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Lake Howling #2
The Texan Meets His Match
Hot. Rich. Annoying.
Helicopter pilot Ethan Gelderman V is a man who understands woman, both in and out of the bedroom. Annabelle ‘killer’ Smith seems to be the only lady who looks at him like he’s something she got stuck on her stiletto. Sexy, beautiful and colder than a glacier, she lives in the small town of Lake Howling alongside his best friend, and she has a lifetime supply of Texan repellent. But Ethan has one thing in his favor – persistence - and when he gets the chance to infiltrate her defenses he takes it, and to hell with the bite marks!
Annabelle Smith doesn’t take anyone’s BS. She’s tough and a survivor. Betrayed by her brother, she’s forced to put her trust in the man she calls the Texan Tomcat. Ethan is a smooth-talking womanizer: too rich, too hot, and too much of just about everything! The problem is she wants him and always has.
There is absolutely no way she she’s giving in to temptation.
Resistance is futile when they’re thrown together at a wedding, and the result leaves them wondering what the hell just happened. Raw, and vulnerable, Annabelle comes out fighting, but Ethan’s not completed years of combat training for nothing. He has the girl he wants and he’ll do what it takes to keep her.
If you enjoy your small town romance sizzling with a side of crazy, then Lake Howling is for you. Meet the real authority in town (the local book club) and remember to stick your nose in everyone’s business! Swim in the ice cold lake, then warm up with a coffee and mystery muffin at The Hoot Café. Plenty of feels and LOL’s, all wrapped up in a town that will have you packing your bags to head there from the opening page.
BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
A Promise Of Home
The Texan Meets His Match
How Sweet It Is
It Only Took You
Don't Look Back
A Long Way Home
Then Came You
233 pages, ebook
First published May 28, 2015
820 people are currently reading
589 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Vella
96 books829 followersWendy Vella is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of historical romances filled with mystery, intrigue, unconventional heroines, and dashing heroes.
Connect with Wendy in her Facebook reader group facebook.com/groups/wendyvellareaders or sign up for her reader newsletter at WendyVella.com to get goodies, exclusive excerpts and behind-the-scenes peeks.
Wendy also writes small town contemporary romances under the name Lani Blake.
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February 13, 2025
The Texan Meets His Match
2.5✨
2.5✨
September 26, 2018
So, the guy’s known her for 2 years, lusted after her for the past 6 months and then suddenly decides to make a move and kisses her, and then again... and again? As if this was a normal occurrence?
Someone needs to edit this book. It’s so bad, there are countless typos, grammatical errors, words are missing, verbs are not conjugated properly... and I won’t get into the writing itself!
I didn’t connect to either character and in fact didn’t particularly like them that much. I got sick of the constant name calling - I mean, literally: the MCs keep repeating their names over and over again and it gets tiring (“Annabelle this” and “Annabelle that” and “Ethan this” and “Ethan that”). The never ending references to Ethan’s money is annoying, too (with this type of sentences: “You all know I’m rich...”). *rolling my eyes*
And here:
“I have ten million invested.”
Closing her eyes, she slumped forward onto his chest. “I can’t even write that amount on paper. I wouldn’t know how many zeros to use.”
“Nine of them,” he said, slipping a hand under her hair and cupping the back of her neck.”
Oh yikes. No. Just no. 9 zeros would make 1 billion, not 10 millions. 10M is 7 zeros. Jeez!
So I’m breaking my rule here. I usually give 2 stars to books I didn’t like but finished anyway. I’m giving this one 1 star even though I finished it because frankly, it needs work.
Someone needs to edit this book. It’s so bad, there are countless typos, grammatical errors, words are missing, verbs are not conjugated properly... and I won’t get into the writing itself!
I didn’t connect to either character and in fact didn’t particularly like them that much. I got sick of the constant name calling - I mean, literally: the MCs keep repeating their names over and over again and it gets tiring (“Annabelle this” and “Annabelle that” and “Ethan this” and “Ethan that”). The never ending references to Ethan’s money is annoying, too (with this type of sentences: “You all know I’m rich...”). *rolling my eyes*
And here:
“I have ten million invested.”
Closing her eyes, she slumped forward onto his chest. “I can’t even write that amount on paper. I wouldn’t know how many zeros to use.”
“Nine of them,” he said, slipping a hand under her hair and cupping the back of her neck.”
Oh yikes. No. Just no. 9 zeros would make 1 billion, not 10 millions. 10M is 7 zeros. Jeez!
So I’m breaking my rule here. I usually give 2 stars to books I didn’t like but finished anyway. I’m giving this one 1 star even though I finished it because frankly, it needs work.
July 22, 2020
I'm sorry, but this promising premise turned into an angry read. 1 star.
Ethan (H) and Annabelle (h) can't quite stand each other, but their best friends are getting married. The two of them, however, tend to snip at each other instead of acting on the underlying attraction. Things start to change, however, when Ethan spots "the Amazon" in a vulnerable moment - twice! Surrounded by family dramas on both sides, they start to see more layers in the other than they had previously though possible. Where will things go from here?
I liked the premise. I enjoy enemies-to-lovers as a trope - typically lots of fun banter and getting-to-know-the-real-you moments. And while Ethan's family drama was pretty stereotypical (icy, controlling rich family), Annabelle's was a bit more unique. However, this just didn't live up to the potential.
Ethan was OK. He had his manwhorish past, but it wasn't too much of an issue here. And thankfully, no OW drama (often an issue in these reformed bad boy/playboy type stories). My biggest problem with him was what had flipped his switch with Annabelle. They'd known each other for years, been attracted to each other for that entire time, but all of a sudden, he's all in, the guy who refused to even consider monogamy previously? Maybe it's how I felt about Annabelle, too, which made it hard to follow that change.
Because, yeah, frankly, I hated Annabelle. So, so, soooo many reasons. She was a horrible mix of intense guilt, nosiness, and hypersensitive pride, all balanced with a pretty sizable chip on her shoulder. She might have been more likable in the previous book, as the best friend character, but here, I never really got enough good characteristics to balance out the rough ones. You want examples, you say? Here goes:
* She strong-armed Ethan into attending the wedding. She knows nothing about the family dynamics, and Ethan is obviously reluctant and doesn't want to talk about it, but she pushes it as if her own opinion is the only one that matters. FYI, Annabelle - not all family events are happy reunions, and not all wedding invitations are genuine. "Obligation invitations" are a real thing, the ones you send because someone will be offended if they don't get one but no one expects them to actually come. It's an alternative to sending wedding announcements. Yes, family politics are present even in "regular" non-billionaire families.
* But when the tables are flipped and she's being asked about her own family business? She's evasive and defensive and bordering on antagonistic. No matter who asks.
* In general, I get that she's coming from a hard background and hates being pitied. But she takes it to the point of never accepting rational help either. Ethan buys the car for a fair used car price, but she wants to pay him back. This is just weird! He gets the car and she gets money - how on earth is that any different from a regular sale, from if she'd sold it directly to the doorman? It's not like he paid her absurdly above market value!
* But let's not forget her TSTL moments in Vegas. She's freaking out, so stressed she can barely function, but doesn't want him to come in with her, or listen to any of his directions? Umm... he's a trained soldier who's been in combat. You're a small town nurse. Who's really the one who's totally unprepared for this?
* My biggest frustration, though, was her complete and utter enabling of Cooper. She pays his debts, but never takes it out on him, never holds him accountable. She actually gets angry at Ethan when Ethan does point out that it's Cooper's debt. Even the $25K at the beginning. I'm sorry, if someone stole nearly a year's salary from me - even if it was family - I'd be filing a police report. She's making herself sick with guilt for ridiculous reasons. 'If only she'd answered his calls'? It's been about a week and a half since he stole her $25K, so that's how long she's been avoiding his calls. And he did aaaaaaaaaall that damage, formed a heroin habit and ran up aaaaaaaaaaaall that debt, in a week and a half? He'd've stayed clean if she'd answered the phone when he first took the money? I call a big steaming load of BS. But she buys it and drags us through all her angsty wallowing with her.
Speaking of her argument with Ethan. She consciously recognized that she wasn't being rational, that she was lashing out. But then she's yelling at him "I was being rational!" No, hon, you weren't. You are exhausted and emotionally invested and emotionally drained. Nothing about that combination says rational. But to be arguing that she was while she consciously knows she wasn't? Extra unlikable, extra unsympathetic.
Thinking of that fight, and whether or not Ethan should feel guilty about "abandoning" Brad, the fact remains that Brad was indeed a "straight A" asshole. Like Cooper, at some point he has to take responsibility for his own decisions, his own actions! I mean, c'mon - Brad was groping Annabelle at the wedding and (along with EG) called her both a slut and a money-grubbing whore. But Ethan's all about the olive branch without worrying that Brad should apologize first? I guess Ethan's self-inflicted guilt matches Annabelle's in terms of rational sense and enabling.
The conversations with the friends were a little weird. I get that the friendly teasing in town amongst the friends was to contrast with the back-handed compliments that Ethan gets at home. But it felt like they were always negative with each other. Well, that or prying into each other's lives (and yet being defensively private about their own lives). And the nicknames. Everyone seemed to have a bunch of nicknames which they used interchangeably. Ethan was called Gelderman the Fifth, Number 5, Tex, Texas, the Texan, Gelderman, even occasionally Ethan. Usually when someone has a nickname, don't their friends kinda stick to it? Or at least within settings/by particular people? Say, if Buster always called him one thing and Newman another that'd be realistic, but they'd each stick to a particular nickname. Maybe that's just my personal experience with nicknames, but it just felt weird and forced - too much somehow - like the author was using it to show 'oh how close' these people are.
Thinking more on the teasing amongst the friends... I didn't get the football rivalry thing. Packers and Longhorns are two completely different leagues - NFL and NCAA. Yes, both sets of fans are rabid, but it's not a rivalry - they'll never play each other. Heck, they don't even play on the same day! Players from Texas might even be signed by the Packers. If Ethan was a Cowboys fan, it would make a lot more sense. Just didn't ring true to me.
Another weird thing. EG never mentioned Ethan's service because he was peeved that Ethan went his own way. OK, I kinda get that. But in TX, military service is a big plus - very red state and home to a bunch of military bases, multiple branches. It would be a good PR move on EG's part to talk up his son's service, yet he didn't. He'd rather them think that Ethan was just 'tripping around the world'? For someone so manipulative, that seemed a missed opportunity.
Yet another weird scene - at the sister's wedding reception, Ethan forces the conversation - while they are still in public at the reception, not even in private, but near the main dance floor - about Annabelle's brother. Something very emotional and personal and private, leading Annabelle to be "howling like a baby" in Ethan's lap. He thinks this is ok?? She never says "not the time or place"??? And no one says ANYTHING about the crazy emotional breakdown going on by the dance floor?????
The pacing overall was weird. The wedding was about halfway through, then they're picking up Cooper in Vegas. And then this weird, angsty, drawn-out, and frankly rather boring several chapters (nursing someone coming off heroin - whee fun!), leading up to the final showdown in the last real chapter (Chapter 20 was basically an epilogue). It just felt like actual plot stopped for a handful of chapters so Annabelle could have a guilt and exhaustion induced emotional breakdown.
Continuity issue (and a minor spoiler).
Some minor typos and editing issues. Enough to be noticeable, but not the worst I've read. Most of the highlights in my Kindle were angry exclamations at the characters, rather than highlighting the 80,000,000th your/you're mix-up like it might be in another book.
Alternating 3rd person POV. No cheating, no OW/OM drama (surprising with Ethan's oft-mentioned Tomcat past), and no love triangle nonsense. Just a horrible, weak, guilt-driven h acting erratically and unsympathetically. Weird minor plot points and forced major plot points. While the group of friends as a whole might be an interesting bunch, I struggled to get through Annabelle's drama and wallowing. At least they had an HEA and no cliffhanger.
Would I read more in this series? I have book 1 as well (both this one and 1 have been free on Kindle). I'll give that one a chance too, and then decide if I want to write off Lake Howling. It could be just a horrible character that killed this one for me.
Ethan (H) and Annabelle (h) can't quite stand each other, but their best friends are getting married. The two of them, however, tend to snip at each other instead of acting on the underlying attraction. Things start to change, however, when Ethan spots "the Amazon" in a vulnerable moment - twice! Surrounded by family dramas on both sides, they start to see more layers in the other than they had previously though possible. Where will things go from here?
I liked the premise. I enjoy enemies-to-lovers as a trope - typically lots of fun banter and getting-to-know-the-real-you moments. And while Ethan's family drama was pretty stereotypical (icy, controlling rich family), Annabelle's was a bit more unique. However, this just didn't live up to the potential.
Ethan was OK. He had his manwhorish past, but it wasn't too much of an issue here. And thankfully, no OW drama (often an issue in these reformed bad boy/playboy type stories). My biggest problem with him was what had flipped his switch with Annabelle. They'd known each other for years, been attracted to each other for that entire time, but all of a sudden, he's all in, the guy who refused to even consider monogamy previously? Maybe it's how I felt about Annabelle, too, which made it hard to follow that change.
Because, yeah, frankly, I hated Annabelle. So, so, soooo many reasons. She was a horrible mix of intense guilt, nosiness, and hypersensitive pride, all balanced with a pretty sizable chip on her shoulder. She might have been more likable in the previous book, as the best friend character, but here, I never really got enough good characteristics to balance out the rough ones. You want examples, you say? Here goes:
* She strong-armed Ethan into attending the wedding. She knows nothing about the family dynamics, and Ethan is obviously reluctant and doesn't want to talk about it, but she pushes it as if her own opinion is the only one that matters. FYI, Annabelle - not all family events are happy reunions, and not all wedding invitations are genuine. "Obligation invitations" are a real thing, the ones you send because someone will be offended if they don't get one but no one expects them to actually come. It's an alternative to sending wedding announcements. Yes, family politics are present even in "regular" non-billionaire families.
* But when the tables are flipped and she's being asked about her own family business? She's evasive and defensive and bordering on antagonistic. No matter who asks.
* In general, I get that she's coming from a hard background and hates being pitied. But she takes it to the point of never accepting rational help either. Ethan buys the car for a fair used car price, but she wants to pay him back. This is just weird! He gets the car and she gets money - how on earth is that any different from a regular sale, from if she'd sold it directly to the doorman? It's not like he paid her absurdly above market value!
* But let's not forget her TSTL moments in Vegas. She's freaking out, so stressed she can barely function, but doesn't want him to come in with her, or listen to any of his directions? Umm... he's a trained soldier who's been in combat. You're a small town nurse. Who's really the one who's totally unprepared for this?
* My biggest frustration, though, was her complete and utter enabling of Cooper. She pays his debts, but never takes it out on him, never holds him accountable. She actually gets angry at Ethan when Ethan does point out that it's Cooper's debt. Even the $25K at the beginning. I'm sorry, if someone stole nearly a year's salary from me - even if it was family - I'd be filing a police report. She's making herself sick with guilt for ridiculous reasons. 'If only she'd answered his calls'? It's been about a week and a half since he stole her $25K, so that's how long she's been avoiding his calls. And he did aaaaaaaaaall that damage, formed a heroin habit and ran up aaaaaaaaaaaall that debt, in a week and a half? He'd've stayed clean if she'd answered the phone when he first took the money? I call a big steaming load of BS. But she buys it and drags us through all her angsty wallowing with her.
Speaking of her argument with Ethan. She consciously recognized that she wasn't being rational, that she was lashing out. But then she's yelling at him "I was being rational!" No, hon, you weren't. You are exhausted and emotionally invested and emotionally drained. Nothing about that combination says rational. But to be arguing that she was while she consciously knows she wasn't? Extra unlikable, extra unsympathetic.
Thinking of that fight, and whether or not Ethan should feel guilty about "abandoning" Brad, the fact remains that Brad was indeed a "straight A" asshole. Like Cooper, at some point he has to take responsibility for his own decisions, his own actions! I mean, c'mon - Brad was groping Annabelle at the wedding and (along with EG) called her both a slut and a money-grubbing whore. But Ethan's all about the olive branch without worrying that Brad should apologize first? I guess Ethan's self-inflicted guilt matches Annabelle's in terms of rational sense and enabling.
The conversations with the friends were a little weird. I get that the friendly teasing in town amongst the friends was to contrast with the back-handed compliments that Ethan gets at home. But it felt like they were always negative with each other. Well, that or prying into each other's lives (and yet being defensively private about their own lives). And the nicknames. Everyone seemed to have a bunch of nicknames which they used interchangeably. Ethan was called Gelderman the Fifth, Number 5, Tex, Texas, the Texan, Gelderman, even occasionally Ethan. Usually when someone has a nickname, don't their friends kinda stick to it? Or at least within settings/by particular people? Say, if Buster always called him one thing and Newman another that'd be realistic, but they'd each stick to a particular nickname. Maybe that's just my personal experience with nicknames, but it just felt weird and forced - too much somehow - like the author was using it to show 'oh how close' these people are.
Thinking more on the teasing amongst the friends... I didn't get the football rivalry thing. Packers and Longhorns are two completely different leagues - NFL and NCAA. Yes, both sets of fans are rabid, but it's not a rivalry - they'll never play each other. Heck, they don't even play on the same day! Players from Texas might even be signed by the Packers. If Ethan was a Cowboys fan, it would make a lot more sense. Just didn't ring true to me.
Another weird thing. EG never mentioned Ethan's service because he was peeved that Ethan went his own way. OK, I kinda get that. But in TX, military service is a big plus - very red state and home to a bunch of military bases, multiple branches. It would be a good PR move on EG's part to talk up his son's service, yet he didn't. He'd rather them think that Ethan was just 'tripping around the world'? For someone so manipulative, that seemed a missed opportunity.
Yet another weird scene - at the sister's wedding reception, Ethan forces the conversation - while they are still in public at the reception, not even in private, but near the main dance floor - about Annabelle's brother. Something very emotional and personal and private, leading Annabelle to be "howling like a baby" in Ethan's lap. He thinks this is ok?? She never says "not the time or place"??? And no one says ANYTHING about the crazy emotional breakdown going on by the dance floor?????
The pacing overall was weird. The wedding was about halfway through, then they're picking up Cooper in Vegas. And then this weird, angsty, drawn-out, and frankly rather boring several chapters (nursing someone coming off heroin - whee fun!), leading up to the final showdown in the last real chapter (Chapter 20 was basically an epilogue). It just felt like actual plot stopped for a handful of chapters so Annabelle could have a guilt and exhaustion induced emotional breakdown.
Continuity issue (and a minor spoiler).
Some minor typos and editing issues. Enough to be noticeable, but not the worst I've read. Most of the highlights in my Kindle were angry exclamations at the characters, rather than highlighting the 80,000,000th your/you're mix-up like it might be in another book.
Alternating 3rd person POV. No cheating, no OW/OM drama (surprising with Ethan's oft-mentioned Tomcat past), and no love triangle nonsense. Just a horrible, weak, guilt-driven h acting erratically and unsympathetically. Weird minor plot points and forced major plot points. While the group of friends as a whole might be an interesting bunch, I struggled to get through Annabelle's drama and wallowing. At least they had an HEA and no cliffhanger.
Would I read more in this series? I have book 1 as well (both this one and 1 have been free on Kindle). I'll give that one a chance too, and then decide if I want to write off Lake Howling. It could be just a horrible character that killed this one for me.
October 6, 2021
This was another pair that have gone out of their way to prove that hate and love aren’t opposite sides of the coin. There were so many sparks between Ethan and Annabelle – and not all of them the good kind. Ethan I could understand; he fits a pattern that I could recognize. For the most part, it was easy for me to love him. Annabelle left me wanting to tear my hair out by the roots. A lot of that could be how much of my own bad behavior I could recognize in hers. Stubbornly proud, she’s independent to a fault, and won’t take ANY help that’s offered to her without a whole lot of fuss and bother. She heaps guilt onto herself that’s not hers to own and she puts so much effort into enabling her brother. Even after all of that, I enjoyed the book. I loved seeing Jake and Branna’s wedding at the end of it. But, Annabelle was a lot to take.
December 31, 2015
First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
“Assumed” is probably one of the most misused actions a human mind can take. Annabelle assumed she knew all about what type of man Ethan was. Rich, privileged, snotty and a true player. In reality she couldn’t have been more wrong except about one thing – he was sinfully rich. But not the wealth that comes handed down, the kind that a man works for, earns for himself and enjoys because it’s his. Yes, his family has money but also a tyrant of a father who is a nasty piece of work and Ethan got out as soon as he could. He became his own man, made his own money his way and except for the occasional necessary visits home tried his best to forget his father even existed.
Annabelle’s brother is a drug addict, a gambler and an IT genius – he’s hacked into her bank accounts and wiped them clean of 25 thousand dollars. Shortly after making this discovery Ethan overhears Annabelle’s phone conversation with her brother or at least parts of it that give him the knowledge that she’s in trouble. Her snap, on the spot decision to sell her car tells Ethan just how desperate she is for cash. He offers to go sell it for her, being a guy he’ll get a better price and because she is so distracted she agrees. Another tip off since Annabelle would argue that the sky is pink if it meant getting in Ethan’s face about something. Instead of selling the car, Ethan begins to show his true colors as he brings her back his own money without telling her. Annabelle will refuse from this point onwards to even pickup a call or acknowledge a message from her brother, Cooper.
A few days later, in an attempt to get back to their he flirts, she sarcastically cuts him down relationship, Annabelle discovers an invitation to his sister’s wedding and discovers that he has no intention of returning home for that event. Annabelle is at her bullying best to get answers out of Ethan as to why he won’t go home. Finally he offers to go back only if she will go with him. There in Ethan’s childhood home she will discover that money cannot buy everything and Ethan’s relationship with his family is truly terrible. It gives her a better insight into the man he’s become and the attraction that she’s been fighting against since they first met begins to soften her towards Ethan.
The Texan Meets His Match is the second novel in the Lake Howling series. If you’ve read the first story, then you are aware that Ethan and Annabelle bicker constantly, flirt and bicker seems to be their relationship. Each fighting an attraction that simply won’t go away. In this story Annabelle gets a chance to see the real man that Ethan is instead of her assumptions about him. What she discovers will soften her heart a bit. But she’ll never drop the edge, it’s just who she is.
There is romance, intrigue, danger and emotional confrontations in The Texan Meets His Match, as well as a lovely romance. I would not hesitate to recommend this novel to those readers that enjoy a deeper story, a small town community of secondary characters and a lively romance.
“Assumed” is probably one of the most misused actions a human mind can take. Annabelle assumed she knew all about what type of man Ethan was. Rich, privileged, snotty and a true player. In reality she couldn’t have been more wrong except about one thing – he was sinfully rich. But not the wealth that comes handed down, the kind that a man works for, earns for himself and enjoys because it’s his. Yes, his family has money but also a tyrant of a father who is a nasty piece of work and Ethan got out as soon as he could. He became his own man, made his own money his way and except for the occasional necessary visits home tried his best to forget his father even existed.
Annabelle’s brother is a drug addict, a gambler and an IT genius – he’s hacked into her bank accounts and wiped them clean of 25 thousand dollars. Shortly after making this discovery Ethan overhears Annabelle’s phone conversation with her brother or at least parts of it that give him the knowledge that she’s in trouble. Her snap, on the spot decision to sell her car tells Ethan just how desperate she is for cash. He offers to go sell it for her, being a guy he’ll get a better price and because she is so distracted she agrees. Another tip off since Annabelle would argue that the sky is pink if it meant getting in Ethan’s face about something. Instead of selling the car, Ethan begins to show his true colors as he brings her back his own money without telling her. Annabelle will refuse from this point onwards to even pickup a call or acknowledge a message from her brother, Cooper.
A few days later, in an attempt to get back to their he flirts, she sarcastically cuts him down relationship, Annabelle discovers an invitation to his sister’s wedding and discovers that he has no intention of returning home for that event. Annabelle is at her bullying best to get answers out of Ethan as to why he won’t go home. Finally he offers to go back only if she will go with him. There in Ethan’s childhood home she will discover that money cannot buy everything and Ethan’s relationship with his family is truly terrible. It gives her a better insight into the man he’s become and the attraction that she’s been fighting against since they first met begins to soften her towards Ethan.
The Texan Meets His Match is the second novel in the Lake Howling series. If you’ve read the first story, then you are aware that Ethan and Annabelle bicker constantly, flirt and bicker seems to be their relationship. Each fighting an attraction that simply won’t go away. In this story Annabelle gets a chance to see the real man that Ethan is instead of her assumptions about him. What she discovers will soften her heart a bit. But she’ll never drop the edge, it’s just who she is.
There is romance, intrigue, danger and emotional confrontations in The Texan Meets His Match, as well as a lovely romance. I would not hesitate to recommend this novel to those readers that enjoy a deeper story, a small town community of secondary characters and a lively romance.
March 4, 2020
The Texan Meets His Match is a fantastic contemporary romance by Wendy Vella. Ms. Vella has provided readers with a well-written book. The characters in this story are phenomenal. Annabelle raised her brothers and they've moved on. After doing so much for them, she's heartbroken when her brother steals her savings. Ethan is ex-military and runs his own business flying helicopter tours. Annabelle and Ethan's story is loaded with drama, humor, sizzle, action and suspense. I enjoyed every page of this book and look forward to my next book by Wendy Vella. The Texan Meets His Match is book 2 of the Lake Howling Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
May 24, 2023
4.5 STARS
I did like the verbal sparring these two brought out in each other. This story is partly about someone with a heroin addiction. Is this true to life how it's managed - NO! So if you are a stickler for everything being true to life, you will be disappointed. The relationship with the H's brother etc., is a little out there too. When the villains are caught I had to suspend belief how it went down, with the sheriff not being involved. But, it's fiction and I absolutely loved the MC. There connection worked and I enjoyed the journey of them discovering what their relationship could be.
Lovemaking described often and some heat level 5 out of 5. Since I loved them as a couple, it was filled with passion and love. Romance builds slowly which I enjoyed.
This is a stand alone, but the secondary characters' are so engaging and quirky that I urge you to purchase these stories. They've been out for awhile and are now in a boxed set.
Story has suspense, intrigue, twists, great banter, crude words used many times and the Lord's name. No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, romantic and steam.
I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase or not, which I recommend. (ljb)
I did like the verbal sparring these two brought out in each other. This story is partly about someone with a heroin addiction. Is this true to life how it's managed - NO! So if you are a stickler for everything being true to life, you will be disappointed. The relationship with the H's brother etc., is a little out there too. When the villains are caught I had to suspend belief how it went down, with the sheriff not being involved. But, it's fiction and I absolutely loved the MC. There connection worked and I enjoyed the journey of them discovering what their relationship could be.
Lovemaking described often and some heat level 5 out of 5. Since I loved them as a couple, it was filled with passion and love. Romance builds slowly which I enjoyed.
This is a stand alone, but the secondary characters' are so engaging and quirky that I urge you to purchase these stories. They've been out for awhile and are now in a boxed set.
Story has suspense, intrigue, twists, great banter, crude words used many times and the Lord's name. No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, romantic and steam.
I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase or not, which I recommend. (ljb)
September 16, 2025
Annabelle and Ethan—She’s a nurse who raised her brothers; he’s an independently wealthy Texan who flies a helicopter and is friends with her male friends, including her best friend Branna’s fiancé, Jake (Lake Howling book 1). Her brother Cooper has become a gambling and drug addict and he has wiped out her savings. Ethan “sells” her car when she gets the call from Cooper that he’s wipes out her savings and their continuous verbal sparring starts to feel different. Annabelle bullies Ethan into attending her sister’s wedding and taking her as his date, and there she discovers how awful his family has been to him. At the reception, she gets a call that Cooper is in big trouble in Vegas, so Ethan takes her to Vegas, pays off Cooper’s debt, and brings Cooper back to Howling. Annabelle and Ethan continue vacillating between lovemaking and sniping at one another, now even more personally because they know more about the other’s weaknesses. Ethan has words with Cooper and things start turning around. And then Annabelle and Cooper are taken by another slimy debt collector from Vegas. Once they’re rescued, they start making arrangements for their own slice of HEA. Some editing issues but a good story overall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2023
4.5 STARS
I did like the verbal sparring these two brought out in each other. This story is partly about someone with a heroin addiction. Is this true to life how it's managed - NO! So if you are a stickler for everything being true to life, you will be disappointed. The relationship with the H's brother etc., is a little out there too. When the villains are caught I had to suspend belief how it went down, with the sheriff not being involved. But, it's fiction and I absolutely loved the MC. There connection worked and I enjoyed the journey of them discovering what their relationship could be.
Lovemaking described often and some heat level 5 out of 5. Since I loved them as a couple, it was filled with passion and love. Romance builds slowly which I enjoyed.
This is a stand alone, but the secondary characters' are so engaging and quirky that I urge you to purchase these stories. They've been out for awhile and are now in a boxed set.
Story has suspense, intrigue, twists, great banter, crude words used many times and the Lord's name. No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, romantic and steam.
I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase or not, which I recommend. (ljb)
I did like the verbal sparring these two brought out in each other. This story is partly about someone with a heroin addiction. Is this true to life how it's managed - NO! So if you are a stickler for everything being true to life, you will be disappointed. The relationship with the H's brother etc., is a little out there too. When the villains are caught I had to suspend belief how it went down, with the sheriff not being involved. But, it's fiction and I absolutely loved the MC. There connection worked and I enjoyed the journey of them discovering what their relationship could be.
Lovemaking described often and some heat level 5 out of 5. Since I loved them as a couple, it was filled with passion and love. Romance builds slowly which I enjoyed.
This is a stand alone, but the secondary characters' are so engaging and quirky that I urge you to purchase these stories. They've been out for awhile and are now in a boxed set.
Story has suspense, intrigue, twists, great banter, crude words used many times and the Lord's name. No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, romantic and steam.
I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase or not, which I recommend. (ljb)
October 18, 2019
Wendy Vella tells another sweet Lake Howling story, this time it's the story of fiercely independant Annabelle Smith and larger than life, extremely wealthy Ethan Gelderman. The regulars make appearances throughout the story, and Macy Reynolds, who we met in the first of the series, has joined in to the group of friends. With Annabelle's support, Ethan returns to his childhood home to attend the wedding of his sister, where he confronts his overbearing, controlling father and Annabelle has a taste of the life that Ethan has separated himself from. Annabelle is not without family issues, and with Ethan's help, her brother Cooper is rescued.
I love this little town of Lake Howling and it's people, and I'm looking forward to diving in to the next in the series.
I love this little town of Lake Howling and it's people, and I'm looking forward to diving in to the next in the series.
March 22, 2019
This series and the characters are fantastic. I loved the first book, but this one was even better. Ethan and Annabelle are great together. These characters are fiercely independent mainly due to family histories that made them that way. They learn to trust, love and move on together and I love that in a story.
I will say that I least enjoyed Cooper and the fierce defense that Annabelle had when it came to him. He didn’t deserve any of the kindness she gave him. The author did a good job of explaining why she did it, but it still made me mad. Which to me is a sign of a good writer when they make you feel something...good or bad. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I will say that I least enjoyed Cooper and the fierce defense that Annabelle had when it came to him. He didn’t deserve any of the kindness she gave him. The author did a good job of explaining why she did it, but it still made me mad. Which to me is a sign of a good writer when they make you feel something...good or bad. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 16, 2021
Ethan, a wealthy playboy with a messed up family clashes with Annabelle, a closed-off, hard core gal. When two people with painful pasts realize that letting people in is the only way to move forward, all kinds of craziness happens.
I like small town romances. Howling, Oregon is a place I would TOTALLY hang if it were real.
One suggestion, I found a number of grammatical errors. Ms. Blake, it might be a good idea to have a word with your editor.
The language could chill a little too, but the story was still enjoyable.
I like small town romances. Howling, Oregon is a place I would TOTALLY hang if it were real.
One suggestion, I found a number of grammatical errors. Ms. Blake, it might be a good idea to have a word with your editor.
The language could chill a little too, but the story was still enjoyable.
February 19, 2018
Annabelle and Ethan are always throwing insults at each other until Ethan sees Annabelle not her usual self and helps her. Annabelle finds out that Ethan gave her money and now she needs to pay him back, so she makes a bargain with him. They go to his sister's wedding and their chemistry explodes and they realize that they really do care about each other. Annabelle's brother gets in big trouble and Ethan is there to help her out.
November 29, 2024
She’s feisty he’s charming ♥️
I really enjoyed this! Loved the sparring between Annabelle and Ethan and how she squares up to him (and others). She is fierce!
Neither is each other’s type on the surface but the mutual needling hides an attraction that eventually sparks into flame. Their preconceptions of each other wear away with exposure.
A good plot, persuasive writing kept me interested all the way.
I really enjoyed this! Loved the sparring between Annabelle and Ethan and how she squares up to him (and others). She is fierce!
Neither is each other’s type on the surface but the mutual needling hides an attraction that eventually sparks into flame. Their preconceptions of each other wear away with exposure.
A good plot, persuasive writing kept me interested all the way.
July 18, 2025
Annabel Annabelle The texan
He had money lots he had his own helicopter he loved his life women a plenty but when he we Annabelle her sharp tongue they sparred all the time it was so much fun he loved being here with his friends they were his family his family were horrible people Annabelle was determined and could look after her self she had her whole life her friends didn't know all the struggles and things she did to keep her two brothers and her alive
He had money lots he had his own helicopter he loved his life women a plenty but when he we Annabelle her sharp tongue they sparred all the time it was so much fun he loved being here with his friends they were his family his family were horrible people Annabelle was determined and could look after her self she had her whole life her friends didn't know all the struggles and things she did to keep her two brothers and her alive
November 28, 2024
THIS IS THE WRONG AUTHOR! It was written by Lani Blake, as you can see in the photo of the book. (Not Wendy Vella) With that being said, I loved this story. Annabelle raised 2 brothers at age 18. She struggles financially and has trouble accepting help from a wealthy Texan, Ethan. It was hard to put this book down. It was a great story.
January 26, 2025
Great 2nd installment
Great revisit to Lake Howling. The same characters play a part but get a deeper insight into the main m&f characters. It plays through 2 or 3 different storylines, looking at each of their backgrounds and making it clear opposites attract, but really, how different are they..?
Great revisit to Lake Howling. The same characters play a part but get a deeper insight into the main m&f characters. It plays through 2 or 3 different storylines, looking at each of their backgrounds and making it clear opposites attract, but really, how different are they..?
February 15, 2025
Great book.
There's a saying about Annabelle, she's so poor she can't pay attention. He's so rich he can't use his money in his lifetime. These two have families that struggle in in world for different reasons, but their struggles bring them together. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a good story.
There's a saying about Annabelle, she's so poor she can't pay attention. He's so rich he can't use his money in his lifetime. These two have families that struggle in in world for different reasons, but their struggles bring them together. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a good story.
April 15, 2025
The second book in the Lake Howling series is as good as the first. Ethan and Annabelle have a love/hate relationship. Although the hate part doesn’t truly exist, they just don’t realize it. You have some of everything with this one: intrigue, witty and fun dialogue, wonderful characters, plenty of emotions, and lots of dysfunction. I love this series!
February 14, 2018
Ethan & Annabelle
Great story! Annabelle tries to keep Ethan y away by insulting him, but she is attracted to him a much as she is attracted to him. A little suspense, lots of flirting! It all works out in the end!! Loved this book!! A must read romance!!
Great story! Annabelle tries to keep Ethan y away by insulting him, but she is attracted to him a much as she is attracted to him. A little suspense, lots of flirting! It all works out in the end!! Loved this book!! A must read romance!!
March 10, 2018
Ethan and Annabelle are made for each other. I'm so glad that she push him to work thru his issues and he did the same for her. I love seeing Buster, Jake and Branna rooting for them. It was such a great story about love and friendship.
December 22, 2019
Another good story
Wendy Bella is quickly becoming a favorite author. I read all of the Raven/ Sinclair series and I am now enjoying this Lake Howling series. Two very different series types but both very enjoyable.
Wendy Bella is quickly becoming a favorite author. I read all of the Raven/ Sinclair series and I am now enjoying this Lake Howling series. Two very different series types but both very enjoyable.
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February 22, 2022Smooth talking Texan
I was so looking forward to Ethan and Annabelle's story and this did not disappoint. Our lovely smooth Texan was everything and more when it came to sweeping Annabelle off her feet. But as always our stubborn Annabelle does not make this easy.
I was so looking forward to Ethan and Annabelle's story and this did not disappoint. Our lovely smooth Texan was everything and more when it came to sweeping Annabelle off her feet. But as always our stubborn Annabelle does not make this easy.
May 20, 2024
Ethan and Annabelle
These two are Independent and are full of secrets. .Ethan helps her then she goes to his sisters wedding with him.... They take care of each other and find love but it's not clear sailing .. love these characters in this small town.
These two are Independent and are full of secrets. .Ethan helps her then she goes to his sisters wedding with him.... They take care of each other and find love but it's not clear sailing .. love these characters in this small town.
January 11, 2025
Big Texan in a small town??? Hmmmm
This is one, flirty, egotistical, handsome, rich Texan...with a lesson to learn. The sassy, sexy Belle is just the one to teach it, with her brash language.
This is one, flirty, egotistical, handsome, rich Texan...with a lesson to learn. The sassy, sexy Belle is just the one to teach it, with her brash language.
February 10, 2025
There are a lot of things that I disliked about this book. First, the writing felt like we were on fast forward through everything. No buildup in the writing at all. The start to their relationship is just so weird. Sorry this just is not good.
February 13, 2018
Great read!
Loved,the interaction between characters and their vulnerabilities. Loved how both main characters came from dysfunctional families but found ways to succeed.
Loved,the interaction between characters and their vulnerabilities. Loved how both main characters came from dysfunctional families but found ways to succeed.
July 19, 2018
Sweet Romance
Annabelle is a spit fire and doesn’t like to be told what to do. She doesn’t like players and that’s what she thinks Tex is.
Annabelle is a spit fire and doesn’t like to be told what to do. She doesn’t like players and that’s what she thinks Tex is.
May 29, 2019
Dialogue
Characters with depth and great stories. I love the male humorist banter of the male leads. My husband doesn’t talk so I enjoy this male dialogue.
Characters with depth and great stories. I love the male humorist banter of the male leads. My husband doesn’t talk so I enjoy this male dialogue.
July 17, 2020
3 1/2..
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