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Love on the North Shore #3
The Playboy Next Door
After a blind date stands her up, Catrina Striker stops in O’Leary’s Pub for a sandwich, nothing else. Then Tony Bates, North Salem’s resident playboy, sits down next to her and destiny takes over. Cat knows all about Tony’s reputation, but that doesn’t stop her from doing something she’s never done invite him back to her apartment.
Tony Bates has always looked at Catrina as nothing but his buddy’s little sister, until a chance encounter one summer night changes all that.
Since the sudden death of his college sweetheart, Tony has kept all his relationships casual and fun. Everyone knows that, which is why Cat and Tony agree to keep their involvement a secret rather than risk Tony’s friendship with her brother. However, what starts out as a secret fling soon becomes much more, and Tony must decide if he’s ready to risk his heart again or lose the woman who completes him.
Tony Bates has always looked at Catrina as nothing but his buddy’s little sister, until a chance encounter one summer night changes all that.
Since the sudden death of his college sweetheart, Tony has kept all his relationships casual and fun. Everyone knows that, which is why Cat and Tony agree to keep their involvement a secret rather than risk Tony’s friendship with her brother. However, what starts out as a secret fling soon becomes much more, and Tony must decide if he’s ready to risk his heart again or lose the woman who completes him.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2015
660 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 27, 2019
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Liked it!
February 1, 2018
This book was ok. Not great and not awful. Glad it was free.
It did seem like the two main characters were kissing before any sort of chemistry or sexual tension had developed. And for a book about a fling I did think it was an odd choice for all the sex scenes to fade to black after a bit of foreplay.
Also a bit disappointing that Cat gave up her promotion/new job for Tony at the drop of a hat. Mainly because she was apparently very excited about it but then was all "just say the word and I won't take it." A least have a discussion about it! You earned it, girl!
And Cat's brother was a jerk. After the stuff he said to her I thought there would be a big apology of sorts but life continued on as if it wasn't a big deal. Silly that he physically attacked Tony over finding out about his and Cat's relationship. I'm actually really sick of reading about over protective brothers in these sorts of books. It just seems so insulting to the woman. As if she's not capable of making her own choices about who she spends time with. And any 'bad' choices should be her own to make.
But Cat and Tony were likeable and kept me interested enough to read the book fairly quickly. Although this was the first book of the series I'd read and I probably won't bother with any more.
It did seem like the two main characters were kissing before any sort of chemistry or sexual tension had developed. And for a book about a fling I did think it was an odd choice for all the sex scenes to fade to black after a bit of foreplay.
Also a bit disappointing that Cat gave up her promotion/new job for Tony at the drop of a hat. Mainly because she was apparently very excited about it but then was all "just say the word and I won't take it." A least have a discussion about it! You earned it, girl!
And Cat's brother was a jerk. After the stuff he said to her I thought there would be a big apology of sorts but life continued on as if it wasn't a big deal. Silly that he physically attacked Tony over finding out about his and Cat's relationship. I'm actually really sick of reading about over protective brothers in these sorts of books. It just seems so insulting to the woman. As if she's not capable of making her own choices about who she spends time with. And any 'bad' choices should be her own to make.
But Cat and Tony were likeable and kept me interested enough to read the book fairly quickly. Although this was the first book of the series I'd read and I probably won't bother with any more.
February 7, 2018
Enjoyable
I really enjoyed The Playboy Next Door. Christina Tetreault creates very likeable and believable characters. Enough background is given on supporting characters that let you know there are either other books already written or some that soon will be. A great town full of friends and family. This is Catrina Stryker and Tony Bates story.
I really enjoyed The Playboy Next Door. Christina Tetreault creates very likeable and believable characters. Enough background is given on supporting characters that let you know there are either other books already written or some that soon will be. A great town full of friends and family. This is Catrina Stryker and Tony Bates story.
January 23, 2018
3.75 Short review. The fling that wasn't a fling. Cat and Tony were so devoted to each other that when one or both of them would call their relationship a fling or temporary I couldn't help but shake my head and want to shake them both. I didn't like Cat's brother he was way to judgmental and a hypocrite and thought that how things were resolve between him and Tony could have done better. It took way too long for him to see what everyone else who saw them together or heard the way they talked about the other to see that they had very strong and deep feelings for each other. I also thought the reveal about Tony's past relationship and his fear of letting himself love Cat came way to late into the book. Other than a few spelling errors I thought the book was really good, will read more from the author.
May 18, 2018
Another enjoyable book in the series.
April 6, 2016
OK continuation of the North Salem saga that contains the O'Briens and their friends. Tony Bates is Sean's best friend and the guy in the title. When he chances to meet a friend's sister after she has been stood up by a blind date, they both decide to have a fling. Unfortunately, they both become too attached for a fling. A few things, expected and unexpected, happen before the happy ending.
January 7, 2020
Abandoned it already. Couldn't read past 20 pages.
March 15, 2018
More often than not, I avoid the "hands off my best friend's sister" stories because it's the 21st century and seriously, men need to understand that they have zero input into their mother's/sister's/daughter's sexuality or sex lives.
The Playboy Next Door has the hero (Tony) stuck in the past having lost his true love in an accident, causing him to become a commitment-phobic whore...and the whole town knows it. Or at least, that's what the book description says. However, that wasn't really the case.
All anyone (including the heroine, Cat) really knows about Tony, is that he doesn't stay with a woman for very long. And while Tony's now-in-love friends think he's missing out on life, his dating habits aren't enough to make them NOT his friend. That is, until he's outed for seeing Cat.
My biggest issue with this story was the hypocrisy of Cat's brother, and how long it took for Tony to get his head out of his ass. Cat's brother, Striker, called her a whore for having sex with Tony AND referred to Tony's past dates as sluts. Yet Striker behaves EXACTLY like Tony but, oh, right, it's "different" when it's a man sleeping his way from one end of town to the other. *insert eye roll here*. Striker had a problem with his friend dating his sister but then he turns around and begins dating his sister's friend. Seriously? The hypocrisy was too much and he wasn't called out for it in a way that was satisfying.
The last six chapters involve Tony getting a clue and I for one got exasperated. It's why I gave this book two stars instead of three. What finally prompted him to claim his woman made no sense considering how close he came to losing her and the HEA was rushed.
Cat was a really great character though and I liked how she handled herself throughout her and Tony's relationship. She knew what her feelings were and she put herself out there. I just really dislike stories where the woman gives up career advancement for a man and had to wonder how Cat managed to do what she did and still keep her job.
While I initially gave this book three stars, I ended up deducting one because Cat's brother royally ticked me off.
The Playboy Next Door has the hero (Tony) stuck in the past having lost his true love in an accident, causing him to become a commitment-phobic whore...and the whole town knows it. Or at least, that's what the book description says. However, that wasn't really the case.
All anyone (including the heroine, Cat) really knows about Tony, is that he doesn't stay with a woman for very long. And while Tony's now-in-love friends think he's missing out on life, his dating habits aren't enough to make them NOT his friend. That is, until he's outed for seeing Cat.
My biggest issue with this story was the hypocrisy of Cat's brother, and how long it took for Tony to get his head out of his ass. Cat's brother, Striker, called her a whore for having sex with Tony AND referred to Tony's past dates as sluts. Yet Striker behaves EXACTLY like Tony but, oh, right, it's "different" when it's a man sleeping his way from one end of town to the other. *insert eye roll here*. Striker had a problem with his friend dating his sister but then he turns around and begins dating his sister's friend. Seriously? The hypocrisy was too much and he wasn't called out for it in a way that was satisfying.
The last six chapters involve Tony getting a clue and I for one got exasperated. It's why I gave this book two stars instead of three. What finally prompted him to claim his woman made no sense considering how close he came to losing her and the HEA was rushed.
Cat was a really great character though and I liked how she handled herself throughout her and Tony's relationship. She knew what her feelings were and she put herself out there. I just really dislike stories where the woman gives up career advancement for a man and had to wonder how Cat managed to do what she did and still keep her job.
While I initially gave this book three stars, I ended up deducting one because Cat's brother royally ticked me off.
February 7, 2018
Most of this book was your standard, benign little romance novel. Evergreen concept - forbidden romance with a rogue. That said, there are two points I simply cannot get over:
1. Her brother punched her in the face, and not one of the characters seemed to think that was a big deal. I don't care if it was "accidental." He still intentionally threw a punch, and his fist hit her face.
2.
1. Her brother punched her in the face, and not one of the characters seemed to think that was a big deal. I don't care if it was "accidental." He still intentionally threw a punch, and his fist hit her face.
2.
July 14, 2021
A blind date that never showed led Catrina to a bar where her brother's friend, Tony just happen to walk into. Dinner led to a trip back to her apartment and from there a promise to keep things fun, uncomplicated, and a secret. Tony is known for having fun with the ladies but not getting too deeply involved. He doesn't let anyone get close at least not until now.
I liked this book. I like the characters and find them to be realistic. When Catrina's brother walks in on her and his friend about to have sex you could see them coming to blows as two friends would. These books have small-town charm and loveable characters that will still your heart.
I liked this book. I like the characters and find them to be realistic. When Catrina's brother walks in on her and his friend about to have sex you could see them coming to blows as two friends would. These books have small-town charm and loveable characters that will still your heart.
January 4, 2018
Another great read from Christina. Tony and Catrina strike up a relationship after they meet in a bar when Catrina’s blind date called to cancel, Tony knows he should walk away when he drives her home that first night until she asks him up to her apartment (he should refuse) but he doesn’t and now they are having a secret affair that no one can know about because Tony is friends with her brother Striker and is coaching with him plus their father who he respects. When Catrina’s ex Zach shows up wanting her back things go from bad to worse. Can’t wait to read more from this series
May 20, 2019
This is the third book in the Love on the North Shore series by Ms Tetreault. Like the previous books in the series, there aren’t any real surprises. It’s a typical chance meeting of two people who decide a fling is in order. They’ve known each other for a long time. She’s a friend’s little sister; he knows it’s a bad idea, but he can’t say no. They vow to keep their “fling” a secret and no hard feelings when it’s over. As expected, that doesn’t work out. The Playboy Next Door is a quick and cute read that will keep you entertained but not enthralled.
January 31, 2018
This was ok, nothing fabulous but a nice quick read.
I thought the 2 main characters jumped into bed way too soon. There was no build up. That didn't really work for me as it seemed like it was the kind of thing Tony did but totally out of character for Cat. That ruined it for me. If there had been a bit more to it, like they had a past connection or attraction that would have sat better with me.
However, overall it was good and I am interested in reading the other books in the series.
I thought the 2 main characters jumped into bed way too soon. There was no build up. That didn't really work for me as it seemed like it was the kind of thing Tony did but totally out of character for Cat. That ruined it for me. If there had been a bit more to it, like they had a past connection or attraction that would have sat better with me.
However, overall it was good and I am interested in reading the other books in the series.
February 21, 2018
I liked it. I think it wrapped up way too fast in the end but I liked it.
I loved Cat and Tony and their friends.
Zach was an ass and so was Striker. He was a total hypocrite through the whole thing. But I loved the setting. I love when books take place in Mass because I actually know the towns talked about and it makes me so happy for it.
It was predictable how the end played out and it’s not that I didn’t like it. It’s just that it was wrapped up super fast and everything.
I loved Cat and Tony and their friends.
Zach was an ass and so was Striker. He was a total hypocrite through the whole thing. But I loved the setting. I love when books take place in Mass because I actually know the towns talked about and it makes me so happy for it.
It was predictable how the end played out and it’s not that I didn’t like it. It’s just that it was wrapped up super fast and everything.
February 26, 2019
I really enjoyed Cat and Tony’s story. They have to keep their relationship a secret because she’s the sister of one of his friends, though they’re not close, and the coach’s daughter. They decide they’re just having fun, but when Cat is up for a promotion, Tony is very supportive of her. He doesn��t know that she will have to move to California, if she gets it. No spoilers, so grab your copy and see if their relationship remains a secret or if she gets the job.
February 5, 2018
Loved it
I enjoyed reading this book and the characters were interesting. I am looking forward to reading more in this series. You were able to read about the characters in the other books but you can also read them as stand alone. I am looking forward to reading more of this series.
I enjoyed reading this book and the characters were interesting. I am looking forward to reading more in this series. You were able to read about the characters in the other books but you can also read them as stand alone. I am looking forward to reading more of this series.
March 12, 2019
Sweet
A lovely story about getting involved with your brothers friend. Tony lost his college girlfriend through tragedy and then decides to keep all his future experiences with women as short and no strings. Catrina meets Tony in a pub one night and one thing leads to another.
This story has wonderful friends and family, jealous exes, angry brothers and a HEA.
A lovely story about getting involved with your brothers friend. Tony lost his college girlfriend through tragedy and then decides to keep all his future experiences with women as short and no strings. Catrina meets Tony in a pub one night and one thing leads to another.
This story has wonderful friends and family, jealous exes, angry brothers and a HEA.
April 6, 2024
Naw more pining
I want him to be a broken puddle of a man. Weeping like a baby and scared that he just lost his whole world. And honestly the Isabella thing was lots of foreshadowing but anticlimactic. Empty apartment with her already gone and him broken on the floor is all I ask.
I want him to be a broken puddle of a man. Weeping like a baby and scared that he just lost his whole world. And honestly the Isabella thing was lots of foreshadowing but anticlimactic. Empty apartment with her already gone and him broken on the floor is all I ask.
April 7, 2018
I actually really enjoyed this book. There was great chemistry between the characters and the characters themselves were actually likable.
I had a hard time putting this book down. I'm gonna have to check out more books from this author.
I had a hard time putting this book down. I'm gonna have to check out more books from this author.
April 16, 2018
This book was both good and bad. I liked the ultimate ending and the fact that the money wasn't a huge factor. However, there were quite a few contrived bits here that made me feel like ugh.. really? I would probably read another book by this author though so I guess it was good enough :)
did-not-finish
June 29, 2021I am so over the “I can’t date her because she’s my friend’s little sister, my best friend will kill me” trope. Maybe we can treat women like adults who can make their own choices about whom they date and not act like they’re chattel? Just a thought.
February 15, 2024
The Playboy nomore!
It's a romantic story, and it had me worried for a moment. But Tony finally made the first move, and if he waited much longer, he would have lost her for good. But I love a happy ending so alls well, that ends well, I guess.
It's a romantic story, and it had me worried for a moment. But Tony finally made the first move, and if he waited much longer, he would have lost her for good. But I love a happy ending so alls well, that ends well, I guess.
March 26, 2024
A great romance book
This was a drama filled romance book. The characters were very interesting and fun. The small town setting was good. The love of family and friends was very enlightening. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
This was a drama filled romance book. The characters were very interesting and fun. The small town setting was good. The love of family and friends was very enlightening. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
January 6, 2018
Great read
This is a simple uncomplicated romance. It was well laid out, stayed on topic, and interesting. I really enjoyed the characters.
This is a simple uncomplicated romance. It was well laid out, stayed on topic, and interesting. I really enjoyed the characters.
January 20, 2018
A sweet love story series. Book three was my favorite of the three, I think because it was the most complicated relationship. Looking to see if there ius a book four.
January 22, 2018
Great
Another great book from this series. Each has characters from pass novels and bring others together. I have enjoyed each one.
Another great book from this series. Each has characters from pass novels and bring others together. I have enjoyed each one.
January 27, 2018
Loved it
Characters seemed so real and I could truly relate to Katrina. I fell for tony myself. An excellently written story. I loved it. Very moving hard to put down.
Characters seemed so real and I could truly relate to Katrina. I fell for tony myself. An excellently written story. I loved it. Very moving hard to put down.
January 29, 2018
This was a bit on the predictable side, and there was too much unnecessary drama, but overall it book was perfectly fine.
February 3, 2018
Believable
I liked this book because it was more believable and realistic than most romances. It wasn't "I love you"'s after two days. It was honest and kind of refreshing.
I liked this book because it was more believable and realistic than most romances. It wasn't "I love you"'s after two days. It was honest and kind of refreshing.
February 4, 2018
A good story with a fully unexpected twist.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews