane and I know it will not be the last. This was the perfect feel good holiday romance mixed in with a bit of family crazy and a touch of magic in the form of Santa. Patrick may not have been looking to settle down but one look at Jac (aka the Bride of Frankenstein) and he was hooked. He just didn't know how hooked for a few months. And Jac well she thought she was hooking up with a Scottish vampire for just one hot night. I have to say I really liked the crazy secondary family members and would like to go back and read their stories just because of the way the author brought everyone together for the holidays and each other.
This is the first novel that I have read by Katie Lane and I know it will not be the last. This was the perfect feel good holiday romance mixed in with a bit of family crazy and a touch of magic in the form of Santa. Patrick may not have been looking to settle down but one look at Jac (aka the Bride of Frankenstein) and he was hooked. He just didn't know how hooked for a few months. And Jac well she thought she was hooking up with a Scottish vampire for just one hot night. I have to say I really liked the crazy secondary family members and would like to go back and read their stories just because of the way the author brought everyone together for the holidays and each other.
November 29, 2017
Some of the story was quirky and cute. Some of it was so over the top it was annoying. There are so many characters and other romances in the story, crazy Santa and interfering matchmakers, it was too much and became overwhelming at times.
However, my major concern with the book is the lack of consent prior to their first sexual encounter and his assumption she might like rough sex because she was not petite. The fact that she might like it rough is mentioned in his thoughts a couple of times - What???
So Heroine Jacqueline had tripped into his place a little wacky, and when he saw her boobs peering over her dress he had lust at first sight, because you know it has been a while for him…
"Her conflicting actions confused him. Did she want to leave, slash his tires, or kiss him? Maybe she was one of those women who liked to play rough. The type who liked to heighten the sexual tension by playing hard to get. Well, it was working. His sexual tension was at an all-time high. And since she was the one who had knocked on his door, he decided to release some of it. Tugging her closer, he kissed her."
So...she didn’t say no and she seemed to enjoy the kiss. When he started to nibble on her neck, she she fainted dead away….completely out cold, (thinking he was a vampire - long story). Then he revives her, and eventually realizes she has been in a car accident due to marks from seatbelt, etc. Then she’s babbling crazy stuff again, and Patrick started to wonder if she wasn’t suffering from a concussion because she seemed to be talking irrationally.
So, start of next chapter she in taking a bath still thinking she has been nipped by a vampire and experiencing a bit of lust over the kiss. After that she retires to the sofa bed he has made up for her. She falls asleep and is having a weird dream and wakes up recognizing he is in bed with her and is feeling her up…what??? She didn’t say no, but based on his discovery of the accident, the babbling and passing out was she capable of consent??
So they carry on with some foreplay and a little consensual dry humping and he brings her to a quick orgasm. He follows that up by stepping away for sec and suiting up, then whipping down her sweats, another quick kiss then...
"hooking his hands behind her knees, he bent her legs and lifted her hips off the mattress. She barely had time to adjust to the position before she was impaled."
What?? Ouch - Whoa what if she was a virgin?
So good thing she liked it, and she did not say no, but his dick behaviour in these early chapters ruined the book for me. The woman had been in a car accident and fainted, so was she even sensible and in her right mind to give consent for any of the sexual shenanigans, especially when she had been babbling so incoherently…grrr…
Final Rating: 1.5 stars maybe…feels like there was the start of a good book here, but too many things lost stars for my taste.
However, my major concern with the book is the lack of consent prior to their first sexual encounter and his assumption she might like rough sex because she was not petite. The fact that she might like it rough is mentioned in his thoughts a couple of times - What???
So Heroine Jacqueline had tripped into his place a little wacky, and when he saw her boobs peering over her dress he had lust at first sight, because you know it has been a while for him…
"Her conflicting actions confused him. Did she want to leave, slash his tires, or kiss him? Maybe she was one of those women who liked to play rough. The type who liked to heighten the sexual tension by playing hard to get. Well, it was working. His sexual tension was at an all-time high. And since she was the one who had knocked on his door, he decided to release some of it. Tugging her closer, he kissed her."
So...she didn’t say no and she seemed to enjoy the kiss. When he started to nibble on her neck, she she fainted dead away….completely out cold, (thinking he was a vampire - long story). Then he revives her, and eventually realizes she has been in a car accident due to marks from seatbelt, etc. Then she’s babbling crazy stuff again, and Patrick started to wonder if she wasn’t suffering from a concussion because she seemed to be talking irrationally.
So, start of next chapter she in taking a bath still thinking she has been nipped by a vampire and experiencing a bit of lust over the kiss. After that she retires to the sofa bed he has made up for her. She falls asleep and is having a weird dream and wakes up recognizing he is in bed with her and is feeling her up…what??? She didn’t say no, but based on his discovery of the accident, the babbling and passing out was she capable of consent??
So they carry on with some foreplay and a little consensual dry humping and he brings her to a quick orgasm. He follows that up by stepping away for sec and suiting up, then whipping down her sweats, another quick kiss then...
"hooking his hands behind her knees, he bent her legs and lifted her hips off the mattress. She barely had time to adjust to the position before she was impaled."
What?? Ouch - Whoa what if she was a virgin?
So good thing she liked it, and she did not say no, but his dick behaviour in these early chapters ruined the book for me. The woman had been in a car accident and fainted, so was she even sensible and in her right mind to give consent for any of the sexual shenanigans, especially when she had been babbling so incoherently…grrr…
Final Rating: 1.5 stars maybe…feels like there was the start of a good book here, but too many things lost stars for my taste.
November 3, 2015
I spent the first third of Unwrapped, by Katie Lane, irritated and disinterested in both the plot and characters. I spent the middle third trying to give the author time to focus the plot and develop the characters. Surprisingly, I thought the last third was adorable. Cheesy and predictable, but adorable. This book was 2.5 stars for me, but I’ll round up to 3 because of the ending.
I don’t flounce easily—have only done it once—but I seriously considered it here. The story follows Jac, aka Jacqueline Maguire, an unemployed young woman who is trying to find a temporary husband thanks to a stipulation in her aunt’s will. Jac has to marry someone from her aunt’s social circle in order to inherit a huge fortune. The story opens as she flees wedding number 2. Jac finds herself on Patrick McPherson’s doorstep in her wedding gown on Halloween night after she wrecks her car. He lets her in because of the storm, not because he wants her there, but neither can deny the attraction. Patrick is a no-strings kind of guy so one night with Jac is perfect, only he can’t let the memory of her go after she disappears without a trace the next morning. The premise sounded cute but oh my goodness did I dislike Jac. She was selfish and self-centered and flighty. Her sister Bailey describes her as loyal once she lets you in, and that turned out to be true but I was more than two thirds done the book before I believed it. She really did seem like one character when the book began and another when it ended. Patrick was a grumpy, work addicted loner. At least I understood why having Jac around changed him.
I will say in the book’s defense that it is book 3 in a series, and I haven’t read the others. Patrick’s very large family is in the book a decent amount. Normally I like this style of plot, but in this case it was overwhelming and distracting. Patrick’s aunt is quite old and playing matchmaker. Patrick’s parents are trying to adjust to his dad’s recent retirement. Patrick’s niece wants to meet her biological father. Patrick’s brother is expecting his first baby soon. Patrick’s sister (I think) is unexpectedly pregnant for the fourth time. Jac’s sister and best friend are in the plot too, though I didn’t find them quite as distracting. They added some heart and humour to the plot. I think some people will find the book quite funny. I personally didn’t. Jac’s imagination was a little ridiculous, like the notion that Mr. Darby is after her aunt’s fortune and trying to kill her. Or the notion that Patrick was a vampire. I found myself wondering a lot how an adult could think this way. A mature adult wouldn’t, so it was really hard to see her as one.
I also read a review touting how romantic the story was. I didn’t find it very romantic at all. Once the plot is revealed and Patrick comes to a decision, it was about as unromantic as it gets.
It also didn’t feel especially Christmas-y until the end. I didn’t really connect with the Santa character who was developed as a homeless man doling out advice who could somehow manage to disappear into thin air.
I didn’t love the book or the characters. I thought the end was cute but am not really interested in reading more of the series, despite my interest in Christmas stories. The characters had good sexual chemistry but took way too long to open up to one another so you could see they had more than that between them. The plot was kind of a mishmash of stories that distracted from the main characters. And the whole story was predicatble from beginning to end.
I don’t flounce easily—have only done it once—but I seriously considered it here. The story follows Jac, aka Jacqueline Maguire, an unemployed young woman who is trying to find a temporary husband thanks to a stipulation in her aunt’s will. Jac has to marry someone from her aunt’s social circle in order to inherit a huge fortune. The story opens as she flees wedding number 2. Jac finds herself on Patrick McPherson’s doorstep in her wedding gown on Halloween night after she wrecks her car. He lets her in because of the storm, not because he wants her there, but neither can deny the attraction. Patrick is a no-strings kind of guy so one night with Jac is perfect, only he can’t let the memory of her go after she disappears without a trace the next morning. The premise sounded cute but oh my goodness did I dislike Jac. She was selfish and self-centered and flighty. Her sister Bailey describes her as loyal once she lets you in, and that turned out to be true but I was more than two thirds done the book before I believed it. She really did seem like one character when the book began and another when it ended. Patrick was a grumpy, work addicted loner. At least I understood why having Jac around changed him.
I will say in the book’s defense that it is book 3 in a series, and I haven’t read the others. Patrick’s very large family is in the book a decent amount. Normally I like this style of plot, but in this case it was overwhelming and distracting. Patrick’s aunt is quite old and playing matchmaker. Patrick’s parents are trying to adjust to his dad’s recent retirement. Patrick’s niece wants to meet her biological father. Patrick’s brother is expecting his first baby soon. Patrick’s sister (I think) is unexpectedly pregnant for the fourth time. Jac’s sister and best friend are in the plot too, though I didn’t find them quite as distracting. They added some heart and humour to the plot. I think some people will find the book quite funny. I personally didn’t. Jac’s imagination was a little ridiculous, like the notion that Mr. Darby is after her aunt’s fortune and trying to kill her. Or the notion that Patrick was a vampire. I found myself wondering a lot how an adult could think this way. A mature adult wouldn’t, so it was really hard to see her as one.
I also read a review touting how romantic the story was. I didn’t find it very romantic at all. Once the plot is revealed and Patrick comes to a decision, it was about as unromantic as it gets.
It also didn’t feel especially Christmas-y until the end. I didn’t really connect with the Santa character who was developed as a homeless man doling out advice who could somehow manage to disappear into thin air.
I didn’t love the book or the characters. I thought the end was cute but am not really interested in reading more of the series, despite my interest in Christmas stories. The characters had good sexual chemistry but took way too long to open up to one another so you could see they had more than that between them. The plot was kind of a mishmash of stories that distracted from the main characters. And the whole story was predicatble from beginning to end.
September 26, 2015
This story begins with Jac once again running from the altar...running from a loveless marriage that she has only agreed to in order to meet the ridiculous stipulations of her grandmothers will. While running, Jac wrecks her sisters car and finds herself alone in a cabin with a man she can't resist.
The minute Patrick lays eyes on Jac, he is convinced that she is just another spoiled rich girl his meddling aunt has sent to win his heart but after an unexpected and incredible night together, he finds himself wanting more.
One night brings unexpected consequences and when all the secrets come out, can Jac and Patrick make a relationship work?
This book was good, but I felt a little lost. When I requested it, I didn't realize it was part of a series and I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous books. There were a lot of characters I felt like I should know but I didn't know anything about them.
Overall though, the story itself was entertaining and a good read. I liked Jac and Patrick together and they have just the right amount of ups and downs.
My thoughts:
POV: switches between different characters
Quick hook or slow starter? 4 (I was hooked from the first chapter)
Character development: 4
Level of Romance between characters: 4
Passion/Heat level: 4 (sex scenes are well written but a little shorter than I was hoping for)
Angst/Heartbreak: 4 (there is some drama for these two throughout)
Cliffhanger?: Not really a cliffhanger,but i was left wanting more.
Overall, I enjoyed it and will definitely read the other books in this series.
I received an ARC of this story from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The minute Patrick lays eyes on Jac, he is convinced that she is just another spoiled rich girl his meddling aunt has sent to win his heart but after an unexpected and incredible night together, he finds himself wanting more.
One night brings unexpected consequences and when all the secrets come out, can Jac and Patrick make a relationship work?
This book was good, but I felt a little lost. When I requested it, I didn't realize it was part of a series and I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous books. There were a lot of characters I felt like I should know but I didn't know anything about them.
Overall though, the story itself was entertaining and a good read. I liked Jac and Patrick together and they have just the right amount of ups and downs.
My thoughts:
POV: switches between different characters
Quick hook or slow starter? 4 (I was hooked from the first chapter)
Character development: 4
Level of Romance between characters: 4
Passion/Heat level: 4 (sex scenes are well written but a little shorter than I was hoping for)
Angst/Heartbreak: 4 (there is some drama for these two throughout)
Cliffhanger?: Not really a cliffhanger,but i was left wanting more.
Overall, I enjoyed it and will definitely read the other books in this series.
I received an ARC of this story from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2015
Jacqueline Maguire is in dire need of a husband, she just found out that in order to collect her inheritance from her wealthy aunt she must be married. Only problem is she's thought she's found "the one" twice now, but nerves have gotten the best of her, and minutes before saying "I do" she's gotten spooked and left her grooms standing at the altar. Her sister chalks it up to choosing the from the wrong circle of men, she however, thinks she just hasn't found the right one yet, and continues to hold out hope he's out there somewhere. But since he hasn't come along yet, she has devised a plan to get herself a husband and her money, now all she needs is a willing participant...
Patrick McPherson enjoys the simple life he leads, and living in his secluded cabin in the woods. He has no interest in tying himself down with a relationship or a wife, his aunt Weezie on the other hand believes it's time for this eternal bachelor to finally settle down. After several of her attempts at finding him a bride backfire on her he's hoping she has finally taken the hint and given up, but when he opens his front door and finds a beautiful girl in a wedding dress standing on his porch he figures aunt Weezie has just upped her game...
This was my first encounter with this authors work and I can honestly say that it won't be my last! The story line captivated my attention right from the start and had me burning right through the pages, and staying up well past my bed time just to finish it! Definitely a memorable first read for me, and one that I think everyone should add to their holiday reading wish lists, it's sure to put you in the holiday spirit...and leave you blushing a time or two!
Patrick McPherson enjoys the simple life he leads, and living in his secluded cabin in the woods. He has no interest in tying himself down with a relationship or a wife, his aunt Weezie on the other hand believes it's time for this eternal bachelor to finally settle down. After several of her attempts at finding him a bride backfire on her he's hoping she has finally taken the hint and given up, but when he opens his front door and finds a beautiful girl in a wedding dress standing on his porch he figures aunt Weezie has just upped her game...
This was my first encounter with this authors work and I can honestly say that it won't be my last! The story line captivated my attention right from the start and had me burning right through the pages, and staying up well past my bed time just to finish it! Definitely a memorable first read for me, and one that I think everyone should add to their holiday reading wish lists, it's sure to put you in the holiday spirit...and leave you blushing a time or two!
October 2, 2015
Unwrapped is the third and final book in Katie Lane’s Hunk for the Holiday series. I have loved this series from the start. Lane created a wonderful family dynamic with the McPhersons and their extended clan. Aunt Weezie is one of my all-time favorite characters. The addition of “Santa” to this installment was a fun twist. Patrick and Jacqueline were perfect for each other, but it took them a while to admit it. If you haven’t already started the series it is more fun if you start at the beginning. However, there is easily enough background to make the novel enjoyable if you haven’t read the others. I’m very sad to see this series end and hope that at some point she returns to some of the secondary characters and give them their own HEAs. In the meantime, I will enjoy rereading the current books during the holiday season.
September 8, 2015
Jac that girl can stand up for herself, she turned and looked at him. “How about someone who doesn’t work so much? Someone who doesn’t come home so tired he can’t string three words together?”She hesitated. “Someone who doesn’t suck in bed.”She tried to move around him, but he took her arm and stopped her." I enjoyed this book, Patrick he was at times one of those love to hate type of guys.
January 18, 2016
A runaway bride who needs a marriage to inherit billions, a one night stand, a surprise pregnancy, Patrick, the last unattached McPhearson, a meddling matchmaking aunt, and a secret Santa which when all added together make up one great, entertaining read.I really enjoyed this book and entire series. Highly recommend.
September 20, 2015
I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads.
Cute book, and a happy ending. This is the first book I have read by Katie Lane and I like how I can read the third book and not feel lost. I liked the characters, especially Jacqueline and her imagination.
Cute book, and a happy ending. This is the first book I have read by Katie Lane and I like how I can read the third book and not feel lost. I liked the characters, especially Jacqueline and her imagination.
January 17, 2018
Fun book about two people who are very different and what happens when they find each other. Jac is desperate to get married. Her late aunt had stipulated in her will that Jac had to be married to inherit and she is running out of time. She has tried twice, but each time chickened out at the last minute. Her latest attempt sends her off in a Halloween blizzard, where she promptly wrecks her car. Fortunately for her, she is rescued by a kilt-wearing vampire - at least that's what she thinks.
Patrick has just come home from a Halloween party and is still wearing his kilt and the realistic fangs when Jac bursts into his life. She has him so flummoxed that he forgets about the fangs when the urge strikes to kiss her and is dismayed when she faints. After realizing that she's injured, he takes care of her, until the sparks between them flare up again. The heat generated between them makes an impression on both of them. But when Jac wakes up in the morning, Patrick isn't there, but a local deputy has found her wrecked car and gave Jac a lift into town. Patrick is stunned to find her gone when he gets back from a grocery run.
A month later, neither has been able to forget the other, but Jac has an unexpected reminder. While she plans to keep the baby, she's determined to return to Denver to see Patrick again and exorcise him from her mind. However, things don't go quite the way she planned.
I really liked Patrick. He's a straightforward kind of guy who doesn't play games. He isn't interested in getting married, but he does like the ladies. His aunt is determined to see him hitched and has been throwing women at him left and right. They make such an impression on him that he can't even remember their names - though he has no trouble remembering Jac's. He's also serious, hard-working, and an animal lover.
I had a little more trouble warming up to Jac. She first gives the impression of being a materialistic ditz. She goes on and on about doing whatever she has to in order to get her aunt's money, even possibly marrying older men that she doesn't care about. Then there's her wild imagination. Patrick is a vampire, there's a man trying to kill her for her inheritance, and it was Bigfoot that made her run off the road. Her attempt at a disguise to see Patrick was laughable as was the story she concocted. But as the book went on, things about her past make her actions a little more understandable.
I enjoyed the development of their relationship. The sparks between them haven't died down any, and they aren't all the attraction variety. There is also a good bit of antagonism as Jac insists that she'll raise the baby on her own and Patrick isn't having it. He wants to be a father to their child. He proposes they get married, and since that suits her needs, Jac agrees. But things don't immediately become unicorns and roses. Patrick immediately returns to his workaholic ways, and a bored Jac is sure to get into trouble. Her methods are a bit manipulative, which comes back to bite her when Patrick finds out. But a good Irish vs. Scottish shouting match brings about compromise and meeting of minds. I loved seeing Jac and Patrick get to know each other and enjoy spending time together, not just in bed. What neither expected was actually to fall in love, and neither quite knew what to do about it. Unfortunately for Jac, she had never told Patrick her initial reason for agreeing to the marriage, and when he finds out, the hurt and anger are intense. I ached for both of them during that confrontation. I loved the advice that Patrick got and what he did with it. The ending was awesome.
The secondary characters were the icing on the cake of the story. Patrick's Aunt Wheezie was a hoot with her machinations. She was an interfering old lady, but her heart was in the right place. Jac's sister Bailey was as pragmatic as Patrick, but she was also very protective of Jac. I loved the way she rode to the rescue when Jac first returned to Denver. Her meeting with Patrick and his brothers was great. I also loved their friend Gerald. He was a great foil for Patrick's over-the-top alpha maleness. One of my favorite characters was the street bum with the long white beard who kept turning up. It was pretty obvious who he was, and I loved each of his appearances. The rest of Patrick's family were fun and crazy and obviously loved each other. Their Christmas craziness was fantastic.
Patrick has just come home from a Halloween party and is still wearing his kilt and the realistic fangs when Jac bursts into his life. She has him so flummoxed that he forgets about the fangs when the urge strikes to kiss her and is dismayed when she faints. After realizing that she's injured, he takes care of her, until the sparks between them flare up again. The heat generated between them makes an impression on both of them. But when Jac wakes up in the morning, Patrick isn't there, but a local deputy has found her wrecked car and gave Jac a lift into town. Patrick is stunned to find her gone when he gets back from a grocery run.
A month later, neither has been able to forget the other, but Jac has an unexpected reminder. While she plans to keep the baby, she's determined to return to Denver to see Patrick again and exorcise him from her mind. However, things don't go quite the way she planned.
I really liked Patrick. He's a straightforward kind of guy who doesn't play games. He isn't interested in getting married, but he does like the ladies. His aunt is determined to see him hitched and has been throwing women at him left and right. They make such an impression on him that he can't even remember their names - though he has no trouble remembering Jac's. He's also serious, hard-working, and an animal lover.
I had a little more trouble warming up to Jac. She first gives the impression of being a materialistic ditz. She goes on and on about doing whatever she has to in order to get her aunt's money, even possibly marrying older men that she doesn't care about. Then there's her wild imagination. Patrick is a vampire, there's a man trying to kill her for her inheritance, and it was Bigfoot that made her run off the road. Her attempt at a disguise to see Patrick was laughable as was the story she concocted. But as the book went on, things about her past make her actions a little more understandable.
I enjoyed the development of their relationship. The sparks between them haven't died down any, and they aren't all the attraction variety. There is also a good bit of antagonism as Jac insists that she'll raise the baby on her own and Patrick isn't having it. He wants to be a father to their child. He proposes they get married, and since that suits her needs, Jac agrees. But things don't immediately become unicorns and roses. Patrick immediately returns to his workaholic ways, and a bored Jac is sure to get into trouble. Her methods are a bit manipulative, which comes back to bite her when Patrick finds out. But a good Irish vs. Scottish shouting match brings about compromise and meeting of minds. I loved seeing Jac and Patrick get to know each other and enjoy spending time together, not just in bed. What neither expected was actually to fall in love, and neither quite knew what to do about it. Unfortunately for Jac, she had never told Patrick her initial reason for agreeing to the marriage, and when he finds out, the hurt and anger are intense. I ached for both of them during that confrontation. I loved the advice that Patrick got and what he did with it. The ending was awesome.
The secondary characters were the icing on the cake of the story. Patrick's Aunt Wheezie was a hoot with her machinations. She was an interfering old lady, but her heart was in the right place. Jac's sister Bailey was as pragmatic as Patrick, but she was also very protective of Jac. I loved the way she rode to the rescue when Jac first returned to Denver. Her meeting with Patrick and his brothers was great. I also loved their friend Gerald. He was a great foil for Patrick's over-the-top alpha maleness. One of my favorite characters was the street bum with the long white beard who kept turning up. It was pretty obvious who he was, and I loved each of his appearances. The rest of Patrick's family were fun and crazy and obviously loved each other. Their Christmas craziness was fantastic.
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August 1, 2018Jac is a hard character to like she comes across as such a brat and unrelistic expectations. Wanting everything her way, is bored as has no job, feeds a man a big dinner while resisting him then surprised he went to sleep *shocker*
Also keeping the will a secret then not being willing to fight for her relationship when found out very immature.
I liked that santa was the matchmaker for this story as wheezie had gone too far in her schemes.
Also keeping the will a secret then not being willing to fight for her relationship when found out very immature.
I liked that santa was the matchmaker for this story as wheezie had gone too far in her schemes.
May 12, 2020
Wow! All the characters were so well developed and I could easily picture how unique they were. I liked how the author knew which family to dive deeper into and which to only go so far. A wonderful balance of details. I loved the flow of the story and it was quite realistic. I also appreciated how humbled Patrick had to become in the end. First story I've read of this author, but it won't be the last!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2025
Jacqueline ran away from her second wedding and crashed her sister's car in a Colorado forest. She walks to a cabin and finds a vampire on Halloween night. Since she's half frozen wearing a wedding dress, Patrick thinks she's dressed for Halloween too. Jacqueline and Paddy have sex but the next morning Jacqueline wakes up alone to the cops banging on the door. Jacqueline thinks she dreamed the whole thing until she finds herself pregnant.
December 17, 2018
2.5 stars
Very cliché holiday romance (unexpected baby, shotgun marriage, homeless Santa who comes and goes unexpectedly with sage advice, will stipulation for inheritance, etc) but the characters were decent and it was a cute story.
Very cliché holiday romance (unexpected baby, shotgun marriage, homeless Santa who comes and goes unexpectedly with sage advice, will stipulation for inheritance, etc) but the characters were decent and it was a cute story.
December 16, 2023
I was in the mood for a Christmas romance and found this book on my shelves. Almost a dnf, as Jac and Patrick were a ridiculous couple and everything about their relationship was preposterous. The side characters Wheezie, Gerald, Gabby, and Barkley helped me get through this one
December 31, 2024
I found the book pretty cringey to be frank. The idea was sort of cute but it’s been done before. Jac’s character was so over the top and their love story was predictable yet so unrealistic. This just did not do it for me.
July 7, 2017
Very enjoyable story
January 18, 2020
perhaps one of the worst books I've ever read and do not know why decided to read to the end.
November 15, 2020
Funny
The story was full of mischief with a nice balance of Romance. I loved wheelie! That old girl was a hoot!!!
The story was full of mischief with a nice balance of Romance. I loved wheelie! That old girl was a hoot!!!
August 27, 2021
Funny, sweet, and magic
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