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The Sullivans #5
Als je van mij was
Het laatste wat Zach Sullivan wil is op het hondje van zijn broer passen. Tot hij de puppytrainer ontmoet. Heather is mooi, slim en Zach kan haar maar niet uit zijn hoofd zetten. Helaas is Heather de enige vrouw op aarde die niets met hem te maken wil hebben.
Heather Linsey kan het niet uitstaan dat ze met een van de rijkste mannen ter wereld moet samenwerken. Zeker als ze merkt dat hij niet alleen zijn tijdelijke hond onder controle wil krijgen, maar haar ook! Heather heeft al toen ze zeventien was besloten dat liefde niet meer is dan een stapel mooie leugens, en dat ze nooit of te nimmer haar hart zal verliezen aan een woest charmante man. Maar kan ze de seksuele spanning die tussen haar en Zach zindert wel ontkennen? Kan Zach haar haar geloof in de liefde weer teruggeven?
Heather Linsey kan het niet uitstaan dat ze met een van de rijkste mannen ter wereld moet samenwerken. Zeker als ze merkt dat hij niet alleen zijn tijdelijke hond onder controle wil krijgen, maar haar ook! Heather heeft al toen ze zeventien was besloten dat liefde niet meer is dan een stapel mooie leugens, en dat ze nooit of te nimmer haar hart zal verliezen aan een woest charmante man. Maar kan ze de seksuele spanning die tussen haar en Zach zindert wel ontkennen? Kan Zach haar haar geloof in de liefde weer teruggeven?
272 pages, Paperback
First published May 9, 2012
1034 people are currently reading
5083 people want to read
About the author
Bella Andre
149 books56.2k followersBella Andre is the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of “The Sullivans” and “The Morrisons” series.
Having sold more than 10 million books, Bella Andre’s novels have been #1 bestsellers around the world and have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists 84 times. She has been the #1 Ranked Author at Amazon (on a top 10 list that included Nora Roberts, JK Rowling, James Patterson and Steven King). Apple iBooks named her one of the "bestselling authors of all time." And Publishers Weekly named Oak Press (the publishing company she created to publish her own books) the Fastest-Growing Independent Publisher in the US. After signing a groundbreaking 7-figure print-only deal with Harlequin MIRA, Bella’s “The Sullivans” series is being released in paperback in the US, Canada, and Australia.
Known for “sensual, empowered stories enveloped in heady romance” (Publishers Weekly), her books have been Cosmopolitan Magazine “Red Hot Reads” twice and have been translated into ten languages. Winner of the Award of Excellence, The Washington Post called her “One of the top writers in America” and she has been featured by Entertainment Weekly, NPR, USA Today, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and TIME Magazine. A graduate of Stanford University, she has given keynote speeches at publishing conferences from Copenhagen to Berlin to San Francisco, including a standing-room-only keynote at Book Expo America in New York City.
Bella also writes the New York Times bestselling Four Weddings and a Fiasco series as Lucy Kevin. Her “sweet” contemporary romances also include the new Walker Island series written as Lucy Kevin.
If not behind her computer, you can find her reading her favorite authors, hiking, swimming or laughing. Married with two children, Bella splits her time between the Northern California wine country, a 100 year old log cabin in the Adirondacks, and a flat in London overlooking the Thames..
* * * * * * *
For digital/eBook, audiobook, foreign licensing, conference keynote and press inquiries, please contact Bella at bella@bellaandre.com
Having sold more than 10 million books, Bella Andre’s novels have been #1 bestsellers around the world and have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists 84 times. She has been the #1 Ranked Author at Amazon (on a top 10 list that included Nora Roberts, JK Rowling, James Patterson and Steven King). Apple iBooks named her one of the "bestselling authors of all time." And Publishers Weekly named Oak Press (the publishing company she created to publish her own books) the Fastest-Growing Independent Publisher in the US. After signing a groundbreaking 7-figure print-only deal with Harlequin MIRA, Bella’s “The Sullivans” series is being released in paperback in the US, Canada, and Australia.
Known for “sensual, empowered stories enveloped in heady romance” (Publishers Weekly), her books have been Cosmopolitan Magazine “Red Hot Reads” twice and have been translated into ten languages. Winner of the Award of Excellence, The Washington Post called her “One of the top writers in America” and she has been featured by Entertainment Weekly, NPR, USA Today, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and TIME Magazine. A graduate of Stanford University, she has given keynote speeches at publishing conferences from Copenhagen to Berlin to San Francisco, including a standing-room-only keynote at Book Expo America in New York City.
Bella also writes the New York Times bestselling Four Weddings and a Fiasco series as Lucy Kevin. Her “sweet” contemporary romances also include the new Walker Island series written as Lucy Kevin.
If not behind her computer, you can find her reading her favorite authors, hiking, swimming or laughing. Married with two children, Bella splits her time between the Northern California wine country, a 100 year old log cabin in the Adirondacks, and a flat in London overlooking the Thames..
* * * * * * *
For digital/eBook, audiobook, foreign licensing, conference keynote and press inquiries, please contact Bella at bella@bellaandre.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 491 reviews
May 25, 2012
Posted on Under the Covers
Dear Mrs. Andre,
You really must stop this. I can’t believe I am saying this but, you need to stop making your heroes so damn sexy! I don’t have enough space in my hottie harem and I have always said I would never do brothers, let alone four of them (plus Jake!) But when you make your heroes as irresistible as Zach, I fall prey to your every whim and now I am eating my words. What’s one more Sullivan in my harem, right? Hell, I might as well claim them all!
Love, Ann
IF YOU WERE MINE takes readers back into the lives of the family we have come to love. This time we follow Zach Sullivan, the mogul mechanic, sweet-talker and all around panty-melter. As the hands-down most hottest of the Sullivan brothers, Zach is used to getting attention from the ladies. He has it all – the money, the good looks and the fancy cars. But when Heather Lindsey walks into his life, Zach finds the one thing his perfect life is missing...
Zach is on babysitting duty for his brother-in-law’s puppy. The small and unsuspecting Yorkie is the devil in disguise and unfortunately for Zach, Cuddles is stuck with him for two weeks. So while Zach tries his best to keep Cuddles out of his garage and his way, Heather drops in to teach the big boss how to handle a puppy.
When Zach meets the new dog trainer Heather, he is taken aback by her beauty and knows that soon, he will have her eating out of the palm of his hand. Unfortunately, Heather is the one is doing the talk-to-the-hand gesture because she knows all about Zach Sullivan and his reputation with the ladies. And to protect her heart, Heather knows it’s best to stay away. Despite the barriers she has walled around her, Zach’s relentless determination has her grasping for control because day by day, Heather learns more about Zach and fears that she is falling for him.
Andre has another winner on her hands! I wasn’t sure how she would be able to top the last two books (both of which were my favorites of the series), but she has. Zach Sullivan definitely has what it takes to be crowned the hottest Sullivan. His possessiveness, determination and unexpected vulnerability made me love him completely. But it was his charm that really made me fall in love with Zach. Unlike the other Sullivans, he is great at the witty banter and I guess it helps whenever he does that slow smile that makes the ladies burn.
Zach was easy to love, but Heather also had a lot of emotional depth to her. We learn of her past and the not so bright moments of that time in her life. Her parents are together, but unhappy and that reflects back on how Heather sees men and relationships. The question is, whether or not she will allow Zach to help her overcome those fears and feel safe with him.
Their love develops slowly, but it is satisfying because at the end of the book, you feel as if both of them have crossed oceans to get where they are supposed to be. I loved every moment of this book and only wished there was more to devour.
Andre is a master storyteller, weaving together the lives of two characters who simple don’t know the meaning of love...until they meet each other. Loved it!
Dear Mrs. Andre,
You really must stop this. I can’t believe I am saying this but, you need to stop making your heroes so damn sexy! I don’t have enough space in my hottie harem and I have always said I would never do brothers, let alone four of them (plus Jake!) But when you make your heroes as irresistible as Zach, I fall prey to your every whim and now I am eating my words. What’s one more Sullivan in my harem, right? Hell, I might as well claim them all!
Love, Ann
IF YOU WERE MINE takes readers back into the lives of the family we have come to love. This time we follow Zach Sullivan, the mogul mechanic, sweet-talker and all around panty-melter. As the hands-down most hottest of the Sullivan brothers, Zach is used to getting attention from the ladies. He has it all – the money, the good looks and the fancy cars. But when Heather Lindsey walks into his life, Zach finds the one thing his perfect life is missing...
Zach is on babysitting duty for his brother-in-law’s puppy. The small and unsuspecting Yorkie is the devil in disguise and unfortunately for Zach, Cuddles is stuck with him for two weeks. So while Zach tries his best to keep Cuddles out of his garage and his way, Heather drops in to teach the big boss how to handle a puppy.
When Zach meets the new dog trainer Heather, he is taken aback by her beauty and knows that soon, he will have her eating out of the palm of his hand. Unfortunately, Heather is the one is doing the talk-to-the-hand gesture because she knows all about Zach Sullivan and his reputation with the ladies. And to protect her heart, Heather knows it’s best to stay away. Despite the barriers she has walled around her, Zach’s relentless determination has her grasping for control because day by day, Heather learns more about Zach and fears that she is falling for him.
Andre has another winner on her hands! I wasn’t sure how she would be able to top the last two books (both of which were my favorites of the series), but she has. Zach Sullivan definitely has what it takes to be crowned the hottest Sullivan. His possessiveness, determination and unexpected vulnerability made me love him completely. But it was his charm that really made me fall in love with Zach. Unlike the other Sullivans, he is great at the witty banter and I guess it helps whenever he does that slow smile that makes the ladies burn.
Zach was easy to love, but Heather also had a lot of emotional depth to her. We learn of her past and the not so bright moments of that time in her life. Her parents are together, but unhappy and that reflects back on how Heather sees men and relationships. The question is, whether or not she will allow Zach to help her overcome those fears and feel safe with him.
Their love develops slowly, but it is satisfying because at the end of the book, you feel as if both of them have crossed oceans to get where they are supposed to be. I loved every moment of this book and only wished there was more to devour.
Andre is a master storyteller, weaving together the lives of two characters who simple don’t know the meaning of love...until they meet each other. Loved it!
June 23, 2013
"The thing was, he wanted Heather bad enough that he was willing to break a few rules for her. Not the big one, of course. He wasn't going to fall in love with her or anything."
Another great installment to the Sullivan's series. Each book that I've read by this author has been consistently good. Although I must say that the spice level has gone down noticeable within the last couple of books. And that was one thing that I liked about Bella Andre...she wrote a great romance story but included hot sex. This was still sexy, but I honestly felt the sexy was a bit lackluster...and that may be entirely due to my expectations being different.
Aside from that little grump, I quite enjoyed the rest of the story. Zach is the hottest of the hot Sullivan siblings...he owns a chain of autobody shops and is doing quite well for himself. Although the only part of his lifestyle that really entered into the story was how he filled in for the driver of a racing car that he sponsors. Totally unrealistic, but hey...it worked.
Heather becomes involved with Ryan after another Sullivan sibling dumps a new puppy in his lap for a two week long dog sitting session. Of course, Zach has no idea what to do with the rambunctious little girl...aptly named "Cuddles". So Heather, the owner of a dog training school, steps in to try to tame the beast...owner and doggie alike. Sparks fly, but Heather is adamant that she will never enter into a relationship in which she can be hurt. Girl has Daddy issues, in a major way.
Once again, this book is full to the brim with romance tropes, and yet Andre makes is feel fresh and new. I'm an animal lover, so the way that Zach's sweet little pup melts his heart...well...it' melted my heart as well.
Zach's ward Cuddles, a Yorkshire Terrier:
Heather's Atlas, a Great Dane
August 17, 2015
17/8 - This book has a few flaws, but reading it makes my heart feel all warm and smushy. There's a ton of doggy love which had me running to snuggle with my doggy and plenty of smoking hot sex scenes between Zach and Heather, in fact the second half of the book was practically one long sex scene with a few breaks in between to feed and toilet the dogs. Zach and Heather were fully fleshed-out characters, but other than the rest of the Sullivan gang, there were no secondary characters that weren't simple walk on/extra parts. I suppose you could call the dogs, Cuddles and Atlas, secondary characters, they certainly had more distinct personalities than people like Tina (Heather's assistant) or Heather's parents. I love it when it's the woman who's more reluctant to admit her feelings than the man - Zach said the magic three words first - I like the idea of a role reversal and for the guy to become the soft and slightly soppy one in the relationship (at least temporarily). Will definitely keep picking these up when I see them at the library.
May 31, 2020
Elbetteki bir Sullivan olmak 5 dk da aşık olmayı gerektirir 😆
May 21, 2022
Loved it!
May 27, 2012
Kitty's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
Oh. My. God. How could you not love Bella Andre and the Sullivan Brothers? What a fantastic book “If You Were Mine” is. Ms. Andre again wrote another erotic, witty, humorous, loving, oh-so-sexy book about one hot “mechanic” and a beautiful dog trainer. And, how she brought them together – yes, you could see it happening in real life which is what I love about Bella Andre's books. There is nothing “out-there”; it could be a true story about how two people met and fell in love.*sigh* And, I think I loved the love story about Cuddles and Atlas just as much as Zach and Heather!
Heather is a dog trainer who is sent to Zach to help him train Cuddles who he was conned into watching while Gabe, Megan and Summer go on vacation for a few weeks. Zach, being the softy that he is, just couldn't say no. But, we all know how Zach feels about woman and a “happily ever after” for himself – it's okay for his brothers but he will never give in to love. Heather doesn't believe in love either. After her father's deceit throughout her life, she doesn't trust love at all. So, friends-with-benefits it is. Or is it? They both have their secrets and their haunts from the past. It is going to take a lot for them to open up to one another. It is going to take a lot for them to see the love right in front of their eyes. With the help of family and 2 furry friends, they will not only finally believe in love but believe in the love that they have found for each other.
As I said in the beginning, this was just a great book. I had such contradicting feelings in the beginning of “If You Were Mine”. I cried for both Heather and Zach and what they were feeling about themselves but then I was hopeful that they would be able to bring out the best of each other. I laughed with Cuddles and Atlas and was thoroughly pissed off at Heather's parents. Then, as the book went on, I just smiled and then smiled some more. The “seduction” scene in the book is unbelievable. It is so realistic and descriptive that you can feel Zach's hands on Heather, you loose your breath when she looses her's. You feel the love he is pouring into his love-making with Heather and you feel Heather falling more and more in love with Zach. There is no way to describe this scene other than wildly erotic and hot; not so much in the act itself, but in the build-up and seduction of Heather. WOW. The banter between Zach and Heather, the “mutt” and “full ball”, and all of his siblings is wonderful. Everyone is back, of course. Naughty (Lori) is still scheming (I can't wait to see how she falls) and Nice (Sophie) and Jake are still all starry-eyed. (Zach is still mad at Jake for getting Nice pregnant) Ryan and Smith just love busting on Zach and flirting with Heather now that he is falling; Chase and Chloe have their shining moment (no spoiler) and Marcus and Nicola make an appearance as well. But, there is a wonderful scene in the book between Zach and his mother Mary that had me in tears. Such a moving and poignant point in the book. Thank God for Mom's and how they know just what to say and when.
So, the only way that I see to end this review is to thank Bella Andre for bringing us the Sullivan's; for giving us true-to-life love stories; for allowing us to become a part of the Sullivan Family, if only for a few hours while we are reading her books. If you asked me to pick just one of the Sullivan Series that would be my favorite, I would have to laugh at you. There is no way to choose. Each story is wonderfully written and flows into the next book seamlessly. Ryan – you're next – the baseball world better look out because I think Ryan and Vicki's story is going to be explosive!
Oh. My. God. How could you not love Bella Andre and the Sullivan Brothers? What a fantastic book “If You Were Mine” is. Ms. Andre again wrote another erotic, witty, humorous, loving, oh-so-sexy book about one hot “mechanic” and a beautiful dog trainer. And, how she brought them together – yes, you could see it happening in real life which is what I love about Bella Andre's books. There is nothing “out-there”; it could be a true story about how two people met and fell in love.*sigh* And, I think I loved the love story about Cuddles and Atlas just as much as Zach and Heather!
Heather is a dog trainer who is sent to Zach to help him train Cuddles who he was conned into watching while Gabe, Megan and Summer go on vacation for a few weeks. Zach, being the softy that he is, just couldn't say no. But, we all know how Zach feels about woman and a “happily ever after” for himself – it's okay for his brothers but he will never give in to love. Heather doesn't believe in love either. After her father's deceit throughout her life, she doesn't trust love at all. So, friends-with-benefits it is. Or is it? They both have their secrets and their haunts from the past. It is going to take a lot for them to open up to one another. It is going to take a lot for them to see the love right in front of their eyes. With the help of family and 2 furry friends, they will not only finally believe in love but believe in the love that they have found for each other.
As I said in the beginning, this was just a great book. I had such contradicting feelings in the beginning of “If You Were Mine”. I cried for both Heather and Zach and what they were feeling about themselves but then I was hopeful that they would be able to bring out the best of each other. I laughed with Cuddles and Atlas and was thoroughly pissed off at Heather's parents. Then, as the book went on, I just smiled and then smiled some more. The “seduction” scene in the book is unbelievable. It is so realistic and descriptive that you can feel Zach's hands on Heather, you loose your breath when she looses her's. You feel the love he is pouring into his love-making with Heather and you feel Heather falling more and more in love with Zach. There is no way to describe this scene other than wildly erotic and hot; not so much in the act itself, but in the build-up and seduction of Heather. WOW. The banter between Zach and Heather, the “mutt” and “full ball”, and all of his siblings is wonderful. Everyone is back, of course. Naughty (Lori) is still scheming (I can't wait to see how she falls) and Nice (Sophie) and Jake are still all starry-eyed. (Zach is still mad at Jake for getting Nice pregnant) Ryan and Smith just love busting on Zach and flirting with Heather now that he is falling; Chase and Chloe have their shining moment (no spoiler) and Marcus and Nicola make an appearance as well. But, there is a wonderful scene in the book between Zach and his mother Mary that had me in tears. Such a moving and poignant point in the book. Thank God for Mom's and how they know just what to say and when.
So, the only way that I see to end this review is to thank Bella Andre for bringing us the Sullivan's; for giving us true-to-life love stories; for allowing us to become a part of the Sullivan Family, if only for a few hours while we are reading her books. If you asked me to pick just one of the Sullivan Series that would be my favorite, I would have to laugh at you. There is no way to choose. Each story is wonderfully written and flows into the next book seamlessly. Ryan – you're next – the baseball world better look out because I think Ryan and Vicki's story is going to be explosive!
February 25, 2013
Meh!
I am more than halfway through the book, still don't have any idea why these two are attracted to each other. Zach says she's the strongest woman he knows. How does he know this? By knowing she had raised skin near her elbows, she's emotionally strong? By training dogs she's physically strong? What's going on in this book? Then there's supposed to be this laid back mogul of auto-mechanics, who loves his family to distraction but has not figured out that aneurysms are not inherited, the least he can do is talk to a doctor and be more educated about his fears and his life choices if he's so worried about hurting Heather at some point in the future by dropping dead at her feet. This type of false self-assigned noble-intention attitude is an excuse so he will not love her and ever commit to her, hardly makes him an alpha male which i think he's supposed to be? hmmmm! Very strange book..... My third attempt at reading this one and i am struggling....
I am more than halfway through the book, still don't have any idea why these two are attracted to each other. Zach says she's the strongest woman he knows. How does he know this? By knowing she had raised skin near her elbows, she's emotionally strong? By training dogs she's physically strong? What's going on in this book? Then there's supposed to be this laid back mogul of auto-mechanics, who loves his family to distraction but has not figured out that aneurysms are not inherited, the least he can do is talk to a doctor and be more educated about his fears and his life choices if he's so worried about hurting Heather at some point in the future by dropping dead at her feet. This type of false self-assigned noble-intention attitude is an excuse so he will not love her and ever commit to her, hardly makes him an alpha male which i think he's supposed to be? hmmmm! Very strange book..... My third attempt at reading this one and i am struggling....
August 2, 2012
These books are just like chocolate... totally addicting and full of sugar! Sometimes they have the tendency to get sticky sweet, but I can't stop with this series...I really have enjoyed it. This has been the best of the series so far, which surprises me because Zach had really not piqued my interest at all in prior books. I am *DYING* for Smith's book already!
This could have been a five-star read, I enjoyed it that much, but two things annoy me about these books. First, the kids act and talk WAY older than their age! And the biggest pet peeve is that these people are falling maddly, passionately, soul-shattering-ly (is that a word?!LOL!) in love in like a week!! Plus, I hate the condom thing every.single.sex.scene... there is no STD in Romance Fantasyland!!
I REALLY enjoyed this book despite huge romance genre cliches... like I said, I'm addict to chocolate!
This could have been a five-star read, I enjoyed it that much, but two things annoy me about these books. First, the kids act and talk WAY older than their age! And the biggest pet peeve is that these people are falling maddly, passionately, soul-shattering-ly (is that a word?!LOL!) in love in like a week!! Plus, I hate the condom thing every.single.sex.scene... there is no STD in Romance Fantasyland!!
I REALLY enjoyed this book despite huge romance genre cliches... like I said, I'm addict to chocolate!
August 4, 2012
Another good book to add to the Sullivan series. A light read that is well written and flows easy, just what I needed!
Eargerly waiting for the next one ☺
Eargerly waiting for the next one ☺
February 10, 2013
I truly love this series. I'm getting so upset that its almost over!! These Sullivan's are awesome! Bella Andre is definitely a fave of mine.
August 7, 2022
For someone who said that he won't ever fall in love in chapter one, falls hard and fast for the girl in the first few chapters only.
I wanted to read the build up and everything but it was just H lusting for h and h taking care of the dogs and that's how the entire book is.
So it was not an enjoyable read for me.
I wanted to read the build up and everything but it was just H lusting for h and h taking care of the dogs and that's how the entire book is.
So it was not an enjoyable read for me.
March 11, 2022
The couple: Zach and Heather
Romance genre: contemporary
Series: The Sullivans (The San Francisco Sullivans)
Length: 194 pages
Plot: Zach is a mogul of sorts - he's a mechanic, sure, but he owns a chain of shops as well as racing cars. He likes his fast lifestyle, including the variety of women. And then his brother gets a new puppy and immediately leaves on vacation for two weeks. He's at a loss until a friend directs him to a dog trainer, Heather. Heather is a successful dog trainer, happy in her job taking care of animals who are much more understanding than men. When Zach meets Heather, though, all bets are off - for him at least. Heather is a little more unsure.
Commentary: Oh Zach, you arrogant jerk! I could easily see why Heather didn't just fall into his arms! Cute is one thing, but personality counts too, and he was all too sure of his allure, which I didn't find that sexy. The fact that he was looking for something temporary was off-putting as well, because he was willing to go all in - to a point (which defeats the purpose). Heather was a little annoying because of her refusal to believe that love could exist. I understand she had a close-up experience with her parents, but it seems like she might have seen other couples that had the opposite experience and that would balance her views. She refused to entertain the thought though, and that affected her entire life (for which her parents ought to be ashamed!).
Cuddles though - what a little (unwitting) matchmaker!
So the cutting issue: Heather started cutting when she was trying to deal with her father's infidelity. Parental relationship issues can be traumatic for a child. I think that most make it out okay. I have to wonder if Heather has some underlying issues that made it take hold a little more, leading to the cutting, because to me, that seems like an extreme reaction. I could be absolutely wrong - I have no experience with cutting. But it almost seems like it was added to give her a trauma to explain her issues without being specific or dark (almost, and I hate to say it, like a formula: manwhore + heroine with trauma (______) = story). I just didn't see that it added any particular value to the story. But that was a small complaint, and I very much enjoyed this story (I liked the other brothers better, but I think it's just the attitudes - Zach was so cocky!)
Previous book in the series: I Only Have Eyes for You
Next book in the series: Let Me Be the One
Romance genre: contemporary
Series: The Sullivans (The San Francisco Sullivans)
Length: 194 pages
Plot: Zach is a mogul of sorts - he's a mechanic, sure, but he owns a chain of shops as well as racing cars. He likes his fast lifestyle, including the variety of women. And then his brother gets a new puppy and immediately leaves on vacation for two weeks. He's at a loss until a friend directs him to a dog trainer, Heather. Heather is a successful dog trainer, happy in her job taking care of animals who are much more understanding than men. When Zach meets Heather, though, all bets are off - for him at least. Heather is a little more unsure.
Commentary: Oh Zach, you arrogant jerk! I could easily see why Heather didn't just fall into his arms! Cute is one thing, but personality counts too, and he was all too sure of his allure, which I didn't find that sexy. The fact that he was looking for something temporary was off-putting as well, because he was willing to go all in - to a point (which defeats the purpose). Heather was a little annoying because of her refusal to believe that love could exist. I understand she had a close-up experience with her parents, but it seems like she might have seen other couples that had the opposite experience and that would balance her views. She refused to entertain the thought though, and that affected her entire life (for which her parents ought to be ashamed!).
Cuddles though - what a little (unwitting) matchmaker!
So the cutting issue: Heather started cutting when she was trying to deal with her father's infidelity. Parental relationship issues can be traumatic for a child. I think that most make it out okay. I have to wonder if Heather has some underlying issues that made it take hold a little more, leading to the cutting, because to me, that seems like an extreme reaction. I could be absolutely wrong - I have no experience with cutting. But it almost seems like it was added to give her a trauma to explain her issues without being specific or dark (almost, and I hate to say it, like a formula: manwhore + heroine with trauma (______) = story). I just didn't see that it added any particular value to the story. But that was a small complaint, and I very much enjoyed this story (I liked the other brothers better, but I think it's just the attitudes - Zach was so cocky!)
Previous book in the series: I Only Have Eyes for You
Next book in the series: Let Me Be the One
October 30, 2020
The typical sugar water romance, very cute and quick to read. With the same beaten formula, but it is a good novel for those who are looking for one to read.
Sullivans are like the contemporary Bridgerton family.
This book tells the story of Zack who will have to take care of a puppy of his niece and ends up hiring Heather to train the dog. Both Zack and Heather do not believe in love and are not looking for a relationship; But the chemistry between them is instantaneous and although they try to stay away, both are not strong enough to fight these lures.
I just found the rushed ending, it could have been better worked
Sullivans are like the contemporary Bridgerton family.
This book tells the story of Zack who will have to take care of a puppy of his niece and ends up hiring Heather to train the dog. Both Zack and Heather do not believe in love and are not looking for a relationship; But the chemistry between them is instantaneous and although they try to stay away, both are not strong enough to fight these lures.
I just found the rushed ending, it could have been better worked
October 15, 2016
Sevimli bir seri, karakterlerine de alıştım bir hayli. Zack'in hikayesi de bir hayli tatlıydı bence :)
March 19, 2013
Okay, let me just summarize my feeling...
Yup, this seems about right... Wow, the series has been amazing, but I think this one, along with the love story of Gabe and Megan have been the best so far!
First of all, let me just say how happy I am that the book included dogs, and not just any dogs, but two of the loveliest, friendliest and cutest dogs ever! Atlas and Cudles (yeah, way to go for a name) claimed my heart from the very beginning!
And the love story. Well, it was pretty awesome! All this love/hate, the uncertainties, the hurt, the fear made the story true, personal and made me so damn emotional that i clung to every word!
It has been an amazing experience yet again!
**********************
“Where the hell is that damned puppy!”
“You’d better get your furry little butt back here!”
- Jach
There were half a dozen girls in bikinis waiting in Zach’s garage, but the woman laughing with his dog in her arms, wearing a sweaty, long-sleeved T-shirt and muddy shorts, with a messy braid trailing down her back, put them all to shame. He couldn’t think of a time he’d ever seen eyes that color, brown with so many flecks of gold that he couldn’t look away. And, Jesus, that mouth of hers, rosy and full, made a man want to do crazy things...like grab the puppy and kiss it all over its drooly, disgusting little face for bringing Heather here today.
- Jach
“I’ve never made love to anyone before,” she whispered, overwhelmed by what she was feeling,
how strong, how unstoppable her emotions were.
He leaned closer and his mouth hovered over hers. But instead of kissing her, he whispered across
her lips, “Yes, you have. Every time we’ve touched, you’ve let me love you.”
His voice was even deeper than normal, and raw with emotion.
“And you’ve loved me right back.”
- Heather and Jach
“That’s why we should stop seeing each other—before either of us gets any deeper.” (Heather)
“Too late.” His eyes flashed with surprise and he stared at her in the same stunned disbelief that
she’d just experienced moments before. “Holy hell, I think I’m already in love with you.”
- Jach
“You taught me to trust. To have faith and hope. How to laugh again.” She ran the pad of her thumb
over his bottom lip. “And when I’m safe and warm in your arms, just like this, I know the true meaning of peace.”
- Heather
“You can’t change your mind about love when you don’t even believe in it, remember?”
“I never said I didn’t believe in love,” he clarified. “I just said I wasn’t looking for it. But I didn’t know you were coming into my life. I couldn’t have known.” He looked into eyes that were so beautiful, whether lit with laughter or hazy with passion. “I meant it when I said you were mine. From the first moment I set eyes on you, I knew it. You knew it, too, Heather. That the first time we met, the first time we touched, the first time we kissed, I was yours.”
- Jach
“This isn’t even about me,” she snapped back. “You just want me because I’m a challenge.”
“Wrong,” he shot back. “I want you because I want you. From the first second I saw you, I’ve
wanted you, Heather.”
- Jach
and of course:
Using the dogs to keep her close to him wasn’t playing fair.
Then again, when had a Sullivan ever played by the rules?
**********************
YES! I WANT THE NEXT BOOK! GIMME GIMME GIMME!
Yup, this seems about right... Wow, the series has been amazing, but I think this one, along with the love story of Gabe and Megan have been the best so far!
First of all, let me just say how happy I am that the book included dogs, and not just any dogs, but two of the loveliest, friendliest and cutest dogs ever! Atlas and Cudles (yeah, way to go for a name) claimed my heart from the very beginning!
And the love story. Well, it was pretty awesome! All this love/hate, the uncertainties, the hurt, the fear made the story true, personal and made me so damn emotional that i clung to every word!
It has been an amazing experience yet again!
**********************
“Where the hell is that damned puppy!”
“You’d better get your furry little butt back here!”
- Jach
There were half a dozen girls in bikinis waiting in Zach’s garage, but the woman laughing with his dog in her arms, wearing a sweaty, long-sleeved T-shirt and muddy shorts, with a messy braid trailing down her back, put them all to shame. He couldn’t think of a time he’d ever seen eyes that color, brown with so many flecks of gold that he couldn’t look away. And, Jesus, that mouth of hers, rosy and full, made a man want to do crazy things...like grab the puppy and kiss it all over its drooly, disgusting little face for bringing Heather here today.
- Jach
“I’ve never made love to anyone before,” she whispered, overwhelmed by what she was feeling,
how strong, how unstoppable her emotions were.
He leaned closer and his mouth hovered over hers. But instead of kissing her, he whispered across
her lips, “Yes, you have. Every time we’ve touched, you’ve let me love you.”
His voice was even deeper than normal, and raw with emotion.
“And you’ve loved me right back.”
- Heather and Jach
“That’s why we should stop seeing each other—before either of us gets any deeper.” (Heather)
“Too late.” His eyes flashed with surprise and he stared at her in the same stunned disbelief that
she’d just experienced moments before. “Holy hell, I think I’m already in love with you.”
- Jach
“You taught me to trust. To have faith and hope. How to laugh again.” She ran the pad of her thumb
over his bottom lip. “And when I’m safe and warm in your arms, just like this, I know the true meaning of peace.”
- Heather
“You can’t change your mind about love when you don’t even believe in it, remember?”
“I never said I didn’t believe in love,” he clarified. “I just said I wasn’t looking for it. But I didn’t know you were coming into my life. I couldn’t have known.” He looked into eyes that were so beautiful, whether lit with laughter or hazy with passion. “I meant it when I said you were mine. From the first moment I set eyes on you, I knew it. You knew it, too, Heather. That the first time we met, the first time we touched, the first time we kissed, I was yours.”
- Jach
“This isn’t even about me,” she snapped back. “You just want me because I’m a challenge.”
“Wrong,” he shot back. “I want you because I want you. From the first second I saw you, I’ve
wanted you, Heather.”
- Jach
and of course:
Using the dogs to keep her close to him wasn’t playing fair.
Then again, when had a Sullivan ever played by the rules?
**********************
YES! I WANT THE NEXT BOOK! GIMME GIMME GIMME!
December 6, 2012
In IF YOU WERE MINE, Zach Sullivan faces his greatest fear. Leaving behind his family suddenly like is father, Jack Sullivan. We learn just how the death of his father has influence Zach to live his life in the fast lane through his auto shops, women, never getting close to said women and his racing.
When Gabe sticks him with babysitting Summer’s new puppy Cuddles while they are on their trip, Zach is in for a surprise at just how energetic and wild the little puppy can be.
Luckily one of his clients sends the best dog trainer around his way. Unfortunately, they meet while he’s yelling for the lost Cuddles and get off to the wrong foot.
Animals have been Heather Linsey’s escape since her teen cutting years and finding her impromptu client yelling for the scared puppy she finds in the bush doesn’t sit well. Despite her own dog, Atlas’, unusual good response to him, Heather refuses to let down her guard.
Talking his way into getting training lessons keeps Heather in Zach’s reach and boy does he want her from the start. Through emergency clean ups and park trainings, Zach and Heather bond well over the dogs as well as Cuddles and Atlas who become best friends.
Unfortunately, Zach’s playful ways and easy confidence only reinforces the hard lesson she learned from her parents’ fake marriage and she keeps her heart closed off to him.
Until the animal shelter auction that is, when Zach make a big donation. Although she finally gives in to the attraction, they set rules for their relationship to be purely physical as both aren’t’ looking for love.
Over the course of the two weeks, Heather learns just how wrong their first meeting and her first impression of him was. His attentiveness, love for his family (whom welcomes baby Emma), and his style breaks down the walls to her heart.
The boastful Lori is all smiles over her victory when Zach admits his love for Heather, despite their agreement to keep it physical.
Zach never thought he’d see the day, and still fear his time with her would be cut short, but he can’t stop denying how well she fit into his family.
It’s when his race ends in flames that the realization of an early end sends him blocking himself off from others, including her. Giving back Cuddles, whom Summer got for him, Zach manages to lock everyone out.
A week by themselves only reinforces their feelings as well as their sad furry friends. It’s only when his mom opens up about his father, stating even a short time with him was better than nothing, that Zach realizes he shouldn’t have pushed her away. With his mother’s engagement ring in hand, he’s off to fix things.
Heather has the same epiphany as she realizes Zach fought for her from the beginning, yet she didn’t’ return the favor after his crash.
Both sorry, Zach and Heather (along with Cuddles and Atlas) can spend whatever time they have left as a family, which is hopefully a long and fulfilling life.
I’m not sure what was lacking in this for me, but it just didn’t keep me totally interested.
When Gabe sticks him with babysitting Summer’s new puppy Cuddles while they are on their trip, Zach is in for a surprise at just how energetic and wild the little puppy can be.
Luckily one of his clients sends the best dog trainer around his way. Unfortunately, they meet while he’s yelling for the lost Cuddles and get off to the wrong foot.
Animals have been Heather Linsey’s escape since her teen cutting years and finding her impromptu client yelling for the scared puppy she finds in the bush doesn’t sit well. Despite her own dog, Atlas’, unusual good response to him, Heather refuses to let down her guard.
Talking his way into getting training lessons keeps Heather in Zach’s reach and boy does he want her from the start. Through emergency clean ups and park trainings, Zach and Heather bond well over the dogs as well as Cuddles and Atlas who become best friends.
Unfortunately, Zach’s playful ways and easy confidence only reinforces the hard lesson she learned from her parents’ fake marriage and she keeps her heart closed off to him.
Until the animal shelter auction that is, when Zach make a big donation. Although she finally gives in to the attraction, they set rules for their relationship to be purely physical as both aren’t’ looking for love.
Over the course of the two weeks, Heather learns just how wrong their first meeting and her first impression of him was. His attentiveness, love for his family (whom welcomes baby Emma), and his style breaks down the walls to her heart.
The boastful Lori is all smiles over her victory when Zach admits his love for Heather, despite their agreement to keep it physical.
Zach never thought he’d see the day, and still fear his time with her would be cut short, but he can’t stop denying how well she fit into his family.
It’s when his race ends in flames that the realization of an early end sends him blocking himself off from others, including her. Giving back Cuddles, whom Summer got for him, Zach manages to lock everyone out.
A week by themselves only reinforces their feelings as well as their sad furry friends. It’s only when his mom opens up about his father, stating even a short time with him was better than nothing, that Zach realizes he shouldn’t have pushed her away. With his mother’s engagement ring in hand, he’s off to fix things.
Heather has the same epiphany as she realizes Zach fought for her from the beginning, yet she didn’t’ return the favor after his crash.
Both sorry, Zach and Heather (along with Cuddles and Atlas) can spend whatever time they have left as a family, which is hopefully a long and fulfilling life.
I’m not sure what was lacking in this for me, but it just didn’t keep me totally interested.
May 29, 2012
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS AT READING, EATING AND DREAMING I WAS BLAIR WALDORF
THE FAMILY:
I am in love with the Sullivans. The Sullivans are a large, one-of-a-kind family that’s made up of 8 magnificent and unique siblings.
Chase – Photographer (The Look of Love)
Marcus – Winery (From This Moment On)
Gabe – Firefighter (Can’t Help Falling in Love)
Sophie (Nice) – Librarian (I Only Have Eyes For You)
Zach – Auto Shop Chain (If You Were Mine)
Ryan – Professional Baseball Player (TBA)
Smith – Actor (TBA)
Lori (Naughty) – Choreographer (TBA)
THE SERIES:
If you are looking for something SWEET and SEXY then The Sullivans companion series by Bella Andre is absolutely perfect for you. Each novel in the companion series is unique, just like the siblings. However, there is one thing that all of the novels have in common: THEY ARE ALL AMAZING!
I’m obsessed with this series. As soon as a new novel is released, I drop everything else so I can get my Sullivan fix.
IF YOU WERE MINE:
If You Were Mine was another wonderful additional this series. I really enjoyed Zach and Heather's story. It was a sweet and sexy story with emotional undertones. I really enjoyed watching Zach and Heather try to resist falling in love.
Zach's father died when he was a young boy leaving his mother all alone to raise eight children. Zach has always been told that he is exactly like his father, and he is convinced that he is going to die young. He doesn't want to leave a wife and children behind so he lives his life in the fast lane and doesn't form emotional attachments. One-night stands are fine but love isn't in the cards for Zach.
Heather doesn't believe in love. Her parent's marriage looks like the perfect marriage from the outside, but Heather discovered the truth about her parent's marriage a long time ago. Her father is a cheater, and her mother is a spineless woman who looks the other way. Heather decides that if that is love, then she wants no part in it.
Overall, If You Were Mine was a fabulous story. I only have one minor critique, and bare with me because I am going to keep things vague to avoid any spoilers. Bella Andre brought up a serious issue in this novel, but in my opinion, she could have delved a little deeper into this issue. She "talked" about it, but she never really "explored" it. I would connected with Heather better if I would have been able to understand her past struggles better. Did this keep me from loving the story? No. I still strongly recommend this story and this series.
I gave If You Were Mine by Bella Andre 4 STARS. If you haven't been introduced to the Sullivans yet, then I recommend that you fix that immediately, starting with the first novel in the companion series, The Look of Love.
-XOXO
READING, EATING AND DREAMING
THE FAMILY:
I am in love with the Sullivans. The Sullivans are a large, one-of-a-kind family that’s made up of 8 magnificent and unique siblings.
Chase – Photographer (The Look of Love)
Marcus – Winery (From This Moment On)
Gabe – Firefighter (Can’t Help Falling in Love)
Sophie (Nice) – Librarian (I Only Have Eyes For You)
Zach – Auto Shop Chain (If You Were Mine)
Ryan – Professional Baseball Player (TBA)
Smith – Actor (TBA)
Lori (Naughty) – Choreographer (TBA)
THE SERIES:
If you are looking for something SWEET and SEXY then The Sullivans companion series by Bella Andre is absolutely perfect for you. Each novel in the companion series is unique, just like the siblings. However, there is one thing that all of the novels have in common: THEY ARE ALL AMAZING!
I’m obsessed with this series. As soon as a new novel is released, I drop everything else so I can get my Sullivan fix.
IF YOU WERE MINE:
If You Were Mine was another wonderful additional this series. I really enjoyed Zach and Heather's story. It was a sweet and sexy story with emotional undertones. I really enjoyed watching Zach and Heather try to resist falling in love.
Zach's father died when he was a young boy leaving his mother all alone to raise eight children. Zach has always been told that he is exactly like his father, and he is convinced that he is going to die young. He doesn't want to leave a wife and children behind so he lives his life in the fast lane and doesn't form emotional attachments. One-night stands are fine but love isn't in the cards for Zach.
Heather doesn't believe in love. Her parent's marriage looks like the perfect marriage from the outside, but Heather discovered the truth about her parent's marriage a long time ago. Her father is a cheater, and her mother is a spineless woman who looks the other way. Heather decides that if that is love, then she wants no part in it.
Overall, If You Were Mine was a fabulous story. I only have one minor critique, and bare with me because I am going to keep things vague to avoid any spoilers. Bella Andre brought up a serious issue in this novel, but in my opinion, she could have delved a little deeper into this issue. She "talked" about it, but she never really "explored" it. I would connected with Heather better if I would have been able to understand her past struggles better. Did this keep me from loving the story? No. I still strongly recommend this story and this series.
I gave If You Were Mine by Bella Andre 4 STARS. If you haven't been introduced to the Sullivans yet, then I recommend that you fix that immediately, starting with the first novel in the companion series, The Look of Love.
-XOXO
READING, EATING AND DREAMING
August 12, 2012
This book started out fun and really enjoyable. I really liked the characters and I enjoy the Sullivan family as a whole. But honestly it's as though this author cannot write a book without a big, stupid separation. Not even a good one. As as the story goes, you're just waiting for it. You know it's coming and that takes you out of the story. And then it comes and it's just so dumb that it nearly ruins the whole book. I hate that.
But luckily it didnt come until nearly the end so I was able to enjoy quite a bit. And I guess the back together part was good.
If you've read and liked the others, than you'd like this too. If not, skip this. You're not missing anything.
Next up is Ryan. Really, I just want to read Lori's story. Probably will go ahead and skip the others.
But luckily it didnt come until nearly the end so I was able to enjoy quite a bit. And I guess the back together part was good.
If you've read and liked the others, than you'd like this too. If not, skip this. You're not missing anything.
Next up is Ryan. Really, I just want to read Lori's story. Probably will go ahead and skip the others.
December 5, 2016
Bu seriyi gerçekten çok seviyorum.
Birbirlerine çok bağlı kardeşler, onları yıllarca tek başına büyütmüş bir anne...
Kardeşlerin hepsi de kariyerlerinde çok başarılı ve hayatlarında bir çok şeyi aşmış kardeşler. Bir tek aşk hariç ki biz de sırayla hepsinin aşık olmasını okuyoruz.
Bu serinin erkeklerinin en sevdiğim yanı duygularını saçma sapan şeyler için gizlememeleri. Aşık olduklarında kabulleniyorlar, en sevdiğim tür. :D
Tabi ki Zach de farklı değildi. Aşık olmayacağım ayağına sıraladığı türlü salak bahanelerden sonra kıza iki günde vuruldu. Eh bunu da kabul etti ki dediğim gibi en sevdiğim. :D
Ryan'ın kitabından devam...
Birbirlerine çok bağlı kardeşler, onları yıllarca tek başına büyütmüş bir anne...
Kardeşlerin hepsi de kariyerlerinde çok başarılı ve hayatlarında bir çok şeyi aşmış kardeşler. Bir tek aşk hariç ki biz de sırayla hepsinin aşık olmasını okuyoruz.
Bu serinin erkeklerinin en sevdiğim yanı duygularını saçma sapan şeyler için gizlememeleri. Aşık olduklarında kabulleniyorlar, en sevdiğim tür. :D
Tabi ki Zach de farklı değildi. Aşık olmayacağım ayağına sıraladığı türlü salak bahanelerden sonra kıza iki günde vuruldu. Eh bunu da kabul etti ki dediğim gibi en sevdiğim. :D
Ryan'ın kitabından devam...
January 25, 2016
It was an okay story. I thought Heather's conflict with her parents was silly for her to hold on to and she needed to move on. She is my least favorite h from the whole series. She had a wishy-washy and uncaring attitude toward the H. Zach's conflict seemed more valid to me. He was a likeable and sweet H. There were holes in the story that the author filled with pages of the H/h having sex. It got boring after awhile. The few appearances by the rest of the Sullivan family plus the two adorable dogs are what saved this story for me.
January 31, 2013
Fun, fab and totally engaging. These Sullivan brothers are hot, sexy, and to die for. Love it!
June 4, 2012
Originally published at http://www.torimacallister.com on May 26, 2012
My mother and I were chatting yesterday about our latest reads - actually having yet another "how does she do it?" discussion about Nora Roberts since we had both read and loved her latest, The Witness - when I hopped online to look at what the kindle edition would cost since I thought I'd be rereading it. That's when I gasped and clutched my arm as if I were having a heart attack.
"Jesus, what's wrong?" my mother asked, clearly alarmed at my Sarah Bernhardt response to looking at Amazon.com.
I pointed a finger at my MacBook screen. "Did you know that Bella Andre's latest Sullivan book came out - YESTERDAY?!"
Cue both of us grabbing our iPads and ordering it, right then and there. My mother made some excuse to leave about two minutes later claiming she was "tired from gardening." Uh-huh.
I was kicking myself that I had promised to attend a baseball playoff game, but sucked it up and made the trip (and actually had a great time). But baseball made me think of Ryan Sullivan (the Sullivan brother who is a major league baseball player), which made me think of Zach Sullivan, who we finally get to see fall, and fall hard, in Bella Andre's latest installment of the Sullivan family series, If You Were Mine .
Now I haven't been shy in my deep admiration and love for all things Bella Andre. Not long ago, I wrote a blog post on the first four books of the series, claiming that this series is one of the best values on the romance market and I stand by that statement today. When so many authors, pressured to produce multiple books per year, struggle with maintaining a consistent quality, Bella Andre channels her own inner Nora Roberts and gives us another heart-stoppingly amazing addition to this series, which is claiming the spot of favorite contemporary romance series for me.
Zach Sullivan loves working with cars and enjoys the benefits of having built his love into a chain of successful automotive stations, but he enjoys fast women as much as fast cars, sporting a serious "no commitment" policy with the opposite sex. When his firefighter brother Gabe drops off the puppy of his soon-to-be stepdaughter for Zach to dogsit, Zach figures a couple pounds of puppy can't be too much for him handle. But it is. As he finds his life turned upside down by a Yorki named Cuddles, a friend sends him the best dog trainer in the San Francisco area, Heather Linsey.
And that "no commitment" policy gets reevaluated. Heather is far from impressed with Zach's yelling at the puppy but she quickly realizes that she's the one who might be over her head. Zach is even more good looking than his movie star brother, Smith, and his sense of humor has her more worried than his chiseled features or killer body. Heather is fine with a no commitment physical relationship, but someone who makes her laugh could find their way into her heart. The fact her faithful Great Dane, Atlas, has a new best friend in Zach's puppy charge is simply another red flag on the whole situation, one that has Heather saying, "No" firmly and repeatedly to Zach's advances.
Zach hasn't really heard "no" from women before and hearing it from Heather makes him realize that they time they spend together not having sex is actually more amazing than the time he has spent having sex with other women. He knows this is dangerous, but can't stop himself from putting his heart on the line for her.
But Zach and Heather both have their own brand of damage. Heather had a terrible childhood with the discovery that her doting father, who she thought loved her mother, was a philanderer all his life - and her mother knew about it. Watching two people fake a marriage has put her off the idea that true love exists and actually led to a bout of cutting when she was younger. Working with animals, along with therapy, helped release her feelings in a more productive way, but her heart has some rather substantial walls around it and she's unwilling to risk it, even with all the feelings Zach stirs in her.
Zach is a great tortured hero, simply because you don't realize how damaged he is at first glance. I loved him in Sophie Sullivan's story, when he beat the crap out of his best friend Jake for getting her pregnant, and he's always been a great brother and good businessman. But in this book we discover that Zach's strong resemblance to his father, who succumbed to a sudden aneurysm in his thirties leaving a wife and eight young children, has led Zach to avoid falling in love because he's not convinced that he'll be around for that long. The fast cars and faster women have been a natural outcome of this secret belief that his days are numbered, and he may not be able to let go of his pain to make a life with Heather.
Walk, don't run, to your nearest ebook vendor to purchase this book. Andre has once again crafted deep characters you instantly root for, praying they will work through their emotional baggage and realize the love of lifetime is at their fingertips if they would just take a chance. The dogs are incredible minor characters and seeing our favorite Sullivans (the ones already partnered happy and healthy and the ones still single having their clock ticking) gives you the feeling that you are catching up with friends.
I've put an Amazon alert so I'll be notified next time when Bella Andre publishes another book. I don't want to miss an hour of reading when Ryan Sullivan's book, Let Me Be the One , comes out in the fall!
My mother and I were chatting yesterday about our latest reads - actually having yet another "how does she do it?" discussion about Nora Roberts since we had both read and loved her latest, The Witness - when I hopped online to look at what the kindle edition would cost since I thought I'd be rereading it. That's when I gasped and clutched my arm as if I were having a heart attack.
"Jesus, what's wrong?" my mother asked, clearly alarmed at my Sarah Bernhardt response to looking at Amazon.com.
I pointed a finger at my MacBook screen. "Did you know that Bella Andre's latest Sullivan book came out - YESTERDAY?!"
Cue both of us grabbing our iPads and ordering it, right then and there. My mother made some excuse to leave about two minutes later claiming she was "tired from gardening." Uh-huh.
I was kicking myself that I had promised to attend a baseball playoff game, but sucked it up and made the trip (and actually had a great time). But baseball made me think of Ryan Sullivan (the Sullivan brother who is a major league baseball player), which made me think of Zach Sullivan, who we finally get to see fall, and fall hard, in Bella Andre's latest installment of the Sullivan family series, If You Were Mine .
Now I haven't been shy in my deep admiration and love for all things Bella Andre. Not long ago, I wrote a blog post on the first four books of the series, claiming that this series is one of the best values on the romance market and I stand by that statement today. When so many authors, pressured to produce multiple books per year, struggle with maintaining a consistent quality, Bella Andre channels her own inner Nora Roberts and gives us another heart-stoppingly amazing addition to this series, which is claiming the spot of favorite contemporary romance series for me.
Zach Sullivan loves working with cars and enjoys the benefits of having built his love into a chain of successful automotive stations, but he enjoys fast women as much as fast cars, sporting a serious "no commitment" policy with the opposite sex. When his firefighter brother Gabe drops off the puppy of his soon-to-be stepdaughter for Zach to dogsit, Zach figures a couple pounds of puppy can't be too much for him handle. But it is. As he finds his life turned upside down by a Yorki named Cuddles, a friend sends him the best dog trainer in the San Francisco area, Heather Linsey.
And that "no commitment" policy gets reevaluated. Heather is far from impressed with Zach's yelling at the puppy but she quickly realizes that she's the one who might be over her head. Zach is even more good looking than his movie star brother, Smith, and his sense of humor has her more worried than his chiseled features or killer body. Heather is fine with a no commitment physical relationship, but someone who makes her laugh could find their way into her heart. The fact her faithful Great Dane, Atlas, has a new best friend in Zach's puppy charge is simply another red flag on the whole situation, one that has Heather saying, "No" firmly and repeatedly to Zach's advances.
Zach hasn't really heard "no" from women before and hearing it from Heather makes him realize that they time they spend together not having sex is actually more amazing than the time he has spent having sex with other women. He knows this is dangerous, but can't stop himself from putting his heart on the line for her.
But Zach and Heather both have their own brand of damage. Heather had a terrible childhood with the discovery that her doting father, who she thought loved her mother, was a philanderer all his life - and her mother knew about it. Watching two people fake a marriage has put her off the idea that true love exists and actually led to a bout of cutting when she was younger. Working with animals, along with therapy, helped release her feelings in a more productive way, but her heart has some rather substantial walls around it and she's unwilling to risk it, even with all the feelings Zach stirs in her.
Zach is a great tortured hero, simply because you don't realize how damaged he is at first glance. I loved him in Sophie Sullivan's story, when he beat the crap out of his best friend Jake for getting her pregnant, and he's always been a great brother and good businessman. But in this book we discover that Zach's strong resemblance to his father, who succumbed to a sudden aneurysm in his thirties leaving a wife and eight young children, has led Zach to avoid falling in love because he's not convinced that he'll be around for that long. The fast cars and faster women have been a natural outcome of this secret belief that his days are numbered, and he may not be able to let go of his pain to make a life with Heather.
Walk, don't run, to your nearest ebook vendor to purchase this book. Andre has once again crafted deep characters you instantly root for, praying they will work through their emotional baggage and realize the love of lifetime is at their fingertips if they would just take a chance. The dogs are incredible minor characters and seeing our favorite Sullivans (the ones already partnered happy and healthy and the ones still single having their clock ticking) gives you the feeling that you are catching up with friends.
I've put an Amazon alert so I'll be notified next time when Bella Andre publishes another book. I don't want to miss an hour of reading when Ryan Sullivan's book, Let Me Be the One , comes out in the fall!
June 20, 2020
* You do not need to read the previous entries to enjoy this book.
** Book read in Dutch.
Zach Sullivan is a playboy and he is certain his wild ways will never change. But when his brother asks him to look after their terror puppy, he knows he needs some specialised help. Heather and her dog Atlas belong to the best dog trainers in the city, but this usually closed off woman might be unable to withstand the combined charismatic powers of Zach and the puppy. When they finally give in to their attraction, all bets are off. But will they be able to make it work, because they're two very different people.
Pro's:
+ The dogs in this story are great. Atlas is a loyal, quiet rescue Great Dane and Cuddles is a young, energetic Yorkie, but even though they are very different they just seem to be instant best friends. Cuddles's antics are great ( and any dogowners worst nightmare) and her instant connection to Zach is absolutly amazing.
+ Another well-told story that was very easy to read. Bella Andre always has a certain flow to her stories that make them very easy to get through and very entertaining. The characters in this book are total opposites and in the beginning, they don't even want to be involved with eachother. I really enjoy that angle and it never became obnoxious or boring.
Con's:
- The description of how amazing and good-looking Zach is gets really boring, really quickly. After three times you'd think we'd know, but the author couldn't help herself in overpraising this characters abilities. For me, this really reduced my liking for this character and therefore I didn't enjoy this story as much as I could have.
A very enjoyable read, I got a lot of entertainment out of this romance. The best thing for me were the dogs. I love dogs and if an author captures their personalities really well it scores big points on my entertainment meter. Zach was annoying, but overall I would really recommend this book. Heather is not too feminine, so if you like that type of heroine you might enjoy this book quite a lot.
** Book read in Dutch.
Zach Sullivan is a playboy and he is certain his wild ways will never change. But when his brother asks him to look after their terror puppy, he knows he needs some specialised help. Heather and her dog Atlas belong to the best dog trainers in the city, but this usually closed off woman might be unable to withstand the combined charismatic powers of Zach and the puppy. When they finally give in to their attraction, all bets are off. But will they be able to make it work, because they're two very different people.
Pro's:
+ The dogs in this story are great. Atlas is a loyal, quiet rescue Great Dane and Cuddles is a young, energetic Yorkie, but even though they are very different they just seem to be instant best friends. Cuddles's antics are great ( and any dogowners worst nightmare) and her instant connection to Zach is absolutly amazing.
+ Another well-told story that was very easy to read. Bella Andre always has a certain flow to her stories that make them very easy to get through and very entertaining. The characters in this book are total opposites and in the beginning, they don't even want to be involved with eachother. I really enjoy that angle and it never became obnoxious or boring.
Con's:
- The description of how amazing and good-looking Zach is gets really boring, really quickly. After three times you'd think we'd know, but the author couldn't help herself in overpraising this characters abilities. For me, this really reduced my liking for this character and therefore I didn't enjoy this story as much as I could have.
A very enjoyable read, I got a lot of entertainment out of this romance. The best thing for me were the dogs. I love dogs and if an author captures their personalities really well it scores big points on my entertainment meter. Zach was annoying, but overall I would really recommend this book. Heather is not too feminine, so if you like that type of heroine you might enjoy this book quite a lot.
June 4, 2024
Kobo+ Contemporary Romance Challenge 2024. Tropes: Extended Family & Friends,Love at First Sight (for Zach).
Chase & Chloe (married baby Emma)
Marcus & Nicola (engaged)
Gabe & Meghan (Summer)
Sophie & Jake (married having twins)
Zach & Heather (dogs love at first sight Yorky(Cuddles) & Antlis(Great Dane)
Review I liked:"The thing was, he wanted Heather bad enough that he was willing to break a few rules for her. Not the big one, of course. He wasn't going to fall in love with her or anything."
Another great installment to the Sullivan's series. Each book that I've read by this author has been consistently good. Although I must say that the spice level has gone down noticeable within the last couple of books. And that was one thing that I liked about Bella Andre...she wrote a great romance story but included hot sex. This was still sexy, but I honestly felt the sexy was a bit lackluster...and that may be entirely due to my expectations being different.
Aside from that little grump, I quite enjoyed the rest of the story. Zach is the hottest of the hot Sullivan siblings...he owns a chain of autobody shops and is doing quite well for himself. Although the only part of his lifestyle that really entered into the story was how he filled in for the driver of a racing car that he sponsors. Totally unrealistic, but hey...it worked.
Heather becomes involved with Ryan after another Sullivan sibling dumps a new puppy in his lap for a two week long dog sitting session. Of course, Zach has no idea what to do with the rambunctious little girl...aptly named "Cuddles". So Heather, the owner of a dog training school, steps in to try to tame the beast...owner and doggie alike. Sparks fly, but Heather is adamant that she will never enter into a relationship in which she can be hurt. Girl has Daddy issues, in a major way.
Once again, this book is full to the brim with romance tropes, and yet Andre makes is feel fresh and new. I'm an animal lover, so the way that Zach's sweet little pup melts his heart...well...it' melted my heart as well.
Zach's ward Cuddles, a Yorkshire Terrier:
Chase & Chloe (married baby Emma)
Marcus & Nicola (engaged)
Gabe & Meghan (Summer)
Sophie & Jake (married having twins)
Zach & Heather (dogs love at first sight Yorky(Cuddles) & Antlis(Great Dane)
Review I liked:"The thing was, he wanted Heather bad enough that he was willing to break a few rules for her. Not the big one, of course. He wasn't going to fall in love with her or anything."
Another great installment to the Sullivan's series. Each book that I've read by this author has been consistently good. Although I must say that the spice level has gone down noticeable within the last couple of books. And that was one thing that I liked about Bella Andre...she wrote a great romance story but included hot sex. This was still sexy, but I honestly felt the sexy was a bit lackluster...and that may be entirely due to my expectations being different.
Aside from that little grump, I quite enjoyed the rest of the story. Zach is the hottest of the hot Sullivan siblings...he owns a chain of autobody shops and is doing quite well for himself. Although the only part of his lifestyle that really entered into the story was how he filled in for the driver of a racing car that he sponsors. Totally unrealistic, but hey...it worked.
Heather becomes involved with Ryan after another Sullivan sibling dumps a new puppy in his lap for a two week long dog sitting session. Of course, Zach has no idea what to do with the rambunctious little girl...aptly named "Cuddles". So Heather, the owner of a dog training school, steps in to try to tame the beast...owner and doggie alike. Sparks fly, but Heather is adamant that she will never enter into a relationship in which she can be hurt. Girl has Daddy issues, in a major way.
Once again, this book is full to the brim with romance tropes, and yet Andre makes is feel fresh and new. I'm an animal lover, so the way that Zach's sweet little pup melts his heart...well...it' melted my heart as well.
Zach's ward Cuddles, a Yorkshire Terrier:
August 27, 2020
I love this family! They are incredible. I love the dynamic between all the siblings. They definitely make each other's lives more interesting. The one bachelor for life brother gets his in this book. It was quite quick though. 2 weeks is pretty much the extent of this book. I get the instant connection between two people (I had it with my hubby), but not book needs to be this quick. It was a really good book, though. I love how the dogs had an instant connection as well, as well as the fact of how he got a dog and didn't know he even wanted one. It was funny how this big macho man gets this tiny dog named Cuddles. It was hilarious and the ribbing he gets from everyone about it is quite funny!
It's pretty much, she's a dog trainer, he gets a rambunctious puppy dropped in his lap and has no idea how to take care of a dog and needs help with it. A friend of his talks to Heather and she shows up at his garage to find him yelling for the dog. She finds it hidden in some bushes outside and wants to take it away as she's afraid he might hurt the dog and the story goes from there.
It's pretty much, she's a dog trainer, he gets a rambunctious puppy dropped in his lap and has no idea how to take care of a dog and needs help with it. A friend of his talks to Heather and she shows up at his garage to find him yelling for the dog. She finds it hidden in some bushes outside and wants to take it away as she's afraid he might hurt the dog and the story goes from there.
May 30, 2024
Another great story in this series. Zach needs help taking care of his brother's puppy while they are on vacation so Heather comes to his aid with dog training. They are both broken, for different reasons, neither believing in love but are immediately attracted. I really enjoyed seeing these two come together and get their HEA. And, of course, his brothers and sisters always add so much to the story.
January 23, 2025
Ookal weet je dat het goed komt op het einde van het boek, word je meegezogen in het verhaal om alle kleine details te leren kennen. Nummer vijf stelt niet teleur! Op naar het liefdesverhaal van broer nummer zes.
February 5, 2018
Sullivan alilesinin ikinci erkeğini de evlendirdi😂 Sıralı olmadı ama olsun. bakalım ilerleyen zamanlarda hangi Sullivan i evlendirecegim 🤣😂
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May 26, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (5/26/2021)!🎁
April 17, 2020
very very sweet
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