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Escape to New Zealand #16
Just Watch Me
Some recipes are more complicated than others.
Stir together:
- One rugby-captain widower with three kids, two troublesome rugby-playing brothers, and too much practice dating;
- One widow with three kids of her own and absolutely no practice dating; and
- One cat, three rats, and a grandmother and grandfather who seem oblivious to the chaos they’re causing.
- Did I mention the prohibition against dating your student’s parent?
Turn up the heat —and watch for explosions.
Is this a recipe for romance, or a defective chemistry set?
Stir together:
- One rugby-captain widower with three kids, two troublesome rugby-playing brothers, and too much practice dating;
- One widow with three kids of her own and absolutely no practice dating; and
- One cat, three rats, and a grandmother and grandfather who seem oblivious to the chaos they’re causing.
- Did I mention the prohibition against dating your student’s parent?
Turn up the heat —and watch for explosions.
Is this a recipe for romance, or a defective chemistry set?
562 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2026
About the author
Rosalind James
56 books1,233 followersRosalind James writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense published both by Montlake Romance and independently. Her stories are set in New Zealand, Idaho, California, New York . . . really, anyplace that seems cool. (Research trips, especially those involving lots of rugby, are a bonus.) Her books are available in ebook, paperback, and audio formats. Rosalind is a former marketing executive who spent several years in Australia and New Zealand, where she fell in love with the people, the landscape, and the culture of both countries. She attributes her rapid success to the fact that "Lots of people would like to escape to New Zealand! I know I did!"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
June 13, 2026
Zane, a widower with three young children, and Skylar, a widow who also has three young children, meet when she is his youngest daughter's teacher. What they don't know is that Zane's grandmother and Skylar's grandfather have fallen for each other. And the two families start to intermingle.
June 9, 2026
so in love with this series!
Love the characters, their stories, the banter and bickering. This one made me laugh and cry. The dynamics between the children is awesome. Just so good!
Love the characters, their stories, the banter and bickering. This one made me laugh and cry. The dynamics between the children is awesome. Just so good!
June 1, 2026
A lovely story, it is emotional, funny, sad and everything in between. The story is filled with strong characters, both young and older. Zane Mahuta is a rugby player, he plays for the Blues, as well as being honoured to be an All Black, playing for his country. He is a widower with three young children, his wife died three years before in a tragic motor accident. Scarlett is the eldest, a very outspoken, determined young lady, Duncan who is eight, and Georgia, the baby of the family who recently started school. As a rugby player Zane is often away from home, so his grandmother lives with them to look after the children. They muddle along just fine.
Skylar Fairburn is a reception class teacher. She is a widow, she also has three children. Finlay is the eldest, followed by Olive,who always has her nose in a book, and the youngest is George. Her grandfather lives with them to help out, but recently Skylar has become aware that he has got friendly with another grandparent, who he met at the school gates when collecting the kids from school. Life is a bit of a financial struggle for Skylar, but they generally muddle along fine.
Skylar has not met Zane, but of course knows who he is and has seen some of his games on the television. Georgia is in her class at school, and has looked after the classroom rats during the holiday, but sadly one has died. Zane emails Skylar to let her know, and asking how he goes about replacing it. She phones back, leaving a voice message, and he finds himself attracted to her voice. They unexpectedly meet at a speed dating evening, Skylar dragged along by her best friend and Zane by his sister, but he is thoroughly irritated by the whole idea and as soon as their eight minutes is up he leaves. He liked her though.
They meet again after Georgia told her father that school hurts her tummy. After a heart to heart with her Zane identifies the problem, she cannot read. So he collects her from school so that they can ask Mrs Fairburn why she can’t read. Skylar talked with her and between them they soon established that she needs spectacles. Then Skylar and Zane have a quick conversation and he invites her to meet for a drink. She explains it is against the rules for her to date a pupil’s parent. Zane soon works out how to sort that out! And so their relationship begins.
It is difficult to try and merge the children, the four youngest are malleable and get on with each other, but Scarlett and Finlay appeared to dislike each other and Scarlett is full of scorn for Skylar, loudly claiming she is after Zane’s money. The first time Zane leaves for a rugby match Skylar ends up looking after all the children by herself, the grandparents disappear to spend some time alone together. As a year one schoolteacher she is well able to control the children, and keep them occupied. But both she and Zane were disappointed with their grandparents.
It is two steps forward and one backwards for them, but they are gradually getting closer, even the two eldest childoren are getting on better with each other. It is a delightful read, the children provide a lot of humour and are very well-written. The ‘family’ get into all sorts of scrapes which make them stronger as a family unit. It is a good story with characters you care about, and very well worth reading.
Pp
Skylar Fairburn is a reception class teacher. She is a widow, she also has three children. Finlay is the eldest, followed by Olive,who always has her nose in a book, and the youngest is George. Her grandfather lives with them to help out, but recently Skylar has become aware that he has got friendly with another grandparent, who he met at the school gates when collecting the kids from school. Life is a bit of a financial struggle for Skylar, but they generally muddle along fine.
Skylar has not met Zane, but of course knows who he is and has seen some of his games on the television. Georgia is in her class at school, and has looked after the classroom rats during the holiday, but sadly one has died. Zane emails Skylar to let her know, and asking how he goes about replacing it. She phones back, leaving a voice message, and he finds himself attracted to her voice. They unexpectedly meet at a speed dating evening, Skylar dragged along by her best friend and Zane by his sister, but he is thoroughly irritated by the whole idea and as soon as their eight minutes is up he leaves. He liked her though.
They meet again after Georgia told her father that school hurts her tummy. After a heart to heart with her Zane identifies the problem, she cannot read. So he collects her from school so that they can ask Mrs Fairburn why she can’t read. Skylar talked with her and between them they soon established that she needs spectacles. Then Skylar and Zane have a quick conversation and he invites her to meet for a drink. She explains it is against the rules for her to date a pupil’s parent. Zane soon works out how to sort that out! And so their relationship begins.
It is difficult to try and merge the children, the four youngest are malleable and get on with each other, but Scarlett and Finlay appeared to dislike each other and Scarlett is full of scorn for Skylar, loudly claiming she is after Zane’s money. The first time Zane leaves for a rugby match Skylar ends up looking after all the children by herself, the grandparents disappear to spend some time alone together. As a year one schoolteacher she is well able to control the children, and keep them occupied. But both she and Zane were disappointed with their grandparents.
It is two steps forward and one backwards for them, but they are gradually getting closer, even the two eldest childoren are getting on better with each other. It is a delightful read, the children provide a lot of humour and are very well-written. The ‘family’ get into all sorts of scrapes which make them stronger as a family unit. It is a good story with characters you care about, and very well worth reading.
Pp
June 7, 2026
Upon downloading Just Watch Me, I started it thinking “hey, I’ve got a few minutes, surely I can just start with a few pages and I’ll be able to put it down”. Well that was a mistake. I was immediately invested in the characters and pulled into the story, and with Rosalind’s lovely, unhurried almost dreamy prose it was a real wrench to put the book down.
Once again, Rosalind has hit it out of the park (or perhaps it should be kicked it out of the park) with Just Watch Me. We are now up to book 16 of the Escape to New Zealand and yet every story brings a fresh perspective and fresh story. I always find it difficult to write a review that does justice to her stories and captures at least most of what I love about them.
As with Rosalind’s other books from the series, the story focuses on a couple in some way related to rugby, in this case rugby player and team captain Zane and school teacher Skylar. One of the things I love about these stories are that there is always an ensemble cast of secondary characters. These characters are a diverse group - a tribe of children (with both Zane and Skylar having three children each) as well as siblings, parents, grandparents and friends and even pets - each of whom is fully fleshed out, interesting and realistic. All of her characters grew, changed and developed during the story, I particularly liked the character development and arc of the two oldest children, Finlay and Scarlett who resolved (most) of their differences and stepped up into their roles as “co-captains”.
And then there’s New Zealand itself - the beautiful natural landscape, the vegetation, the built environment, the weather and the geology, which almost represents another character in its own right.
Both Zane and Skylar have been widowed. We’ve seen widowed characters before - Finn from Just for Now and Zora from Just Come Over, but this is the first time both main characters have been widowed. The story follows them from their first meeting, which is realistic and believable, to their hilariously funny but disastrous first date through to their satisfying HEA. What I particularly like about this story is the challenges they faced in blending their families, the squabbles between the children, worries about finances, the insecurities, the old hurts. But as with all of Rosalind’s characters, Zane and Skylar handle these, maybe not perfectly, but maturely and steadily and without unnecessary drama and histrionics. I also liked that Skylar’s friend Jess initially counselled Skylar to be cautious with her new relationship - again it adds a touch of realism.
There were many laugh aloud moments, but this also seemed to be a story that had a bit more drama than most, including an earthquake and subsequent tsunami as well as a medical emergency and an on field injury. Rosalind is a gifted writer and none of these dramatic moments seem forced or shoe horned in merely to advance the story. She also writes excellent dialogue and her steamy scenes are genuinely hot without being gratuitous.
The Escape to New Zealand series is my favourite romance series and Just Watch Me is an excellent addition, one I will be sure to re-read multiple times.
Once again, Rosalind has hit it out of the park (or perhaps it should be kicked it out of the park) with Just Watch Me. We are now up to book 16 of the Escape to New Zealand and yet every story brings a fresh perspective and fresh story. I always find it difficult to write a review that does justice to her stories and captures at least most of what I love about them.
As with Rosalind’s other books from the series, the story focuses on a couple in some way related to rugby, in this case rugby player and team captain Zane and school teacher Skylar. One of the things I love about these stories are that there is always an ensemble cast of secondary characters. These characters are a diverse group - a tribe of children (with both Zane and Skylar having three children each) as well as siblings, parents, grandparents and friends and even pets - each of whom is fully fleshed out, interesting and realistic. All of her characters grew, changed and developed during the story, I particularly liked the character development and arc of the two oldest children, Finlay and Scarlett who resolved (most) of their differences and stepped up into their roles as “co-captains”.
And then there’s New Zealand itself - the beautiful natural landscape, the vegetation, the built environment, the weather and the geology, which almost represents another character in its own right.
Both Zane and Skylar have been widowed. We’ve seen widowed characters before - Finn from Just for Now and Zora from Just Come Over, but this is the first time both main characters have been widowed. The story follows them from their first meeting, which is realistic and believable, to their hilariously funny but disastrous first date through to their satisfying HEA. What I particularly like about this story is the challenges they faced in blending their families, the squabbles between the children, worries about finances, the insecurities, the old hurts. But as with all of Rosalind’s characters, Zane and Skylar handle these, maybe not perfectly, but maturely and steadily and without unnecessary drama and histrionics. I also liked that Skylar’s friend Jess initially counselled Skylar to be cautious with her new relationship - again it adds a touch of realism.
There were many laugh aloud moments, but this also seemed to be a story that had a bit more drama than most, including an earthquake and subsequent tsunami as well as a medical emergency and an on field injury. Rosalind is a gifted writer and none of these dramatic moments seem forced or shoe horned in merely to advance the story. She also writes excellent dialogue and her steamy scenes are genuinely hot without being gratuitous.
The Escape to New Zealand series is my favourite romance series and Just Watch Me is an excellent addition, one I will be sure to re-read multiple times.
July 29, 2026
2.5 stars. Oof. I love the author and I love this series in general. This book has some stuff going for it - the kid dynamics, the disaster storyline, that kind of thing. But I've noticed a couple of patterns in James' other books up to now that show up here times a hundred, and I think I've reached my breaking point.
A. Diet culture/obsession with calories and exercise for women, and B. Kids saying nonstop completely insane inappropriate and completely unrealistic things.
Like, no normal 9 year old (which is the case here) is talking about adults having sex, especially not their own parent. The number of times the CHILDREN in this book talk about sex is astronomical, to the point of being kinda creepy on top of being completely implausible. There are other things about the way the kids talk that are very off in terms of realism, but it's the sex stuff that makes it gross instead of just stilted.
And yeah, I'm sure professional athletes set a high bar for their partners in terms of fitness and looks, but Skylar's obsession with what she eats comes up before she ever meets Zane, and then it's just a constant throughline. I never mind when food is described in books, I usually find it enjoyable. But every time food or meals are mentioned, there's something about how she can only eat this much or how unhealthy something is or she's being bad for having a treat. Money is also a big factor that makes talking about food irritating because it's nonstop, but the "don't worry, I'm not a pro rugby player or a model but I will stress constantly over maintaining my figure because that's how women are supposed to be" vibe really bothers me. It's just too constant a refrain, and makes me like Skylar (or maybe just the book itself) a lot less. She has plenty of stuff in her life to be anxious about (and therefore to be written about) without throwing diet drama into the mix on every other page. Like seriously, it's ALL THE FREAKING TIME.
Anyway, I was hoping for better. These issues are really taking me out of what might otherwise be a decently satisfying story.
A. Diet culture/obsession with calories and exercise for women, and B. Kids saying nonstop completely insane inappropriate and completely unrealistic things.
Like, no normal 9 year old (which is the case here) is talking about adults having sex, especially not their own parent. The number of times the CHILDREN in this book talk about sex is astronomical, to the point of being kinda creepy on top of being completely implausible. There are other things about the way the kids talk that are very off in terms of realism, but it's the sex stuff that makes it gross instead of just stilted.
And yeah, I'm sure professional athletes set a high bar for their partners in terms of fitness and looks, but Skylar's obsession with what she eats comes up before she ever meets Zane, and then it's just a constant throughline. I never mind when food is described in books, I usually find it enjoyable. But every time food or meals are mentioned, there's something about how she can only eat this much or how unhealthy something is or she's being bad for having a treat. Money is also a big factor that makes talking about food irritating because it's nonstop, but the "don't worry, I'm not a pro rugby player or a model but I will stress constantly over maintaining my figure because that's how women are supposed to be" vibe really bothers me. It's just too constant a refrain, and makes me like Skylar (or maybe just the book itself) a lot less. She has plenty of stuff in her life to be anxious about (and therefore to be written about) without throwing diet drama into the mix on every other page. Like seriously, it's ALL THE FREAKING TIME.
Anyway, I was hoping for better. These issues are really taking me out of what might otherwise be a decently satisfying story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was another lovely romance in the author’s series about New Zealand professional rugby players and the women they fall in love with. The added element that I really enjoyed was the portrayal of the problems meshing the families of the two protagonists. Kane Mahuta is a leader on the national All Blacks team. His wife was killed in a tragic car accident several years ago and he’s trying to raise his three children with the help of his grandmother to watch them when he’s traveling for rugby.
He meets his youngest daughter’s teacher, Skylar, first at a dating event and then when he takes his daughter in for an appointment since she’s worried that she’s stupid because she can’t read yet. Skylar quickly figures out the problem and cheers up the little girl. Skylar is a widow who also has three children about the ages of Zane’s children. Since she’s his daughter’s teacher, she has to, regrettably, turn down a date offer from Zane. But then they find out that her grandfather is dating his grandmother and the families are brought together. They slowly have to work out the reactions from their children to their dating as well as Skylar’s sensitivity about the difference in their monetary situations.
I always enjoy James’ romances. She takes the time to build depth into her characters and their relationships. I’ve never been to New Zealand, but I feel that I almost know what it’s like to live there after having read her novels. She’s even made me interested in watching a few rugby games on TV and trying to figure out what’s going on in the game. You’ll never go wrong with reading one of her novels. And you don’t need to worry about not having read the earlier novels to enjoy this one. But I certainly recommend checking them out.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from the author; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.
He meets his youngest daughter’s teacher, Skylar, first at a dating event and then when he takes his daughter in for an appointment since she’s worried that she’s stupid because she can’t read yet. Skylar quickly figures out the problem and cheers up the little girl. Skylar is a widow who also has three children about the ages of Zane’s children. Since she’s his daughter’s teacher, she has to, regrettably, turn down a date offer from Zane. But then they find out that her grandfather is dating his grandmother and the families are brought together. They slowly have to work out the reactions from their children to their dating as well as Skylar’s sensitivity about the difference in their monetary situations.
I always enjoy James’ romances. She takes the time to build depth into her characters and their relationships. I’ve never been to New Zealand, but I feel that I almost know what it’s like to live there after having read her novels. She’s even made me interested in watching a few rugby games on TV and trying to figure out what’s going on in the game. You’ll never go wrong with reading one of her novels. And you don’t need to worry about not having read the earlier novels to enjoy this one. But I certainly recommend checking them out.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from the author; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.
June 6, 2026
I enjoyed this new entry into Ms James’ long series about New Zealand rugby players. This one generally has a lighter tone than some of the more recent books in the series, although there are some dramatic events in the story. But I had a smile on my face at numerous points, especially during the first few chapters. There are definitely some funny moments.
Zane, a rugby captain who is a widower with three young children, and Skylar, a Year 1 teacher and widow who also has three young children, fall for each other. It’s a bit forbiddenny because Zane’s daughter is in Skylar’s grade. But you know it will get sorted out, and it does eventually.
The different trope in this story is the way that Zane and Skylar are thrown together - through their grandparents! Skylar’s widowed grandfather falls for Zane’s widowed grandmother, which brings the two families into close contact, because the grandparents have previously helped out with the children, but are now focussed on their new romance. It’s a believable storyline and worked well.
Quite a lot of this book is all about low-key, enjoyable domestic life. Combined together, the MCs have 6 young children who are ever present in their lives. I thought the author depicted them realistically, with their uncertainties about the new family members, and the challenges Zane and Skylar faced in trying to pursue a romance. This aspect of the book mightn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, as there’s quite a bit about how they manage all of the arrangements needed to wrangle their complicated lives. But I enjoyed it as I followed the slow but steady journey towards the HEA. It perhaps got a little draggy towards the later part of the book, but I never considered giving up on the read. I like Ms James’ characters and writing style, and as usual the ending is very nicely done. Although it’s not my favourite in this series, it’s still a solid and enjoyable read, and I hope Ms James writes more in the series.
Zane, a rugby captain who is a widower with three young children, and Skylar, a Year 1 teacher and widow who also has three young children, fall for each other. It’s a bit forbiddenny because Zane’s daughter is in Skylar’s grade. But you know it will get sorted out, and it does eventually.
The different trope in this story is the way that Zane and Skylar are thrown together - through their grandparents! Skylar’s widowed grandfather falls for Zane’s widowed grandmother, which brings the two families into close contact, because the grandparents have previously helped out with the children, but are now focussed on their new romance. It’s a believable storyline and worked well.
Quite a lot of this book is all about low-key, enjoyable domestic life. Combined together, the MCs have 6 young children who are ever present in their lives. I thought the author depicted them realistically, with their uncertainties about the new family members, and the challenges Zane and Skylar faced in trying to pursue a romance. This aspect of the book mightn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, as there’s quite a bit about how they manage all of the arrangements needed to wrangle their complicated lives. But I enjoyed it as I followed the slow but steady journey towards the HEA. It perhaps got a little draggy towards the later part of the book, but I never considered giving up on the read. I like Ms James’ characters and writing style, and as usual the ending is very nicely done. Although it’s not my favourite in this series, it’s still a solid and enjoyable read, and I hope Ms James writes more in the series.
June 6, 2026
Just Watch Me is another 5 star addition to the 5 star Escape to New Zealand series. I have liked all of the Escape to New Zealand books and this last one is just as good as the first. This would be a fine book to read first even though it's last in the series, as it can easily be read alone without any confusion on the reader's end about any prior events in the series. It is a complete stand alone in my opinion.
Our main characters are Skylar and Zane, who are strong people with 3 kids they are raising alone (each with the help of a grandparent). Their lives are busy and full on, 24x7. They even somehow manage to take care of pets. They are both kind and caring people who will take the time to help anyone, anytime and just good people.
The secondary characters are also fully dimensional and well written. You understand their motivations and what makes them tick, even though they may just play a small part in the story (and there are a lot of characters in this book.)
The trials and tribulations our characters faced were extreme at times, but they always met those challenges head on. This book reads like a suspense in places and really kept me flipping those pages to see how they'd get manage all the chaos. And through Hell or high water, love will get you through in this book and it is a pleasure to read.
My absolute favorite part of this book is what Rosalind James does best - creating believable and instantly likable characters that find a path to their HEA, no matter how bumpy and ever changing that path is. The characters belong together and you never have that weird feeling like one of them is a weak link and their relationship will end badly off-page.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys great books.
Our main characters are Skylar and Zane, who are strong people with 3 kids they are raising alone (each with the help of a grandparent). Their lives are busy and full on, 24x7. They even somehow manage to take care of pets. They are both kind and caring people who will take the time to help anyone, anytime and just good people.
The secondary characters are also fully dimensional and well written. You understand their motivations and what makes them tick, even though they may just play a small part in the story (and there are a lot of characters in this book.)
The trials and tribulations our characters faced were extreme at times, but they always met those challenges head on. This book reads like a suspense in places and really kept me flipping those pages to see how they'd get manage all the chaos. And through Hell or high water, love will get you through in this book and it is a pleasure to read.
My absolute favorite part of this book is what Rosalind James does best - creating believable and instantly likable characters that find a path to their HEA, no matter how bumpy and ever changing that path is. The characters belong together and you never have that weird feeling like one of them is a weak link and their relationship will end badly off-page.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys great books.
June 2, 2026
I absolutely loved Just Watch Me by Rosalind James, the newest addition to her fantastic Escape to New Zealand rugby romance series (Book 16)! Having read every single one of her books, I can honestly say this one is among my very favorites.
Rosalind delivers another beautifully written story full of heart, humor, and emotional depth. The main characters, Zane and Skylar, are wonderfully drawn ... complex, relatable, and completely captivating. Their chemistry is fantastic, and I loved watching them navigate the challenges of blending their lives together.
This book has serious Brady Bunch vibes in the very best way: family blending, young kiddos who can’t keep a secret to save their lives, a school teacher dealing with overinvolved colleagues, and even the grandparents dating! The way Rosalind handles the messiness, joy, and love of building a new family feels so genuine and warm.
I especially loved how she wove in the realities of being an All Black ... the international rugby travel, the pressures, and the lifestyle ... while still keeping the focus on the relationships. The creative storyline, including the powerful tsunami element and its aftermath, added real tension and emotional weight that made the story even more compelling.
I finished it and immediately started a re-read because I wasn’t ready to let go of Zane, Skylar, the kids, and the whole wonderful crew. If you enjoy rugby romances with rich family dynamics, laugh-out-loud moments, and genuine emotion, this book is an absolute must-read. Highly recommended!
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving this review to help others find this terrific story
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed this book from start to finish, once again staying.up into the wee hours of the morning. I waa thoroughly engaged by Zach and Skylar's blossoming romance. It was intriguing as I read about them navigating a blended family. The kids interacting with each other was both entertaining and endearing.
The grandparents presented a quandary for me. I completely understood their need and desire to be together, especially considering their ages. At the same time, I felt like they may have taken slight advantage of Skylar and her willingness to accommodate them.
Regarding Skylar's "best friend" Jess, I was not impressed with her idea of friendship. I felt like she had nothing positive to.offer Skylar and quite often thought she sounded like she was jealous. Her behavior seemed very consistent throughout the book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
This book offered a bit so everything. There was the romantic factor, the drama with the kids, the danger and suspense of the Te Papa situation, Skylar and Zach's surprise emotional ordeal, the witty conversations, the overall humor, and the heat they shared as a couple. It was so good that I was both surprised and disappointed when I reached the last page. I could have kept going with no problem. I am rating this book 4.75 stars only because I disliked Jess so much.
The grandparents presented a quandary for me. I completely understood their need and desire to be together, especially considering their ages. At the same time, I felt like they may have taken slight advantage of Skylar and her willingness to accommodate them.
Regarding Skylar's "best friend" Jess, I was not impressed with her idea of friendship. I felt like she had nothing positive to.offer Skylar and quite often thought she sounded like she was jealous. Her behavior seemed very consistent throughout the book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
This book offered a bit so everything. There was the romantic factor, the drama with the kids, the danger and suspense of the Te Papa situation, Skylar and Zach's surprise emotional ordeal, the witty conversations, the overall humor, and the heat they shared as a couple. It was so good that I was both surprised and disappointed when I reached the last page. I could have kept going with no problem. I am rating this book 4.75 stars only because I disliked Jess so much.
June 1, 2026
Just Watch Me is teacher and single mum Skylar and single dad and all blacks and blues captain, Zane’s journey. It’s book sixteen in the Escape to New Zealand and it’s one of my favourite reads in this series. I loved everything about this book from the six children who are used to having their one parent to themselves to the descriptive writing of places the families visited in New Zealand.
Skylar is a widowed mum of three and a teacher to one of Zane’s children and when her grandfather meets his grandmother at school pickup and drop off only to start a friendship/relationship, Zane and Skylar are thrown into doing things together because the grandparents want time to themselves and managing six children while working takes some organising. So what happens when feelings come into play and will these six children ever get along…….
This book touched me on so many levels, watching Zane and Skylar negotiate their relationship while putting their children first was wonderful but watching the children come together when they really needed to took this book to another level. A beautifully written journey that drew me in and didn’t let me go.
Skylar is a widowed mum of three and a teacher to one of Zane’s children and when her grandfather meets his grandmother at school pickup and drop off only to start a friendship/relationship, Zane and Skylar are thrown into doing things together because the grandparents want time to themselves and managing six children while working takes some organising. So what happens when feelings come into play and will these six children ever get along…….
This book touched me on so many levels, watching Zane and Skylar negotiate their relationship while putting their children first was wonderful but watching the children come together when they really needed to took this book to another level. A beautifully written journey that drew me in and didn’t let me go.
June 5, 2026
I adored Rosalind's last historical fiction series, I truly did, and I think she should write more, but it's great to be back in EnZed! I can't believe that Just This Once came out in 2012 and this is now Book 16. I'm jealous of someone who is just discovering Rosalind and has her whole backlist to read.
Zane and Sklyer are both single parents and this is their story about how they meet but are not supposed to date since Sklyer is Zane's daughter's teacher. His son also goes to the same school and both her grandfather and his grandmother help out at home while the parents work and they meet at school drop off. Theirs is a secondary romance, although I have to say, they annoyed me more than once, but I digress. It's Zane and Skyler's love story, but also the whole blended family thing. Rosalind writes great kids. Sweet, lovable kids and bratty kids, too, that you know will end up OK. There are some really funny parts and also exciting natural disaster parts. She is such a wonderful descriptive writer that keeps your attention even with great detail.
So read this latest book in the Escape to New Zealand series. You will love it.
Zane and Sklyer are both single parents and this is their story about how they meet but are not supposed to date since Sklyer is Zane's daughter's teacher. His son also goes to the same school and both her grandfather and his grandmother help out at home while the parents work and they meet at school drop off. Theirs is a secondary romance, although I have to say, they annoyed me more than once, but I digress. It's Zane and Skyler's love story, but also the whole blended family thing. Rosalind writes great kids. Sweet, lovable kids and bratty kids, too, that you know will end up OK. There are some really funny parts and also exciting natural disaster parts. She is such a wonderful descriptive writer that keeps your attention even with great detail.
So read this latest book in the Escape to New Zealand series. You will love it.
June 3, 2026
He’s a rugby leader who also plays for the All Blacks. A widower with 3 children and a grandmother who helps him. One of 6 kids, he has 2 brothers that also play rugby, and a sister Jade who is sometimes involved. He has a large whaneau (family) and he has fallen for one of his daughters’ teachers. She’s a Year One teacher, a widow with 3 children and a granddad that helps out. She’s fallen for the rugby player, but school rules keep her away. The grandparents get together and that brings the families into the same orbit. Conflicts between the children, an earthquake and tsunami, health happenings and more keep this story moving fast. I enjoyed the whole package. Author Rosalind James tells such great stories with engaging characters and real locations, sometimes picturesque and sometimes devastated. Her storytelling is top notch! Whether you’re a long-time reader of this author or a newbie, this is a wonderful story that will bring you all of the feels and the action and family we have come to expect. Definitely a 5-star read!
June 5, 2026
Another Wonderful Read From Rosalind James
As with all the author’s books, the depth of character development and the unique characters and subject matter make the book something special. It’s full of humor, suspense, wisdom, tenderness and fun. It’s a master class on child rearing and how to deal with life’s challenges and upheavals.
It’s the difficult blending of two families of three kids each that are being frequently thrown together when a grandparent from each family begins a relationship with the other. Throw in Zane, a widowed rugby player, and Skylar, a widowed 1st year teacher (who by the way is the teacher of Zane’s youngest daughter) and there is a strict policy of non-dating between teachers and parents. Then there is the growing attraction between Zane and Skylar, which deepens when a major earthquake threatens the lives of them all.
From start to finish it’s the type of book that you expect from Ms. James. One that’s hard to put down and one to read over and over because you love it so much and the characters become good friends.
As with all the author’s books, the depth of character development and the unique characters and subject matter make the book something special. It’s full of humor, suspense, wisdom, tenderness and fun. It’s a master class on child rearing and how to deal with life’s challenges and upheavals.
It’s the difficult blending of two families of three kids each that are being frequently thrown together when a grandparent from each family begins a relationship with the other. Throw in Zane, a widowed rugby player, and Skylar, a widowed 1st year teacher (who by the way is the teacher of Zane’s youngest daughter) and there is a strict policy of non-dating between teachers and parents. Then there is the growing attraction between Zane and Skylar, which deepens when a major earthquake threatens the lives of them all.
From start to finish it’s the type of book that you expect from Ms. James. One that’s hard to put down and one to read over and over because you love it so much and the characters become good friends.
June 7, 2026
I received an advance reader copy of Just Watch Me, book 16 in Rosalind James’ Escape to New Zealand series.
This story of widowed All Blacks player, Zane (with three kids) and widowed school teacher, Skylar (also with three kids), is not one of sizzle and clichéd romance sub-plots. The attraction between Kane and Skylar is there from the start, but their romance develops slowly while they live their busy, demanding everyday lives. Of course they face challenges in achieving happiness, with unexpected complications and the tangle of relationships and obligations swirling around them. As a rugby fan, I found the insights into the demands placed on Kane, as an international and Super Rugby player, very interesting.
This was such an enjoyable read that it was difficult to put down. Rosalind James has again provided her readership with engaging and relatable characters and a range of unexpected twists and turns.
This story of widowed All Blacks player, Zane (with three kids) and widowed school teacher, Skylar (also with three kids), is not one of sizzle and clichéd romance sub-plots. The attraction between Kane and Skylar is there from the start, but their romance develops slowly while they live their busy, demanding everyday lives. Of course they face challenges in achieving happiness, with unexpected complications and the tangle of relationships and obligations swirling around them. As a rugby fan, I found the insights into the demands placed on Kane, as an international and Super Rugby player, very interesting.
This was such an enjoyable read that it was difficult to put down. Rosalind James has again provided her readership with engaging and relatable characters and a range of unexpected twists and turns.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’ve been reading Rosalind’s books for over 10 years - I will read anything she writes but her New Zealand series is a personal favorite. Returning to the rugby world for the latest made me so happy. Rosalind’s last few books have carried such weight and seriousness but this one felt intentionally lighter. Of course, she still managed to give both her hero and heroine some depth — she excels at giving characters layers of self-awareness (and the ability to be self-deprecating) that speaks to me. The steamy scenes work so well because there is always emotional connection and vulnerability between the protagonists. This story also had a bit of a Brady Bunch vibe which made me smile.
Just Watch Me completely worked for me, and I’m very happy to recommend it to longtime fans and anyone who enjoys quippy dialogue, strong, hard-working heroes, and spice with a side of comedy.
Just Watch Me completely worked for me, and I’m very happy to recommend it to longtime fans and anyone who enjoys quippy dialogue, strong, hard-working heroes, and spice with a side of comedy.
June 7, 2026
One of my favorite things about Rosalind James books is that the characters come across as real people that you could potentially meet at the grocery store. Skylar and Zane are two parents doing their best to get by with the help of extended family when that extended family beings them firmly into each other's orbit.
I also appreciate that while the two of them were mutually attracted to each other, the elements of real life showed in the barriers they faced. We saw Skylar be a bit insecure and Zane be a bit too much take charge, but we also saw them find the way to the middle. Add in careful handling of the kids and it's overall a feel-good relationship story.
Long-term James fans will see a few familiar faces in the players that Zane interacts with. We also get to meet a few new faces and I am wondering if they don't show up in future books.
I also appreciate that while the two of them were mutually attracted to each other, the elements of real life showed in the barriers they faced. We saw Skylar be a bit insecure and Zane be a bit too much take charge, but we also saw them find the way to the middle. Add in careful handling of the kids and it's overall a feel-good relationship story.
Long-term James fans will see a few familiar faces in the players that Zane interacts with. We also get to meet a few new faces and I am wondering if they don't show up in future books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Overall, another absolute winner by Rosalind James! I just love how she writes incredible depths of description (which I don’t always like from other authors), character development, the story is gripping, and it is amazing how she handles the challenges of blending families with good lessons on communication & dealing with insecurities.
The blending of 2 families and the multitude of challenges parent & multiple children with each other, complimentary styles of Zane & Skylar, Nan & Geoffrey the grandparents & great grandparents as caretakers, complexities of many relationships - many romance novels focus on main character development - this book had an amazing numbers of characters interacting. Kept me spellbound & was sad but satisfied when the story ended.
The blending of 2 families and the multitude of challenges parent & multiple children with each other, complimentary styles of Zane & Skylar, Nan & Geoffrey the grandparents & great grandparents as caretakers, complexities of many relationships - many romance novels focus on main character development - this book had an amazing numbers of characters interacting. Kept me spellbound & was sad but satisfied when the story ended.
June 1, 2026
For the first time in a while, this was one of those books I had a hard time putting down. A sexy rugby player, check. A woman doing the best she can with what she has, also check. Mix in a few kids and some grandparents who just want to be left alone to canoodle, and you have Ms. James' usual genius.
I especially appreciated how authentically the children were written. They felt like real kids—energetic, unpredictable, and occasionally chaotic in all the ways that make family life feel genuine. Their parents handled every situation with patience and grace, adding another layer of realism to the story.
Not only do you have romance, but there's also plenty of excitement and a few unlikely heroes along the way. This book isn't missing a thing.
I especially appreciated how authentically the children were written. They felt like real kids—energetic, unpredictable, and occasionally chaotic in all the ways that make family life feel genuine. Their parents handled every situation with patience and grace, adding another layer of realism to the story.
Not only do you have romance, but there's also plenty of excitement and a few unlikely heroes along the way. This book isn't missing a thing.
July 2, 2026
I would have enjoyed this a lot more without Skylar's gold-digger Grandad, who clearly saw an elegant foxy and obviously wealthy woman and moved on her and immediately managed to dump all his family responsibilities onto her very wealthy grandson.
The kids were fun and realistically obnoxious, the main characters were alright, but the grandparents got right up my wick. I do not know if there was ever a reckoning because I skipped ahead to the end after the THIRD time gold-digging Grandad manages to invite himself, his granddaughter and three great-grandchildren onto the mmc, over fmc's objections.
Apparently I missed a momentous natural disaster, but I can't be bothered to go back and check.
3 1/2 stars rounded down, because the fmc's best friend is also a bit of a pill.
The kids were fun and realistically obnoxious, the main characters were alright, but the grandparents got right up my wick. I do not know if there was ever a reckoning because I skipped ahead to the end after the THIRD time gold-digging Grandad manages to invite himself, his granddaughter and three great-grandchildren onto the mmc, over fmc's objections.
Apparently I missed a momentous natural disaster, but I can't be bothered to go back and check.
3 1/2 stars rounded down, because the fmc's best friend is also a bit of a pill.
June 6, 2026
I picked this up to be a fluffy romance to read on a plane, but it delivered more than that. Rosalind James usually does insta-love in a way that I find annoying, but this novel was about the complicated blending of two families over time and felt grounded in the challenges of real life. A great cast of round characters, especially children who are not just there to be cute (and in fact who can be quite irritating in a very realistic way!), a best friend who is mostly unhelpful rather than supportive, older people who are living their own lives in a fantastic way but who are also letting people down left and right in doing so, etc. It's all fairly messy in a way that felt very real.
June 10, 2026
Another winner by Rosalind James. I have read every book she has ever written and like the rest, this one does not disappoint. Just Watch Me's main characters Zane, is a single father with 3 kids, and Skylar, is a single mom that has 3 kids herself. Skylar teaches one of Zane's children where dating parents in not ethically allowed...but because Skylar's live-in grandfather and Zane's live-in grandmother have started dating, it is impossible to not be around each other, families and all. There's comedy, romance, steamy scenes and some scary things happen as well. I highly recommend this book as well as all of Ms James other books!
Review of advance copy received from Author
She's a single mom of three trying to have a
relationship with a rugby star dad of three...
with some major complications:
- his daughter is her student
- his grandmother is "dating" her grandfather
- a natural disaster
- a health emergency
- and everyone telling her it won't work
But it feels right and he keeps showing up and proving why she is right to trust him.
Love the characters including the kids, love the story arc, love the HEA
I received an Advanced Reader Copy but also purchased my own copy.
relationship with a rugby star dad of three...
with some major complications:
- his daughter is her student
- his grandmother is "dating" her grandfather
- a natural disaster
- a health emergency
- and everyone telling her it won't work
But it feels right and he keeps showing up and proving why she is right to trust him.
Love the characters including the kids, love the story arc, love the HEA
I received an Advanced Reader Copy but also purchased my own copy.
June 1, 2026
Skylar and Zane really can't be together. It's against the rules, there's no time to spend together, and their kids aren't happy about it. But they cannot stay away from each other. There is an instant attraction, but they also come to respect each other. Their relationship is lovely. I guess I was pretty involved in the story because I got really irritated by most of the secondary characters and had a few things to say to them. I was also completely absorbed by the middle chapters of the book because this author writes crisis scenes so well.
June 5, 2026
How do you combine two almost mirror image families? Two widowed parents, each with three kids, one live-in grandparent each, and assorted animals. Well, Rosalind James always has the answers, eventually.
When their grandparents fall for each other, Zane and Skylar's lives become more and more tangled up. And of course, tangled-up lives lead to tangled-up feelings. But blended families come with all sorts of complications.
Expect great dialogue, lost of comic moments, teen angst, white-knuckled tension, spice, and, as always, a really well-written book.
When their grandparents fall for each other, Zane and Skylar's lives become more and more tangled up. And of course, tangled-up lives lead to tangled-up feelings. But blended families come with all sorts of complications.
Expect great dialogue, lost of comic moments, teen angst, white-knuckled tension, spice, and, as always, a really well-written book.
June 11, 2026
Loved This!
An emotional and entertaining, romantic adventure that I couldn’t get enough of!
Their attraction is sizzling. Their lives were as different as night and day. But when these two find one another not even a tsunami will keep them apart.
A kindergarten teacher meets a professional rugby player, as she struggles with the new dynamics of losing her grandfather, her sole support, to his new love interest, which happens to be the rugby players grandmother.
I couldn’t stop cheering for these characters as they fight for their HEA!
An emotional and entertaining, romantic adventure that I couldn’t get enough of!
Their attraction is sizzling. Their lives were as different as night and day. But when these two find one another not even a tsunami will keep them apart.
A kindergarten teacher meets a professional rugby player, as she struggles with the new dynamics of losing her grandfather, her sole support, to his new love interest, which happens to be the rugby players grandmother.
I couldn’t stop cheering for these characters as they fight for their HEA!
June 12, 2026
I really enjoyed this book—it was such an entertaining read! I loved how the story wove together so many different elements that added depth to the romance, from the loss of a spouse to finding love later in life, blending families, and the realities of single parenthood. There were plenty of funny moments that helped balance the more emotional and serious parts of the story, and the characters all felt well-rounded and believable. This was a fantastic addition to the series and easily ranks among my top three favorites.
June 20, 2026
The plot was kind of all over the place, like life, eh?
Genuine characters in a sweet yet spicy romance, with a story that ultimately felt surprisingly realistic, even if some of the details seemed far-fetched at first. Skylar reminded me of A LOT of women I know -- not really confident about what they should do or how they should be doing it, but doing it anyway because it needs to be done -- and no one else is there to do it.
My main recurring thought while reading this was: with friends like Jess, who needs enemies??
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a terrific read - rounded, believable & emotional. Finding love is difficult enough at the best of times, let alone when you are each widowed with three children. All the characters were so well written, they felt so real and I could totally visualise each and every one of them. Zane and Skylar were amazing protagonists with so many layers. There were lots of standout scenes for me, for example the scenes during their visit to Wellington - my heart was pounding and breaking. I loved the way the kids, with their own distinct and individual personalities, were integral and were always considered while Zane and Skylar navigated their romance. The whole book was written with sensitivity, humour, tact with a fabulous understanding of family, love and human nature.
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