Don't miss these two stories about finding love in the most unexpected places. The Ladies' Man by New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery Rachel Harper was a kindergarten teacher. She was definitely not a one-night stand kind of girl. But that was exactly what she'd done-she'd picked up a charming guy in a bar and brought him home. Mortified, Rachel couldn't get Carter Brockett out of her life fast enough. But then, a few weeks later, she discovers she's not quite done with she's pregnant with his baby. Some Kind of Wonderful by USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan Her whole life, Brittany Forrest has dreamed of adventure. And at the age of eighteen, she thought she'd found it when she married bad boy Zachary Flynn. But after just ten days, their whirlwind marriage went up in smoke. Now, the daredevil pilot is back on Puffin Island. The sparks between them are as powerful as ever, but can Brittany risk the life she's built for a second chance with Zach?
#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
The first story in this two story book was MEH. But the second was a story that I had been wanting to hear the end of as it was teased in book 1 and it was decent so it pulled it up into 'like' territory.
While it's nice that there weren't any hard feelings from the ex-girlfriends, it was too much. I wouldn't like knowing the father of my child had (seemingly) hundreds of exes, never mind having them constantly in my face. He's a serial monogamist rather than manwhore, but it still puts her at a disadvantage.
Some Kind of Wonderful
Didn't like that Zach showed absolutely NOTHING for Brittany until one round of Super Sex? In other second chance romances, you get to see the walls slowly crumbling. I don't think Zach really understood the devastation he caused for Brittany, and while he felt bad for the way he handled things he should have felt more. (Like a proverbial punch to his gut when the truth comes out.)
The fact that his feelings switched "on" miraculously made me roll my eyes. Not believable in the slightest.
Two stories one book. #1 The Ladies Man by Susan Mallery. Rachel had a one night stand and can't believe it happened to her. She's a kindergarten teacher, not the type to pickup someone. What happened? What next? She's now pregnant. Read to find out what will become of her, the baby and the father. #2 Some Kind of Wonderful by Sarah Morgan. Brittney fell in love with Zachary the local bad boy. After 10 days of marriage he left. Now 10 years later she's back at her home on Puffin Island and guess who's also there? She finds she still has strong feelings for him. She's scared to let her heart get involved just to get hurt again. Zach finds he still wants Brittney but can't let himself feel trust and love. Can they work out their problems to have a forever kind of love? Both are good reads.
Two of my favorite authors in one book. Kindergarten teacher Rachel ends up pregnant after a one night stand with ladies man Carter. Loved the characters, especially Carter’s mother and sisters, who moved in on Rachel immediately, showing her what a family does. Then Brittany falls at her archeological site, breaking her wrist. So she goes back home to Puffin Island, only to find Zach, who she married as a teenager, back, too. He had left her after 10 days of marriage, breaking her heart. Both stories were very good.
This story pulled me in. I had a hard time putting it down. Rachel is a wonderful teacher and a good friend. She holds back her love. She is terrified to let anyone in. Carter doesn't believe love and marriage are for him. My heart goes out to both of them.
Some Kind Of Wonderful:
Brit comes home to recover while her broken wrist heals. What she didn't know nor expect was that her ex, Zach was back. Neither is over the past. An emotional journey to love and trust.
Loved the two stories about Rachel a kindergarten teacher who became pregnant after sleeping with Carter - someone she had met on the first night and how he steps up to the plate when she tells him she is pregnant.
Loved the story of the archaeologist - Brittany who returns home when she breaks her arm and finds Zach whom she had married at 18 now running a successful air transport business and how they get back to each other
The Ladies' Man by Susan Mallery is a quick read and a little unbelievable, but has the so familiar great character writing.
Some Kind of Wonderful by Sarah Morgan is the second book in the "Puffin Island" series. I have not read the first book, but that did not stop me from enjoying this good and highly emotional novel.
Read this as part of the on-going project to help a friend develop a reading list for her group, Adult Children of Parents with PTSD.
Our hero, Zach, certainly has PTSD. Boy, does he have it. Brittany, our heroine, is the exact opposite, almost a goody two shoes she has had such a stable home life that even her parents' divorce and virtual abandonment didn't register for what it was. I didn't find her in the least bit believable.
Zach, on the other rings true up to a point. Yes, he is in the system which pretty much fails him, but by eight years old, he really could not have been beyond hope and if that first foster family was all that loving, why didn't they put the poor kid into therapy when he was obviously begging for help? Why didn't the State of Maine require it? And when he ended up more or less adopted into the home of Philip and Cecile Law, why didn't they? He claims to have lived his life having turned them off by the time he was eight and couldn't turn them back on again. Therapy at age eight would have helped.
Yes, this is another one of those books where the love of a good woman heals PTSD and that is a bit of nonsense that needs to be squelched. Learning to manage the symptoms of PTSD is hard work and should not be glossed over. It's an insult to all who have to live with PTSD. In any event, Zach's transition is much too abrupt. It lacks credibility.
There is no excuse whatsoever for "illicit" getting into the final copy when "elicit" is meant. Whoever proofread this failed. Whoever edited this failed. You want me to spend my hard-gained money on your books? Then pay me the courtesy to use words correctly.
Another thing that annoys me is internal inconsistencies within a story that an editor should have found. Morgan says this about Zach, "Unlike everyone else he has ever met in his life, she believed in him." So I guess when Philip Law took Zach under his wing during the summers at camp, taught him to fly planes as Philip and his wife more or less adopted Zach, they weren't demonstration any belief in Zach.
Evidently, there is a whole series about Puffin Island and the inappropriate, intrusive neighbors and the complete lack of mind your own business. I've not read the ones that came before this in the series and don't feel I missed anything.
This book is a BONUS with two stories from two amazing authors. The first book is "The Ladies' Man by Susan Mallery, and the second book is "Some Kind of Wonderful" by Sarah Morgan. Both are definitely worth reading, and were very enjoyable. They flowed nicely and were an easy read.
In Susan Mallery's book we meet Rachel Harper and Carter Brockett. Rachel and Carter meet in a bar, and she brings him home. Their one night together results in a pregnancy. Their story is interesting because Rachel is more than willing to take on this responsibility alone but she just can't get Carter off of her mind. They work together with the rugby team, and try to fight their feelings toward each other. Finding that they can't they try to keep their relationship from the workplace, but everyone seems to know that they are together. What the players see is that they deeply care for each other. What they're trying to fight is the heartaches from their past.
Sarah Morgan brings us to Puffin Island. Brittany Forrest met Zachery Flynn when they were both young at camp. Fast forward to when Brittany is 18 and Zach took her virginity. Shortly afterward they married. The problem happened 10 days after the wedding when Zach felt roped in. He left her, and the town behind in search for a 'better' life. Zach was the kid no one wanted. He came from a life that was rough and didn't know how to love or trust. Philip Law who was the director at the camp, and his wife, tried to make him feel wanted, but trusting and leaving his demons behind him followed Zach into adulthood. Seeing Brittany again after many years apart the need for each other was still there. Brittany still loved Zach, but he can't say the words to keep them together.
Ten years ago, Zackary Flynn walked out on his marriage to Brittany Forrest after only two weeks. He knew he could never live up to her expectations and figured a swift disappointment would be better than many slow disappointments. He felt guilty, but since they lived in different places it didn’t matter. Brittany now realizes she shouldn’t have gone into a marriage hoping to change Zach, there was just so much she thought she saw in him she couldn’t help it. After he deserted her the pitying looks from the islanders drove her away to college and a career hopping the globe, and skipping out on intimate relationships.
Now they’re both back in Puffin Bay. Is it time to finally let go or to resurrect that ancient history?
Hott Review of Some Kind of Wonderful:
I thoroughly enjoyed Some Kind of Wonderful! It’s a sweet fun romance that’s quite sexy and just a bit sad.
Brittany is so incredibly independent she wouldn’t ask for help if she was drowning in quicksand in the midst of a hundred friends. So, for her to live alone with a broken wrist it’s not surprising that she doesn’t ask anyone for help. What is surprising is that the only person to force their way in is Zach. Well, maybe not
This book contains two stories written by two fantastic authors who know how to entertain.
The Ladies' Man by Susan Mallery is a cute, warm, lighthearted story. Rachel Harper has always been a good girl and followed all the rules until she has a one-night stand. Carter Brockett is an undercover cop who is on a dating moratorium until he meets Rachel. Their one night together results in a pregnancy. They now must get to know each other while avoiding pressure from family to decide if they can make it as a couple.
Some Kind of Wonderful by Sarah Morgan is an intense, crazy love story. Brittany Forest married Zach 10 years ago and it lasted 10 days. Since then she has gone to college and became an archeologist. Zach is still struggling with a violent past that won't allow him to trust anyone. However, he is finding that he can't resist his ex-wife and the sparks reignite. Together they must learn to forget the past and trust the future.
THE LADIES' MAN is a good story with a HEA. However, Rachel's immediate reaction to her pregnancy, to have Carter sign over his rights, is appalling. She never even gives him a chance. Rachel is going to raise a child all on her own and not give Carter the respect he deserves before he evens knows.
Carter's past girlfriends everywhere Rachel turns around is disturbing and uncomfortable. Knowing that most of his ex-girlfriends are still too friendly with him is scary. I don't care that Carter is such a nice guy it is inappropriate that so many women take liberties around him.
SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL is a great second chance story. This misunderstanding between Brittany and Zach is an interesting dynamic to their story. Brittany beats herself up too much about it but, at the same time, Zach is beyond reason with not explaining himself.
I gave it a five because it addressed a growing problem in our country about abused children . Zachary came out ahead of the majority of foster kids because he had one in ten thousand foster family's who cared to make a difference. In this land of liberty you need License to keep a dog, but you don't need to know a thing to bring a precious child into this world. That should really change I did a small survey of my granddaughter and ten girls in her class and non of them want to bring parents. I always wanted children and my sister never did. Not to brag but my children grew into responsible loving adults unlike my sister's children Some kind of wonderful should get (10) ten and ladies man a (5) five. My friends and relatives know that I love Susan Mallery and so do they.
Review by Sarah "I enjoyed The Ladies' Man enough to finish it but it is a story that is easy to forget once you are done reading it. Parts of the story happened too quickly without there seeming to be any reason for the rush. The rest of it seemed mashed together in order to complete the story in time for publishing. Still, it was good enough to keep reading since I wanted to know how it all ended. Some Kind of Wonderful was much better to read and seemed like there was more thought put into the people and the story. I would rather read another story by Sarah Morgan over Susan Mallery if I had to choose." We received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced our opinion.
Harlequin has released just the right combination to turn any frown into a smile. This double feature has irresistible charm that is book ended by two of romances most prolific voices today. I received an ARC of this duet in exchange for an honest review. Sarah Morgan contributes an emotional story of second chances, maturity and redemption in Some Kind of Wonderful. While Susan Mallery brings lighthearted fun between a charismatic playboy and an insecure heroine in The Ladies' Man. Like the characters in the story each novel has hidden surprises that are enchanting treats and I enjoyed every minute. Can't go wrong with this delightful read.
Harlequin has released just the right combination to turn any frown into a smile. This double feature has irresistible charm that is book ended by two of romances most prolific voices today. I received an ARC of this duet in exchange for an honest review. Sarah Morgan contributes an emotional story of second chances, maturity and redemption in Some Kind of Wonderful. While Susan Mallery brings lighthearted fun between a charismatic playboy and an insecure heroine in The Ladies' Man. Like the characters in the story each novel has hidden surprises that are enchanting treats and I enjoyed every minute. Can't go wrong with this delightful read.
Ladies Man & Some Kind of Wonderful” by Susan Mallory & Sarah Morgan (1/24/2016) Susan Mallory has been one of my favorite authors for some time. In "The Ladies Man" she again shows her depth of feeling for her characters. This is a sweet story of two people coming to grips with the result of their one night together.In "Some Kind of Wonderful" Sarah Morgan again writes about Puffin Island off the coast of Maine. I would love to spend the summer in a place like this. Brittany and Zach try to resolve the attraction they feel even after years apart. This story is very well written. I need to go into the back list of Puffin books to read the rest of the series.
Susan Mallory has been one of my favorite authors for some time. In "The Ladies Man" she again shows her depth of feeling for her characters. This is a sweet story of two people coming to grips with the result of their one night together.In "Some Kind of Wonderful" Sarah Morgan again writes about Puffin Island off the coast of Maine. I would love to spend the summer in a place like this. Brittany and Zach try to resolve the attraction they feel even after years apart. This story is very well written. I need to go into the back list of Puffin books to read the rest of the series.
I really enjoyed Some Kind of Wonderful. Zach was such a flawed character and his issues were from a bad childhood, it was nice to watch him come around without the typical pressure from the female character. Brittany was very patient and understanding and their HEA was great.
The Ladies' Man felt rushed to me. I liked the story, but would have liked to have had more relationship development between Rachel and Carter.
I thoroughly enjoyed both stories. I loved the plot set up for the Ladies Man , it was a delightfully fun read. Equally, I enjoyed Some Kind Of Wonderful, and thought the way the author weaved the emotionally story for both the Hero and the heroine really kept you wanting to see how the hero was going to overcome his past. I always read every book I can find of Susan Mallery's but will now add Sarah Morgan to my list of must read authors.
Two of my favorite authors! I honestly bought this book to read the second Puffin Island book, which was AMAZING, but also really enjoyed Susan Mallery's book. Keep writing, Sarah Morgan!!!
Great book. I love books with more than one story. Especially when they are similar in taste. Both Susan mallery and Sarah morgan are wonderful writers. I want more from both. A must read.