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Bayview Heights #5
If You Were Mine
He’s always been the good guy in his small town.She elicits another side of him, filled with passion and protectiveness.For as long as Joe Taylor can remember, townspeople have considered him the fair-haired boy. A former journalist, he switches careers and becomes a high school teacher, like his father Seth. He also loses his wife and is left a single dad. When he returns to Bayview Heights to live and work, he settles in a wing of his family’s home. He has great childcare, is surrounded by unconditional support and a job he adores. But something’s missing. It’s time to move on.Juliet Mason goes back to teaching at the job she left to have a baby five years ago and to help her husband with his career as a U.S. Congressman. When she meets Joe at school, she sees a gentle, tender man who loves deeply. But because she’s married, they maintain a collegial relationship. Until her secret is revealed.The world of education and politics clash in this story of love and hope when Joe realizes that Juliet needs rescuing…and he’s the man to do it.Will they be able to take this second chance at true love?If not, they’ll lose their soulmates and forever suffer the consequences.If you like the Bayview Heights series, teacher romances and teacher student relationships, be sure to read COP OF THE YEAR, BECAUSE IT’S CHRISTMAS, COUNT ON ME and BETWEEN TWO WORLDS.Praise for the Bayview Heights “Kathryn Shay will make you pull out a hanky for more than one intensely moving scene.” RT Book Reviews“You have to read this powerful, heart-wrenching story. Ms. Shay…is a truly gifted storyteller.” Old Book Barn Gazette“Shay’s heart-touching, sympathetic approach, powerful storytelling ability and depth of characterization of not only the main characters, but also the secondary characters, speak of first-hand knowledge of teens, challenges, and matters of the heart.” Word Weaving
- GenresRomanceContemporary
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2016
44 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Shay
173 books501 followersKathryn Shay is a lifelong writer. At fifteen, she penned her first 'romance,' a short story about a female newspaper reporter in New York City and her fight to make a name for herself in a world of male journalists - and with one hardheaded editor in particular. Looking back, Kathryn says she should have known then that writing was in her future. But as so often happens, fate sent her detouring down another path.
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 11, 2016
This book had such a powerful message. Well actually several.
1) The heart wants what the heart wants.
2) Abusive relationships can occur in all economic groups as well as age groups.
3) You can break free and it isn't always horrific to do, as many books build it up to be.
4) People are there to help make it happen and help you move forward with your life.
5) There can be a good life after abuse, filled with self respect, love and laughter.
Juliet and Joe are teachers in the local high school. Juliet is married and in a marriage that is less than ideal. She is forced to see how the emotional abuse she lives with is escalating and concludes she needs to get her daughter and herself out and on their own.
Chelsea is their student. She is part of THE couple for the senior class and her boyfriend is getting very abusive. She is a strong young woman who has a bright future ahead if she can break free. Juliet recognizes herself in Chelsea and brings her fear to the other teachers and as the tension builds both Juliet and Chelsea find the help they need to break free.
Joe has a harder struggle. He finds he is falling in love with Juliet but she is married. Their 5 year old children have become best friends and bring Juliet and Joe together often. They find the friend they need and know it is much more and can not let that be more because of her marriage and then her journey to find herself and her independence.
The story was well written, full of angst and lots of wonderful characters from the series. It showed that love is not all about sex which so many books now a days push, it is about respect. You have to respect your self first. Love grows with patience and kindness and understanding and it often begins from a far and waits for the timing to be right.
I really liked this story and I look forward to seeing Chelsea next chapter.
1) The heart wants what the heart wants.
2) Abusive relationships can occur in all economic groups as well as age groups.
3) You can break free and it isn't always horrific to do, as many books build it up to be.
4) People are there to help make it happen and help you move forward with your life.
5) There can be a good life after abuse, filled with self respect, love and laughter.
Juliet and Joe are teachers in the local high school. Juliet is married and in a marriage that is less than ideal. She is forced to see how the emotional abuse she lives with is escalating and concludes she needs to get her daughter and herself out and on their own.
Chelsea is their student. She is part of THE couple for the senior class and her boyfriend is getting very abusive. She is a strong young woman who has a bright future ahead if she can break free. Juliet recognizes herself in Chelsea and brings her fear to the other teachers and as the tension builds both Juliet and Chelsea find the help they need to break free.
Joe has a harder struggle. He finds he is falling in love with Juliet but she is married. Their 5 year old children have become best friends and bring Juliet and Joe together often. They find the friend they need and know it is much more and can not let that be more because of her marriage and then her journey to find herself and her independence.
The story was well written, full of angst and lots of wonderful characters from the series. It showed that love is not all about sex which so many books now a days push, it is about respect. You have to respect your self first. Love grows with patience and kindness and understanding and it often begins from a far and waits for the timing to be right.
I really liked this story and I look forward to seeing Chelsea next chapter.
September 27, 2017
The end of the Bayview Heights school-based series. This story takes place a generation after the original story of Cassia and Mitch. Seth Taylor's son Joe has returned to the high school to teach after being widowed. His five-year old son is his main focus, but he is happy to be teaching again.
He meets Juliet, also returning after maternity leave. Joe finds her beautiful and the first woman to really attract him since his wife has died. She is married to the local member of Congress, though, so she is off limits.
Of course, there are always complications in a Shay story, with both the kids and the teachers, and this one involves abuse. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and a few happy endings, too.
He meets Juliet, also returning after maternity leave. Joe finds her beautiful and the first woman to really attract him since his wife has died. She is married to the local member of Congress, though, so she is off limits.
Of course, there are always complications in a Shay story, with both the kids and the teachers, and this one involves abuse. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and a few happy endings, too.
August 12, 2018
Bayview Heights 5
Another thought provoking book by Kathryn Shay. Ms Shay brings in a wonderful love story while bringing awareness to the problem of domestic violence. As always she is able to bring awareness to a problem in society and make it real to her readers.
Another thought provoking book by Kathryn Shay. Ms Shay brings in a wonderful love story while bringing awareness to the problem of domestic violence. As always she is able to bring awareness to a problem in society and make it real to her readers.
April 9, 2023
Giving back works many ways
Loved all the characters but mostly enjoyed the interactions and love between the generations. While touching on hard issues like battering and abuse, the caring and love comes through so strongly, without being maudlin. Really enjoyed this book.
Loved all the characters but mostly enjoyed the interactions and love between the generations. While touching on hard issues like battering and abuse, the caring and love comes through so strongly, without being maudlin. Really enjoyed this book.
April 27, 2021
Great book
December 27, 2022
A cinnamon roll single dad, a woman rediscovering her strength 😊
February 8, 2016
If You Were Mine
By Kathryn Shay
This book is a story of women and abuse. Doesn’t matter if you’re a teacher and wife of a politician or a high school girl dating the star football player, you can still be the target for abuse.
When Joe Taylor came back to his high school to teach, he wasn’t looking for love or any involvement at all. He was looking for a home for himself and his son. Following his wife’s unexpected death, he needed a place where he could find family and friends. Little did Joe realize that he was about to fall in love and also fall right into the middle of an abusive relationship.
Chelsea is a high school student and girlfriend to Craig, the star football player on the school’s team. They are the “class couple” and everyone takes it for granted that they are happy and no one notices that Craig is actually abusing Chelsea until he one day that abuse gets out of hand in the school.
This is also the story of Joe and Juliet; Dave and Chelsea and of the people who love and care for them. As is often the case with someone who is being abused, both of these women hid their abuse from everyone, making excuses if a bruise would appear and someone would question that bruise.
The day he first met Juliet, Joe felt something special for her. As the story develops, we find that Joe and Juliet’s paths cross at every turn and they were automatically drawn to each other and so were their children, Joe’s son Brady and Juliet’s daughter Hannah. Both Joe and Juliet became involved in the classes they were assigned to and to a few special students that seemed to need the guidance.
This is a very easy to read book, with very well developed characters. We follow both Joe and Juliet into their personal life as well as their school life and the classes and groups that they become involved in during their school day.
This is a book that keep calling you back to read just a few more pages until you surprise yourself and find that you’ve read the entire book in an afternoon.
I did find myself wanting more when that last page was turned although the story was complete. I found I wanted to somehow help the characters myself, to get right into the story and become a part of this story.
The book is very well written. I received a copy of this book for review and for an honest opinion of the story.
Reviewed by Mary K Jung
By Kathryn Shay
This book is a story of women and abuse. Doesn’t matter if you’re a teacher and wife of a politician or a high school girl dating the star football player, you can still be the target for abuse.
When Joe Taylor came back to his high school to teach, he wasn’t looking for love or any involvement at all. He was looking for a home for himself and his son. Following his wife’s unexpected death, he needed a place where he could find family and friends. Little did Joe realize that he was about to fall in love and also fall right into the middle of an abusive relationship.
Chelsea is a high school student and girlfriend to Craig, the star football player on the school’s team. They are the “class couple” and everyone takes it for granted that they are happy and no one notices that Craig is actually abusing Chelsea until he one day that abuse gets out of hand in the school.
This is also the story of Joe and Juliet; Dave and Chelsea and of the people who love and care for them. As is often the case with someone who is being abused, both of these women hid their abuse from everyone, making excuses if a bruise would appear and someone would question that bruise.
The day he first met Juliet, Joe felt something special for her. As the story develops, we find that Joe and Juliet’s paths cross at every turn and they were automatically drawn to each other and so were their children, Joe’s son Brady and Juliet’s daughter Hannah. Both Joe and Juliet became involved in the classes they were assigned to and to a few special students that seemed to need the guidance.
This is a very easy to read book, with very well developed characters. We follow both Joe and Juliet into their personal life as well as their school life and the classes and groups that they become involved in during their school day.
This is a book that keep calling you back to read just a few more pages until you surprise yourself and find that you’ve read the entire book in an afternoon.
I did find myself wanting more when that last page was turned although the story was complete. I found I wanted to somehow help the characters myself, to get right into the story and become a part of this story.
The book is very well written. I received a copy of this book for review and for an honest opinion of the story.
Reviewed by Mary K Jung
February 18, 2016
**** "If You Were Mine" (Bayview Heights Book 5) by Kathryn Shay
A heartwarming and tender story about two teachers working in the same high school, who discover they have more in common, and stronger feelings, inside and outside of the high school. They both have a child in kindergarten who have become best friends immediately. And continue to bring their parents together, even when they are trying to stay apart: as she is in a loveless and abusive marriage and he is finally ready to start dating five years after his wife passed away.
The author addresses so many topics in this novel and never lets any one of them just fade away or get dropped. She carries each one through to a strong ending.
The characters are all well written, with their strengths and weaknesses, and the closeness of family is a big focus on this novel. While there are two main characters, Juliet and Joe, there are many other characters with roles just as prominent and important to the novel, individually and as a family member or friend. Family bonds include extended friends and relations. All of the characters bring a special message and personality to the book and they truly match the character.
The perspective of education and the many different tasks of teachers is also a main aspect of this book. It is a very accurate portrayal of school content, student behavior, and the lives of teachers and students. In addition, the issue of date domestic violence is covered, as are many other topics in the high school setting.
While the book ends with a HEA theme, there are many challenges and bumps and hills the main characters have to work through to get over those, to let go of the past and begin to move forward.
This gem of a novel is a wonderful and enjoyable read and not to be missed.
A heartwarming and tender story about two teachers working in the same high school, who discover they have more in common, and stronger feelings, inside and outside of the high school. They both have a child in kindergarten who have become best friends immediately. And continue to bring their parents together, even when they are trying to stay apart: as she is in a loveless and abusive marriage and he is finally ready to start dating five years after his wife passed away.
The author addresses so many topics in this novel and never lets any one of them just fade away or get dropped. She carries each one through to a strong ending.
The characters are all well written, with their strengths and weaknesses, and the closeness of family is a big focus on this novel. While there are two main characters, Juliet and Joe, there are many other characters with roles just as prominent and important to the novel, individually and as a family member or friend. Family bonds include extended friends and relations. All of the characters bring a special message and personality to the book and they truly match the character.
The perspective of education and the many different tasks of teachers is also a main aspect of this book. It is a very accurate portrayal of school content, student behavior, and the lives of teachers and students. In addition, the issue of date domestic violence is covered, as are many other topics in the high school setting.
While the book ends with a HEA theme, there are many challenges and bumps and hills the main characters have to work through to get over those, to let go of the past and begin to move forward.
This gem of a novel is a wonderful and enjoyable read and not to be missed.
February 11, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from the author/publisher for an honest review. I have mixed feelings about this story. I guess I didn't realize that it was the final book in the series and I had not read the earlier stories that may have given me a little background on some of the other characters in this one. I found this to be a dialogue driven, story -telling as well. I could like the characters and enjoyed all the familial situations/relationships. The subject matter deals with domestic /teen dating abuse; the author handled this subject very well. The main characters; Joe and Juliet meet in the high school, in Bayview Heights, on the day before classes start in September. They are both teachers. Joe has been there for a few years and Juliet is returning to teaching; after a 5-year hiatus to be a stay-at-home mom for her daughter, Hannah. She is married to local Congressman, Craig Mason. Joe is finally recovering from the death of his wife, and raising their son Brady. Hannah and Brady meet and hit it off at a township recreation basketball program for kindergartners. Joe and Juliet were surprised to see each other at the program. They sit together and have a great time watching their respective children. Thus begins the journey of a man attracted to a married woman and a woman and child that tend to “walk on eggshells” whenever their husband/father returns to their home from Washington, D.C. All-in-all I found it to be a good story.
February 8, 2016
This is the first book I have read by Kathryn Shay and it definitely will not be the last. Right from the beginning, If you Were Mine drew me into the lives of Joe Taylor and Juliet Mason. Joe is a widower, teacher and father to five year old Brady. Juliet is also a teacher and mother to five year old Hannah and also married to Congressman Craig Mason. This story begins at the beginning of a new school year, Juliet returning to teaching after a five year break raising her daughter.
I totally delighted in the “love story” component of the story. The pace of the relationship was well paced, especially as both Juliet and Joe have young children. I was also blown away by another story line that was intertwined throughout - the stories of domestic abuse to both Chelsea and Juliet.
Additionally, I found the bond between Brady and Hannah priceless. Sometimes all it takes is the simplicity of youth to see what is good for everyone.
I could not put this book down and spent the better part of a day devouring the pages, it was just that engaging! Ms. Shay’s storytelling skills are captivating. She captured the subject of domestic violence with an appropriate amount of sensitivity. I cannot wait to start at the beginning of the series!
*I would like to thank the author for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
I totally delighted in the “love story” component of the story. The pace of the relationship was well paced, especially as both Juliet and Joe have young children. I was also blown away by another story line that was intertwined throughout - the stories of domestic abuse to both Chelsea and Juliet.
Additionally, I found the bond between Brady and Hannah priceless. Sometimes all it takes is the simplicity of youth to see what is good for everyone.
I could not put this book down and spent the better part of a day devouring the pages, it was just that engaging! Ms. Shay’s storytelling skills are captivating. She captured the subject of domestic violence with an appropriate amount of sensitivity. I cannot wait to start at the beginning of the series!
*I would like to thank the author for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
February 5, 2016
In this last book of the Bayview Heights series, the issue of domestic abuse is addressed by both the teacher and one of her students. Juliet is married to a politician who has been emotionally and physically abusive throughout their relationship. It takes seeing a student in a similar situation to recognize what has been happening to her and makes her take actions to turn her life around.
Teacher Juliet Mason and her new colleague Joe Taylor become acquainted and develop a friendship. Widowed Joe's son Brady and Juliet's daughter Hannah are both five years old and become fast friends when they meet at basketball practice. They encourage their parents to spend more time together so that they can see each other frequently.
The story brings back many familiar faces from the series as the family and friends come to know and care about Juliet and Hannah. Juliet's new friends help her through her troubles and encourage her to make her life better. The HEA for Juliet, Hannah and the others makes this series finale very enjoyable despite the story's serious subject matter.
Teacher Juliet Mason and her new colleague Joe Taylor become acquainted and develop a friendship. Widowed Joe's son Brady and Juliet's daughter Hannah are both five years old and become fast friends when they meet at basketball practice. They encourage their parents to spend more time together so that they can see each other frequently.
The story brings back many familiar faces from the series as the family and friends come to know and care about Juliet and Hannah. Juliet's new friends help her through her troubles and encourage her to make her life better. The HEA for Juliet, Hannah and the others makes this series finale very enjoyable despite the story's serious subject matter.
February 12, 2016
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. This is fourth book I've read by Ms. Shay and the best of those four.
If You Were Mine is the story of Juliet, a teacher who is returning to the classroom after taking five years off after having a baby. She has also spent those five years supporting her politician husband in his elections and his political positions. It's also the story of Joe. Joe left journalism after his wife died. He now teaches at the high school Juliet has just returned to. The two of them hit it off from the beginning and struggle to ignore their growing feelings for each other.
Ms. Shay's teaching experience shows in this book, complete with the efforts to help "at risk students". Juliet is able to help a student in the book who is in an unhealthy relationship and in doing so is confronted with her own troubled relationship with her husband. I loved that the women in the book were eventually strong enough to stand up for themselves and that the relationship between Juliet and Joe was kept honorable. Kudos, Ms. Shay! Job well done!
If You Were Mine is the story of Juliet, a teacher who is returning to the classroom after taking five years off after having a baby. She has also spent those five years supporting her politician husband in his elections and his political positions. It's also the story of Joe. Joe left journalism after his wife died. He now teaches at the high school Juliet has just returned to. The two of them hit it off from the beginning and struggle to ignore their growing feelings for each other.
Ms. Shay's teaching experience shows in this book, complete with the efforts to help "at risk students". Juliet is able to help a student in the book who is in an unhealthy relationship and in doing so is confronted with her own troubled relationship with her husband. I loved that the women in the book were eventually strong enough to stand up for themselves and that the relationship between Juliet and Joe was kept honorable. Kudos, Ms. Shay! Job well done!
February 13, 2016
Joe Taylor knows that Juliet Mason has a secret but just doesn’t know what it is. What he does know is that she is married and seems very sad. Unfortunately, the first woman Joe is attracted to since his wife’s death is Juliet. They work together as teachers and are thrown together through school activities.
I have read Kathryn Shay’s fireman series and loved them. This is the first of her series about teachers that I’ve read and really enjoyed it. Joe is a very strong hero and has strong principles and acts accordingly. He is there for his family, friends and students and is rock solid. Juliet is a good person who is very strong when it comes to her students and her daughter but with her husband not so much. When she finally decides she has had enough she works through this situation to become a strong woman for herself and those around her. This is a great story about the good and bad in real life with a touch of a sweet romance.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.
February 9, 2016
Joe Taylor left his journlism job after his wife's death and return home to teach high school and raise his son, Brady.
Juliet Mason is returning to teach high school after leaving 5 years ago to raise her daughter, Hannah.
Through their jobs and their kids Joe and Juliet keep getting pushed together and feelings are starting to develop.
Juliet is in an abusive relationship but doesn't realize it until she helps a student with the same issue. Once faced with her reality she starts taking actions to gain control of her life again.
I like the indepth look into abusive relationships. Having an abusive relationship in the past I could really relate and felt really drawn into this book.
This was the first book in this series that I read and it can easily be a stand alone book.
I hope in a future book we get to revisit Joe and Juliet.
I received this book as a gift for an honest review.
Juliet Mason is returning to teach high school after leaving 5 years ago to raise her daughter, Hannah.
Through their jobs and their kids Joe and Juliet keep getting pushed together and feelings are starting to develop.
Juliet is in an abusive relationship but doesn't realize it until she helps a student with the same issue. Once faced with her reality she starts taking actions to gain control of her life again.
I like the indepth look into abusive relationships. Having an abusive relationship in the past I could really relate and felt really drawn into this book.
This was the first book in this series that I read and it can easily be a stand alone book.
I hope in a future book we get to revisit Joe and Juliet.
I received this book as a gift for an honest review.
February 8, 2016
Teachers work so hard against so many obstacles
As usual, Kathryn Shay has written a book which presents real people and the difficulties they face. This story depicts the trauma and difficulties associated with domestic and date abuse. The main characters are teachers and having grown up in a household of teachers many of the themes struck home for me. I like the way the story introduced the awareness of abuse and depicted the difficulties associated with becoming aware of what is happening as well as the problems associated in making the abuse public. This is the last in a series of well written, thoughtful books that makes the reader think and feel in difficult situations. Kathryn Shay was unknown to me a year or so ago, but she has rapidly become one of a very few of my favorite authors.
As usual, Kathryn Shay has written a book which presents real people and the difficulties they face. This story depicts the trauma and difficulties associated with domestic and date abuse. The main characters are teachers and having grown up in a household of teachers many of the themes struck home for me. I like the way the story introduced the awareness of abuse and depicted the difficulties associated with becoming aware of what is happening as well as the problems associated in making the abuse public. This is the last in a series of well written, thoughtful books that makes the reader think and feel in difficult situations. Kathryn Shay was unknown to me a year or so ago, but she has rapidly become one of a very few of my favorite authors.
February 19, 2016
Given to me for an honest review. This is a story of two women, a teacher and a teenager, who are in abusive relationships. Be sure to think about this because some people may have a hard time reading about this. You may need some tissues, too. Juliet is a returning teacher. When she married, she quit teaching and now she is back. Her daughter and Joe's son are in kindergarten. Hannah and Brady have bonded and don't want to play with other kids. Joe and Juliet realize they could easily fall in love and since Juliet's divorce is not final, she and Joe try not to be together. Juliet's husband is controlling and spends most of his time being a congressman. He doesn't want a divorce because it would be bad for his career. Will she get a divorce? Will the teenager realize what her boyfriend is doing?
February 7, 2016
When I think Ms Shay’s writing and stories can’t get any better, she gives us a book like If You Were Mine. I am overwhelmed with her talent and in depth storytelling.
This is a book not only about Bayview Heights, as well of Joe Taylor and Juliet Mason. It’s a story about domestic abuse found in the lives of teenagers and adults.
You never know what goes behind closed doors. No matter if you are poor, rich, famous , a bright girl or woman, the abuse still exists. She presents the theme in a very touching and sensitive way. Shows us how it affects the self esteem of the abused, how powerless they feel and how it affects their relationships with others.
That said she gives hope , support , redemption and happy endings to these victims.
Thank you Ms Shay , for another winner.
This is a book not only about Bayview Heights, as well of Joe Taylor and Juliet Mason. It’s a story about domestic abuse found in the lives of teenagers and adults.
You never know what goes behind closed doors. No matter if you are poor, rich, famous , a bright girl or woman, the abuse still exists. She presents the theme in a very touching and sensitive way. Shows us how it affects the self esteem of the abused, how powerless they feel and how it affects their relationships with others.
That said she gives hope , support , redemption and happy endings to these victims.
Thank you Ms Shay , for another winner.
February 9, 2016
This book was just okay for me when compared to the other books in this series. I enjoyed the educational setting and catching up with characters from the first four books. I also thought the storyline of physical and emotional abuse was a good one and handled very thoroughly. I was disappointed that this story was not as well written as most of Kathryn's books because I found the writing somewhat choppy in places. My biggest disappointment is that I felt very little emotional connection between the main characters and as such, I felt very little emotional connection to them as well. I guess this was just a matter of personal preference. I would give this book a rating of 3.5 stars. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 14, 2016
I have read the other Bayview Heights books, and I did enjoy them more than this one. I didn't feel any real chemistry between Joe and Juliet until very late in the book, and then it wasn't very strong. There was an attraction, but it just felt off. I can't quite put my finger on why.
I was glad to see she took precautions when confronting her abusive husband. I was also happy with how she helped Chelsea. What bothered me was how the abusers were dealt with after everything came to light.
Both little kids were very sweet, and it was great to revisit characters from the previous books. I would definitely recommend this book as you may have a different take on how things worked out.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was glad to see she took precautions when confronting her abusive husband. I was also happy with how she helped Chelsea. What bothered me was how the abusers were dealt with after everything came to light.
Both little kids were very sweet, and it was great to revisit characters from the previous books. I would definitely recommend this book as you may have a different take on how things worked out.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 15, 2016
Joe and Juliet both teach English courses at the high school. When they meet, there is an immediate attraction. He’s a widower with a son, while she’s married to a politician and has a daughter. The children become best friends. As the story unfolds, we find out that everyone has secrets.
Kathryn Shay writes a powerful story that tackles teen dating abuse and spousal abuse realistically, with love and emotion. This was my first visit to Bayview Heights (how did I miss this?!!), and I can’t wait to visit again. The characters seem so real, the connections so true, and the families so welcoming. If you’ve never visited Bayview Heights before, now is a great time. And if you’ve been before, you’ll enjoy this visit with old friends and new!
Kathryn Shay writes a powerful story that tackles teen dating abuse and spousal abuse realistically, with love and emotion. This was my first visit to Bayview Heights (how did I miss this?!!), and I can’t wait to visit again. The characters seem so real, the connections so true, and the families so welcoming. If you’ve never visited Bayview Heights before, now is a great time. And if you’ve been before, you’ll enjoy this visit with old friends and new!
February 11, 2016
Great heart-warming story. Juliet is married to a politician playing politics while neglecting his wife & daughter. She's becoming more independent and reaches out to a student she teaches because she recognizes relationship abuse. Joe is a sweetheart, he's widowed and his life revolves around his son. The children instantly form a sibling-bond making it hard for the parents to resist their forbidden attraction. Author does a great job explaining not just the physical but mainly the mental struggles of an abused woman.
February 13, 2016
Great book kept me interested the whole time. You never would have known that Juliet was a battered wife. She finally realizes she needs to do something g when she sees one of the kids she is teaching Beaing abused by her boyfriend before she does something to save herself.
. She has many conflicting emotions and what is the proper Thu g to do for herself and her daughter but she ends up vetting the help.she needs with help.of friends and councillors and friends to make sure herself and her daughter are safe.
. She has many conflicting emotions and what is the proper Thu g to do for herself and her daughter but she ends up vetting the help.she needs with help.of friends and councillors and friends to make sure herself and her daughter are safe.
February 8, 2016
What a beautiful story of a life after abuse.
Juliet, a teacher is married to a senator. The have a child named Hannah.
At school she runs into another teacher - Joe who has a child, Brady
Brady and Hannah are inseparable so often Joe and Juliet are together.
A situation occurs at school with two students that seems so similar to Juliet's life - a life she has kept hidden.
In helping the student, Juliet seeks help herself and thus evolves the beautiful relationship between Joe and Juliet
Juliet, a teacher is married to a senator. The have a child named Hannah.
At school she runs into another teacher - Joe who has a child, Brady
Brady and Hannah are inseparable so often Joe and Juliet are together.
A situation occurs at school with two students that seems so similar to Juliet's life - a life she has kept hidden.
In helping the student, Juliet seeks help herself and thus evolves the beautiful relationship between Joe and Juliet
February 17, 2016
I have read many of Kathryn Shay's books and they are, like this one, well-written and gut wrenching. This book tackles a very hard subject which is abuse but it is approached in a way that makes the reader stand up and look at the world a little bit differently. We are all aware of it but you always think it happens to someone else. Totally enjoyed this story.
February 15, 2016
Loved how Kathryn reintroduced her characters from previous books in the series. Joey and Juliet were great together and patient in finding their love for each other. Loved how Kathryn kept the suspense in the book. You knew something was going to happen but not sure. Waiting for the next book in the series.
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