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Los Lobos #1
Someone Like You
Sometimes even a city girl needs the comforts of home. . .
Jill Strathern left town for the big city and never looked back-until she returned home years later to run a small law practice. It turns out her childhood crush, Mac Kendreck, a burned-out LAPD cop, has also come back to sleepy Los Lobos. Even though Mac had rejected her back in high school, Jill can't deny the attraction she still feels for him.
Now Jill and Mac are tangled up in enough drama to satisfy the most jaded L.A. denizens-Mafia dons, social workers, angry exes and one very quirky eight-year-old can make even the simplest romance complicated. And it all goes to prove that when it comes to affairs of the heart, there's no place like home.
Jill Strathern left town for the big city and never looked back-until she returned home years later to run a small law practice. It turns out her childhood crush, Mac Kendreck, a burned-out LAPD cop, has also come back to sleepy Los Lobos. Even though Mac had rejected her back in high school, Jill can't deny the attraction she still feels for him.
Now Jill and Mac are tangled up in enough drama to satisfy the most jaded L.A. denizens-Mafia dons, social workers, angry exes and one very quirky eight-year-old can make even the simplest romance complicated. And it all goes to prove that when it comes to affairs of the heart, there's no place like home.
371 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2004
720 people are currently reading
3542 people want to read
About the author
Susan Mallery
864 books15.5k followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
February 6, 2018
This is my first book by SM and I was not disappointed. I liked both the H & h. The story was very entertaining as well.
January 4, 2011
When big city corporate lawyer, Jill Strathern, loses her job and her husband the last thing she wants to do is the first thing that she does, she goes home. Seeking the comfort of a favorite aunt she moves in and takes a temporary job to tie up loose ends for a recently deceased lawyer. This is just a resting place till she can get another job in a big city handling big cases.
Mac Kendrick has also recently come home to lick some deep wounds. He has his daughter for the summer and is trying to rebuild their relationship and start over.
I don’t know where I have been hiding, or why I am just now discovering Susan Mallery, but I really feel like I have been missing out. The only good thing about coming late to the party is that I have a lot of her books waiting for my discovery.
Jill and Mac have a definite, immediate and entirely believable chemistry and romance. All of the characters feel real and add to the humor and the depth of the story.
This book made me laugh, made me cry, but most importantly I found my self smiling the entire time I was reading. It’s just one of those books that touches you on so many levels, and it was just a joy to read. About 3 chapters in I went ahead and ordered the next book in the series, Falling for Gracie, and I am anxious to get back to Los Lobos, California.
I might be late in discovering Susan Mallery’s books, but I am definitely going to reading her books for quite some time.
Cherise Everhard, January 2011
Mac Kendrick has also recently come home to lick some deep wounds. He has his daughter for the summer and is trying to rebuild their relationship and start over.
I don’t know where I have been hiding, or why I am just now discovering Susan Mallery, but I really feel like I have been missing out. The only good thing about coming late to the party is that I have a lot of her books waiting for my discovery.
Jill and Mac have a definite, immediate and entirely believable chemistry and romance. All of the characters feel real and add to the humor and the depth of the story.
This book made me laugh, made me cry, but most importantly I found my self smiling the entire time I was reading. It’s just one of those books that touches you on so many levels, and it was just a joy to read. About 3 chapters in I went ahead and ordered the next book in the series, Falling for Gracie, and I am anxious to get back to Los Lobos, California.
I might be late in discovering Susan Mallery’s books, but I am definitely going to reading her books for quite some time.
Cherise Everhard, January 2011
September 18, 2013
Classic Susan Mallery.
Another great read from a favorite author.
Susan Mallery has a great way of endearing you to her characters...they're just all so nice and likeable, even the almost creepy Hollis Bass turned out to be a good guy!
Jill starts out this story by walking in on her soon to be Ex husband having sex with his secretary. She packs her bags, takes his car, GO Girl!! and heads off back to her home town of Los Lobos, a place she doesn't really want to be, but what's a girl to do in a time of need?
Mac is the local bad boy turned good, and is now the local Los Lobos sheriff. It doesn't take long for the couple to run into each other, and rekindle the youthful crush Jill had on Mac, a crush he was pretty much unaware of!
We also get prepared for the second book in this series by meeting the characters (albeit briefly) who will star in that story.
As usual a great story, great characters, Ms Mallery can do no wrong!! A wonderful author, I like to read to lighten things up, her books always make feel good
because, no matter what happens we always get a HEA, and it's surprising how often it's the man who says "I'm sorry!!!
September 10, 2019
Jau nuo pirmų puslapių supratau, jog bus smagu ir tikrai privers nusijuokti ne kartą. Linksmas tonas, šmaikštu bei iškalbinga, o kas svarbiausia užkabina (tobulas receptas dienos knygai). Tiesiog skrendi per Džilės gyvenimo permainas (skyrybas, sugrįžimas į vaikystės miestą, advokatavimas tarp žuvų iškamšų bei noras-kerštas, kad kas nors nuniokotų esamo-buvusio dievinamą BMW-bendrą turtą). Į naują gyvenimo etapą įsimaišo naujasis šerifas-paauglystės meilė Makas (o kokį egzotišką momentą jie turi, uch). Kartu su jais spygavau it palaikymo komandos šokėja ir dėl tetulės Bevės. Norisi ko nors linksmo, neįpareigojančio, o svarbiausia kiek sugarbanojančio mintis - griebkit. Malonumas garantuotas.
July 21, 2008
A good, sexy contemporary that also tackled some deeper issues (organized crime, spouse abuse, child custody) handled fairly well, I thought. I found the two lead characters very likable.
December 27, 2018
Praėjus Kalėdų pasiruošimo karštligei, artėjant Naujiems Metams, skubu rašyti dar vieną atsiliepimą apie perskaitytą knygą. Mano pasirinkimas šį kartą buvo visai kitoks nei įprastai-lengvas pramoginis meilės romanas. Bent jau aš taip galvojau, kol nepradėjau jo narplioti. Susan Mallery man pažįstama buvo iš anksčiau, lietuvių kalba leistų dviejų jos knygų, bet dar neskaitytų. Todėl iš leidyklos gavusi pačias naujausias autorės dvi knygas dovanų, pažintį su autore nusprendžiau pradėti nuo pastarųjų. Mano sprendimas skaityti šį meilės romaną buvo pasirinktas kaip tik laiku ir vietoje, o dar toks ryškus oranžinis viršelis, primenantis mandarinus, taip ir sužadino norą kuo greičiau kibti į knygą. Taigi, nevyniojant į vatą, trumpai apie ką ši knyga? Veiksmas mus nukelia į vieną Amerikos miestelį, į kurį grįžta vyro išduota Džilė Stern. Sakysite, kad kaip visada banali meilės istorija bla bla bla. Na iš pažiūros gal ir taip, tačiau tos meilės šioje knygoje buvo tikrai labai mažai. Grįžusi į savo gimtąjį miestelį ji susitinka savo paauglystės laikų meilę Maką Kendriką. Tačiau laikai jau nebe tie-jie nebe paaugliai, o suaugę žmonės, turintys ir gvildenantys savas problemas. Džilė advokatė, tačiau savo gyvenime taip ir neradusi savo tikrosios laimės ir meilės. Makas, miestelio šerifas, sunkiai išgyvenantis praeities nutikimus, besirūpinantis savo dukra, bet tuo pačiu ir bėgantis nuo jos. Likimas vėl po daugybės metų suveda šiuos du suaugusius žmones neatsitiktinai, o tam, kad jie išsiaiškintų viską iki galo ir praeičiai padėtų riebų storą tašką. Šioje knygoje tikrai netrūksta dramų, veiksmo, jausmų proveržio, rūpesčio savo artimam žmogui, aistros ir švelnumo. Tačiau visi šie dalykai taip tinka šioje knygoje, kad be jų visų būtų tikrai neįdomu skaityti. Šis romanas man šiek tiek priminė Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain romanus tik su daug lengvesne potekste. Skaitydama šį romaną, gavau visko, ko norėjau, kad jame būtų:nuo intrigos, paslapčių iki tikros bei tyros meilės. Buvo tikrai naudinga ir pravartu paįvairinti savo literatūrinį skonį savo šitokiu pasirinkimu, nes ranką prie širdies pridėjus, galiu patvirtinti, kad kiekvienam iš mūsų reikia tos meilės, tik kiekvienas skirtingai priimame kaip ją pasiimti bei priimti. Ir tų meilės romanų reikia, nes kiek gi gyvenime galime būti rimti ar susikaustę. Taip, sutinku, jie kartais būna banalūs ir nuobodūs, bet be šių dalykų taip ir nesužinotume, kas yra gyvenime druska ir pipirai ir kad gyvenimas nėra vien tik cukrus. Kas skaitysite, linkiu saldaus skaitymo su trupučio aštrumo prieskoniu.
August 1, 2025
Mõnusalt kerge, kiire ja kaasahaarav suvelugemine. Susan Mallery loojutustamise viis on mulle aina rohkem meelt mööda.
December 25, 2017
Not my favorite story of Susan Mallery's, but definitely enjoyable.
Read
January 7, 2017Officially DNF-ing at 33%. I thought it would be nice symmetry to have the first book I read of 2017 be by the same author as the last book I read in 2016. I've enjoyed the other books I read by her, but I just couldn't get into this one at all. I just don't care about the characters or the story so far, so I'm calling it.
November 17, 2023
Another lovely read from Susan Mallery. Very enjoyable. I liked the story and the characters and the HEA.
Not quite as good as some of my favorites but still a fun read.
Some minor profanity and several steamy sex scenes.
Not quite as good as some of my favorites but still a fun read.
Some minor profanity and several steamy sex scenes.
February 28, 2015
Two-haiku review:
Her life fell apart
To hometown--temporary
Old crush is next door
Nicely done story
Both characters had problems
Belonged together
Her life fell apart
To hometown--temporary
Old crush is next door
Nicely done story
Both characters had problems
Belonged together
August 7, 2017
Another wonderful romance story by Susan Mallery! This one even had deeper issues involved such as how death/murder controls your life without you getting help, views of a child during a divorce and abuse in a marriage. I liked that the author switched between points of view, especially little Emily's. Mac and Jill were two likable main characters (although I did want to slap the slowness out of them at a few parts!!). I like how they introduced Gracie and Riley in this one and can't wait to read their story!!
July 2, 2017
I don't know what it is about Susan Mallery but I just love everything she writes! This story had so much more action than any of her other books which are more love stories, I really enjoyed it. Hopefully the next book in this series is just as good
May 26, 2019
This is was another great read by Susan Mallery! I worried I wouldn’t like the book since I already read the third book in the series, but it honestly didn’t matter. I loved Jill & Mac, and I’m excited to read Gracie & Riley’s story next!
June 15, 2019
3.5 stars
While I liked many things about this book, I struggled with the heroine only separated and very recently. I did enjoy the hero and his adorable daughter. Happy reading/listening!
While I liked many things about this book, I struggled with the heroine only separated and very recently. I did enjoy the hero and his adorable daughter. Happy reading/listening!
January 3, 2020
Protagonistas: Mac & Jill
Profesiones: Policia & Abogada
Pais: USA
Profesiones: Policia & Abogada
Pais: USA
March 7, 2022
Corporate lawyer Jill Strathern is back in her hometown after walking in on her husband having sex with his assistant, and then being fired. She is taking over the law practice of a recently deceased lawyer and sending out resumes every day. Her hometown is just a brief pit stop in her mind.
Mac Kendrick, Jill's girlhood crush, is also back in town. After a career as a cop in LA, he's now the sheriff and trying to clean up his life to regain custody of his eight-year-old daughter Emily. Emily is staying with him for the summer but she's scared and not willing to trust the father who, from her point of view, left her and her mother. Mac also has to meet weekly with a social worker who doesn't believe a cop can be a good father.
As Jill deals with small town cases like wills and fences in the wrong place, Mac is settling in and trying to get to know his daughter again. When one of Jill's former clients comes to town to check on her, Mac's radar lights up. The client screams mafia to him and he doesn't want him bringing his business to Mac's town. Jill has only seen the good side of her former client and Mac's viewpoint is a source of conflict to their new relationship.
Though they seem to have very different goals for their futures, Mac and Jill do fall in love but have lots of obstacles to overcome.
This was an entertaining small-town romance with great characters and an interesting plot. The narration was well done.
Mac Kendrick, Jill's girlhood crush, is also back in town. After a career as a cop in LA, he's now the sheriff and trying to clean up his life to regain custody of his eight-year-old daughter Emily. Emily is staying with him for the summer but she's scared and not willing to trust the father who, from her point of view, left her and her mother. Mac also has to meet weekly with a social worker who doesn't believe a cop can be a good father.
As Jill deals with small town cases like wills and fences in the wrong place, Mac is settling in and trying to get to know his daughter again. When one of Jill's former clients comes to town to check on her, Mac's radar lights up. The client screams mafia to him and he doesn't want him bringing his business to Mac's town. Jill has only seen the good side of her former client and Mac's viewpoint is a source of conflict to their new relationship.
Though they seem to have very different goals for their futures, Mac and Jill do fall in love but have lots of obstacles to overcome.
This was an entertaining small-town romance with great characters and an interesting plot. The narration was well done.
May 20, 2019
A really fun beach read! I liked the characters and found myself cheering for them. Nothing incredibly surprising or angsty, just a good book with a happy ending!
December 16, 2010
This book was just too funny and enjoyable! This is what reading is all about. I had a lot of laughs, loved the mystery and the romance.
It all starts when Jill's husband is caught cheating on her, takes her place at the firm they both work at and she comes home for the summer to live with her aunt Bev. A small firm in her hometown of Los Lobos has a position as the owner had passed away a couple of months ago provides a distraction for Jill while getting herself together and sending out her resume to somewhere she would rather be. Or so it seems to Jill anyway.
However her old high school crush Mac has just moved back as well. Surprise surprise he lives right next door. Mac has his own struggles but will Jill and Mac fall in love in the midst of all the goings-on. Or will it only be a summer thing because there are law firms wanting Jill all over the place, even the old firm she was fired from!
What adds to it is Rudy, who s a client of Jill's has come to town. Although it is a mystery if Rudy is really a good guy or a bad guy. Everyone has their own opinion though! When Rudy and Bev meet though that complicates things.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will recommend it to others that like to read romance and a laugh out loud book! It won't be my last Susan Mallery book that is for sure!!!!
It all starts when Jill's husband is caught cheating on her, takes her place at the firm they both work at and she comes home for the summer to live with her aunt Bev. A small firm in her hometown of Los Lobos has a position as the owner had passed away a couple of months ago provides a distraction for Jill while getting herself together and sending out her resume to somewhere she would rather be. Or so it seems to Jill anyway.
However her old high school crush Mac has just moved back as well. Surprise surprise he lives right next door. Mac has his own struggles but will Jill and Mac fall in love in the midst of all the goings-on. Or will it only be a summer thing because there are law firms wanting Jill all over the place, even the old firm she was fired from!
What adds to it is Rudy, who s a client of Jill's has come to town. Although it is a mystery if Rudy is really a good guy or a bad guy. Everyone has their own opinion though! When Rudy and Bev meet though that complicates things.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will recommend it to others that like to read romance and a laugh out loud book! It won't be my last Susan Mallery book that is for sure!!!!
May 13, 2011
The dollar table strikes again!
I didn't even KNOW Falling For Gracie was part two of a series that began with THIS book! I REALLY ENJOYED Gracie-more so than this one.
Part of the reason I didn't enjoy the book as the emphasis on the custody and social workers-given the issues in my personal life with my DH and the craziness of THAT custody battle and the lies etc. etc. I had to put this book down for a while before I could get into it.
Pushing all that aside, it was a pretty good read. The insertion of the Mafia guy and all that entailed seemed akward at times as did Gracie and Riley's appearances in the book-it's NOT a good thing to read books out of order for me.
The characters were great although I felt the hero was more developed than the heroine. Maybe it was just me.
Also...if she was still married throughout the book, didn't she cheat being with Mac? Also, did I just miss mention of her getting a divorce? I feel a re-read. Never mind, I remember. That part was actually funny...she took her ex's nice BMW and kept trying to get it dinged. Read the book to find out what happened. Justice was served.
I didn't even KNOW Falling For Gracie was part two of a series that began with THIS book! I REALLY ENJOYED Gracie-more so than this one.
Part of the reason I didn't enjoy the book as the emphasis on the custody and social workers-given the issues in my personal life with my DH and the craziness of THAT custody battle and the lies etc. etc. I had to put this book down for a while before I could get into it.
Pushing all that aside, it was a pretty good read. The insertion of the Mafia guy and all that entailed seemed akward at times as did Gracie and Riley's appearances in the book-it's NOT a good thing to read books out of order for me.
The characters were great although I felt the hero was more developed than the heroine. Maybe it was just me.
Also...if she was still married throughout the book, didn't she cheat being with Mac? Also, did I just miss mention of her getting a divorce? I feel a re-read. Never mind, I remember. That part was actually funny...she took her ex's nice BMW and kept trying to get it dinged. Read the book to find out what happened. Justice was served.
November 20, 2011
3.5 stars
This is a story about a girl who grew up on a really small town and got to get a way and become a very successful layer on the big city. Happily married and about to become the very awaited promotion on her law firm, she finds her husband cheating on her with the secretary at the office. Of course she goes back to family and the small town she always hated where she finds her lost childhood love also divorced and single. Again of course he finds her attractive and sexy and wants to get together.
Don't get me wrong, I loved this read, I had a great time reading it. It's just that it was too predictable and too much of the same I have been reading on this genre lately. I love this type of stories and I usually have an amazing time reading it because they generally show an unpredictable twist and surprise me. More often that I should I fins myself crying or laughing like a loon with this reads. But this one did not have anything like that. Yes, it was funny and entertaining but not too much. It was a fast, nice and sweet read but nothing out of the ordinary. Great characters were introduced and I'm really hoping to get to the next book fast because it seems to me it's gonna be way better. Let's see.
This is a story about a girl who grew up on a really small town and got to get a way and become a very successful layer on the big city. Happily married and about to become the very awaited promotion on her law firm, she finds her husband cheating on her with the secretary at the office. Of course she goes back to family and the small town she always hated where she finds her lost childhood love also divorced and single. Again of course he finds her attractive and sexy and wants to get together.
Don't get me wrong, I loved this read, I had a great time reading it. It's just that it was too predictable and too much of the same I have been reading on this genre lately. I love this type of stories and I usually have an amazing time reading it because they generally show an unpredictable twist and surprise me. More often that I should I fins myself crying or laughing like a loon with this reads. But this one did not have anything like that. Yes, it was funny and entertaining but not too much. It was a fast, nice and sweet read but nothing out of the ordinary. Great characters were introduced and I'm really hoping to get to the next book fast because it seems to me it's gonna be way better. Let's see.
May 5, 2017
4.5 stars
I have read many, many books by Susan Mallery and she is one of my favorite authors. I love her stories--even if they can be a bit clichéd at times--and I always love all her characters (with only a couple exceptions).
Someone Like You is a story about two people--Jill and Mac--who return to their hometown after years away and for vastly, yet similar, reasons. Despite complications like mob bosses, custody battles, and struggles to reach their dreams, Jill and Mac find their way to each other and manage to create something beautiful.
As I mentioned above, Mallery often creates wonderful characters that I become invested in. Even characters who barely appear, like Gracie and Riley, and now I am super intrigued and can't wait to read the sequel, Falling for Gracie.
I have read many, many books by Susan Mallery and she is one of my favorite authors. I love her stories--even if they can be a bit clichéd at times--and I always love all her characters (with only a couple exceptions).
Someone Like You is a story about two people--Jill and Mac--who return to their hometown after years away and for vastly, yet similar, reasons. Despite complications like mob bosses, custody battles, and struggles to reach their dreams, Jill and Mac find their way to each other and manage to create something beautiful.
As I mentioned above, Mallery often creates wonderful characters that I become invested in. Even characters who barely appear, like Gracie and Riley, and now I am super intrigued and can't wait to read the sequel, Falling for Gracie.
April 1, 2016
I read this one a long time ago and never wrote it down here. It's interesting that Mallery can take some really serious, dramatic issues and make them cute and humorous. That's what she did here. The heroine walks in on her husband with his legal assistant, then he gets her fired, so she goes back to her hometown. The hero is trying to start over as sheriff of the hometown and have his daughter over the summer, after a bad experience as a big city cop. The problem reconnecting with his daughter is taken seriously, but in a cute way-- the girl will only eat things the same color as the clothes she's wearing. The heroine is working in a law office where the walls are covered with taxidermied fish. There are other serious issues, and I liked the way Mallery handled them. It's a good read.
January 25, 2016
OK got this b/c thought it was a Fool's Gold story but now its Los Lobos....plot/happenings were a bit far fetched, but sucker for a happy ending...cheesy, but have to give author credit for social worker in the mix; and some good active listening and a strong character in Jill--in terms of being intelligent, hard working and working at her relationships and other characters listening to kids. Enjoyed the 8 year old Emily who was trying to control what she could by only eating the same color food as what she was wearing....realistic....now a little interested in Jill's friend Gracie and her high school crush/stalker of Riley Whitefield...still not Fool's Gold but will do in a pinch.
December 16, 2010
I really loved this book and wish I had the talent to write this great amazing review. Every time I go to write something it ends up getting deleted because it doesn't read as great as it did when I was thinking it. With that said...
I thought this book was very good. Mac and Jill are very likable and little Emily is too cute.
I'm looking forward to reading Falling for Gracie. I wish there were more to this series I think it could of really taken off.
I thought this book was very good. Mac and Jill are very likable and little Emily is too cute.
I'm looking forward to reading Falling for Gracie. I wish there were more to this series I think it could of really taken off.
September 18, 2008
Loved it! Such a sweet story!
July 13, 2020
I'm apparently in the minority with this opinion, but it wasn't good. It was interesting enough to read to find out what happened, but I did end up skimming a lot.
A lot of plot points annoyed me. Such as Mac hating Rudy because of his gut feeling. That's it. His gut.
Actually, I have to go on a rant here about what a horrible police office Mac is, so yeah, spoilers.
There were some other things in this book. Mallery seems to have to put a transphobic joke in almost all of her books. The "did you used to be a man?" joke is the most common and that one was in here.
Later there's an awkward scene where a police officer in town (who I swear we didn't meet at all before, but I was sort of skimming by that point so it's possible I missed it?) comes out as gay to Mac. The whole scene was entirely just so we could see that Mac was an upstanding guy (ie - he was decent to the guy. That's literally it.). A throwaway character who was not in the plot at all, just shows up for that scene and then pretty much disappears again (one more scene where his whole point is that he shows up after the action is over - very much not a real character).
Mallery also has some weird views on women and age. Mallery is older herself so maybe she's trying to be funny and I'm just not getting the humor? But I was surprised to find out that Aunt Bev was only in her 40's, given how Mallery talked about her and how she was "older", and how surprised Jill seemed to be at Bev having a romantic life (which Jill apparently finds icky) and wanting sex. I mean, sheesh! Not that women can't have sex/romantic lives at any age, but acting like someone in their 40's is old and her sex life is over?
And then Emily, the 8 year old. It seemed to me like she needs a therapist. I alternated with this character. Sometimes I liked her, but a lot of the time her inner thoughts and feelings felt forced. She didn't feel realistic much of the time.
And finally Lyle, the two dimensional Bad Ex Husband with zero redeeming qualities. That's what Mallery is good at so I guess that's what I should have expected.
Overall, one star. Though I still wanted to find out what happened at the end, so I read/skimmed the whole thing at least.
A lot of plot points annoyed me. Such as Mac hating Rudy because of his gut feeling. That's it. His gut.
Actually, I have to go on a rant here about what a horrible police office Mac is, so yeah, spoilers.
There were some other things in this book. Mallery seems to have to put a transphobic joke in almost all of her books. The "did you used to be a man?" joke is the most common and that one was in here.
Later there's an awkward scene where a police officer in town (who I swear we didn't meet at all before, but I was sort of skimming by that point so it's possible I missed it?) comes out as gay to Mac. The whole scene was entirely just so we could see that Mac was an upstanding guy (ie - he was decent to the guy. That's literally it.). A throwaway character who was not in the plot at all, just shows up for that scene and then pretty much disappears again (one more scene where his whole point is that he shows up after the action is over - very much not a real character).
Mallery also has some weird views on women and age. Mallery is older herself so maybe she's trying to be funny and I'm just not getting the humor? But I was surprised to find out that Aunt Bev was only in her 40's, given how Mallery talked about her and how she was "older", and how surprised Jill seemed to be at Bev having a romantic life (which Jill apparently finds icky) and wanting sex. I mean, sheesh! Not that women can't have sex/romantic lives at any age, but acting like someone in their 40's is old and her sex life is over?
And then Emily, the 8 year old. It seemed to me like she needs a therapist. I alternated with this character. Sometimes I liked her, but a lot of the time her inner thoughts and feelings felt forced. She didn't feel realistic much of the time.
And finally Lyle, the two dimensional Bad Ex Husband with zero redeeming qualities. That's what Mallery is good at so I guess that's what I should have expected.
Overall, one star. Though I still wanted to find out what happened at the end, so I read/skimmed the whole thing at least.
May 11, 2012
From my blog....
http://blessedx3ane.blogspot.com/2012...
Here is my third book review for the Romance Challenge, my sixth review for the Cupcake War Challenge, my second review for the 2012 E-book Challenge; the third one for The TBR Double Dare & my second one for Read Your Own Name Challenge. I decided to do this all in 1 post instead of 5 separate posts. I will keep the # read at the bottom for each Challenge so I know what I am doing!
For this Review: I chose the e-book, Someone Like You, which is the first book in the Los Lobos Series by Susan Mallery. Are you seeing a trend with me? Who is one of my favorite authors? Can you take a wild guess?
Spoiler Warning: If you have not read this book, stop! Read the book before reading the rest of my review!!
This is the first in the Los Lobos series. It is about an attorney, Jill Strathern, who walked in on her husband having sex in his office. What does her husband, Lyle, does he says to her? "Next time you should knock, he said he bent over to grabbed his pants." (page 18) All I have to say is what an ass. Sorry about the language. He just got caught cheating on his wife & that is the first thing he says to her. Jill got fired from her job. She got Lyle a job at the same law firm as her.
Jill left L.A. & went home to Los Lobos to figure out what to do. After Jill returned home & she moved in with her Aunt Bev, there are 2 quotes I want to share:
1. "But that wasn't what hurt the most" she continued, her eyes burning. "He stole my promotion. I'd been working so damn hard and I brought in all that business and he got my promotion and I got fired." (page 22)
Remember this quote for later on in the book. I think it has some key information in it, but I am not going to tell you what.
2. "And what I really d-don't understand is why I'm more mad than hurt,' she said, her voice cracking. "Why do I care more about my job than my marriage?" (page 22)
Jill asked this question, but more as a rhetorical one. She knew the answer!
Jill came to town with 3 things on her mind:
1. Revenge on her soon to be ex-husband.
2. Find out why she was fired.
3. Find a new job & get out of Los Lobos.
When Carly was talking to her ex-husband, Mac about their daughter & what he did. Carly said this to him, "Apologies don't work on an eight-year-old," Carly told him. "You disappeared from her life without a word and now you're going to have to prove yourself to her." (page 34) I have an almost eight year old. There are times where apologies don't work on him for minor things. Carly was right when she said this. Mac messed up big time & it will take sometime.
During the course of this book, Jill changed. In the beginning, Jill was focused on 2 things. Getting revenge on her soon to be ex-husband & getting a new job. Mac says to Jill "If the revenge involves breaking the law, I don't want to know." (page 43)
Jill & Mac both realize why they are both in Los Lobos- Her Father. I think her father did this on possible.
When Mac first found out about his daughter's, Emily, & her color issue & food. Carly told him it was her way of controlling something in her life & she did not have a say in the divorce plus she is punishing them. Here are my favorite quotes between Mac & Emily:
(Emily) "The color's wrong" she said, try to speak a little louder. "I'm wearing purple."
(Mac) "So?"
(Emily) "If I'm wearing purple I can only eat purple."
(page 49, 50)
I wonder how I would feel if I had to work in an office with fish staring at me. Ok, I know how I would feel----> they would have to go. I would think they were watching me. Love this quote! "Jill glanced around the office. It was like standing in the middle of an aquarium for decreased fish." (page 60) It puts a smile on my face!! =0) Does it for you?
The first time that Mac met the social worker, Hollis, the only thing I could think of was this guy can not truly think this. Here is the quote: "I'm glad we're clear." Hollis closed the folder and leaned forward. "Mac, I'll be blunt with you. I don't think men in law enforcement make good fathers." (page 83) My question is what evidence is he basing this on. If you use logic on this, All men in law enforcement are bad fathers. You know this is not a true statement, but if you say, Most men or some men then it could be true. You can not say ALL. Just because Hollis's men that he has dealt with in his work were bad fathers & are in law enforcement does not mean ALL men are bad fathers, too. What about those men that are in that field of work that he never met? We did learn something about Mac during this first meeting with Hollis. Mac worked in the gang unit, which caused his divorce & his leaving his daughter.
In the beginning, I said that Jill came to town for 3 things on her mind:
1. Revenge on her soon to be ex-husband.
2. Find out why she was fired.
3. Find a new job & get out of Los Lobos.
During this book, those 3 things changed.
#1, she did not care about anymore. She just wanted to get rid of him. Not rid of as in rid of, but as in divorce. She did not love him.
Her dad asked her "What happened to the plan for revenge?" She shrugged "I don't care anymore. I have no energy where Lyle is concerned. Marrying him was a huge mistake and now I'm fixing the problem. That makes me feel good. As for Lyle, I can't tell you how much I'm not interested in him or his life. He's buying me out of the condo, I'm getting a cash settlement for the car and fifty percent of everything else." (page 350)
#2 She still wanted to find out why she was fired & she did.
Lyle showed up & said to Jill "You ruined me." Jill replied back to him with "I think you have me confused with, oh, say yourself. I've been here in Los Lobos for the past several weeks, trying to put my life together. You've been in San Francisco. How exactly could I have ruined you? Everything is gone. My job, my career. There's talk of disbarring me." (page 384-385)
I love the one other scene with Lyle, but I will let you read it. It is very funny! It is one of my favorite Lyle moments. I think it deserves what he gets!!!
#3. Jill wanted a new job & out of Los Lobos, but that changed. She did not want to leave Los Lobos or Mac.
Mac says to Jill "You love me a lot and you don't want to go anywhere, but you didn't want to come out and say that. You want me to ask." He kissed her again. "You wanted me to prove you were more than a convenience and that I thought you were worth fighting for." (page 394)
This was the part of the book I was crying! Be prepared to cry, too!
I think the one thing that surprised me in the whole book was that the social worker, Hollis, spoke on Mac's behalf. He even got Mac's ex-wife on his side, too. My favorite Hollis quote is "He was trying to protect a young woman's life. A pregnant young's woman. He stepped in when my department did nothing. For all we know, he saved Mrs Murphy's life." (page 389)
Carly spoke at the hearing, too, asking not to have Mac not being taken from their daughter. "She's only eight and she needs her father." (page 390) This hearing was because Mac hit a man who beat up his wife, but the man died because of what happened at the beach. I am going to let you read it.
Keeping reading!
This took me awhile to get done. I am working on the second book of the series, too, Falling for Gracie. That will be posted soon. I hope.
Melissa
P.S. Something for you!
Questions for you:
1. The first time Jill met Mac since coming back to town, what was Jill doing?
2. Why did Jill come back to town besides to figure things out?
3. What does Mac do?
4. Who said this quote "I wanted a change."
5. What kind of car did Lyle drive?
6. What was the attorney's name that had the practice before Jill?
7. What is the name of the secretary & do you think she does to keep her job?
8. Name some of Jill's strange cases.
9. What did you think of the social worker for Mac?
10. Who is Gracie Landon?
11. What happened to Lyle when he was trying to leave Los Lobos?
12. What is your favorite part of the book?
http://blessedx3ane.blogspot.com/2012...
Here is my third book review for the Romance Challenge, my sixth review for the Cupcake War Challenge, my second review for the 2012 E-book Challenge; the third one for The TBR Double Dare & my second one for Read Your Own Name Challenge. I decided to do this all in 1 post instead of 5 separate posts. I will keep the # read at the bottom for each Challenge so I know what I am doing!
For this Review: I chose the e-book, Someone Like You, which is the first book in the Los Lobos Series by Susan Mallery. Are you seeing a trend with me? Who is one of my favorite authors? Can you take a wild guess?
Spoiler Warning: If you have not read this book, stop! Read the book before reading the rest of my review!!
This is the first in the Los Lobos series. It is about an attorney, Jill Strathern, who walked in on her husband having sex in his office. What does her husband, Lyle, does he says to her? "Next time you should knock, he said he bent over to grabbed his pants." (page 18) All I have to say is what an ass. Sorry about the language. He just got caught cheating on his wife & that is the first thing he says to her. Jill got fired from her job. She got Lyle a job at the same law firm as her.
Jill left L.A. & went home to Los Lobos to figure out what to do. After Jill returned home & she moved in with her Aunt Bev, there are 2 quotes I want to share:
1. "But that wasn't what hurt the most" she continued, her eyes burning. "He stole my promotion. I'd been working so damn hard and I brought in all that business and he got my promotion and I got fired." (page 22)
Remember this quote for later on in the book. I think it has some key information in it, but I am not going to tell you what.
2. "And what I really d-don't understand is why I'm more mad than hurt,' she said, her voice cracking. "Why do I care more about my job than my marriage?" (page 22)
Jill asked this question, but more as a rhetorical one. She knew the answer!
Jill came to town with 3 things on her mind:
1. Revenge on her soon to be ex-husband.
2. Find out why she was fired.
3. Find a new job & get out of Los Lobos.
When Carly was talking to her ex-husband, Mac about their daughter & what he did. Carly said this to him, "Apologies don't work on an eight-year-old," Carly told him. "You disappeared from her life without a word and now you're going to have to prove yourself to her." (page 34) I have an almost eight year old. There are times where apologies don't work on him for minor things. Carly was right when she said this. Mac messed up big time & it will take sometime.
During the course of this book, Jill changed. In the beginning, Jill was focused on 2 things. Getting revenge on her soon to be ex-husband & getting a new job. Mac says to Jill "If the revenge involves breaking the law, I don't want to know." (page 43)
Jill & Mac both realize why they are both in Los Lobos- Her Father. I think her father did this on possible.
When Mac first found out about his daughter's, Emily, & her color issue & food. Carly told him it was her way of controlling something in her life & she did not have a say in the divorce plus she is punishing them. Here are my favorite quotes between Mac & Emily:
(Emily) "The color's wrong" she said, try to speak a little louder. "I'm wearing purple."
(Mac) "So?"
(Emily) "If I'm wearing purple I can only eat purple."
(page 49, 50)
I wonder how I would feel if I had to work in an office with fish staring at me. Ok, I know how I would feel----> they would have to go. I would think they were watching me. Love this quote! "Jill glanced around the office. It was like standing in the middle of an aquarium for decreased fish." (page 60) It puts a smile on my face!! =0) Does it for you?
The first time that Mac met the social worker, Hollis, the only thing I could think of was this guy can not truly think this. Here is the quote: "I'm glad we're clear." Hollis closed the folder and leaned forward. "Mac, I'll be blunt with you. I don't think men in law enforcement make good fathers." (page 83) My question is what evidence is he basing this on. If you use logic on this, All men in law enforcement are bad fathers. You know this is not a true statement, but if you say, Most men or some men then it could be true. You can not say ALL. Just because Hollis's men that he has dealt with in his work were bad fathers & are in law enforcement does not mean ALL men are bad fathers, too. What about those men that are in that field of work that he never met? We did learn something about Mac during this first meeting with Hollis. Mac worked in the gang unit, which caused his divorce & his leaving his daughter.
In the beginning, I said that Jill came to town for 3 things on her mind:
1. Revenge on her soon to be ex-husband.
2. Find out why she was fired.
3. Find a new job & get out of Los Lobos.
During this book, those 3 things changed.
#1, she did not care about anymore. She just wanted to get rid of him. Not rid of as in rid of, but as in divorce. She did not love him.
Her dad asked her "What happened to the plan for revenge?" She shrugged "I don't care anymore. I have no energy where Lyle is concerned. Marrying him was a huge mistake and now I'm fixing the problem. That makes me feel good. As for Lyle, I can't tell you how much I'm not interested in him or his life. He's buying me out of the condo, I'm getting a cash settlement for the car and fifty percent of everything else." (page 350)
#2 She still wanted to find out why she was fired & she did.
Lyle showed up & said to Jill "You ruined me." Jill replied back to him with "I think you have me confused with, oh, say yourself. I've been here in Los Lobos for the past several weeks, trying to put my life together. You've been in San Francisco. How exactly could I have ruined you? Everything is gone. My job, my career. There's talk of disbarring me." (page 384-385)
I love the one other scene with Lyle, but I will let you read it. It is very funny! It is one of my favorite Lyle moments. I think it deserves what he gets!!!
#3. Jill wanted a new job & out of Los Lobos, but that changed. She did not want to leave Los Lobos or Mac.
Mac says to Jill "You love me a lot and you don't want to go anywhere, but you didn't want to come out and say that. You want me to ask." He kissed her again. "You wanted me to prove you were more than a convenience and that I thought you were worth fighting for." (page 394)
This was the part of the book I was crying! Be prepared to cry, too!
I think the one thing that surprised me in the whole book was that the social worker, Hollis, spoke on Mac's behalf. He even got Mac's ex-wife on his side, too. My favorite Hollis quote is "He was trying to protect a young woman's life. A pregnant young's woman. He stepped in when my department did nothing. For all we know, he saved Mrs Murphy's life." (page 389)
Carly spoke at the hearing, too, asking not to have Mac not being taken from their daughter. "She's only eight and she needs her father." (page 390) This hearing was because Mac hit a man who beat up his wife, but the man died because of what happened at the beach. I am going to let you read it.
Keeping reading!
This took me awhile to get done. I am working on the second book of the series, too, Falling for Gracie. That will be posted soon. I hope.
Melissa
P.S. Something for you!
Questions for you:
1. The first time Jill met Mac since coming back to town, what was Jill doing?
2. Why did Jill come back to town besides to figure things out?
3. What does Mac do?
4. Who said this quote "I wanted a change."
5. What kind of car did Lyle drive?
6. What was the attorney's name that had the practice before Jill?
7. What is the name of the secretary & do you think she does to keep her job?
8. Name some of Jill's strange cases.
9. What did you think of the social worker for Mac?
10. Who is Gracie Landon?
11. What happened to Lyle when he was trying to leave Los Lobos?
12. What is your favorite part of the book?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2017
This book started with a total bang – literally, she found her husband banging his assistant at work – went farrr downhill from there and then got a little better towards the end. After she walks in on her husband we zoom 2 days forward and she's now lost her job and moving back to her small hometown. Wait, what?! Where did that part of the story go?? She's supposed to be a super successful lawyer from a major San Francisco firm and to my knowledge they don't just fire you without an explanation! I wanted it bc otherwise the story just doesn't make sense to me. Then, within 5 minutes of being back home she runs into a high school crush and her panties are soaked already & it's almost like she didn't JUST get burned in love. She's ready to jump back in and it's 'ex-husband, who?'. I couldn't get over how juvenile she seemed throughout so much of the book yet we keep being told she's 'so smart', top of her class, has the greatest resume that any firm would want her, etc. ::eye roll:: she definitely didn't act that way!
Then, as if this story wasn't annoying enough to me, we throw in a mafia mobster. Sigh. We're already hitting so many clichés, do we really have to include this as one of the main conflicts?
Towards the end I did end up caring about Mac (the high school crush who apparently her family was close with but she really didn't seem to have any history with besides one ill-fated night) and I liked his daughter (although don't get me started about the chapters in her POV...they felt like they were trying way to hard to sound like they were from an 8 year old without actually ending up sounding that way). I was happy to see them get their HEA in the end and if I think back it was a cute if cliche story.
Overall this one was a 2 ½ stars for me.
Then, as if this story wasn't annoying enough to me, we throw in a mafia mobster. Sigh. We're already hitting so many clichés, do we really have to include this as one of the main conflicts?
Towards the end I did end up caring about Mac (the high school crush who apparently her family was close with but she really didn't seem to have any history with besides one ill-fated night) and I liked his daughter (although don't get me started about the chapters in her POV...they felt like they were trying way to hard to sound like they were from an 8 year old without actually ending up sounding that way). I was happy to see them get their HEA in the end and if I think back it was a cute if cliche story.
Overall this one was a 2 ½ stars for me.
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