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Midnight Sons #2
The Marriage Risk
Hard Luck, Alaska--a Town that Needs Women!Location: 50 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Population: 150 (mostly men)--but growing! Because the O'Halloran brothers, who run a bush-plane charter service called Midnight Sons, are heading a campaign to bring women to Hard Luck!Charles O'Halloran--The oldest brother. Surveyor and not-so-silent partner in Midnight Sons. Like his brothers, he has a distrust of marriage in general--and a distrust of anyone related to Catherine Harmon Fletcher, the woman who did so much to destroy his parents' marriage.Lanni Caldwell--She's the only woman Charles has ever fallen for, the only one who might convince him to take the marriage risk. They meet when she visits Hard Luck on a family matter. But there's something Lanni hasn't told Charles--and doesn't want to. She's Catherine's granddaughter....
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1995
460 people are currently reading
864 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
917 books20.7k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
December 27, 2010
Honestly, I did not like this book. The back story almost reads like "Legends of the fall". The soul-mate stuff gets to be boring after a while and the biggest problem I have with this romance is that there is no clue whatsoever that the H/H are compatible. No conversation between them is shown and there is no indication whether they are good friends ( which I believe is necessary if you're going to spend the rest of your life with someone).
A disappointing book!
A disappointing book!
June 13, 2019
I like this one almost as much as the previous book. This one is about Charles and Lanni. They have a rocky relationship, but they do get a happy ending. This one also relsolves the love triangle from the first book. That was a very sad story. Also, there is a wedding in this story.
July 6, 2017
Meh, not as good as the first book in the series. This couple (Charles & Lanni) had very little chemistry. Look out, instalove!! I did enjoy the continuing story of Sawyer & Abbey from Brides for Brothers, and also learning more about the family feud between the O’Hallorans and Catherine Harmon Fletcher.
May 28, 2024
Got to love small town Alaska.
Read
March 1, 2020Categories
Small Town & Rural Fiction, Contemporary Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Small Town & Rural Fiction, Contemporary Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance
October 4, 2014
Two-haiku review:
She comes to small town
Their families are enemies
But he doesn't know
Angst when he finds out
Believable characters
Well written romance
She comes to small town
Their families are enemies
But he doesn't know
Angst when he finds out
Believable characters
Well written romance
Read
April 22, 2017I liked the first one better, maybe the chemistry between the twoVery short book. However, as the series continues, we will find out more about Katherine. 2.5
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
Charles doesn’t know what hits him, the moment he lays eyes on Lanni Caldwell, he is smitten. He has never been in love before, and he really does
not recognize the feeling. But the feeling of jealousy against the man who is accompanying her, is instantaneous. He wants to be the one walking besides her! Charles just thinks she is his brothers’ assistant, and asks her out into the wilderness with him. There is such an instant connection and attraction between them.
But when Catherine’s secret comes out, at his brother’s wedding, and Charles sees how hurt his mother is by this, he doesn’t want to have anything to do with Lanni anymore. Yes, he did tell her he loved her, but his mother’s happiness is more important to him, than his own. Lanni is hurt very much by this, and she doesn’t want to accept it is over between them, but Charles leaves her no choice.
Both Lanni and Charles are hurting, and even Lanni’s brother tries to bring them back together. But only his mother can mend the rift between them, as she is the only one who knows what really happened, and why David married her, instead of the girl who was waiting for him back home in Alaska during WWII.
I enjoyed this book a lot, the emotions between all the characters just feel so real, it was like witnessing it firsthand. Lanni is 10 years younger than Charles, and he has some trouble with that, but Lanni really has not. When she finally founds out everything about the “feud” between her grandmother and the O’Hallorans she feels that her grandmother is the wronged party, and not the O’Hallorans. So why can’t Charles get over it? They are not their parents or grandparents!
Charles is in love for the first time. Thanks to the example of his parents’ disastrous marriage, he never was interested in finding a wife of his own. So when he fell for Lanni, he fell hard and fast. But he loves his mother, and he wants her to be happy, so he thinks he has to give up Lanni, or she will keep reminding his mother of those bad years. Yes, he sure is stubborn.
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
Charles doesn’t know what hits him, the moment he lays eyes on Lanni Caldwell, he is smitten. He has never been in love before, and he really does
not recognize the feeling. But the feeling of jealousy against the man who is accompanying her, is instantaneous. He wants to be the one walking besides her! Charles just thinks she is his brothers’ assistant, and asks her out into the wilderness with him. There is such an instant connection and attraction between them.
But when Catherine’s secret comes out, at his brother’s wedding, and Charles sees how hurt his mother is by this, he doesn’t want to have anything to do with Lanni anymore. Yes, he did tell her he loved her, but his mother’s happiness is more important to him, than his own. Lanni is hurt very much by this, and she doesn’t want to accept it is over between them, but Charles leaves her no choice.
Both Lanni and Charles are hurting, and even Lanni’s brother tries to bring them back together. But only his mother can mend the rift between them, as she is the only one who knows what really happened, and why David married her, instead of the girl who was waiting for him back home in Alaska during WWII.
I enjoyed this book a lot, the emotions between all the characters just feel so real, it was like witnessing it firsthand. Lanni is 10 years younger than Charles, and he has some trouble with that, but Lanni really has not. When she finally founds out everything about the “feud” between her grandmother and the O’Hallorans she feels that her grandmother is the wronged party, and not the O’Hallorans. So why can’t Charles get over it? They are not their parents or grandparents!
Charles is in love for the first time. Thanks to the example of his parents’ disastrous marriage, he never was interested in finding a wife of his own. So when he fell for Lanni, he fell hard and fast. But he loves his mother, and he wants her to be happy, so he thinks he has to give up Lanni, or she will keep reminding his mother of those bad years. Yes, he sure is stubborn.
February 9, 2021
The Marriage Risk is book 2 of the Midnight Sons series set in Hard Luck, Alaska in 1995. This book is about Charles, the eldest of the O’Halloran brothers and newcomer Lanni Caldwell. This book had a bit of a Romeo and Juliet vibe because Charles and Lanni’s families have a long standing feud and even though they fell in instant love upon meeting each other, once Charles learned who Lanni’s grandmother was, he determined that they could not have a relationship and they had to determine if it was worth trying to work through.
This is a fairly short book, and when I say instalove, I really mean instantly, but we got more of a full story in this book, for these characters, than we did in book 1 for middle O’Halloran brother, Sawyer and his love interest. Since all the groundwork was formed in book 1, it gave us more time to get to know the characters, so I did enjoy that. I also liked that we still saw the couple from book 1 and we watched as their relationship progressed with their wedding and honeymoon.
I liked this book more than book 1. I am interested in continuing the series and reading book 3. Overall, I rate this book 3.5 stars but will bump it to 4 stars.
The narration is fine. I think I am starting to get used to the narrator after listening to book 1 narrated by him as well.
This is a fairly short book, and when I say instalove, I really mean instantly, but we got more of a full story in this book, for these characters, than we did in book 1 for middle O’Halloran brother, Sawyer and his love interest. Since all the groundwork was formed in book 1, it gave us more time to get to know the characters, so I did enjoy that. I also liked that we still saw the couple from book 1 and we watched as their relationship progressed with their wedding and honeymoon.
I liked this book more than book 1. I am interested in continuing the series and reading book 3. Overall, I rate this book 3.5 stars but will bump it to 4 stars.
The narration is fine. I think I am starting to get used to the narrator after listening to book 1 narrated by him as well.
May 8, 2024
It was ok, I would probably only re-read it because it's part of a series. I didn't like this story as much as the first book.
All the revelations of the previous generations secrets were depressing.
Hero's father married his mother because she was pregnant with his deceased uncle's baby, thereby breaking the heart of the woman he loved (heroine's grandmother). She quickly marries someone else and gets pregnant. Then hero's mother gives birth early and the baby girl dies. They were all pretty miserable the rest of their lives (except hero's mother who found happiness after her husband died), thus affecting the next generation.
The hero and heroine meet and fall in love pretty quickly til he finds out who her grandmother is. Then he's a jerk and is mean to heroine, but still wants her so kisses her, but then rejects her several times throughout book.
I liked when the heroine made the decision she wouldn't be like her grandmother and wait for the man she loved to come back to her. I liked that she left town and planned never to come back, however was quite disappointed when at the end she did go back and try to get him back, I would have preferred that he went after her and begged forgiveness. Np.
All the revelations of the previous generations secrets were depressing.
Hero's father married his mother because she was pregnant with his deceased uncle's baby, thereby breaking the heart of the woman he loved (heroine's grandmother). She quickly marries someone else and gets pregnant. Then hero's mother gives birth early and the baby girl dies. They were all pretty miserable the rest of their lives (except hero's mother who found happiness after her husband died), thus affecting the next generation.
The hero and heroine meet and fall in love pretty quickly til he finds out who her grandmother is. Then he's a jerk and is mean to heroine, but still wants her so kisses her, but then rejects her several times throughout book.
I liked when the heroine made the decision she wouldn't be like her grandmother and wait for the man she loved to come back to her. I liked that she left town and planned never to come back, however was quite disappointed when at the end she did go back and try to get him back, I would have preferred that he went after her and begged forgiveness. Np.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2020
So naturally, I was already hooked on this series after reading the first book. I loved Lanni and Charles, but had a hard time believing that an old family feud would cause such problems in their relationship... however, I was able to put my reservations aside and enjoy this book despite my personal opinion on their "issue." As with most of Macomber's series, the town itself and the supporting characters stole my heart, so the central love story is really just an added bonus for me. Macomber truly creates characters that feel like family to me, and I look forward to being a part of their world for a few more books.
January 17, 2021
Hardluck, Alaska is a remote town mainly populated by men. When brothers Sawyer and Christian come up with a way to entice women to their community they can't help but pat themselves on the back. Older brother Charles is convinced that the last thing they need is a bunch of single women invading their town. However, in this installment, Charles not only meets his match, but is also given an opportunity to help correct some of the wrongs from the past.
I love the quirky characters as well as the setting for these stories. Makes me want to take a trip to Alaska myself.
I love the quirky characters as well as the setting for these stories. Makes me want to take a trip to Alaska myself.
June 20, 2019
Charles the missing O'Hallorans brother from book #1 has arrived back in Hard Luck. He is not happy with Sawyer and Christian's idea to bring women to the town. Lanni Caldwell has has come to Hard Luck to clean out her grandmother's house. When she meets Charles he thinks she is the new secretary for Midnight Son's. Their attracted instantly to each other. There is a big secret lurking.
I loved this book.
I loved this book.
May 8, 2023
"The Marriage Risk" is the story of Lanni and Charles.
This is another sweet romance, where the heroine comes to the hero's town to fulfill some family responsibilities. Meets the hero, they fall in love.. that is until he realizes she belongs to the family that almost destroyed his. Demons from the past arise, they are forced to confront their (not dead) family fued, and after loads of drama we get their HEA.
Heartwarming, sweet with likable characters.
Safe
4/5
This is another sweet romance, where the heroine comes to the hero's town to fulfill some family responsibilities. Meets the hero, they fall in love.. that is until he realizes she belongs to the family that almost destroyed his. Demons from the past arise, they are forced to confront their (not dead) family fued, and after loads of drama we get their HEA.
Heartwarming, sweet with likable characters.
Safe
4/5
November 10, 2017
Good read. Liked the story flow. Liked the characters and reading their individual struggles and how they work through them. Fun reading the back and forth issues between characters and finally realizing it is love. The two family conflict added a second turmoil for the characters. Always a pleasure to read this author. Would recommend this book.
March 19, 2020
Inspirational Love Stories
I've read this book a few times, and it never gets dull! I enjoy it every single time. Very well written. Love stories for hopeless romantics everywhere. Also inspired a love & huge interest in Alaska, due to her beautiful and detailed descriptions of the tundra. Great read!!!
I've read this book a few times, and it never gets dull! I enjoy it every single time. Very well written. Love stories for hopeless romantics everywhere. Also inspired a love & huge interest in Alaska, due to her beautiful and detailed descriptions of the tundra. Great read!!!
December 28, 2018
I call Debbie Macomber books my"Calgon take me away" books. I enjoyed this one. They are fairly predictable, but always have interesting characters. I like that this series is set in Alaska. I love Debbie's writing, as well.
September 26, 2021
Charles has feelings for Lanni. He is angry with her when he finds out who she is related to. He is blaming, hating Lanni for something out of her control. He was pushing her away and being a grumpy man.
April 30, 2023
Didn’t like it as much as the first story in the series, but Debbie Macomber did manage to get me semi-invested in the characters of the story. So, will continue on in this series to find out what happens to them all!
May 20, 2017
Simplistic, but a guilty pleasure.
June 24, 2017
If you are looking for light entertaining stories you'll find it in a Debbie macomber book. Like a soap opera episode
October 26, 2017
I am a big fan of the Cedar Cove series and enjoyed the equally silly Dakota series...but this one is too ridiculous for me. I can't recommend it.
February 4, 2018
A light easy read by Debbie Macomber ... a fun romance.
April 7, 2018
Interesting plot twist I didn't see coming. Otherwise, a nice, fluffy, I-loved-you-the-first-time-I-saw-you romance. On to book #3.
October 18, 2018
Some of the character conflicts were believable, the solutions not so much.
March 3, 2019
I liked the first one better. Not enough of a story and information about the characters.
May 19, 2019
Second in the Midnight Sons series. Not as much fun as the first book, but still a very good read.
June 11, 2019
Sweet story
2nd in the series. Predictable but enjoyable. Had a nice unexpected twist to the story that added another dimension. Nice series.
2nd in the series. Predictable but enjoyable. Had a nice unexpected twist to the story that added another dimension. Nice series.
June 14, 2019
Read because I needed a fast book about a wedding, but I really hate Harlequin romances.
July 2, 2019
I enjoyed this novel which was propelled by a not so distant feud between two families. It was a good, safe, clean read with some likeable characters.
July 24, 2019
I couldnt put the series down, it's like Pringles once you start you can't stop! I love 💘 Debbies books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews