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The Shaughnessy Brothers #1
Made for Us
The Shaughnessy brothers—Aiden in particular—have spent the years since their mother’s untimely death taking care of each other and trying to make their father proud. And Aiden has managed pretty well so far. But his father is starting to worry he’s neglected himself. At the age of thirty-four, he is successful and handsome, and he still has no grandchildren!
Aiden’s met plenty of attractive women over the years, but who has the time? It isn’t until he meets Zoe, a designer on one of his jobs, that he starts realizing he wants something more...
Aiden’s met plenty of attractive women over the years, but who has the time? It isn’t until he meets Zoe, a designer on one of his jobs, that he starts realizing he wants something more...
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 4, 2015
749 people are currently reading
2215 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Chase
142 books2,355 followersSamantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than seventy titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 30 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
August 5, 2016
Adult contemporary isn't a genre I normally dive into, but the promise of a hardworking hero and a fierce heroine definitely appealed to me. Made for Us gave me that... but only in the first ten pages. Ultimately, this book ended up turning into an overly dramatic book full of angst.
I mean, both Aiden and Zoe are very respectable individuals--both are very passionate about what they do, and are the type of people not to give up. But were they likable individuals? Not so much. In fact, I could say that Aiden's a total jackass, starting fights over the most petty things. On the other hand, Zoe was a doormat, chasing after Aiden even if it was clear that he didn't deserve her.
Both main characters had "tough" pasts that they bonded over while they tried to get each other naked, but really, these pasts didn't do anything for them in terms of character development. They were, so to say, superfluous.
The main characters lost their chemistry after the initial chapters. When they're together, they just spend half of their time screaming at each other and crying, and then the rest of the time making up, only for the cycle to repeat again. This probably goes on for about 350 pages.
I might have not been super annoyed by this if this book gave me an awesome plot, but Made for Us didn't give me anything other than what's expected from a typical adult contemporary à la cheesy romance movie. It was just bland.
Overall, avid contemporary readers might find themselves enjoying this one, but personally, it just killed a couple of my brain cells.
I mean, both Aiden and Zoe are very respectable individuals--both are very passionate about what they do, and are the type of people not to give up. But were they likable individuals? Not so much. In fact, I could say that Aiden's a total jackass, starting fights over the most petty things. On the other hand, Zoe was a doormat, chasing after Aiden even if it was clear that he didn't deserve her.
Both main characters had "tough" pasts that they bonded over while they tried to get each other naked, but really, these pasts didn't do anything for them in terms of character development. They were, so to say, superfluous.
The main characters lost their chemistry after the initial chapters. When they're together, they just spend half of their time screaming at each other and crying, and then the rest of the time making up, only for the cycle to repeat again. This probably goes on for about 350 pages.
I might have not been super annoyed by this if this book gave me an awesome plot, but Made for Us didn't give me anything other than what's expected from a typical adult contemporary à la cheesy romance movie. It was just bland.
Overall, avid contemporary readers might find themselves enjoying this one, but personally, it just killed a couple of my brain cells.
August 22, 2015
This was such a frustrating read!
The hero was a total jackass and ruined everything. The heroine did most of the chasing and the hero would run off without a word and just ignore her for weeks. His issues were so childish and annoying. He's the oldest sibling and doesn't want Zoe coming in and changing his family dynamics and so he puts up a wall between them? Ughh.
This hero frustrated me to no end and I ended up just hating him. I might be interested in the other brothers' books but only if they're not like Aiden.
Safety gang:
The hero was a total jackass and ruined everything. The heroine did most of the chasing and the hero would run off without a word and just ignore her for weeks. His issues were so childish and annoying. He's the oldest sibling and doesn't want Zoe coming in and changing his family dynamics and so he puts up a wall between them? Ughh.
This hero frustrated me to no end and I ended up just hating him. I might be interested in the other brothers' books but only if they're not like Aiden.
Safety gang:
June 30, 2018
At two-thirds in, I'm realizing I should have stopped a third of a book ago when the urge to quit first hit. I kept going because I kind of like Zoe. She's tough and determined and while she breaks down occasionally she has cause enough and then some. And she doesn't stay down.
Aiden, on the other hand? What a whiney cry-baby! If he isn't throwing tantrums because someone did a thing he doesn't like he's sulking about something he failed at. I seriously wanted Zoe to pat him on the head, say "there, there, little man" and then go find a grown-up to date.
This was a gamble I took in a recent used bookstore binge (Roberts's in Lincoln City, Oregon. Lovely bookstore! I think it was Robert's. Some man's name, anyway). I have another by the author from that same trip. I hope it isn't as bad as this one...
Aiden, on the other hand? What a whiney cry-baby! If he isn't throwing tantrums because someone did a thing he doesn't like he's sulking about something he failed at. I seriously wanted Zoe to pat him on the head, say "there, there, little man" and then go find a grown-up to date.
This was a gamble I took in a recent used bookstore binge (Roberts's in Lincoln City, Oregon. Lovely bookstore! I think it was Robert's. Some man's name, anyway). I have another by the author from that same trip. I hope it isn't as bad as this one...
August 19, 2015
Made for Us by Samantha Chase is a 2015 Sourcebooks Casablana publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book in a new series which focuses around the Shaughnessy Brothers. First up , is Aiden, the “go to” guy in the large family of overachievers.
In the years since the death of his mother, Aiden, who took her passing particularly hard, has been the rock of the family. He's built a successful career for himself, helps his father and all his highly successful siblings, but has little time left over to work on his own life. Over the years he has become controlling, staid, an unbending perfectionist, and has garnered a reputation for being difficult to work with.
Enter, Zoe, an interior designer, a transplant from Arizona, grieving the loss of her mother, looking to make a fresh start in North Carolina. When she is told to drop everything and her current client list in order to correct some huge mistakes for Aiden Shaughnessy, she gets a first hand, face to face , introduction to the famous 'dictator'.
I'm not sure where to start here to be honest. Aiden is a very unique character, not unlike a lot of workaholic, highly successful men, who are used to being in charge, barking orders and having them instantly obeyed. But, truthfully, Aiden isn't really the total jerk he appears to be at first glance. He has some difficult inner demons to exorcise. It occurred to me while I was reading this book that Aiden seems to have some kind of personality disorder. It bothered me to the point that I decided to do an internet search and lo and behold I discovered Aiden's symptoms matched, almost to the letter, the co-dependent personality.
He was afraid to let himself be who was was, he expected himself to be perfect, he appeared rigid and controlled, he was afraid to let other people be themselves and let things happen naturally, he thought he knew best how things should turn out or how people should behave. But, the most startling comparison was this:
“Control helps co-dependents feel safe and secure. Everyone needs some control over events in their life, but for codependents, control limits their ability to take risk and share feelings. They need to control those close to them, because they need them to behave in a certain way to feel okay. Caretaking can be used to control or manipulate people. They can be bossy, and tell others what they should or shouldn't do.”
So, while Aiden is not the most likable person in the world, it's obvious he needs specialized help and frankly poor Zoe was not equipped to handle him. Zoe herself is dealing with a lot and Aiden's dark and brooding mood swings are mystifying to her, although Aiden's family is used to it, which is a huge part of the problem. As close as the family appears to outsiders, and as much as they would like to believe they are close knit, they are actually dysfunctional. The youngest child, seventeen year old Darcy, is just as much a victim to Aiden's heavy handed control freak tendencies as Zoe is. Then there is the patriarch of the family who enables Aiden and allows him to rule the family, because it's just easier that way. The other brothers have also found Aiden's leadership to be a relief since it has left them unencumbered with the burden of helping with their father and younger sister, freeing them to pursue their own paths in life.
With all this going on, Zoe's character gets swallowed up and her own problems are shoved under the rug. Her personality is so tightly woven into Aiden's situation, I felt like I never got to know her and it seemed unfair that her needs fell to the wayside in order to make room for Aiden's. I liked her well enough, but I felt she was out of her element at times and could have done with some help, and not just people telling her “that's just how Aiden is”.
I do think that if a serious issue is brought into focus in a novel, it might be a good idea to put a name with the face, so that readers will not presume this behavior is typical or normal. I love romance novels and their ability to bring difficult and misunderstood issues into focus, and of course I am a huge believer in the power of love and it's ability to bridge any gap, to heal any wound, to bring forgiveness, hope, and faith to even the most hopeless of situations. But, sometimes love must rely on common sense and that means seeking help from outside sources if need be. In my research I learned that even trained professionals have nearly thrown in the towel trying to treat the co-dependent personality. So, while love may conquer all, it might need a little help winning the battle.
After having said all that, I don't want you to think I disliked the story, because I DID like it! It's an unconventional love story and I love seeing very difficult and trying personalities come to their senses before it's too late. It was good to see Zoe finally get a grand gesture and have a little good come her way for a change.
The best part is that Aiden is not the only one who gets a wake up call, as his entire family will play a role in helping him understand he needs to face the inevitable changes that come in life and will help him see where he needs to make improvements. They all owe Aiden for one thing or another so, it was fun to see them come together to help him for a change.
Another charming aspect of the story was the mild paranormal undercurrent that cropped up from time to time that added a pinch of sentimentality and is a touching way to guide Aiden into understanding it's okay to be with Zoe and their relationship is meant to be.
There is a wonderful and very romantic ending and a happy ever after ,which is why we read these books and it makes it worth all the drama and tears and frustrations. This is a solid start to the series and I'm curious to see whose turn it will be next.
This is the first book in a new series which focuses around the Shaughnessy Brothers. First up , is Aiden, the “go to” guy in the large family of overachievers.
In the years since the death of his mother, Aiden, who took her passing particularly hard, has been the rock of the family. He's built a successful career for himself, helps his father and all his highly successful siblings, but has little time left over to work on his own life. Over the years he has become controlling, staid, an unbending perfectionist, and has garnered a reputation for being difficult to work with.
Enter, Zoe, an interior designer, a transplant from Arizona, grieving the loss of her mother, looking to make a fresh start in North Carolina. When she is told to drop everything and her current client list in order to correct some huge mistakes for Aiden Shaughnessy, she gets a first hand, face to face , introduction to the famous 'dictator'.
I'm not sure where to start here to be honest. Aiden is a very unique character, not unlike a lot of workaholic, highly successful men, who are used to being in charge, barking orders and having them instantly obeyed. But, truthfully, Aiden isn't really the total jerk he appears to be at first glance. He has some difficult inner demons to exorcise. It occurred to me while I was reading this book that Aiden seems to have some kind of personality disorder. It bothered me to the point that I decided to do an internet search and lo and behold I discovered Aiden's symptoms matched, almost to the letter, the co-dependent personality.
He was afraid to let himself be who was was, he expected himself to be perfect, he appeared rigid and controlled, he was afraid to let other people be themselves and let things happen naturally, he thought he knew best how things should turn out or how people should behave. But, the most startling comparison was this:
“Control helps co-dependents feel safe and secure. Everyone needs some control over events in their life, but for codependents, control limits their ability to take risk and share feelings. They need to control those close to them, because they need them to behave in a certain way to feel okay. Caretaking can be used to control or manipulate people. They can be bossy, and tell others what they should or shouldn't do.”
So, while Aiden is not the most likable person in the world, it's obvious he needs specialized help and frankly poor Zoe was not equipped to handle him. Zoe herself is dealing with a lot and Aiden's dark and brooding mood swings are mystifying to her, although Aiden's family is used to it, which is a huge part of the problem. As close as the family appears to outsiders, and as much as they would like to believe they are close knit, they are actually dysfunctional. The youngest child, seventeen year old Darcy, is just as much a victim to Aiden's heavy handed control freak tendencies as Zoe is. Then there is the patriarch of the family who enables Aiden and allows him to rule the family, because it's just easier that way. The other brothers have also found Aiden's leadership to be a relief since it has left them unencumbered with the burden of helping with their father and younger sister, freeing them to pursue their own paths in life.
With all this going on, Zoe's character gets swallowed up and her own problems are shoved under the rug. Her personality is so tightly woven into Aiden's situation, I felt like I never got to know her and it seemed unfair that her needs fell to the wayside in order to make room for Aiden's. I liked her well enough, but I felt she was out of her element at times and could have done with some help, and not just people telling her “that's just how Aiden is”.
I do think that if a serious issue is brought into focus in a novel, it might be a good idea to put a name with the face, so that readers will not presume this behavior is typical or normal. I love romance novels and their ability to bring difficult and misunderstood issues into focus, and of course I am a huge believer in the power of love and it's ability to bridge any gap, to heal any wound, to bring forgiveness, hope, and faith to even the most hopeless of situations. But, sometimes love must rely on common sense and that means seeking help from outside sources if need be. In my research I learned that even trained professionals have nearly thrown in the towel trying to treat the co-dependent personality. So, while love may conquer all, it might need a little help winning the battle.
After having said all that, I don't want you to think I disliked the story, because I DID like it! It's an unconventional love story and I love seeing very difficult and trying personalities come to their senses before it's too late. It was good to see Zoe finally get a grand gesture and have a little good come her way for a change.
The best part is that Aiden is not the only one who gets a wake up call, as his entire family will play a role in helping him understand he needs to face the inevitable changes that come in life and will help him see where he needs to make improvements. They all owe Aiden for one thing or another so, it was fun to see them come together to help him for a change.
Another charming aspect of the story was the mild paranormal undercurrent that cropped up from time to time that added a pinch of sentimentality and is a touching way to guide Aiden into understanding it's okay to be with Zoe and their relationship is meant to be.
There is a wonderful and very romantic ending and a happy ever after ,which is why we read these books and it makes it worth all the drama and tears and frustrations. This is a solid start to the series and I'm curious to see whose turn it will be next.
August 10, 2015
Caffeinated Aspects of Made For Us
Brothers-*Squee* I do love series with brothers and Made For Us delivered with the Shaughnessy family. Our first book begins with the oldest Aidan. He is thirty-four and a successful homebuilder.
Small-town setting- The tale takes place in a beach side community in North Carolina making this a delightful summer read.
The Shaughnessy family- consists of four brothers, their Dad and a baby sister who is now seventeen. All the boys are wildly successful and Darcy the little sister is trying to deal with her overprotective brothers. The family loss their mother during Aiden’s first year of college and it influenced all of their lives, particularly Aiden as he stepped in to help his father out.
The plot- The story centers around Zoe and Aiden. Zoe Dalton is an interior decorator who after losing her mother moves to North Carolina. Zoe was sweet, successful and perhaps the only one who will stand up to Aiden. I had some issues with her, and really felt the author’s intention for her did not come across. (See Decaffeinated Aspects) Aiden has some serious control issues and while it works in his professional life, it has done little for his personal. His whole life revolves around taking care of protecting his family. Many of his traits are admirable, but oh, lord the man needs to drop the lease. We get a hurricane, a cute dog and banter as Zoe unlike everyone else isn't ready to fall in line and take orders from Aiden.
Secondary characters- from siblings to the local sheriff and his sister added interest and hinted of storylines to come. I am most excited about Anna and Quinn whose book will be a friends to lovers romance. I am hoping Dad will get one too and I have a character in mind.
The romance- despite the angst was slow building and I believed in their affections for each other. Chase shared some sizzling kisses but the sex was not overly detailed in the bedroom. It was a nice balance somewhere between Robyn Carr’s small-town romances and Bella Andre's Sullivan series.
Decaffeinated Aspects
Angst and drama- at times spoiled the read. Yes, Aiden has issues, but I felt a little communication would have resolved things sooner.
Zoe- had attributes I admired but she was not fleshed out firmly enough for me. She teetered sometimes in her convictions and with all of Aiden’s issues, I felt she needed to confident, head-strong, and firm while still being able to see the man beneath his overbearing personality. One moment she is in Aiden’s face the next, she is muttering, not my family not my problem.
Aiden- is not an easy hero to swoon-over. I felt for him, but also wanted to smack the man and often. I was a tad surprise his family tolerated his controlling behavior. You cannot fault him for his love of family and the passion he brings to the homes he builds, but the transformation for this stubborn hero was not easy. Thankfully like Zoe, I was able to see the good beneath that hard head.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Brothers-*Squee* I do love series with brothers and Made For Us delivered with the Shaughnessy family. Our first book begins with the oldest Aidan. He is thirty-four and a successful homebuilder.
Small-town setting- The tale takes place in a beach side community in North Carolina making this a delightful summer read.
The Shaughnessy family- consists of four brothers, their Dad and a baby sister who is now seventeen. All the boys are wildly successful and Darcy the little sister is trying to deal with her overprotective brothers. The family loss their mother during Aiden’s first year of college and it influenced all of their lives, particularly Aiden as he stepped in to help his father out.
The plot- The story centers around Zoe and Aiden. Zoe Dalton is an interior decorator who after losing her mother moves to North Carolina. Zoe was sweet, successful and perhaps the only one who will stand up to Aiden. I had some issues with her, and really felt the author’s intention for her did not come across. (See Decaffeinated Aspects) Aiden has some serious control issues and while it works in his professional life, it has done little for his personal. His whole life revolves around taking care of protecting his family. Many of his traits are admirable, but oh, lord the man needs to drop the lease. We get a hurricane, a cute dog and banter as Zoe unlike everyone else isn't ready to fall in line and take orders from Aiden.
Secondary characters- from siblings to the local sheriff and his sister added interest and hinted of storylines to come. I am most excited about Anna and Quinn whose book will be a friends to lovers romance. I am hoping Dad will get one too and I have a character in mind.
The romance- despite the angst was slow building and I believed in their affections for each other. Chase shared some sizzling kisses but the sex was not overly detailed in the bedroom. It was a nice balance somewhere between Robyn Carr’s small-town romances and Bella Andre's Sullivan series.
Decaffeinated Aspects
Angst and drama- at times spoiled the read. Yes, Aiden has issues, but I felt a little communication would have resolved things sooner.
Zoe- had attributes I admired but she was not fleshed out firmly enough for me. She teetered sometimes in her convictions and with all of Aiden’s issues, I felt she needed to confident, head-strong, and firm while still being able to see the man beneath his overbearing personality. One moment she is in Aiden’s face the next, she is muttering, not my family not my problem.
Aiden- is not an easy hero to swoon-over. I felt for him, but also wanted to smack the man and often. I was a tad surprise his family tolerated his controlling behavior. You cannot fault him for his love of family and the passion he brings to the homes he builds, but the transformation for this stubborn hero was not easy. Thankfully like Zoe, I was able to see the good beneath that hard head.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
August 3, 2015
Paige's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
3.5 Stars
This is my first time reading a book by Samantha Chase and it won't be my last. I liked her writing style. It reminded me of a cross between Bella Andre and Debbie Macomber
I thought the author gave us two likeable characters. Aidan is the oldest child in a family of 6 kids. His father and siblings always deferred to him when making decisions. Because of this, he always felt the need to control his family and keep them under his thumb.
Zoe is just the one who can counter-balance Aidan's controlling ways. She is sweet and has become a part of his life in a relatively short time. She's able to get Aidan to live in the present and not stay in the past.
The book didn't have unnecessary angst but both characters had very sad pasts and the heartache that the characters felt was palpable. While I enjoyed the book, I thought it could have had a bit more steam between the main characters.
Since Aidan is one of 6, I'm hopeful that the rest of the Shaughnessy's have a book of their own
Review copy provided for an honest review.
3.5 Stars
This is my first time reading a book by Samantha Chase and it won't be my last. I liked her writing style. It reminded me of a cross between Bella Andre and Debbie Macomber
I thought the author gave us two likeable characters. Aidan is the oldest child in a family of 6 kids. His father and siblings always deferred to him when making decisions. Because of this, he always felt the need to control his family and keep them under his thumb.
Zoe is just the one who can counter-balance Aidan's controlling ways. She is sweet and has become a part of his life in a relatively short time. She's able to get Aidan to live in the present and not stay in the past.
The book didn't have unnecessary angst but both characters had very sad pasts and the heartache that the characters felt was palpable. While I enjoyed the book, I thought it could have had a bit more steam between the main characters.
Since Aidan is one of 6, I'm hopeful that the rest of the Shaughnessy's have a book of their own
Review copy provided for an honest review.
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February 4, 2018
Favorite Quotes:
“Meticulous was a word that was often thrown around when people talked about him. It didn’t bother him. Much. Meticulous could be a good thing, if his brothers didn’t add ‘anal retentive control freak’ to it all the damn time.”
“For those keeping count, I’ve lost my mother, my house, and the dog. Fanfreakingtastic.”
“Too bad there weren’t such things like possible future-relationships-material goggles or something. She’d definitely invest in a pair of those.”
“And then it wasn’t funny anymore. It was very serious. It was everything.”
“So she did the only thing one could possibly do in a situation like this – she opened up the carton of ice cream she’d purchased, made a plan of attack, and vowed to keep moving forward.”
“I wanted you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. Every time I look at you, I feel myself struggling with my self-control.”
My Review:
Made for Us was my first Samantha Chase read, so I wasn’t sure what to expect but found it to be a sweet and moving contemporary love story. Written in third person it was easy to follow, squeezed my heart several times, and was tame enough for my elderly mother’s book club – although she would be quick to remind me – this would not be shared with her “Sunday School ladies” as the characters do engage in behind closed doors sex after all. Both characters, Zoe and Aiden, are stubborn and don’t express their feelings well, so their relationship status is up and down, on and off and a bit angsty at times, mainly due Aiden’s jackassery. Although he torments himself as much as he upsets her with his tendency to run away and shut down. But keep in mind that Zoe is a redhead and is almost as obstinate as Aiden. But poor Zoe has the worst luck, and calamitous events just keep happening to her. The first in a series but a stand-alone story on its own – which is something I greatly appreciate.
“Meticulous was a word that was often thrown around when people talked about him. It didn’t bother him. Much. Meticulous could be a good thing, if his brothers didn’t add ‘anal retentive control freak’ to it all the damn time.”
“For those keeping count, I’ve lost my mother, my house, and the dog. Fanfreakingtastic.”
“Too bad there weren’t such things like possible future-relationships-material goggles or something. She’d definitely invest in a pair of those.”
“And then it wasn’t funny anymore. It was very serious. It was everything.”
“So she did the only thing one could possibly do in a situation like this – she opened up the carton of ice cream she’d purchased, made a plan of attack, and vowed to keep moving forward.”
“I wanted you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. Every time I look at you, I feel myself struggling with my self-control.”
My Review:
Made for Us was my first Samantha Chase read, so I wasn’t sure what to expect but found it to be a sweet and moving contemporary love story. Written in third person it was easy to follow, squeezed my heart several times, and was tame enough for my elderly mother’s book club – although she would be quick to remind me – this would not be shared with her “Sunday School ladies” as the characters do engage in behind closed doors sex after all. Both characters, Zoe and Aiden, are stubborn and don’t express their feelings well, so their relationship status is up and down, on and off and a bit angsty at times, mainly due Aiden’s jackassery. Although he torments himself as much as he upsets her with his tendency to run away and shut down. But keep in mind that Zoe is a redhead and is almost as obstinate as Aiden. But poor Zoe has the worst luck, and calamitous events just keep happening to her. The first in a series but a stand-alone story on its own – which is something I greatly appreciate.
August 8, 2015
Oh My Lord!! The Shaughnessy Family is one of my new all time faves! With the launch of the new series by Samantha Chase we get a peak into the super hot family of brothers (plus sister) that will take a little bit of your heart along the way.
Made for Us, like I said, is book one in the new series about the Shaughnessy Brothers. Aiden Shaughnessy is the oldest and has taken over the role of parent along with his dad after the untimely death of their mother. Aiden is use to being in control and everyone listening to him. That is until the spitfire new decorator for his model homes comes into his life like a hurricane. Zoe Dalton doesn't care who Aiden Shaughnessy is. She is going to be honest and stick with the integrity of the project. The chemistry between Aiden and Zoe is off the charts but the two are so sheltered from a social life, they really don't know how to proceed. PLUS they work together, which is a big no no. But that all changes when the two are stuck together during a hurricane.
I absolutely loved Aiden and the whole Shaughnessy gang. Zoe is a strong female lead full of spunk, wittiness and fun giving the uptight Aiden a run for his money. I can't wait for the rest of this series to unfold.
Made for Us, like I said, is book one in the new series about the Shaughnessy Brothers. Aiden Shaughnessy is the oldest and has taken over the role of parent along with his dad after the untimely death of their mother. Aiden is use to being in control and everyone listening to him. That is until the spitfire new decorator for his model homes comes into his life like a hurricane. Zoe Dalton doesn't care who Aiden Shaughnessy is. She is going to be honest and stick with the integrity of the project. The chemistry between Aiden and Zoe is off the charts but the two are so sheltered from a social life, they really don't know how to proceed. PLUS they work together, which is a big no no. But that all changes when the two are stuck together during a hurricane.
I absolutely loved Aiden and the whole Shaughnessy gang. Zoe is a strong female lead full of spunk, wittiness and fun giving the uptight Aiden a run for his money. I can't wait for the rest of this series to unfold.
July 29, 2015
3.5 stars
Made for Us was a good read.
I found myself turning page after page not wanting to put it down.
So why only 3.5 stars? I just didn't feel the love/connection between Aiden and Zoe. I really wanted to love this book as the storyline was entertaining but unfortunately because I didn't feel their love I had to mark it down.
What I did love was the supporting characters, they were likable and very down to earth. Loved how they opened their arms and heart to Zoe, just wished Aiden wasn't such a hard ass =/
Overall this was a good start to The Shaughnessy Brothers series, looking forward to the next book. Wonder which brother we'll get next, I'm hoping it's Quinn =D
Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Made for Us was a good read.
I found myself turning page after page not wanting to put it down.
So why only 3.5 stars? I just didn't feel the love/connection between Aiden and Zoe. I really wanted to love this book as the storyline was entertaining but unfortunately because I didn't feel their love I had to mark it down.
What I did love was the supporting characters, they were likable and very down to earth. Loved how they opened their arms and heart to Zoe, just wished Aiden wasn't such a hard ass =/
Overall this was a good start to The Shaughnessy Brothers series, looking forward to the next book. Wonder which brother we'll get next, I'm hoping it's Quinn =D
Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
February 14, 2017
I'm a bit disappointed with this one. I listened to the audio and the male narrator's tone was flat and effeminate. The hero is supposed to be a tough guy, but that did not come across at all. I never warmed up to him and not sure why the heroine found him attractive. Just not my cup of tea. The story might have been a 4 star read with only the female narrator because she was quite good. Happy reading!
January 29, 2018
I read the 5th book in this series A Sky Full of Stars a few months ago and thought it was delightful. I wanted to go back and start from the beginning to read all the brothers stories. I'm sick right now and binged through the first 3 this weekend. I'm beginning to think Owen is the only delightful member of this family and that's why his book was so good.
This first one is almost painful to read because Aidan is such a jerk. I get that he has issues. (They ALL have issues. Which is understandable given they lost their mother young, but therapy would've gone a long way here I think.) But Aidan's issues mean that he behaves in a way I would never find admirable in a potential partner. I wanted Zoe to run far far away. He improves and is working on it by the end, but still feel like he needs to work on his life before he can be a decent boyfriend/fiancee/husband.
This first one is almost painful to read because Aidan is such a jerk. I get that he has issues. (They ALL have issues. Which is understandable given they lost their mother young, but therapy would've gone a long way here I think.) But Aidan's issues mean that he behaves in a way I would never find admirable in a potential partner. I wanted Zoe to run far far away. He improves and is working on it by the end, but still feel like he needs to work on his life before he can be a decent boyfriend/fiancee/husband.
March 17, 2019
1.5 Stars
I'm not gonna waste my energy on listing everything that is wrong in this book but here's an introduction of the main characters.
Zoe Dalton
Aiden Shaughnessy
I'm not gonna waste my energy on listing everything that is wrong in this book but here's an introduction of the main characters.
Zoe Dalton
Aiden Shaughnessy
Want to read
March 8, 2019Free on Amazon- 8th March 19
July 18, 2016
This book is the first in a series with the Shaughnessy Brother’s. The author is starting out with the oldest brother Aiden. For being the oldest he is having a problem with change. Since their mother passed away 17 years ago he has gotten in such a routine with his family that they all allow him to get away with treating people rudely, and acting childish when there is a situation in his life he needs to deal with he runs away to be by himself. These character flaws are more pronounced when a new decorator is hired to take over for the one that was fired. She actually calls him on his behavior and at the same time is dealing with her own recent loss of her mother and then moving to a new State after her funeral. Not expecting to be attracted to anyone she finds herself attracted to Aiden and he is attracted to Zoe, but does not know to treat people let alone treat a girlfriend. When he leaves her stranded for over a day without a car and no way to get a hold of him. He is upset when he finally comes back and she is packed and wants to be taken into town. he can’t figure out what is wrong when almost two days before he says I need to go and leaves without saying where is going when he is coming back just that she must be there when he does come back because he is Aiden Shaughnessy, and people know whatever he was doing must have been right. She calls bullshit and he does not know how to handle that or anything else she puts in his way. That is just one example. There are others and once you get passed that this is a good story, for the other characters help move the story along and you are not always focused on the two of them. Overall a good book. I got this book from netgalley. I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
January 26, 2018
This story is told in the third person, and it's not always clear who is doing the talking.
Zoe Dalton is new to North Carolina, and her first job as an interior designer is to assist Aidan Shaughnessy, one of the most difficult construction owners in the area. Aidan goes through designers like water; none of them are good enough, until Zoe shows up.
First and foremost, Aidan was a giant dick. I don't remember the last time I disliked a hero as much as him. He is the oldest of 6 kids whose mother died when he was young, and took over as the "go to person" and decision maker of his family, to the point that his whole life was put on hold for many years.
Zoe was kind of a doormat. Aidan would treat her like shit, and she would forgive him and they would start over. I did like Zoe, but I wish she would have stood up for herself a little more.
The main reason I finished this book and will read the next one is because of the rest of the Shaughnessy family. In particular, the dad, Ian and Aidan's sister Darcy. They were great characters. I also liked the brothers as well.
I didn't care for the third person writing style - it was sometimes hard to tell who was thinking/talking. I'm hoping it gets better in the next book.
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Zoe Dalton is new to North Carolina, and her first job as an interior designer is to assist Aidan Shaughnessy, one of the most difficult construction owners in the area. Aidan goes through designers like water; none of them are good enough, until Zoe shows up.
First and foremost, Aidan was a giant dick. I don't remember the last time I disliked a hero as much as him. He is the oldest of 6 kids whose mother died when he was young, and took over as the "go to person" and decision maker of his family, to the point that his whole life was put on hold for many years.
Zoe was kind of a doormat. Aidan would treat her like shit, and she would forgive him and they would start over. I did like Zoe, but I wish she would have stood up for herself a little more.
The main reason I finished this book and will read the next one is because of the rest of the Shaughnessy family. In particular, the dad, Ian and Aidan's sister Darcy. They were great characters. I also liked the brothers as well.
I didn't care for the third person writing style - it was sometimes hard to tell who was thinking/talking. I'm hoping it gets better in the next book.
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Twitter --> https://twitter.com/tvaddictbookwm
Instagram-->https://instagram.com/tvaddictedbookworm
May 7, 2015
I know this is the first book in this new series but for me it felt kind of flat. I enjoyed the family of what we got to see of them but as far as the plot it was kind of at a stand still.
Aidan is the oldest and most serious sibling from what I can tell. He's 34 and works all the time. He has no life until Zoe and a hurricane came along. Zoe looses everything and ends up staying at his apartment to weather the storm out and have lots of sex. Then when it's over he feels guilty that he missed going to his mothers grave and basically pushes Zoe away.
Zoe is worried about him but yet doesn't understand the difference in him when she thought everything was going great. I think there relationship was really rushed from what I can tell. Since he is used to fixing things he wants to help her even though she is very much independent. It seems like they are more a like then should be. Zoe meets him toe to toe on everything even if they enjoy the banter and arguing.
I am really hoping this series will get better in time. I know this is the first book in the series and it is setting up the dynamics for the family and the future books but I just couldn't get into it the way I wanted. I am excited to see who the next book is about and see where this new series will take us.
Aidan is the oldest and most serious sibling from what I can tell. He's 34 and works all the time. He has no life until Zoe and a hurricane came along. Zoe looses everything and ends up staying at his apartment to weather the storm out and have lots of sex. Then when it's over he feels guilty that he missed going to his mothers grave and basically pushes Zoe away.
Zoe is worried about him but yet doesn't understand the difference in him when she thought everything was going great. I think there relationship was really rushed from what I can tell. Since he is used to fixing things he wants to help her even though she is very much independent. It seems like they are more a like then should be. Zoe meets him toe to toe on everything even if they enjoy the banter and arguing.
I am really hoping this series will get better in time. I know this is the first book in the series and it is setting up the dynamics for the family and the future books but I just couldn't get into it the way I wanted. I am excited to see who the next book is about and see where this new series will take us.
March 19, 2016
Awesome start to what should be a great series. Love this large Shaughnessy family and I can see some great stories in the future. Great writing, characters, and small town setting make this a very enjoyable read.
Aidan Shaughnessy might be a bit difficult to work for but he may have met his match in Zoe Dalton. Zoe is sure she can do the job, keeping things strictly professional may be more of a challenge though. I really enjoyed the slow build romance between these two. Aidan doesn't like change much but Zoe blowing into his carefully constructed life may end up being just the change he needs.
I definitely recommend this one and I can't wait for the next in the series!
Aidan Shaughnessy might be a bit difficult to work for but he may have met his match in Zoe Dalton. Zoe is sure she can do the job, keeping things strictly professional may be more of a challenge though. I really enjoyed the slow build romance between these two. Aidan doesn't like change much but Zoe blowing into his carefully constructed life may end up being just the change he needs.
I definitely recommend this one and I can't wait for the next in the series!
May 31, 2017
"Welcome back to another bad review, where the mainstream romances are shitty and the readers don't matter to authors!"
It's been a while since I've posted anything, but it has been very busy for me and I've been hooked on British shows on Netflix. I'm currently reading a classic novel so it makes most of the contemporary books writing seem simple and repetitive. However, I feel that I would have caught the awkward style of this book to begin with. There was a lot of times the word "laugh," "chuckle," and "sigh" were used. It was getting really annoying and I felt half the time the characters weren't behaving naturally with one another. I'm not following gender roles where men don't talk about their feelings or get all mushy gushy with their family. The way the family behaved felt that they had to cling to each other and make sure nothing fell through the cracks. But I suppose losing a mother and wife could create an unhealthy way of trying to control everything in their family dynamic.
Aidan Shaughnessy is someone I wanted to punch in the beginning and even after the end of the book. The book does point out he is an asshole and explains it to the reader multiple times. I understand the motive, but it certainly doesn't condone his shitty behavior towards his family and Zoe Dalton. The man should have been shoved in therapy along with his family with his compulsive control problem. His dad, Ian, later admits he should have caught his issues and try to put a stop to his son's problems. Despite always, and I mean always, taking care of everything with his job and family, at least we don't have to worry about him ever having a straying eye. There was no other woman since most women find him to be intolerable and I don't think he would have noticed a girl until Zoe was wearing a daisy, one of his mother's favorite flowers. I get that he's still grieving for his mother which is normal, but he doesn't deal with his feelings the right way and runs, literally runs, away and doesn't return until days later.
Zoe Dalton wasn't a bad person, but I felt she was a bit of a doormat and only fell for his looks. However, she did not deserve the treatment that Aidan gave her. There are moments she stands up for herself, but like any other romance novel, the heroine has to fall in love with the asshole hero and live happily ever after. The prologue and the ending couldn't be more cliché.
I don't know about you, but I hope one day where the heroine leaves and never returns. I know this is petty coming from me, but I want the asshole hero to fall to his knees and cry his fucking heart out with no success. I want it to be several months of him going through the motions of clinical depression to the point where he tries to end his life until a loved one kicks him. After the pathetic self-pity, I want the guy to completely shut off his heart and remain cold. I want the right one to come along and not give one flying fuck about him. They'll both remain cold and distant until they come to some sort of common ground and don't bother getting touchy feeling with their problems. I want them to fuck each other, then be able to leave without feeling pangs of guilt or pining for one another. Eventually, there hearts will thaw just a little bit and learn to compromise that if their relationship takes a crapper, they'll mutually part on civil terms. I want them to gain happiness from other things besides constantly relying on each other. I want them to grow for themselves and not get in the way of each other's accomplishments. And if they were to face petty relationship problems or weepy people around them, I want them to laugh in their fucking faces and make fun of them for getting their hopes up for such a frivolous fairy tale romance. With the whole world watching, I want them to laugh so hard at this stupidity and make the romance world crumble as they sing Bon Jovi, "You Give Love a Bad Name."
That makes my heart pound with anticipation seeing hearts shatter from naivety and wishful thinking. Wake up, America! The only way love can exist is if everyone works at it and we stomp on the dumbasses who have false pretentions on it. I'm a cold, cold hard little bitch and nobody gonna tell me that being treated like shit is the only way to find true love.
It's been a while since I've posted anything, but it has been very busy for me and I've been hooked on British shows on Netflix. I'm currently reading a classic novel so it makes most of the contemporary books writing seem simple and repetitive. However, I feel that I would have caught the awkward style of this book to begin with. There was a lot of times the word "laugh," "chuckle," and "sigh" were used. It was getting really annoying and I felt half the time the characters weren't behaving naturally with one another. I'm not following gender roles where men don't talk about their feelings or get all mushy gushy with their family. The way the family behaved felt that they had to cling to each other and make sure nothing fell through the cracks. But I suppose losing a mother and wife could create an unhealthy way of trying to control everything in their family dynamic.
Aidan Shaughnessy is someone I wanted to punch in the beginning and even after the end of the book. The book does point out he is an asshole and explains it to the reader multiple times. I understand the motive, but it certainly doesn't condone his shitty behavior towards his family and Zoe Dalton. The man should have been shoved in therapy along with his family with his compulsive control problem. His dad, Ian, later admits he should have caught his issues and try to put a stop to his son's problems. Despite always, and I mean always, taking care of everything with his job and family, at least we don't have to worry about him ever having a straying eye. There was no other woman since most women find him to be intolerable and I don't think he would have noticed a girl until Zoe was wearing a daisy, one of his mother's favorite flowers. I get that he's still grieving for his mother which is normal, but he doesn't deal with his feelings the right way and runs, literally runs, away and doesn't return until days later.
Zoe Dalton wasn't a bad person, but I felt she was a bit of a doormat and only fell for his looks. However, she did not deserve the treatment that Aidan gave her. There are moments she stands up for herself, but like any other romance novel, the heroine has to fall in love with the asshole hero and live happily ever after. The prologue and the ending couldn't be more cliché.
I don't know about you, but I hope one day where the heroine leaves and never returns. I know this is petty coming from me, but I want the asshole hero to fall to his knees and cry his fucking heart out with no success. I want it to be several months of him going through the motions of clinical depression to the point where he tries to end his life until a loved one kicks him. After the pathetic self-pity, I want the guy to completely shut off his heart and remain cold. I want the right one to come along and not give one flying fuck about him. They'll both remain cold and distant until they come to some sort of common ground and don't bother getting touchy feeling with their problems. I want them to fuck each other, then be able to leave without feeling pangs of guilt or pining for one another. Eventually, there hearts will thaw just a little bit and learn to compromise that if their relationship takes a crapper, they'll mutually part on civil terms. I want them to gain happiness from other things besides constantly relying on each other. I want them to grow for themselves and not get in the way of each other's accomplishments. And if they were to face petty relationship problems or weepy people around them, I want them to laugh in their fucking faces and make fun of them for getting their hopes up for such a frivolous fairy tale romance. With the whole world watching, I want them to laugh so hard at this stupidity and make the romance world crumble as they sing Bon Jovi, "You Give Love a Bad Name."
That makes my heart pound with anticipation seeing hearts shatter from naivety and wishful thinking. Wake up, America! The only way love can exist is if everyone works at it and we stomp on the dumbasses who have false pretentions on it. I'm a cold, cold hard little bitch and nobody gonna tell me that being treated like shit is the only way to find true love.
September 20, 2017
Zoe is one of my favorite female literary characters ever! This is the first book I have read from Samantha chase and I know I will be reading more. There is an interesting family dynamic that I enjoyed and can't wait to see evolve, fun and fast conversations, emotions that are very relatable and a fantastic romance that had me laughing and loving this couple and story!
April 14, 2017
**3-3.5 stars**
August 4, 2015
READ AND REVIEW: THE SHAUGHNESSY BROTHERS: MADE FOR US BY SAMANTHA CHASE
PRE- ORDER NOW!!!
THE SHAUGHNESSY BROTHERS: MADE FOR US BY SAMANTHA CHASE
Release Date: August 4, 2015
SYNOPSIS
Can't make time for love?
The Shaughnessy brothers have spent the years since their mother's untimely death taking care of each other and trying to make their father proud. Oldest son Aidan is hard-working, handsome, successful-and still single. Sure, he'd like to have his own family someday, but who has the time?
She'll show him how to find it
Zoe Dalton, a stunning designer Aidan meets on one of his construction jobs, has the beauty and heart to make Aidan realize how much he could be missing. But it's not easy to break down walls you've spent years building up. Now there's a major storm bearing down on the North Carolina coast, and it could be catalyst enough to force Aidan and Zoe into some major decisions of the heart.
BUY LINKS
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Made-Shaughness...
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/made-...
Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
Ibooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/made...
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebo...
REVIEW: THE SHAUGHNESSY BROTHERS:
MADE FOR US BY SAMANTHA CHASE
Made for Us (The Shaughnessy Brothers) by Samantha ChaseMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Shaughnessy family is a series I will be following to the last sibling. Made for Us by Samantha Chase was made for me. Ms. Chase has created a love story that is exceptionally written and rewarding to read. At the heart of this story is the strong bond of family. The upset of the sudden death of the matriach, who was the glue of the family has a different affect on each and every family member. Especially Aidan. Made for Us is Aidan's story. Aidan has a good heart. He cares deeply and for that reason he has closed himself off from finding love. The death of his mother has broken his heart and he feels that he has to take over as the nurturer after her loss. Little does he know his mom has kept the promise she made to him at fourteen She has found the perfect woman to mend his heart. But Aidan is not sure he wants to set himself up for the pain. I fell for sensitive Aidan from the very first page. The bond he and mother shared even transcended her death. Maybe that's why she led him to Zoe. Gorgeous story. I received an ARC of Made for Us in exchange for an honest review.(www.goodreads.com/review/list/2555691...)
PRE- ORDER NOW!!!
THE SHAUGHNESSY BROTHERS: MADE FOR US BY SAMANTHA CHASE
Release Date: August 4, 2015
SYNOPSIS
Can't make time for love?
The Shaughnessy brothers have spent the years since their mother's untimely death taking care of each other and trying to make their father proud. Oldest son Aidan is hard-working, handsome, successful-and still single. Sure, he'd like to have his own family someday, but who has the time?
She'll show him how to find it
Zoe Dalton, a stunning designer Aidan meets on one of his construction jobs, has the beauty and heart to make Aidan realize how much he could be missing. But it's not easy to break down walls you've spent years building up. Now there's a major storm bearing down on the North Carolina coast, and it could be catalyst enough to force Aidan and Zoe into some major decisions of the heart.
BUY LINKS
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Made-Shaughness...
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/made-...
Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
Ibooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/made...
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebo...
REVIEW: THE SHAUGHNESSY BROTHERS:
MADE FOR US BY SAMANTHA CHASE
Made for Us (The Shaughnessy Brothers) by Samantha ChaseMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Shaughnessy family is a series I will be following to the last sibling. Made for Us by Samantha Chase was made for me. Ms. Chase has created a love story that is exceptionally written and rewarding to read. At the heart of this story is the strong bond of family. The upset of the sudden death of the matriach, who was the glue of the family has a different affect on each and every family member. Especially Aidan. Made for Us is Aidan's story. Aidan has a good heart. He cares deeply and for that reason he has closed himself off from finding love. The death of his mother has broken his heart and he feels that he has to take over as the nurturer after her loss. Little does he know his mom has kept the promise she made to him at fourteen She has found the perfect woman to mend his heart. But Aidan is not sure he wants to set himself up for the pain. I fell for sensitive Aidan from the very first page. The bond he and mother shared even transcended her death. Maybe that's why she led him to Zoe. Gorgeous story. I received an ARC of Made for Us in exchange for an honest review.(www.goodreads.com/review/list/2555691...)
February 27, 2016
Book Info
Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Expected publication: August 4th 2015 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ASIN B00UTWFWMA
edition language English
series The Shaughnessy Brothers #1
other editions (1)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Book Buy Links
Amazon
B&N
What readers love about Samantha Chase:
"I laughed, cried, felt excitement and sadness, all in a good way."
"Great story line and strong characters."
"Great characters. Sweet romance."
Can't make time for love?
The Shaughnessy brothers have spent the years since their mother's untimely death taking care of each other and trying to make their father proud. Oldest son Aidan is hard-working, handsome, successful-and still single. Sure, he'd like to have his own family someday, but who has the time?
She'll show him how to find it
Zoe Dalton, a stunning designer Aidan meets on one of his construction jobs, has the beauty and heart to make Aidan realize how much he could be missing. But it's not easy to break down walls you've spent years building up. Now there's a major storm bearing down on the North Carolina coast, and it could be catalyst enough to force Aidan and Zoe into some major decisions of the heart.
The Shaughnessy family is messy, loud, chaotic, caring, entertaining, the five brothers are domineering and the lone daughter is a handful but they were very well worth getting a chance to know in the pages of this book.
The push-pull romance that Aidan enters into with interior designer Zoe Dalton is one that has been used before but at the same time is unique to their characters.
Having never read anything written by author Samantha Chase this was a delightfully done contemporary romance that will appeal to a very wide audience, especially those who prefer story versus sex scenes as there are no overly graphic ones included in this particular book.
Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Expected publication: August 4th 2015 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ASIN B00UTWFWMA
edition language English
series The Shaughnessy Brothers #1
other editions (1)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Book Buy Links
Amazon
B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS
What readers love about Samantha Chase:
"I laughed, cried, felt excitement and sadness, all in a good way."
"Great story line and strong characters."
"Great characters. Sweet romance."
Can't make time for love?
The Shaughnessy brothers have spent the years since their mother's untimely death taking care of each other and trying to make their father proud. Oldest son Aidan is hard-working, handsome, successful-and still single. Sure, he'd like to have his own family someday, but who has the time?
She'll show him how to find it
Zoe Dalton, a stunning designer Aidan meets on one of his construction jobs, has the beauty and heart to make Aidan realize how much he could be missing. But it's not easy to break down walls you've spent years building up. Now there's a major storm bearing down on the North Carolina coast, and it could be catalyst enough to force Aidan and Zoe into some major decisions of the heart.
My Thoughts
The Shaughnessy family is messy, loud, chaotic, caring, entertaining, the five brothers are domineering and the lone daughter is a handful but they were very well worth getting a chance to know in the pages of this book.
The push-pull romance that Aidan enters into with interior designer Zoe Dalton is one that has been used before but at the same time is unique to their characters.
Having never read anything written by author Samantha Chase this was a delightfully done contemporary romance that will appeal to a very wide audience, especially those who prefer story versus sex scenes as there are no overly graphic ones included in this particular book.
[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]
August 2, 2015
Read the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Note: This ARC was provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review.
Made for Us is the first book in the new contemporary romance series from bestselling author Samantha Chase entitled The Shaughnessy Brothers. Aidan Shaughnessy is the eldest in a brood of six and has always been there for his father and siblings, especially after his mother passed away when he was eighteen. His family has told him to loosen up and enjoy his life but it isn't until he has Zoe Dalton working with him that he discovers a woman who isn't afraid to put him in his place and tell him like it is. They're both workaholics, but Zoe shows Aidan that it's okay to have fun and seize the day every now and again. However, when the family dynamic in the Shaughnessy household begins to change, Aidan finds himself pinning the blame on his new girlfriend, putting a strain on their very new but promising relationship.
There are several times that Aidan is described as someone who has a proverbial stick up his butt and it's obvious that there's a certain superiority complex going on with the guy, but I can see where he's coming from when it comes to his family and his business. He's very protective of his family and he likes things done a certain way when it comes to work, but those are two things that allow him to maintain control, believing that bad things aren't going to happen for as long as he has a firm grip on the situation. Zoe is as serious about her work as Aidan but she also knows how to be carefree and enjoy her leisure time. She's someone that Aidan can't easily manage or control, which is quite frustrating for someone like him, but once he relaxes into their relationship, it's easy to see that she's good for him and his sense of well-being.
The Shaughnessy family is composed of different personalities and it'll be interesting to see as to how each of the other siblings will find their happily-ever-after. I think it's safe to assume that Quinn Shaughnessy will be paired up with his best friend Anna Hannigan and that's one story that I'll certainly be anxious to read once it's out. With such a diverse group of characters, The Shaughnessy Brothers series looks like it'll be filled with a good mix of stories and I hope each one will be distinct from the others. This first book stirred up my emotions and I really enjoyed Aidan and Zoe's love story as well as the family interactions that have laid the ground work for the rest of the books to come in the series. Made for Us has drama and angst but it also has a fair amount of humor and enough romance to satisfy me. I'm giving it 4.5 stars, rounded off to five stars. ♥
Note: This ARC was provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review.
Made for Us is the first book in the new contemporary romance series from bestselling author Samantha Chase entitled The Shaughnessy Brothers. Aidan Shaughnessy is the eldest in a brood of six and has always been there for his father and siblings, especially after his mother passed away when he was eighteen. His family has told him to loosen up and enjoy his life but it isn't until he has Zoe Dalton working with him that he discovers a woman who isn't afraid to put him in his place and tell him like it is. They're both workaholics, but Zoe shows Aidan that it's okay to have fun and seize the day every now and again. However, when the family dynamic in the Shaughnessy household begins to change, Aidan finds himself pinning the blame on his new girlfriend, putting a strain on their very new but promising relationship.
There are several times that Aidan is described as someone who has a proverbial stick up his butt and it's obvious that there's a certain superiority complex going on with the guy, but I can see where he's coming from when it comes to his family and his business. He's very protective of his family and he likes things done a certain way when it comes to work, but those are two things that allow him to maintain control, believing that bad things aren't going to happen for as long as he has a firm grip on the situation. Zoe is as serious about her work as Aidan but she also knows how to be carefree and enjoy her leisure time. She's someone that Aidan can't easily manage or control, which is quite frustrating for someone like him, but once he relaxes into their relationship, it's easy to see that she's good for him and his sense of well-being.
The Shaughnessy family is composed of different personalities and it'll be interesting to see as to how each of the other siblings will find their happily-ever-after. I think it's safe to assume that Quinn Shaughnessy will be paired up with his best friend Anna Hannigan and that's one story that I'll certainly be anxious to read once it's out. With such a diverse group of characters, The Shaughnessy Brothers series looks like it'll be filled with a good mix of stories and I hope each one will be distinct from the others. This first book stirred up my emotions and I really enjoyed Aidan and Zoe's love story as well as the family interactions that have laid the ground work for the rest of the books to come in the series. Made for Us has drama and angst but it also has a fair amount of humor and enough romance to satisfy me. I'm giving it 4.5 stars, rounded off to five stars. ♥
August 6, 2015
Zoe Dalton has recently moved to town. She used to own her own interior design business but she left her life behind when she losses her only family. Currently, she works in a company and she likes what she does. When another designer messes up a very important job, Zoe's boss names her the new replacement and orders her to fix the problems. Aiden Shaughnessy's project becomes her one and only account.
Aiden owns a very successful construction company. He is the kind of boss who is very hands on. He wants everything to be perfect for his customers. Mistakes are not in his dictionary. He's also a family man, as the oldest sibling he is the one responsible to help them achieve their best. His mother died a few years ago and he became like a second parent to his siblings. He doesn't have a personal life until he meets his new designer Zoe. But mixing business with pleasure is not on the menu. Too bad his body keeps on disagreeing with him.
~~
This book was cute. I like the Shaughnessy family. I like all the brothers and Darcy too, the only girl. She was only 17 when the book started but I can tell she is going to be trouble. All the brothers have cool careers and I'm intrigued about their lives and I want to learn more about them.
The main characters were both interesting. I love how they meet and how they butt heads at first. The names she was calling him in her head made me laugh.
I felt like they were two kindred souls. They both had experienced the loss of someone dear to them. Falling in love was not in their plans but plans are made to be broken sometimes.
A couple of times I felt like I wanted to shake Aiden when he hurt Zoe's feelings but if she was able to forgive him, so can I.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
August 9, 2015
I received a copy of Made For Us from author Samantha Chase (along with some awesome swag and goodies!!) earlier this week - so thank you so much for that, Samantha! When she read my raving review about one of her other books that I picked up at BookCon, Return to You, she was so happy that she even went on to print the review and hang it up in her office. That beyond shocked and flattered me - I had no idea that my raving fangirl review had any real impact on her whatsoever.
Since then, I've been so touched and so excited to get my hands on her next piece of work, so Samantha surprised me by giving me a copy of this book a few days prior to release day! Needless to say, I was ecstatic when it came. I screamed a whole lot and did a whole bunch of happy dancing. :D
This book left me feeling all sorts of ways - mad, sad, shocked, hurt, appalled, giggly, swoony, and just downright jealous - but in all the right ways. Chase has such a great style of writing that hooked me in from the get go and never let me go - I breezed through this book in only a couple of days because I kept wanting to know what happened next. This is definitely another book where I developed a series case of "One More Chapter" Disease that I can add to my list.
All in all, I felt that Made For Us by Samantha Chase was another perfectly written book. I enjoyed every single page and all of the emotions that it sparked in me. This isn't just a cheesy adult romance novel - this is a love story with depth, struggle, and discovering new and shocking things at the turn of each page. Made For Us was utterly fantastic and I already have the second book in this series on my TBR, eagerly awaiting its publication next year. If you haven't read any of Samantha Chase's books yet, I strongly encourage you to pick up at least one of them and give them a try - and this book is definitely a good book to start with, so scroll on up to the top of this review and click that link to shelve this book and put it on your Goodreads TBR!
Read the extended version of this review at The Book Bratz.
Since then, I've been so touched and so excited to get my hands on her next piece of work, so Samantha surprised me by giving me a copy of this book a few days prior to release day! Needless to say, I was ecstatic when it came. I screamed a whole lot and did a whole bunch of happy dancing. :D
This book left me feeling all sorts of ways - mad, sad, shocked, hurt, appalled, giggly, swoony, and just downright jealous - but in all the right ways. Chase has such a great style of writing that hooked me in from the get go and never let me go - I breezed through this book in only a couple of days because I kept wanting to know what happened next. This is definitely another book where I developed a series case of "One More Chapter" Disease that I can add to my list.
All in all, I felt that Made For Us by Samantha Chase was another perfectly written book. I enjoyed every single page and all of the emotions that it sparked in me. This isn't just a cheesy adult romance novel - this is a love story with depth, struggle, and discovering new and shocking things at the turn of each page. Made For Us was utterly fantastic and I already have the second book in this series on my TBR, eagerly awaiting its publication next year. If you haven't read any of Samantha Chase's books yet, I strongly encourage you to pick up at least one of them and give them a try - and this book is definitely a good book to start with, so scroll on up to the top of this review and click that link to shelve this book and put it on your Goodreads TBR!
Read the extended version of this review at The Book Bratz.
September 14, 2015
Made for Us, by Samantha Chase, was a cute story. Zoe Dalton is an interior designer brought in to take the place of a designer who couldn’t follow directions. Mind you, working for Aidan Shaughnessy is no picnic. He’s a perfectionist with control issues who demands 110% from everyone he employs, and he wants his directions followed to the letter. Couple that with the fact that he’s the guy his father, brothers and sister lean on for help, and he doesn’t have much of a personal life. Zoe turns his world upside down, showing up when he’s just begun to realize he wants more from life, and she’s everything that drives him crazy. When the attraction becomes too much to resist, and their professional and personal lives become muddled, they seem to have found the perfect fit, at least until Aidan begins acting strangely.
Zoe and Aidan had really fun chemistry. She didn’t take Aidan’s shit, which I loved. She was very straight forward and great at explaining things when Aidan said or did the wrong thing. I enjoyed getting to know them and their backstories. I loved the feeling of family from the Shaughnessys. I thought Chase’s writing was great, despite the fade to black stuff when it came to sex. The story didn’t need it, but I wasn’t expecting it to be missing. If I could have changed anything it would have been Aidan acting strangely when Zoe fit so well into his life. Aidan’s hang-ups made for a weak climax in my opinion.
I will absolutely continue with this series as I found the Shaughnessys endearing. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes a contemporary romance.
Zoe and Aidan had really fun chemistry. She didn’t take Aidan’s shit, which I loved. She was very straight forward and great at explaining things when Aidan said or did the wrong thing. I enjoyed getting to know them and their backstories. I loved the feeling of family from the Shaughnessys. I thought Chase’s writing was great, despite the fade to black stuff when it came to sex. The story didn’t need it, but I wasn’t expecting it to be missing. If I could have changed anything it would have been Aidan acting strangely when Zoe fit so well into his life. Aidan’s hang-ups made for a weak climax in my opinion.
I will absolutely continue with this series as I found the Shaughnessys endearing. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes a contemporary romance.
March 24, 2016
Made For Us is a very good example of why I love reading contemporary romance. It just gives you that breath of fresh air and those feel good feelings.
Aidan is the eldest of six siblings and took on the role of “second father” when his mother passed away in his teen years. He’s always been around and done whatever he could to help his father out. Like all the Shaugnessy men, he likes to maintain control of just about everything surrounding them and doesn’t take well to change.
Zoe is a designer who moves away to the beach to start over after her mother passed away only few short months ago. She gets assigned to Aidan’s construction job and sparks start flying – but not in a good way. Zoe is a very strong and stubborn woman who will not back down and easily give into Aidan and his demanding ways.
I love how you can sense the tension between these two when they are working together. I enjoy reading how they both struggled with their feelings and second guessed the other’s actions. I absolutely love how Zoe dished out her own against Aidan and really pushed his buttons.
The Shaughnessy family is amazing. Five hot and extremely talented men and spitfire sister with a very stronger father that does everything he can for his kids. I loved this family so much – I am hoping we get to know more about each family member in their own book.
But back to the book. Samantha writes this story beautifully. I enjoy that we got to see everything from both Aidan and Zoe’s POV. However, I do think some will be a tad confused with the switches between characters in the midst of a scene. But it’s pretty easy to decipher the changes. I thought the book moved along at a perfect pace and had just the right amount of angst added in.
I am hoping to be reading more about the Shaughnessy family!
Aidan is the eldest of six siblings and took on the role of “second father” when his mother passed away in his teen years. He’s always been around and done whatever he could to help his father out. Like all the Shaugnessy men, he likes to maintain control of just about everything surrounding them and doesn’t take well to change.
Zoe is a designer who moves away to the beach to start over after her mother passed away only few short months ago. She gets assigned to Aidan’s construction job and sparks start flying – but not in a good way. Zoe is a very strong and stubborn woman who will not back down and easily give into Aidan and his demanding ways.
I love how you can sense the tension between these two when they are working together. I enjoy reading how they both struggled with their feelings and second guessed the other’s actions. I absolutely love how Zoe dished out her own against Aidan and really pushed his buttons.
The Shaughnessy family is amazing. Five hot and extremely talented men and spitfire sister with a very stronger father that does everything he can for his kids. I loved this family so much – I am hoping we get to know more about each family member in their own book.
But back to the book. Samantha writes this story beautifully. I enjoy that we got to see everything from both Aidan and Zoe’s POV. However, I do think some will be a tad confused with the switches between characters in the midst of a scene. But it’s pretty easy to decipher the changes. I thought the book moved along at a perfect pace and had just the right amount of angst added in.
I am hoping to be reading more about the Shaughnessy family!
May 15, 2015
Who-ee. I got a pre-pub version of this book and I can only hope that the editors they get to review this deal with the POV issue. Good God. I counted up to three different points of view on single pages. We jumped around to each character so much I had trouble keeping up with who was thinking what and what was going on. It made me as seasick as Zoe ostensibly was by the wavy painting in the entryway closet. Better editing would have bumped this up to at least a two-and-a-half book for me. Probably more but it was so bad in the beginning of the book... hopefully this gets straightened out before it goes into print.
Anyway, Zoe has moved to North Carolina to get away from Arizona and to live by the beach. She's just had all of her clients summarily taken away so that she could work with the firm's big client, Aiden Shaughnessy. See, he's the kind of man who wants things done his way and only his way. Good thing that Zoe's able to stand up to him. Except when she's not. Zoe never really became a full character. I think she was supposed to be this strong business woman, a match for Aidan, but she was mostly fairly wishy-washy. And Aidan. Well, Aidan was a jerk. A big one. And I didn't see any indication that that was really going to change.
If this were my first Samantha Chase book, I probably wouldn't read any others in the series. But, luckily, I have read Wait for Me. Also, the friends-to-lovers trope is like catnip and I really want to see what it takes for Aidan's brother, Quinn, to realize that his best friend, Anna, is in love with him.
Anyway, Zoe has moved to North Carolina to get away from Arizona and to live by the beach. She's just had all of her clients summarily taken away so that she could work with the firm's big client, Aiden Shaughnessy. See, he's the kind of man who wants things done his way and only his way. Good thing that Zoe's able to stand up to him. Except when she's not. Zoe never really became a full character. I think she was supposed to be this strong business woman, a match for Aidan, but she was mostly fairly wishy-washy. And Aidan. Well, Aidan was a jerk. A big one. And I didn't see any indication that that was really going to change.
If this were my first Samantha Chase book, I probably wouldn't read any others in the series. But, luckily, I have read Wait for Me. Also, the friends-to-lovers trope is like catnip and I really want to see what it takes for Aidan's brother, Quinn, to realize that his best friend, Anna, is in love with him.
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