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Ribbon Ridge #3
When Love Happens
Tori Archer is married…well, on paper anyway. She hasn’t actually seen her husband since the disastrous morning after their impulsive Vegas wedding. The memories of their intense passion may still make her weak in the knees, but Tori knows their marriage was a mistake.
After six months filming abroad, television producer Sean Hennessy wants nothing more than to track down his sexy, captivating wife and get her into bed… fast. So when his boss sends him to Oregon to persuade the famous Archer sextuplets—the former stars of a reality TV show—to do a reunion special, Sean sees the perfect chance to win Tori back.
Only, Tori wants nothing to do with him and is determined to push him away. But their attraction is as hot as ever and Sean will do anything to prove their relationship was more than just a fling…because he knows that when real love happens, it changes everything.
After six months filming abroad, television producer Sean Hennessy wants nothing more than to track down his sexy, captivating wife and get her into bed… fast. So when his boss sends him to Oregon to persuade the famous Archer sextuplets—the former stars of a reality TV show—to do a reunion special, Sean sees the perfect chance to win Tori back.
Only, Tori wants nothing to do with him and is determined to push him away. But their attraction is as hot as ever and Sean will do anything to prove their relationship was more than just a fling…because he knows that when real love happens, it changes everything.
399 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2015
38 people are currently reading
365 people want to read
About the author
Darcy Burke
206 books2,279 followersDarcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, emotional historical and contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. Join her Reader Club at http://www.darcyburke.com/readerclub.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, two Bengal cats and a third cat named after a fruit. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, two Bengal cats and a third cat named after a fruit. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 20, 2015
When Love Happens is book #3 in Darcy Burke's Ribbon Ridge small town contemporary romance series. Like the previous installments, When Love Happens is sometimes funny, definitely steamy, and has that underlying poignancy of a family trying to understand and heal after one of the siblings, Alex, commits suicide.
All of the stories in this series are very good, and just keep getting better. This time it's Tori Archer's turn to find her happily ever after, or more appropriately said, reclaim it.
There is something especially heartbreaking about Tori, as though Alex's death hit her harder than anyone else...and maybe it did because she was the last person he had reached out to, but it's likely she'll never learn why. But before Tori can allow herself to love and be loved by Sean Hennessy - the man she'd secretly married the night before Alex's death - she needs to let go of the guilt she's been carrying, and stop wondering if there had been anything she could have done to help Alex.
Despite the somber foundation of these stories, there's also so much beauty to the Archer family as they support each other and surround one another in love. This close knit family has put Ribbon Ridge on my 'must read series' list, and I'm so looking forward to Evan's story, next!
An ARC was provided by Avon Books and to show my appreciation I'm giving them an honest review.
All of the stories in this series are very good, and just keep getting better. This time it's Tori Archer's turn to find her happily ever after, or more appropriately said, reclaim it.
There is something especially heartbreaking about Tori, as though Alex's death hit her harder than anyone else...and maybe it did because she was the last person he had reached out to, but it's likely she'll never learn why. But before Tori can allow herself to love and be loved by Sean Hennessy - the man she'd secretly married the night before Alex's death - she needs to let go of the guilt she's been carrying, and stop wondering if there had been anything she could have done to help Alex.
Despite the somber foundation of these stories, there's also so much beauty to the Archer family as they support each other and surround one another in love. This close knit family has put Ribbon Ridge on my 'must read series' list, and I'm so looking forward to Evan's story, next!
An ARC was provided by Avon Books and to show my appreciation I'm giving them an honest review.
May 25, 2015
Find this review and more on my blog, After Hours at Lilybloombooks
What's happened a lot this year, is that I pick up a book in the middle of series and have this uncontrollable urge to start the series over. And I am happy to add the Ribbon Ridge series to that list!
When Love Happens focuses on Tori and Sean. After a quick Vegas wedding, these two have spent months apart due to a tragedy that rocked Tori and her family. Sean is determined to "win" her back and when the opportunity comes up for him to visit the Archer family, he takes it.
There were many things I truly loved about When Love Happens. I love the setting, the writing - the family dynamic and Sean. But it was really, really difficult for me to root for Tori, even like her at times. Part of this, was because I didn't understand her need to push Sean away. I know she is hurting, and harbors a lot of misplaced quilt, but the extremes that she goes to push Sean away was really hard to read. Sean didn't deserve it, at all.
Sean however, was one of the sweetest, sexiest men I have read about in a while. His love for Tori is plain as day - and while there were times I wanted to throttle him for letting Tori push him the way she did, I admire his dedication to her at the same time.
As mush as I disliked Tori at times, I loved these two together. Once Tori let (some) of her walls fall, the chemistry between these two is intense. The banter is hilarious and i loved how they spent some time together, "getting to know each other" again.
I adored the tight-knit family dynamic. Tori is one of the sextuplets, and I loved getting to know each one. Sean too, is close to his parents and cares for them remotely.
The story is told in both Sean and Tori's POV, but even though its 3rd person, the distinct difference in the narration was perfection. The voices are distinct and I was never confused about whose POV I was reading. I also never had that feeling that I was missing out on a story - since this was IS the third installment - but I was confused at first to who was who. It takes a little time to get into the swing of things.
Overall - I adored When Love Happens. It's a feel good book - one I highly recommend. Also, Sean has an accent!
*I received a copy of this book from The Publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
What's happened a lot this year, is that I pick up a book in the middle of series and have this uncontrollable urge to start the series over. And I am happy to add the Ribbon Ridge series to that list!
When Love Happens focuses on Tori and Sean. After a quick Vegas wedding, these two have spent months apart due to a tragedy that rocked Tori and her family. Sean is determined to "win" her back and when the opportunity comes up for him to visit the Archer family, he takes it.
There were many things I truly loved about When Love Happens. I love the setting, the writing - the family dynamic and Sean. But it was really, really difficult for me to root for Tori, even like her at times. Part of this, was because I didn't understand her need to push Sean away. I know she is hurting, and harbors a lot of misplaced quilt, but the extremes that she goes to push Sean away was really hard to read. Sean didn't deserve it, at all.
Sean however, was one of the sweetest, sexiest men I have read about in a while. His love for Tori is plain as day - and while there were times I wanted to throttle him for letting Tori push him the way she did, I admire his dedication to her at the same time.
As mush as I disliked Tori at times, I loved these two together. Once Tori let (some) of her walls fall, the chemistry between these two is intense. The banter is hilarious and i loved how they spent some time together, "getting to know each other" again.
I adored the tight-knit family dynamic. Tori is one of the sextuplets, and I loved getting to know each one. Sean too, is close to his parents and cares for them remotely.
The story is told in both Sean and Tori's POV, but even though its 3rd person, the distinct difference in the narration was perfection. The voices are distinct and I was never confused about whose POV I was reading. I also never had that feeling that I was missing out on a story - since this was IS the third installment - but I was confused at first to who was who. It takes a little time to get into the swing of things.
Overall - I adored When Love Happens. It's a feel good book - one I highly recommend. Also, Sean has an accent!
*I received a copy of this book from The Publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
May 5, 2025
I am enjoying this series. Although this book started off a bit slow for me, it picked up and became an interesting listen. Narration was performed well.
April 29, 2015
So we are back with the Archer family. Come to find out that Tori is married, but hasn't seen him in months. She has it in her mind that a divorce would be best since they got married the night before Alex killed himself and the memories are too hard to deal with. Sean is an amazing man who has always tried to do the right thing, but he knows this marriage can't work by himself. Thanks to his job he is forced back into Tori's life. As you can imagine things don't go smoothly. As they try to figure things out the demand of his job also takes its toll. I loved this story so much. Sean was such a great character! Another must read!
June 3, 2015
I have been out of the romance game for awhile now and honestly I was a little scared to jump back in. My tastes have drastically changed in the last few months and romance just hasn't interested me, but When Love Happens is a perfect example of what an author can do for a reader. Darcy Burke has renewed my faith in romance and shown me what I have been missing!
Tori and Sean engaged in a whirlwind 5 week romance that ended in a quickie wedding in Vegas. That same night though tragedy struck and Tori runs home leaving Sean and their newly marriage behind. After six months Sean, having no other options, goes to Tori to try and save his job and also to see what might be left of their relationship. He isn't ready to throw in the towel and knows things won't be easy because sometimes a heart can't relearn love no matter how hard you try.
I fell into this story with ease. The writing kept me engaged and I truly enjoyed each and every character. What I thought was fascinating was the Archers. Yes they were rich and yes they were all driven, but they weren't perfect. They each had their own flaws some being bigger than others and honestly it was nice to not read the "they have it all and some" storyline. I liked the edge the author gave this family. I did get a bit confused at times because there were just so many of them, but I still really loved them all. For me they took center stage. Tori and Sean had a very nice storyline, but I was totally captivated by this family and I know I will definitely pick up the previous books because I have not had enough of them.
As I said Tori and Sean had a really good storyline. I liked the whole reality show storyline because yes I admit it I am a reality show junkie, but what I really enjoyed was just them. It was exciting to see how Tori reacted to Sean and I rooted for them from the beginning. Sometimes I could take or leave the main couple in romances, but not these two. I wanted Tori to forgive herself and let Sean in and I wanted Sean to give everything and more to Tori to remind her of what they once were.
This was a fast and fun read that left me wanting more from the whole crew. I am thoroughly captivated by this author and her writing and I can't to find out how the rest of the Archers find their HEA's!
Tori and Sean engaged in a whirlwind 5 week romance that ended in a quickie wedding in Vegas. That same night though tragedy struck and Tori runs home leaving Sean and their newly marriage behind. After six months Sean, having no other options, goes to Tori to try and save his job and also to see what might be left of their relationship. He isn't ready to throw in the towel and knows things won't be easy because sometimes a heart can't relearn love no matter how hard you try.
I fell into this story with ease. The writing kept me engaged and I truly enjoyed each and every character. What I thought was fascinating was the Archers. Yes they were rich and yes they were all driven, but they weren't perfect. They each had their own flaws some being bigger than others and honestly it was nice to not read the "they have it all and some" storyline. I liked the edge the author gave this family. I did get a bit confused at times because there were just so many of them, but I still really loved them all. For me they took center stage. Tori and Sean had a very nice storyline, but I was totally captivated by this family and I know I will definitely pick up the previous books because I have not had enough of them.
As I said Tori and Sean had a really good storyline. I liked the whole reality show storyline because yes I admit it I am a reality show junkie, but what I really enjoyed was just them. It was exciting to see how Tori reacted to Sean and I rooted for them from the beginning. Sometimes I could take or leave the main couple in romances, but not these two. I wanted Tori to forgive herself and let Sean in and I wanted Sean to give everything and more to Tori to remind her of what they once were.
This was a fast and fun read that left me wanting more from the whole crew. I am thoroughly captivated by this author and her writing and I can't to find out how the rest of the Archers find their HEA's!
May 25, 2015
ARC REVIEW: WHEN LOVE HAPPENS (RIBBON RIDGE SERIES-BOOK 3) BY DARCY BURKE
My Review
When Love Happens by Darcy BurkeMy rating: 5 of 5 star
I had so much fun with this story. When Love Happens is a little more light-hearted than then the first three books in the series. Sean and Tori were hilarious. After a quickie marriage, Sean and Tori go their separate ways too deal with life events. He to finish work on a film, her to deal with the unexpected death of her brother. Tori realizing the marriage was a mistake has kept news of it close to the vest, so six months later when Sean shows up she is surprised and determined to forget it ever happened. But Sean has another motive for arriving unexpectedly and it involves Tori and her siblings. Can these two work out their differences and find an everlasting love or will secrets destroy them forever? Darcy Burke has written an entertainingly delicious story that I would recommend to anyone. Received an ARC of this book for an honest review.(www.goodreads.com/review/list/2555691...)
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/When-Love-Happe...
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-...
Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebo...
My Review
When Love Happens by Darcy BurkeMy rating: 5 of 5 star
I had so much fun with this story. When Love Happens is a little more light-hearted than then the first three books in the series. Sean and Tori were hilarious. After a quickie marriage, Sean and Tori go their separate ways too deal with life events. He to finish work on a film, her to deal with the unexpected death of her brother. Tori realizing the marriage was a mistake has kept news of it close to the vest, so six months later when Sean shows up she is surprised and determined to forget it ever happened. But Sean has another motive for arriving unexpectedly and it involves Tori and her siblings. Can these two work out their differences and find an everlasting love or will secrets destroy them forever? Darcy Burke has written an entertainingly delicious story that I would recommend to anyone. Received an ARC of this book for an honest review.(www.goodreads.com/review/list/2555691...)
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/When-Love-Happe...
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-...
Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebo...
May 25, 2015
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads
This is the fourth story based in Ribbon Ridge. The stories do follow on, but you could read this as a standalone and enjoy it - but why miss out on the other stories. They do give some background to other siblings in the Archer family.
It is a really moving read - and I found it very difficult to stop reading once I had started. The story flows from the side of both the leads, Sean and Tori. The level of misunderstanding is frustrating but understandable for the reader - which is a fine balance to maintain. I really enjoyed the level of detail about the family, and their brewery business, as well as the reality tv production information. That Sean and Tori clearly have a connection that they struggle to understand makes for some moving and also funny moments.
I am looking forward to seeing who gets their story told next!
This is the fourth story based in Ribbon Ridge. The stories do follow on, but you could read this as a standalone and enjoy it - but why miss out on the other stories. They do give some background to other siblings in the Archer family.
It is a really moving read - and I found it very difficult to stop reading once I had started. The story flows from the side of both the leads, Sean and Tori. The level of misunderstanding is frustrating but understandable for the reader - which is a fine balance to maintain. I really enjoyed the level of detail about the family, and their brewery business, as well as the reality tv production information. That Sean and Tori clearly have a connection that they struggle to understand makes for some moving and also funny moments.
I am looking forward to seeing who gets their story told next!
May 23, 2015
3.75 stars---
About the book: Release Date May 26, 2015
Tori Archer is married…well, on paper anyway. She hasn’t actually seen her husband since the disastrous morning after their impulsive Vegas wedding. The memories of their intense passion may still make her weak in the knees, but Tori knows their marriage was a mistake.
After six months filming abroad, television producer Sean Hennessy wants nothing more than to track down his sexy, captivating wife and get her into bed… fast. So when his boss sends him to Oregon to persuade the famous Archer sextuplets—the former stars of a reality TV show—to do a reunion special, Sean sees the perfect chance to win Tori back.
Only, Tori wants nothing to do with him and is determined to push him away. But their attraction is as hot as ever and Sean will do anything to prove their relationship was more than just a fling…because he knows that when real love happens, it changes everything.
•••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars---WHEN LOVE HAPPENS is the third full length installment in Darcy Burke’s Ribbon Ridge adult contemporary romance series focusing on the Archer sextuplets of Ribbon Ridge, Oregon. The Archer family owns several successful breweries and pubs, and most of the siblings play a role in the daily business operations. This is Tori Archer and Sean Hennessy ‘s storyline-a second chance of sorts for two people whose marriage collapsed the day after their wedding. WHEN LOVE HAPPENS can be read as a stand alone but each successive storyline builds upon one another with the overriding premise focusing on the family and the aftermath of a sibling suicide.
Told from third person point of view WHEN LOVE HAPPENS follows the re-building of the relationship between Tori Archer and television producer Sean Hennessy-a Englishman whose family depends upon Sean for financial support. After a whirlwind courtship of five weeks, Tori and Sean did the unspeakable-got married in Vegas- but their happiness is short lived when Tori’s brother Alex commits suicide the next day and Tori heads home leaving a confused Sean behind. Fast forward six months and Tori has yet to reveal to her family that she is married. A surprise appearance by Sean at Ribbon Ridge Octoberfest celebration finds Tori torn between her attraction to the man she hasn’t seen in six months and pushing, said man, out of the picture. What ensues is Tori’s attempt to destroy the marriage that never began.
A secondary storyline develops when Sean’s boss gives our hero an ultimatum regarding the Archer family and a proposed business opportunity-he wants a televised update-a ‘where are they now’ broadcast about the Archer sextuplets or Sean’s future with the company comes to an end.
The relationship between our leading couple is two sided. Tori’s personality has changed since the death of her brother and in this she has hardened her heart to any enjoyment, laughter and fun. As Sean tries to seduce the woman that he loves back into his life, Tori tries everything to push Sean away. Tori is exhibiting symptoms of depression and in this she is having a difficult time moving forward from the guilt and grief. Her emotional stability is questioned; her actions and words hurtful and aggressive. Sometimes our heroine was a difficult character to like.
WHEN LOVE HAPPENS is an ensemble storyline where all of the previous storyline characters play a secondary and supporting role including the Archer family parents whose own relationship has dramatically changed since the suicide of their son. We are reintroduced to the surviving sextuplets (Evan, Sara, Tori, Kyle & Liam) and their younger brother Hayden made famous by a television reality show ‘Seven is Enough’ that placed the family front and center on the entertainment pages, along with their ‘foster’ brother Derek. Herein lies the ‘where are they now’ scenario that finds Sean on a collision course with his wife and his boss. The Archer family dynamics are stressed since the death of Alex; and there are a number of physical, emotional and mental issues with which the family struggles and endures.
Darcy Burke continues to pull the reader into one family’s struggle multiple births, fame, health issues and suicide. There is always a happily ever after but the journey is not always smooth or easy. The characters are engaging, colorful, charismatic and flawed; the premise sobering and realistic. WHEN LOVE HAPPENS looks at grief, depression, friendship and love; and in the Archer family, there is always someone to tell you exactly how it is and open your eyes to the future and the truth.
Copy supplied through Edelweiss
www.thereadingcafe.com
May 25, 2015
When Love Happens is another emotional installment in the Ribbon Ridge series. The author invites the reader back to Ribbon Ridge, where Tori is hiding a big secret from her family - her marriage to TV producer Sean Hennessy. I really enjoyed how the author brings Sean back into Tori's life. I could feel Tori's discomfort when Sean arrives and it was clear she and Sean weren't on the same page with regards to their relationship.
I love Sean. The author did a fantastic job of "making him British". I usually don't like reading novels written by Brits or set in Britain because the terminology is different enough from American English to make it difficult for me to understand. That was not the case here. Sean has a few expressions and things that he says that are clearly British (brilliant is a common phrase for him), but its not overwhelmingly British. It's enough to help me hear Sean's voice with a gentle, British accent, but not overwhelm me with terms that I don't understand. Sean's got a great sense of humor and a very likable personality, and there's no question as to why Tori's family likes him immediately, even as she was trying to get rid of him. But, he's no pushover. Sean tolerates great deal from Tori as they attempt to navigate their current relationship but when she pushes too far, he protects his own integrity and leaves her to wallow in a life of her own making.
And that was probably the one part of the story that I didn't like. I've read other reviews that enjoyed the "Operation Divorce Me" section of the book, but I really disliked that part of the book. I understand why Tori has decided that her marriage to Sean shouldn't continue, but the way she went about it was juvenile. Her attempt to create a hostile living environment for Sean was immature. I wanted to reach into the book and smack Tori upside the head. Sean is a good sport and recognizes quickly what she is trying to do, but as a mature adult, Tori should have been honest with Sean instead of continuing to lie to him, and manipulate him with childish games to get him to give her a divorce. I was happy when Sean decides that he's had enough and leaves. But of course, we know that's not the end. Tori redeems herself somewhat in my mind by the end of the book, but she lost a few points in my book due to her behavior with Sean. My 4 star rating is primarily based on my dislike for how Tori handles her relationship with Sean.
Alex's legacy continues in When Love Happens. I think I felt more urgency around knowing his thoughts about his suicide in this book more than the others, perhaps due to Tori's connection to his final moments. Tori is driven by extreme guilt that Alex reached out to her before the end and she has spent most of the time since his death living in grief, but not really living. Alex's death affects everything she has done since and it took Sean, and her family, to dig her out of the hole of grief she was slowly burying herself in. I like that each sibling is getting a letter from Alex when its most important in their story, and I feel like I'm getting to know Alex through these stories. Despite my overall concerns regarding how Tori handles her relationship with Sean, When Love Happens is another great chapter in the story of the Archer family and Ribbon Ridge.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love Sean. The author did a fantastic job of "making him British". I usually don't like reading novels written by Brits or set in Britain because the terminology is different enough from American English to make it difficult for me to understand. That was not the case here. Sean has a few expressions and things that he says that are clearly British (brilliant is a common phrase for him), but its not overwhelmingly British. It's enough to help me hear Sean's voice with a gentle, British accent, but not overwhelm me with terms that I don't understand. Sean's got a great sense of humor and a very likable personality, and there's no question as to why Tori's family likes him immediately, even as she was trying to get rid of him. But, he's no pushover. Sean tolerates great deal from Tori as they attempt to navigate their current relationship but when she pushes too far, he protects his own integrity and leaves her to wallow in a life of her own making.
And that was probably the one part of the story that I didn't like. I've read other reviews that enjoyed the "Operation Divorce Me" section of the book, but I really disliked that part of the book. I understand why Tori has decided that her marriage to Sean shouldn't continue, but the way she went about it was juvenile. Her attempt to create a hostile living environment for Sean was immature. I wanted to reach into the book and smack Tori upside the head. Sean is a good sport and recognizes quickly what she is trying to do, but as a mature adult, Tori should have been honest with Sean instead of continuing to lie to him, and manipulate him with childish games to get him to give her a divorce. I was happy when Sean decides that he's had enough and leaves. But of course, we know that's not the end. Tori redeems herself somewhat in my mind by the end of the book, but she lost a few points in my book due to her behavior with Sean. My 4 star rating is primarily based on my dislike for how Tori handles her relationship with Sean.
Alex's legacy continues in When Love Happens. I think I felt more urgency around knowing his thoughts about his suicide in this book more than the others, perhaps due to Tori's connection to his final moments. Tori is driven by extreme guilt that Alex reached out to her before the end and she has spent most of the time since his death living in grief, but not really living. Alex's death affects everything she has done since and it took Sean, and her family, to dig her out of the hole of grief she was slowly burying herself in. I like that each sibling is getting a letter from Alex when its most important in their story, and I feel like I'm getting to know Alex through these stories. Despite my overall concerns regarding how Tori handles her relationship with Sean, When Love Happens is another great chapter in the story of the Archer family and Ribbon Ridge.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2015
A quickie marriage and family tragedy are the backdrop to this fun and emotional romance. Tori Archer met and married Sean Hennessy in a whirlwind romance, one fit for the movies and just as quickly everything came to a halt when she left to go deal with a family tragedy and he had to go on an extended work trip. Fast forward to eight months later and Sean is back for his wife, but also his job is on the line unless he can get her family to agree to film a TV special. What Sean wants gets tangled up in the demands of his job and he has to deal with a wife who does not want him and does not trust his motivations.
When Love Happens is a fun romance but at the same time packs an emotional punch. Tori considers her marriage to Sean a mistake and wants nothing to do with him because he reminds her of a very painful period of her life and also she feels guilty that she was not there for her brother in his time of need. She feels that if she hadn't been focused on her own life, she may have been able to avert the tragedy of her brother's suicide (irrational thinking, but that's just me). What is real is that she had not dealt with her feelings about her brother's death but rather buried them and became a cool and emotionless workaholic. Sean's appearance threatened to breach the walls she had built around her emotions.
Sean is a guy who just wants to build a life with his wife and would do almost anything to get a chance to do that, but even his resolve takes beating from Tori's constant rejection of him. Sean was so very sweet and patient with Tori, giving her the space she said she wanted but even the most patient guys know when to give up.
Sean is a very adorable, sweet and laid-back guy and just perfect for Tori with all her fire. I love the Archers and their obvious love for one another which is expressed by their interfering and nosy ways and unsolicited advice.
What stands out for me is how grief can affect us and how easy it is to hurt and push away the ones we love the most when we refuse to deal with grief, pain and loss. Thankfully Tori got her head out of her ass in time not to lose the best thing that ever happened to her.
This is my first book by Ms. Burke and I will definitely be reading the previous books as soon as possible.
* I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
When Love Happens is a fun romance but at the same time packs an emotional punch. Tori considers her marriage to Sean a mistake and wants nothing to do with him because he reminds her of a very painful period of her life and also she feels guilty that she was not there for her brother in his time of need. She feels that if she hadn't been focused on her own life, she may have been able to avert the tragedy of her brother's suicide (irrational thinking, but that's just me). What is real is that she had not dealt with her feelings about her brother's death but rather buried them and became a cool and emotionless workaholic. Sean's appearance threatened to breach the walls she had built around her emotions.
Sean is a guy who just wants to build a life with his wife and would do almost anything to get a chance to do that, but even his resolve takes beating from Tori's constant rejection of him. Sean was so very sweet and patient with Tori, giving her the space she said she wanted but even the most patient guys know when to give up.
Sean is a very adorable, sweet and laid-back guy and just perfect for Tori with all her fire. I love the Archers and their obvious love for one another which is expressed by their interfering and nosy ways and unsolicited advice.
What stands out for me is how grief can affect us and how easy it is to hurt and push away the ones we love the most when we refuse to deal with grief, pain and loss. Thankfully Tori got her head out of her ass in time not to lose the best thing that ever happened to her.
This is my first book by Ms. Burke and I will definitely be reading the previous books as soon as possible.
* I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
May 1, 2015
This is the first book I read in this series and I enjoyed it. I liked the family and how they were all supportive of one another. When you first meet Sean you can tell he isn't over his wife and wants to make it work. Then you meet tori and she is living a guilty and yet in a way she cares for Sean and doesn't want to show it.
I was laughing when tori sets out to do operation divorce me. I think that might have been the best part of the book. I loved how Sean figured it out and tried to throw it out as she dished it up. Even when she is doing this she still feels guilty but thinks it's for the best.
I loved Sean didn't give up although he tried so many times. I did feel like he was a yo yo in this story which I felt bad for him. Even though he fell fast and hard he always wanted to stand beside tori no matter what she did, said and tried to push him away countless times. I liked when she showed up to straighten it all out and want to be with him.
I think what bothered me most about this book was the letter from alex. Nothing was really said on why and when he called. I think that should have been included so tori could have had more closer and learned to heal. I mean the whole time she is feeling guilty but nothing is answered and I think everyone needs answers to forgive and heal.
I am looking forward to starting this series from the beginning and continuing to read about the archers.
I was laughing when tori sets out to do operation divorce me. I think that might have been the best part of the book. I loved how Sean figured it out and tried to throw it out as she dished it up. Even when she is doing this she still feels guilty but thinks it's for the best.
I loved Sean didn't give up although he tried so many times. I did feel like he was a yo yo in this story which I felt bad for him. Even though he fell fast and hard he always wanted to stand beside tori no matter what she did, said and tried to push him away countless times. I liked when she showed up to straighten it all out and want to be with him.
I think what bothered me most about this book was the letter from alex. Nothing was really said on why and when he called. I think that should have been included so tori could have had more closer and learned to heal. I mean the whole time she is feeling guilty but nothing is answered and I think everyone needs answers to forgive and heal.
I am looking forward to starting this series from the beginning and continuing to read about the archers.
May 16, 2017
I received a copy of When Love Happens for an honest review.
Sean just got back from a terrible film trip and now is forced back into work to face his sort of wife. They haven't seen each other for eight months and now Sean's job is to get the inside scoop as to what happened to her family. Tori has been in a slump since Sean left and her brother died. She never expected to see him again, but now he's back and what drew them together in the first place is drawing them back together.
I enjoyed a bit of Sean and Tori's. It was cute and sexy and realistic.
I did however not enjoy the writing style or Tori all that much. The writing was overly descriptive and drawn out. Tori's character really made no sense to me and was really rude and I just could not relate to her at all. Sean was a sweetheart and about the only redeeming quality of this book for me.
Overall I honestly just felt this book was not for me, but I feel a lot of contemporary adult romance readers would love this story.
Sean just got back from a terrible film trip and now is forced back into work to face his sort of wife. They haven't seen each other for eight months and now Sean's job is to get the inside scoop as to what happened to her family. Tori has been in a slump since Sean left and her brother died. She never expected to see him again, but now he's back and what drew them together in the first place is drawing them back together.
I enjoyed a bit of Sean and Tori's. It was cute and sexy and realistic.
I did however not enjoy the writing style or Tori all that much. The writing was overly descriptive and drawn out. Tori's character really made no sense to me and was really rude and I just could not relate to her at all. Sean was a sweetheart and about the only redeeming quality of this book for me.
Overall I honestly just felt this book was not for me, but I feel a lot of contemporary adult romance readers would love this story.
March 1, 2016
I've enjoyed most of the books in this series, but this book really made me wish we had half star ratings here on Goodreads, because I felt it only deserved 2.5 stars!
I really hated Tori as a heroine. She had to keep everything a deep dark secret, even though she was battling survivor's guilt after her brother committed suicide. She also treated her new husband very unfairly in the wake of said brother's death, then didn't even want to give her marriage a try!
Sean was also a bit of a problem, because what hero would put his career ahead of his new wife, especially when she's grieving, despite what she says about not wanting him to come around so that there are no questions in the wake of the suicide? I liked how he wanted to make a go of it anyway, but his actual reason for going up to visit her in the first place was so not hero worthy!
All in all, it was a good book, but not spectacular.
I really hated Tori as a heroine. She had to keep everything a deep dark secret, even though she was battling survivor's guilt after her brother committed suicide. She also treated her new husband very unfairly in the wake of said brother's death, then didn't even want to give her marriage a try!
Sean was also a bit of a problem, because what hero would put his career ahead of his new wife, especially when she's grieving, despite what she says about not wanting him to come around so that there are no questions in the wake of the suicide? I liked how he wanted to make a go of it anyway, but his actual reason for going up to visit her in the first place was so not hero worthy!
All in all, it was a good book, but not spectacular.
May 22, 2017
To be honest I had some trouble getting into this book because early on neither the heroine Tori Archer nor the hero Sean Hennesey were all that appealing to me. I was familiar with Tori of course from the previous two books where as one of the sextuplets she played a secondary role. It doesn't come out until her story that the reason she seemed so cool and aloof was the grief and guilt she felt over Alex's suicide. Sean whom she unfortunately married the night before Alex killed himself also didn't come across as very likable. Tori had pretty much driven him off and froze him out of her life because of her guilt of not taking Alex's phone call. But Sean appears he's only willing to try to reconnect with Tori in order to satisfy his slimey bosses demand for a follow up "where are they now?" type television show on the Archer sextuplets. And honestly even though I understand a big part of his desire to hold on to his job working for his evil boss was because he was helping subsidize his elderly parents income back in England, I found his willingness to rationalize and try to satisfy a lot of his bosses demands to keep his job hardly admirable. I also couldn't buy into the Archer family's willingness to do the show despite Ms. Burke's explanation. Ultimately though I came to see Tori as a sympathetic character and Sean as a decent man who eventually does the right thing at great cost to himself and his family. And the garden scene made for a terrific HEA and isn't that ultimately what we read romance novels for?
January 26, 2019
This novel took me a while to get into, but as the plot for Operation Divorce Me rolled out, I finally got into Tori and Sean's story. I enjoy reading series, but I moreso enjoy episodic writing and this series, although nice and one of the very first series I started reading at the begining of 2018, is not turning out to be what I expected. It is a well written, tightly plotted series that I'm enjoying. So happy that Sean and Tori finally realised the important aspects of a relationship.
April 26, 2021
A wonderful story of family and second chances at love
This book takes readers on an emotional roller coaster ride, but it’s so good! The Archers are an intense bunch of characters and their interactions make this series so very interesting. Tori and Sean’s marriage is broken, but there is so much for them to fight for, if Tori will give it a chance. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the siblings’ stories.
This book takes readers on an emotional roller coaster ride, but it’s so good! The Archers are an intense bunch of characters and their interactions make this series so very interesting. Tori and Sean’s marriage is broken, but there is so much for them to fight for, if Tori will give it a chance. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the siblings’ stories.
September 6, 2025
I've been loving this series in Ribbon Ridge, but I had a hard time with this book. Tori was so stubborn and I just didn't like her. Sean did everything he could but she still pushed him away. Sorry, but I could only give this book 4 stars. I loved the rest of the family and the interactions with them. Off to find the next in the series.
July 11, 2018
Really a 3.5. This one is a little darker than the previous in the series but life has obstacles, so so should a book. Love that there is a British addition in this one!
September 9, 2020
I didn't like Tori and Sean's story as much as the first two. Sean seemed too perfectly patient while being the scapegoat for Tori's guilt and grief.
October 19, 2021
Tori is a terrible heroine, and Sean is a nice guy. he should have kicked her to the curb. This was the worst book of the series imo
January 28, 2017
Ok first off I am going to go ahead and tell you that you will not like Tori for most of this book. She pushed every button I had while reading this book. I wanted to reach through the book and strangle her. Which is why I only gave it four and a half stars. If I can't like both of the main characters, I can't give it a full five-star review. Now, on the other hand I will say I loved Sean. He was so kind and took a lot of crap from Tori and he was more patient than I would have been.
Tori and Sean meet on New Year's and had an instant connection. Even though they lived in different towns and had very demanding job, they made it work. They had a quick relationship and fell in love just as quick. They decided to go to Vegas and he proposed to her. They got married and had an amazing night. But everything changed the next morning when she got a phone call that changed her world. And the missed call on her phone made it even worse.
Sean tried to be supportive of her and wanted to be with her to help her though with this troubling time. She kept pushing him away. He took a job in Europe for six months. When he came back he didn't know what he was going to do. She had sent him an email telling him she wanted a divorce. He does not want a divorce, but doesn't really know what he can do to . Then his boos comes to him and tells him he has a story he wants him to get. A reunion on the sextuplets. A where are they now show. He sees that as a perfect in to try to get his wife back.
Things don't go the way he wanted them to. She keeps pushing him away, and tries everything she can to get him to give her a divorce. He fights it because he really does love her and he wants to make his marriage work. Then one day she does something that he can not believe she would do, kiss another man right in front of him. He has had enough.
He is getting ready to leave when her sister Sara talks him into staying at least for a day. They do an intervention on Tori, getting her to tell them what is wrong. After she tells them her guilt, their mother tells them to leave her be and not bother her about Sean anymore. They talk her into taking a mental holiday up at their cabin. As Sean is about to leave the next morning Sara and Kyle come to say goodbye and tell him where Tori is, if he decided to go there instead of going back to LA.
He does go to the cabin and they have a magical few days. She agrees to do the show. They grew close during that time in the cabin and he made her remember all of the good ways they were together. But, when they get back and production starts, his boss tells them his real intent on the show. Sean had no idea this was what he was after. He talks to Tori and she thinks that he was just using the excuse of getting back with her to be able to produce the show the way his boss stated. He tells her that since she can't trust him he is going to give her what she wants. A divorce. She is shocked and doesn't really know if that is what she wants anymore, but he leaves.
When he gets back to the apartment above the garage he is super upset. He can't believe that he told Tori he wold give her a divorce when that was the last thing he wanted. But, he was tired of trying, because it takes two in a marriage. The next day Tori asks Sara how the interviews went and she said they were fine. They tried to ask her about Sean but, she deflected. The next day his boss tells Sara that they are going to do another interview with her and dig a little deeper. She tells him what she gave him already was fine. His boss took Tori in another room and asked if she wanted her husband to still have his job and be able to work anywhere again. She was pissed that he was going this to Sean, and he told her if she didn't get the rest of her family on board he would lose his job, and she had figured out that he supported his parents and he really needed this job.
Sean found out what was going on and he was pissed. He went into his apartment and raised the window, he overheard his boss doing some sketchy things. He texted his Kyle to come over ASAP and to make sure the production company left that the show was cancelled. He sent Tori a text telling her to watch Alex's room and her dad's office until all of the production crew was done. That the show was cancelled and he was sorry for everything. He confronted his boss and told him to get the hell out of there and to tell the family that the show was going the way he wanted or he would call the police for what they were doing. Then he left.
His boss tried to make it out that Sean was the bad guy but no one was believing that. They knew Sean and they knew he boss was an ass. After they left, Tori finally broke down. She knew her marriage was over and it was all her fault. She pushed too much.
Now, I am not going to tell you about the ending, I want you to read that for yourself. But, I must say this book even though Tori pissed me off it is a good read.
Thanks for reading my review.
Until Next Time: Happy Reading.
Tori and Sean meet on New Year's and had an instant connection. Even though they lived in different towns and had very demanding job, they made it work. They had a quick relationship and fell in love just as quick. They decided to go to Vegas and he proposed to her. They got married and had an amazing night. But everything changed the next morning when she got a phone call that changed her world. And the missed call on her phone made it even worse.
Sean tried to be supportive of her and wanted to be with her to help her though with this troubling time. She kept pushing him away. He took a job in Europe for six months. When he came back he didn't know what he was going to do. She had sent him an email telling him she wanted a divorce. He does not want a divorce, but doesn't really know what he can do to . Then his boos comes to him and tells him he has a story he wants him to get. A reunion on the sextuplets. A where are they now show. He sees that as a perfect in to try to get his wife back.
Things don't go the way he wanted them to. She keeps pushing him away, and tries everything she can to get him to give her a divorce. He fights it because he really does love her and he wants to make his marriage work. Then one day she does something that he can not believe she would do, kiss another man right in front of him. He has had enough.
He is getting ready to leave when her sister Sara talks him into staying at least for a day. They do an intervention on Tori, getting her to tell them what is wrong. After she tells them her guilt, their mother tells them to leave her be and not bother her about Sean anymore. They talk her into taking a mental holiday up at their cabin. As Sean is about to leave the next morning Sara and Kyle come to say goodbye and tell him where Tori is, if he decided to go there instead of going back to LA.
He does go to the cabin and they have a magical few days. She agrees to do the show. They grew close during that time in the cabin and he made her remember all of the good ways they were together. But, when they get back and production starts, his boss tells them his real intent on the show. Sean had no idea this was what he was after. He talks to Tori and she thinks that he was just using the excuse of getting back with her to be able to produce the show the way his boss stated. He tells her that since she can't trust him he is going to give her what she wants. A divorce. She is shocked and doesn't really know if that is what she wants anymore, but he leaves.
When he gets back to the apartment above the garage he is super upset. He can't believe that he told Tori he wold give her a divorce when that was the last thing he wanted. But, he was tired of trying, because it takes two in a marriage. The next day Tori asks Sara how the interviews went and she said they were fine. They tried to ask her about Sean but, she deflected. The next day his boss tells Sara that they are going to do another interview with her and dig a little deeper. She tells him what she gave him already was fine. His boss took Tori in another room and asked if she wanted her husband to still have his job and be able to work anywhere again. She was pissed that he was going this to Sean, and he told her if she didn't get the rest of her family on board he would lose his job, and she had figured out that he supported his parents and he really needed this job.
Sean found out what was going on and he was pissed. He went into his apartment and raised the window, he overheard his boss doing some sketchy things. He texted his Kyle to come over ASAP and to make sure the production company left that the show was cancelled. He sent Tori a text telling her to watch Alex's room and her dad's office until all of the production crew was done. That the show was cancelled and he was sorry for everything. He confronted his boss and told him to get the hell out of there and to tell the family that the show was going the way he wanted or he would call the police for what they were doing. Then he left.
His boss tried to make it out that Sean was the bad guy but no one was believing that. They knew Sean and they knew he boss was an ass. After they left, Tori finally broke down. She knew her marriage was over and it was all her fault. She pushed too much.
Now, I am not going to tell you about the ending, I want you to read that for yourself. But, I must say this book even though Tori pissed me off it is a good read.
Thanks for reading my review.
Until Next Time: Happy Reading.
May 21, 2015
Tori Archer seems to have her stuff together. She has a great job, she is beautiful but humble, and she has a great family. Her brother's sudden suicide has hit her very hard, but she thinks if she can keep focused on work and the family's new venture called "The Alex", she can get through it.
Tori does not realize she has shut her feelings away and also shut out her loved ones. One person, in particular, feels her cold brush off. Her Husband Sean Hennessy. She married a man she barely knew and then her brother Alex dies the next day and Tori shut down. She never even told anyone she was married.
Sean is a television producer so his job takes him out of the country quite a bit. He has spent the last few months on the other side of the world. Trying to give Tori the space she wanted to heal. What he does not know is how he can win her back after she told him she wanted a divorce. His boss want to do a "where are they now" show about the Archers who had a short show about the kids being sextuplets. So Sean sees this as an opportunity to get back with his wife. He loves her and is very serious about the vows they took.
Tori is a hard woman to get close to these days. You can tell she is hurting but wants to try to keep herself together. Sean just wants his wife back and after meeting the Archers, he would love to be a part of this family. You can see that grief has hit them all in different ways and some of them are dealing with it, some are just shoving it in a box to deal with later.
Tori does nothing but push Sean away and pretty much everyone else. She blames herself for Alex's death just like they all did at one point or another. Her brothers and sisters try to help her, but it is Sean who can help her if she will let him! But she is convinced a divorce is the only way to move on and forget the pain of losing Alex. So she tries to make Sean want a divorce. This part is hilarious! Some of the things she does are so funny! It reminds me of "How to Lose a Guy in 10 days."
There were 6 kids born at once so, just like in the real world, some of them have medical issues, and I am so happy to see the author never glosses over these issues, but they are included in the story and make the characters who have these issues more human and real to me.
This story is a great continuation of the Ribbon Ridge family. The heartwrenching after effects of losing a loved one that is so close to you are evident here. The writing is superb! Having read all 3 books and the novella, I feel like I know these people and would love to hang out with them for a weekend! Everyone has flaws, but they are a genuine, loving family who only want what's best for everyone else. I simply can not wait for the next book!
*I received a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review*
Tori does not realize she has shut her feelings away and also shut out her loved ones. One person, in particular, feels her cold brush off. Her Husband Sean Hennessy. She married a man she barely knew and then her brother Alex dies the next day and Tori shut down. She never even told anyone she was married.
Sean is a television producer so his job takes him out of the country quite a bit. He has spent the last few months on the other side of the world. Trying to give Tori the space she wanted to heal. What he does not know is how he can win her back after she told him she wanted a divorce. His boss want to do a "where are they now" show about the Archers who had a short show about the kids being sextuplets. So Sean sees this as an opportunity to get back with his wife. He loves her and is very serious about the vows they took.
Tori is a hard woman to get close to these days. You can tell she is hurting but wants to try to keep herself together. Sean just wants his wife back and after meeting the Archers, he would love to be a part of this family. You can see that grief has hit them all in different ways and some of them are dealing with it, some are just shoving it in a box to deal with later.
Tori does nothing but push Sean away and pretty much everyone else. She blames herself for Alex's death just like they all did at one point or another. Her brothers and sisters try to help her, but it is Sean who can help her if she will let him! But she is convinced a divorce is the only way to move on and forget the pain of losing Alex. So she tries to make Sean want a divorce. This part is hilarious! Some of the things she does are so funny! It reminds me of "How to Lose a Guy in 10 days."
There were 6 kids born at once so, just like in the real world, some of them have medical issues, and I am so happy to see the author never glosses over these issues, but they are included in the story and make the characters who have these issues more human and real to me.
This story is a great continuation of the Ribbon Ridge family. The heartwrenching after effects of losing a loved one that is so close to you are evident here. The writing is superb! Having read all 3 books and the novella, I feel like I know these people and would love to hang out with them for a weekend! Everyone has flaws, but they are a genuine, loving family who only want what's best for everyone else. I simply can not wait for the next book!
*I received a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review*
June 10, 2015
When Love Happens is the third book in the Ribbon Ridge Series about the Archer Family of Ribbon Ridge, OR. As the first set of surviving sextuplets, the seven Archer children were featured on a popular television show. As adults, they are successful in their own right: owners of the local inn and brewery, world class chefs, event planners, etc. While there is certainly a lot of back story, this novel can be a standalone. The author does a beautiful job of catching new readers up to speed with out retelling Books 1 and 2.
This famous family was blindsided by Alex Archer's suicide. His parents and six surviving siblings struggle to make sense of this tragedy and continue with their own lives despite the overwhelming grief. When Love Happens is about Alex's sister Tori. After a brief whirlwind romance, she marries British TV producer Sean. The day after their Vegas wedding, she learns of Alex's death. Alex goes home to be with her family while Sean reluctantly goes to Europe for work. Their separation during this time of mourning puts a tremendous strain in their marriage, and in time Tori wants to act like it never happened. She wants a divorce ASAP, and Sean isn't having it.
He travels to Tori's home town for two reasons: to fight for their marriage and pitch a TV show that will save his career. Obviously Tori doubts his motives and does her best to convince Sean that their future died with her brother. He does his best to convince her otherwise.
I liked this "second chance" romance. I have not read the first two installments, so I was a bit overwhelmed with characters for the first few chapters... two parents, seven siblings, some of whom have sweethearts, friends, employees... but it is not hard to keep up once you get there. I liked hos the family rallied around Sean to help Tori understand that you cling to love when it is real, not run from it.
I also liked that the cast of characters are genuine. They each have strengths and flaws, realistic emotions and reactions, emotional, mental and physical troubles. My only *asterisk is the "Operation Divorce Me" campaign Tori conjurers up to drive Sean away. While his character was hard not to love, she lost some traction with me as a reader. I found her actions very unbecoming and it honestly made Tori my least favorite of the Archers. While I do appreciate not each character was all sunshine and roses, it was hard for me to root for her to get the guy.
Overall, however, I did like the book. Very original backdrop and authentic dialogue, emotions and actions of an extraordinary family coping with devastating circumstances. Seeing them each focus on a future while missing their brother is a wonderful illustration of individual perseverance and a family's love.
This famous family was blindsided by Alex Archer's suicide. His parents and six surviving siblings struggle to make sense of this tragedy and continue with their own lives despite the overwhelming grief. When Love Happens is about Alex's sister Tori. After a brief whirlwind romance, she marries British TV producer Sean. The day after their Vegas wedding, she learns of Alex's death. Alex goes home to be with her family while Sean reluctantly goes to Europe for work. Their separation during this time of mourning puts a tremendous strain in their marriage, and in time Tori wants to act like it never happened. She wants a divorce ASAP, and Sean isn't having it.
He travels to Tori's home town for two reasons: to fight for their marriage and pitch a TV show that will save his career. Obviously Tori doubts his motives and does her best to convince Sean that their future died with her brother. He does his best to convince her otherwise.
I liked this "second chance" romance. I have not read the first two installments, so I was a bit overwhelmed with characters for the first few chapters... two parents, seven siblings, some of whom have sweethearts, friends, employees... but it is not hard to keep up once you get there. I liked hos the family rallied around Sean to help Tori understand that you cling to love when it is real, not run from it.
I also liked that the cast of characters are genuine. They each have strengths and flaws, realistic emotions and reactions, emotional, mental and physical troubles. My only *asterisk is the "Operation Divorce Me" campaign Tori conjurers up to drive Sean away. While his character was hard not to love, she lost some traction with me as a reader. I found her actions very unbecoming and it honestly made Tori my least favorite of the Archers. While I do appreciate not each character was all sunshine and roses, it was hard for me to root for her to get the guy.
Overall, however, I did like the book. Very original backdrop and authentic dialogue, emotions and actions of an extraordinary family coping with devastating circumstances. Seeing them each focus on a future while missing their brother is a wonderful illustration of individual perseverance and a family's love.
August 20, 2015
Originally posted at http://kimheniadis.com
If you’ve read any of my past reviews on Darcy Burke’s Ribbon Ridge series, then you know I’ve really enjoyed the books. And while I like this one, it had the one thing in romance novels that really drives me bonkers. The “I love you but we can’t be together/ but we should be together/but we can’t be together” plot. And it wasn’t with just the main female character, Tori Archer, but with her love interest/husband, Sean Hennessay.
There was a bit of that in the previous books, but in this one it was more blatant. With the other books the reason why they kept feeling this way had to do with how their family would feel about their relationships. But in this case it was all because of Tori and Sean, since the Archer family really wants for them to be together.
Tori tries to use tactics like those found in the movie, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. She acts very rude to Sean, and even childish at points. Tori knows what she is doing is horrible, but does it anyway. I liked that Burke had Sean catch on right away, and instead of getting indignant, he went along with her ploy, being a gentleman the entire time.
The side stories were great though. We get to see how the various Archer kid’s relationships from the previous books are progressing. They are all very much in love, and this is wonderful to read.
Although this series is about the Archer children, Burke focuses a bit more on the parents in this book. A scenario comes up where they can not get some licensing for one of the projects because Emily’s, the Archer’s matriarch , ex boyfriend is protesting. This brings out the alpha male in the dad, and he realizes that there are other men who did and do find his wife desirable. So it’s time for him to start doing what he needs to do to come to terms with his son’s suicide and get his wife back.
I am very interested to see how this storyline progresses in the future books.
I gave this book three stars, only because the drama of wanting/not wanting each other, was such a large part of the book. Burke’s writing is still wonderful, and I very much enjoyed reading about each character’s continuing story line. And as I’ve mentioned in my reviews for the previous books in the Ribbon Ridge series, I really enjoy how Burke writes about real life issues, such as suicide and Asperger’s syndrome, since this may help some people open up or feel more comfortable about their own situations.
If you’ve read any of my past reviews on Darcy Burke’s Ribbon Ridge series, then you know I’ve really enjoyed the books. And while I like this one, it had the one thing in romance novels that really drives me bonkers. The “I love you but we can’t be together/ but we should be together/but we can’t be together” plot. And it wasn’t with just the main female character, Tori Archer, but with her love interest/husband, Sean Hennessay.
There was a bit of that in the previous books, but in this one it was more blatant. With the other books the reason why they kept feeling this way had to do with how their family would feel about their relationships. But in this case it was all because of Tori and Sean, since the Archer family really wants for them to be together.
Tori tries to use tactics like those found in the movie, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. She acts very rude to Sean, and even childish at points. Tori knows what she is doing is horrible, but does it anyway. I liked that Burke had Sean catch on right away, and instead of getting indignant, he went along with her ploy, being a gentleman the entire time.
The side stories were great though. We get to see how the various Archer kid’s relationships from the previous books are progressing. They are all very much in love, and this is wonderful to read.
Although this series is about the Archer children, Burke focuses a bit more on the parents in this book. A scenario comes up where they can not get some licensing for one of the projects because Emily’s, the Archer’s matriarch , ex boyfriend is protesting. This brings out the alpha male in the dad, and he realizes that there are other men who did and do find his wife desirable. So it’s time for him to start doing what he needs to do to come to terms with his son’s suicide and get his wife back.
I am very interested to see how this storyline progresses in the future books.
I gave this book three stars, only because the drama of wanting/not wanting each other, was such a large part of the book. Burke’s writing is still wonderful, and I very much enjoyed reading about each character’s continuing story line. And as I’ve mentioned in my reviews for the previous books in the Ribbon Ridge series, I really enjoy how Burke writes about real life issues, such as suicide and Asperger’s syndrome, since this may help some people open up or feel more comfortable about their own situations.
July 23, 2015
Tori Archer is a member of the famed Archer Sextuplets family, and is quite use to always being in the spotlight, which makes it quite surprising she's managed to keep her little secret a secret this long. After meeting English television producer Sean Hennessy, and dating for only five weeks, they decide to throw caution to the wind and get married in Vegas. The next day Tori finds out about her brothers death and is devastated, she retreats to Ribbon Ridge to be with her family and leaves her new husband confused and alone.
After six months of being back in Ribbon Ridge Tori still hasn't gotten the courage to tell her family about her new husband, but that is all about to change when he shows up on their doorstep. Sean has been sent to Ribbon Ridge by his boss to try and convince the Archer Family to do a televised reunion special. The last person Tori expects to see in their little town is Sean, and now that he is here she has come to the realization that she must tell her family about him. Sean is on a mission to reclaim his wife's love and affection, but she isn't quite ready to let him back into her heart or her life...
I always enjoy my visits to Ribbon Ridge, because I know I am in for a real literary treat. Ms. Burke has found a way to not only focus each new installment in the series around one of the Archer children but also continues to update readers on the other characters in the series, and blend it all together seamlessly without interrupting the flow of the story. While I think these books could be read as stand alone titles, I also think that after you read one you'll be dying to get your hands on the other installments in the series! I have truly enjoyed reading each new installment in the series, and cannot wait to see what Ms. Burke has in store for this family next.
I highly recommend you add this series to your reading list, they are all very satisfying reads that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warmed heart!
After six months of being back in Ribbon Ridge Tori still hasn't gotten the courage to tell her family about her new husband, but that is all about to change when he shows up on their doorstep. Sean has been sent to Ribbon Ridge by his boss to try and convince the Archer Family to do a televised reunion special. The last person Tori expects to see in their little town is Sean, and now that he is here she has come to the realization that she must tell her family about him. Sean is on a mission to reclaim his wife's love and affection, but she isn't quite ready to let him back into her heart or her life...
I always enjoy my visits to Ribbon Ridge, because I know I am in for a real literary treat. Ms. Burke has found a way to not only focus each new installment in the series around one of the Archer children but also continues to update readers on the other characters in the series, and blend it all together seamlessly without interrupting the flow of the story. While I think these books could be read as stand alone titles, I also think that after you read one you'll be dying to get your hands on the other installments in the series! I have truly enjoyed reading each new installment in the series, and cannot wait to see what Ms. Burke has in store for this family next.
I highly recommend you add this series to your reading list, they are all very satisfying reads that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warmed heart!
June 16, 2015
This was the first book I have read of the series, and I fell in love with the Archer family. The unique bond they have, the love and support they give to each other, and how they call on any stupidity and apathy from each other. The family is in despair, one of their own, Alex, had killed himself. I think the suicide aspect was dealt well in the book. The different ways the family members dealt with the pain, loss and sorrow was evident.
Tori didn't deal with the loss of her brother that well. She withdrew from feeling anything, submerged in her work. Mostly, she wanted to forget she ever married Sean, planning on asking for divorce, without even trying to make their relationship to work. She was acting out, and even used other people to gain her goal. She is very unlikable through most of the story. She realizes this herself, but still continues to be rather self centered, spoiled and rude. She does come through at the end, but it seemed a bit over the top after her previous behavior.
Sean is so solid, he is loyal, kind, understanding, and has more patience than anyone should. He supports his parents financially to give them a better life, he works in an uncomfortable and difficult environment under horrid leadership. But he makes the best of it all. And he loves Tori, would be there for her if she allowed it.
The chemistry between them was there, but there was lots of uncertainty, doubt, and angst around it, making it rather realistic, and real.
Overall, I felt the story was heartbreaking, the mourning of Alex, and the consequences his death had on the family members was sad. The journey towards healing wasn't easy, especially to Tori and her parents. I liked how the family pulls together, even tighter at the end, and how open armed they accept Sean. Sean with his stellar personality was the star of the story.
~ Three Spoons
Tori didn't deal with the loss of her brother that well. She withdrew from feeling anything, submerged in her work. Mostly, she wanted to forget she ever married Sean, planning on asking for divorce, without even trying to make their relationship to work. She was acting out, and even used other people to gain her goal. She is very unlikable through most of the story. She realizes this herself, but still continues to be rather self centered, spoiled and rude. She does come through at the end, but it seemed a bit over the top after her previous behavior.
Sean is so solid, he is loyal, kind, understanding, and has more patience than anyone should. He supports his parents financially to give them a better life, he works in an uncomfortable and difficult environment under horrid leadership. But he makes the best of it all. And he loves Tori, would be there for her if she allowed it.
The chemistry between them was there, but there was lots of uncertainty, doubt, and angst around it, making it rather realistic, and real.
Overall, I felt the story was heartbreaking, the mourning of Alex, and the consequences his death had on the family members was sad. The journey towards healing wasn't easy, especially to Tori and her parents. I liked how the family pulls together, even tighter at the end, and how open armed they accept Sean. Sean with his stellar personality was the star of the story.
~ Three Spoons
June 11, 2015
Tori and Sean had chemistry that nearly short-circuited my eReader! That chemistry had the two in a whirlwind romance culminating with a quickie wedding in Las Vegas. But, the tragic death of her brother has Tori running from her marriage and new husband as she wallows in guilt and regret.
Sean had to return to Europe for a work commitment that keeps him away from Tori, but he’s not willing to give up on their marriage. When the opportunity to produce a reality show that involves Tori and the rest of the Archers is too good to pass up, he grabs the chance with both hands. But, Tori is planning a divorce, and hasn’t told her family about her husband.
I found Tori difficult to like, even in her grief. But Sean was fabulous: honestly caring and willing to go to great lengths to get Tori to see just how wonderful their relationship could be. While their chemistry is off the chain, there is so much more depth to Sean’s desire for her, and his willingness to push, prod and poke at Tori to see what is right in front of her eyes.
Wonderful storytelling, solid characters and several secondary characters that add depth and background to the story kept me engaged and amused. With interactions ranging from steamy to sentimental and every variation in between, readers can’t help but read on and want to know more. Working well as a standalone story, I’m now needing to read the earlier books in the series as I anxiously await the next.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for my review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Sean had to return to Europe for a work commitment that keeps him away from Tori, but he’s not willing to give up on their marriage. When the opportunity to produce a reality show that involves Tori and the rest of the Archers is too good to pass up, he grabs the chance with both hands. But, Tori is planning a divorce, and hasn’t told her family about her husband.
I found Tori difficult to like, even in her grief. But Sean was fabulous: honestly caring and willing to go to great lengths to get Tori to see just how wonderful their relationship could be. While their chemistry is off the chain, there is so much more depth to Sean’s desire for her, and his willingness to push, prod and poke at Tori to see what is right in front of her eyes.
Wonderful storytelling, solid characters and several secondary characters that add depth and background to the story kept me engaged and amused. With interactions ranging from steamy to sentimental and every variation in between, readers can’t help but read on and want to know more. Working well as a standalone story, I’m now needing to read the earlier books in the series as I anxiously await the next.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for my review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
June 10, 2015
*I was provided this book by the publisher for an honest review.
When Love Happens is the 3rd book in the Ribbon Ridge Contemporary Romance Series by Darcy Burke and was told that it doesn't need to be read in order. It is a standalone series with steam potential!! And it is STEAMY!!
This is one of those series that focus on one person of the family in each of novel and this one focuses on Tori ARCHER who married Sean impulsively and then were separated due to a family issue and because of his job. The tragedy that happens to the Archer family builds walls around Tori and marks the impromptu wedding, and the travel that Sean takes for his job only builds longing for him.
The novel is about the typical girl pushing the perfect guy away for the wrong reasons, but this time she just can’t comprehend her reasons. Or can she? He needs to help her and she needs him too but they just need to communicate. Tori can be annoying but the family dynamic is so strong and the sadness (I don't want to say because I don't want to spoil it for those who read in the middle of the series like I do) that surrounds her is understandable.
The story is poignant and at times funny and light. It’s a good read and the characters are like-able. I would recommend this book for lovers of romance and have added the previous books to my to be read pile!! 4 STARS!!
This is the first book I have read from Darcy Burke and I did enjoy it. I tip my Nerd Girl hat to her.
*This review was done in conjunction with NerdGirlOfficial.com
When Love Happens is the 3rd book in the Ribbon Ridge Contemporary Romance Series by Darcy Burke and was told that it doesn't need to be read in order. It is a standalone series with steam potential!! And it is STEAMY!!
This is one of those series that focus on one person of the family in each of novel and this one focuses on Tori ARCHER who married Sean impulsively and then were separated due to a family issue and because of his job. The tragedy that happens to the Archer family builds walls around Tori and marks the impromptu wedding, and the travel that Sean takes for his job only builds longing for him.
The novel is about the typical girl pushing the perfect guy away for the wrong reasons, but this time she just can’t comprehend her reasons. Or can she? He needs to help her and she needs him too but they just need to communicate. Tori can be annoying but the family dynamic is so strong and the sadness (I don't want to say because I don't want to spoil it for those who read in the middle of the series like I do) that surrounds her is understandable.
The story is poignant and at times funny and light. It’s a good read and the characters are like-able. I would recommend this book for lovers of romance and have added the previous books to my to be read pile!! 4 STARS!!
This is the first book I have read from Darcy Burke and I did enjoy it. I tip my Nerd Girl hat to her.
*This review was done in conjunction with NerdGirlOfficial.com
January 1, 2016
Tori is not a warm and fuzzy heroine, let's be clear. Yes, she and her family have suffered a tragedy. Wait, that's not a spoiler! You can read this book without reading the previous two full length books, plus a novella...but to get the full effect, read them in order.
Okay, back to Tori. She's a shadow of her former self. She's hiding out in her home town and her parent's house. And she's married...for almost a year now...but no one knows. Just her "husband", Sean and her. Oh, and Sean's in town to try to get her back plus get Tori and her siblings to revive their former reality series.
Sean wants his wife back, but can't seem to make any headway. He also needs to get the family to agree to the show. The family accepts him right away, much to Tori's dismay. He's much more likeable than Tori, frankly. But even he's a little wishy-washy about what he wants.
It was great to see the other Archers outside of their own stories...they add another layer to Sean and Tori's relationship. I look forward to see them again, as well as the Archers who were missing this time around. I came to understand Tori more by the end of the book. I can't say I fell in love with her...the rating reflects that...but she became more sympathetic. Maybe we'll see a different side of Tori in her brother's books.
While I didn't love Tori, this series, this family and the storyline are fresh, beautifully written and interesting enough to earn a 4 star review and two thumbs up from me.
Okay, back to Tori. She's a shadow of her former self. She's hiding out in her home town and her parent's house. And she's married...for almost a year now...but no one knows. Just her "husband", Sean and her. Oh, and Sean's in town to try to get her back plus get Tori and her siblings to revive their former reality series.
Sean wants his wife back, but can't seem to make any headway. He also needs to get the family to agree to the show. The family accepts him right away, much to Tori's dismay. He's much more likeable than Tori, frankly. But even he's a little wishy-washy about what he wants.
It was great to see the other Archers outside of their own stories...they add another layer to Sean and Tori's relationship. I look forward to see them again, as well as the Archers who were missing this time around. I came to understand Tori more by the end of the book. I can't say I fell in love with her...the rating reflects that...but she became more sympathetic. Maybe we'll see a different side of Tori in her brother's books.
While I didn't love Tori, this series, this family and the storyline are fresh, beautifully written and interesting enough to earn a 4 star review and two thumbs up from me.
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