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The Donnigans #1
A Sure Thing
Meet the Donnigans
With the eldest Donnigan brothers adjusting to civilian life, their younger sister constantly in trouble, and their little brother clueless about life in general, falling in love is the last thing on anyone's mind...
Can this Bossy Badass Marine...
The Marine Corps was everything Landon Donnigan ever wanted in life...until a bullet sent him home with a medical discharge. Teaching a self-defense class at the gym is old-hat for a marine, but when he meets sexy Ava Rosenthal, his combat skills are useless for protecting his heart.
Be her Mr. Right?
Ava can take care of herself and likes quiet, bookish men-not muscular warriors who think women need to be coddled. But Landon is more than he seems, and when they come together, the results are explosive.
Praise for Marie Harte's McCauley Brothers series:
"Packed with sass, sensuality and heartwarming emotion...an absolute delight!"-Romance Junkies
"Funny, addicting, and full of hot sex scenes."-Booklist
With the eldest Donnigan brothers adjusting to civilian life, their younger sister constantly in trouble, and their little brother clueless about life in general, falling in love is the last thing on anyone's mind...
Can this Bossy Badass Marine...
The Marine Corps was everything Landon Donnigan ever wanted in life...until a bullet sent him home with a medical discharge. Teaching a self-defense class at the gym is old-hat for a marine, but when he meets sexy Ava Rosenthal, his combat skills are useless for protecting his heart.
Be her Mr. Right?
Ava can take care of herself and likes quiet, bookish men-not muscular warriors who think women need to be coddled. But Landon is more than he seems, and when they come together, the results are explosive.
Praise for Marie Harte's McCauley Brothers series:
"Packed with sass, sensuality and heartwarming emotion...an absolute delight!"-Romance Junkies
"Funny, addicting, and full of hot sex scenes."-Booklist
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2016
461 people are currently reading
1386 people want to read
About the author
Marie Harte
199 books2,404 followersImportant:: Marie Harte is NOT active on GoodReads, so to contact her, please use her website at marieharte.com.
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
May 25, 2017
4 Major Hottie Stars
A Sure Thing, the 1st book in The Donnigans Series was a funny, sweet read. I really enjoyed every moment of it. And can I just say that cover is hot. It's one of the reasons I requested this book. Mr sexy ex Marine Landon Donnigan was just so yummy. I loved everything about him. He was just so charming, funny, protective and sexy did I mention sexy.. Damn he was sexy and a dirty talker. The filthy things he would say had me melting. I found Ava really endearing. She was so prissy, conservative and uptight, but still funny and sassy. She was always up in her own head thinking things to death. I thought Landon and Ava great chemistry together and tons of heat! I loved that Landon made her lose her control. Landon dragged her out of her comfort zone. I also loved that Ava made Landon work for it. She was no easy catch. They had a really cute,and playful relationship. I felt the author did a great job of building up their relationship and showing the growth in their feelings for each other. I felt really connected to Ava and Landon as a couple and I was rooting for their love.
The whole Donnigan family was a big part of this book. They were all very endearing in their own way. I got invested in each of them. I really liked getting to know Gavin, Theo, and Hope. The relationship between all the Donnigans was so funny and cute. I laughed so hard over the sibling prank wars. I am really hoping they all get their own book especially Hope's. I can't wait to see little sister get her HEA! A Sure Thing made me smile and laugh a lot. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series! Below I will leave one of my favorite moments from this book:
"Get a room, you two," Gavin said. She could hear his smirk. Landon quickly disengaged and stood, glaring down at her. "Seriously, Ava. My family is here. Hands to yourself." Seeing Gavin's wide eyes, she blushed. "Oh pleases. He was all over me and I-" Gavin yelled for Theo and Hope, who soon appeared. "Hey, guys, Ava's mauling Landon. Come see." "Gavin, you are an ass," she seconded Landon's opinion of his brother, who laughed like a loon. "What? What did we miss?" Theo asked, breathless. His hair was askew, his sweatshirt rumpled, while Hope didn't seem to have a hair out of place. "Nothing but your brother's bothering me," Ava growled, torn between embarrassment and laughter. "With his mouth," Gavin emphasized. "No funny business here, people. This is a family party." "Yeah, Ava. Really." Landon looked horrified. "I mean, not in front of my brothers and sister. Oh, the shame."- Gavin, Landon, Ava, and Theo
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
A Sure Thing, the 1st book in The Donnigans Series was a funny, sweet read. I really enjoyed every moment of it. And can I just say that cover is hot. It's one of the reasons I requested this book. Mr sexy ex Marine Landon Donnigan was just so yummy. I loved everything about him. He was just so charming, funny, protective and sexy did I mention sexy.. Damn he was sexy and a dirty talker. The filthy things he would say had me melting. I found Ava really endearing. She was so prissy, conservative and uptight, but still funny and sassy. She was always up in her own head thinking things to death. I thought Landon and Ava great chemistry together and tons of heat! I loved that Landon made her lose her control. Landon dragged her out of her comfort zone. I also loved that Ava made Landon work for it. She was no easy catch. They had a really cute,and playful relationship. I felt the author did a great job of building up their relationship and showing the growth in their feelings for each other. I felt really connected to Ava and Landon as a couple and I was rooting for their love.
The whole Donnigan family was a big part of this book. They were all very endearing in their own way. I got invested in each of them. I really liked getting to know Gavin, Theo, and Hope. The relationship between all the Donnigans was so funny and cute. I laughed so hard over the sibling prank wars. I am really hoping they all get their own book especially Hope's. I can't wait to see little sister get her HEA! A Sure Thing made me smile and laugh a lot. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series! Below I will leave one of my favorite moments from this book:
"Get a room, you two," Gavin said. She could hear his smirk. Landon quickly disengaged and stood, glaring down at her. "Seriously, Ava. My family is here. Hands to yourself." Seeing Gavin's wide eyes, she blushed. "Oh pleases. He was all over me and I-" Gavin yelled for Theo and Hope, who soon appeared. "Hey, guys, Ava's mauling Landon. Come see." "Gavin, you are an ass," she seconded Landon's opinion of his brother, who laughed like a loon. "What? What did we miss?" Theo asked, breathless. His hair was askew, his sweatshirt rumpled, while Hope didn't seem to have a hair out of place. "Nothing but your brother's bothering me," Ava growled, torn between embarrassment and laughter. "With his mouth," Gavin emphasized. "No funny business here, people. This is a family party." "Yeah, Ava. Really." Landon looked horrified. "I mean, not in front of my brothers and sister. Oh, the shame."- Gavin, Landon, Ava, and Theo
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
November 1, 2016
2.5 Stars
Soooo…
…ummm…
…yeah.
Let me start off by saying I’m normally a big Marie Harte fan. I’ve read a good chunk of her novella backlog and I loved each and every one of The McCauley Brothers books, so it pains me even more to say A Sure Thing just didn’t work for me.
Landon Donnigan’s life took a detour when an injury forced him to take early retirement from a career as a marine. Now in his early thirties and back home in Seattle, Landon’s not looking for a long-term relationship. Until he spots a snarky psychologist across a crowded gym, that is.
Ava’s always lead a controlled and orderly existence. Turning thirty means it’s time to put the focus back on her love life, and lucky for her she’s got a handy dandy list of qualities to look for in a long term partner. What could possibly go wrong?
From the moment I started reading, this book felt more like a warm up for the rest of the series than anything else. By the 5% mark, we’ve learned all about Landon’s family, including cousins who’ve already had their own books and siblings that are bound to get their stories told next. While I appreciated learning more about the inner workings of the Donnigan clan, I would’ve appreciated that effort put into developing the relationship between Ava and Landon. They did spend a decent amount of book time together but I never really connected with the two as a couple. They spend their time apart lamenting about the fact they either aren’t looking for serious or are looking for serious with a different type of partner. Then, when they do spend time together, both ask internal questions like “had he ever felt so comfortable with a woman?” or “had he ever wanted to introduce a woman to his family?” It’s nice to be told what these characters are feeling but I’d rather have felt it and unfortunately, I just didn’t.
Marie Harte writes a mean novella. In my experience, they’re an awesome mixture of hot and sweet with just enough character development to work for a novella-sized story. I’ve also read full length novels by the author and enjoyed them. My problem here is that there just didn’t seem to be enough story to carry a full length book. I was bored at times I should’ve been fully invested in the story and I found myself putting it aside in favor of other books more than once.
While I thought A Sure Thing was on ok read, I just didn’t connect with it in the way I’d anticipated. Regardless, I’m still going to give the next book in the series a shot.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Soooo…
…ummm…
…yeah.
Let me start off by saying I’m normally a big Marie Harte fan. I’ve read a good chunk of her novella backlog and I loved each and every one of The McCauley Brothers books, so it pains me even more to say A Sure Thing just didn’t work for me.
Landon Donnigan’s life took a detour when an injury forced him to take early retirement from a career as a marine. Now in his early thirties and back home in Seattle, Landon’s not looking for a long-term relationship. Until he spots a snarky psychologist across a crowded gym, that is.
Ava’s always lead a controlled and orderly existence. Turning thirty means it’s time to put the focus back on her love life, and lucky for her she’s got a handy dandy list of qualities to look for in a long term partner. What could possibly go wrong?
From the moment I started reading, this book felt more like a warm up for the rest of the series than anything else. By the 5% mark, we’ve learned all about Landon’s family, including cousins who’ve already had their own books and siblings that are bound to get their stories told next. While I appreciated learning more about the inner workings of the Donnigan clan, I would’ve appreciated that effort put into developing the relationship between Ava and Landon. They did spend a decent amount of book time together but I never really connected with the two as a couple. They spend their time apart lamenting about the fact they either aren’t looking for serious or are looking for serious with a different type of partner. Then, when they do spend time together, both ask internal questions like “had he ever felt so comfortable with a woman?” or “had he ever wanted to introduce a woman to his family?” It’s nice to be told what these characters are feeling but I’d rather have felt it and unfortunately, I just didn’t.
Marie Harte writes a mean novella. In my experience, they’re an awesome mixture of hot and sweet with just enough character development to work for a novella-sized story. I’ve also read full length novels by the author and enjoyed them. My problem here is that there just didn’t seem to be enough story to carry a full length book. I was bored at times I should’ve been fully invested in the story and I found myself putting it aside in favor of other books more than once.
While I thought A Sure Thing was on ok read, I just didn’t connect with it in the way I’d anticipated. Regardless, I’m still going to give the next book in the series a shot.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
March 23, 2017
There were many times when I wondered if ‘A Sure Thing’ was an accidental porn movie set that I’d wandered into, where interactions and background information are meant as somewhat insignificant introductions to long and drawn-out sex scenes (with men and women who go on and on covered in all kinds of body fluids) which are the clear highlights of the whole show. With some humour and a HEA (as abrupt as it is), it might just make it out of San Fernando and into the mainstream.
Marie Harte certainly excels at getting a pairing down and dirty from the start, but that was for me, the book’s biggest weakness as well. The meandering plot lacked a clear direction and it was often when I wondered if it was simply too long to sustain, as the winding introductions of secondary characters felt like a set-up gig for the rest of the series to come.
As a result, I was bored limp with the story’s laser focus on sex and sexual attraction: it seems to be the sole currency of the story, dominating family conversations, dates and even comes to define Ava and Landon, which is primarily the reason I couldn’t buy into this pairing at all, especially not when the ability to give orgasms seems to be the best way of proving oneself a credible romantic partner.
Character-wise, I thought Landon smug, smarmy and a complete, controlling moron with Ava the saving grace of the story when she seems to be the only one who doesn’t come too easily for Landon when the rest of the many women do. With her, he's suddenly coming with no end, permanently erect and a dominant alpha intent on claiming through multiple rounds of sex. The independent Ava, while giving as good as she gets, tolerates that behaviour, then finally submits to it because it well, grows on her.
The long and short of it is, I struggled hard to find depth in this this relationship that seemed more based on lust than love. With Landon’s siblings following the same character-mould that hints at what we might expect in the coming books, I'd do more than tread with caution.
Marie Harte certainly excels at getting a pairing down and dirty from the start, but that was for me, the book’s biggest weakness as well. The meandering plot lacked a clear direction and it was often when I wondered if it was simply too long to sustain, as the winding introductions of secondary characters felt like a set-up gig for the rest of the series to come.
As a result, I was bored limp with the story’s laser focus on sex and sexual attraction: it seems to be the sole currency of the story, dominating family conversations, dates and even comes to define Ava and Landon, which is primarily the reason I couldn’t buy into this pairing at all, especially not when the ability to give orgasms seems to be the best way of proving oneself a credible romantic partner.
Character-wise, I thought Landon smug, smarmy and a complete, controlling moron with Ava the saving grace of the story when she seems to be the only one who doesn’t come too easily for Landon when the rest of the many women do. With her, he's suddenly coming with no end, permanently erect and a dominant alpha intent on claiming through multiple rounds of sex. The independent Ava, while giving as good as she gets, tolerates that behaviour, then finally submits to it because it well, grows on her.
The long and short of it is, I struggled hard to find depth in this this relationship that seemed more based on lust than love. With Landon’s siblings following the same character-mould that hints at what we might expect in the coming books, I'd do more than tread with caution.
November 20, 2016
A SURE THING is definitely one of my most anticipated books of the year. After reading and devouring The McCauley Brothers, I was hoping that Marie Harte would return to this world and write more books in the series. You don’t have to have read the McCauley Brothers series in order to enjoy this series, but I would recommend it because they are just awesome. The Donnigans are cousins to the McCauleys and in this book, we get the entire crew here in their full glory. As you can expect, they’re a rowdy bunch so the book veers towards the lighter side of Contemporary Romance. There is plenty of jokes and roughhousing in this book between the siblings and I’m already telling you now that I’ve claimed all the guys in this series already. Sorry, but I’m not sharing.
This first book is Landon’s book and the ex-Marine gets paired up with a pretty psychologist named Ava. I LOVED Landon and Ava. They are so fun to read about and their back and forth just makes this book fly by. Expect a whole lot of flirting and dirty talk in this book because both of these characters are very vocal. The sex is hot hot HOT so if you liked the sex scenes in The McCauley Brothers series, you’ll likely find yourself drooling with this one also.
I’m hoping Marie gives everyone in this series a book because I’m already hooked. Her characters are just so fun to read about so you’ll definitely be falling in love soon. The Donnigans is certainly the best new fictional family around!
There’s one last thing I have to mention…The cover models for this book are pretty much exactly what I envisioned for Landon and Ava so I have to give a hand to the art department on that one for choosing such perfect models for the cover. It’s a small thing, but I do believe it’s an incredible asset in getting people to read these books.
Read my alternate review at Fresh Fiction
Read
November 1, 2016Review to come......
April 6, 2018
This is a fun and easy read, sexy as hell and full of light easy comedy. I'm not entirely sure what the title is supposed to suggest as at no point in this book is a character called or suggested to be a 'Sure Thing', but the chemistry between the characters will have you glued to the pages and I found the Roleplay screen to be especially entertaining...
Read
August 9, 2023DNF. The beginning of the story the FMC already sounded like a prude. Plus, when the narrator read the male parts, she used this high pitched nasally voice that didn't even come close to sounding male.
I probably won't read it either just because it sounds like there won't be any sex.
I probably won't read it either just because it sounds like there won't be any sex.
November 14, 2016
This is the book I needed right now to make me laugh and I'm so glad I picked it up. A SURE THING is light-hearted, entertaining and quite steamy, and I loved the characters. I like that Ms. Harte plays up the family connections among the characters and their families and I also liked that its loose connection to the Macauley Brothers and Body Shop series means that we could get a surprise drop in by a character from any of those series.
Ava Rosenthal figures it's time to focus on her personal life after setting herself up successfully career-wise and for someone who likes to plan everything out, she's chosen to find this perfect man through online dating. So far, all of her dates have been duds but she's optimistic that she'll find a man that meets the criteria on her list, unlike the hulking blond she's crossed paths with at the gym so many times. He is nowhere near what she is looking for but the chemistry between them sure is.
Landon Donnigan figured he was set to be career military until an injury blew those chances. But his bossiness has carried over into civilian life and he loves to control everyone and everything around him until Ava. Ava is unlike a lot of women that have passed through his life. She's smart, independent, snarky as heck and always quick to call him on his bs and for some reason, it excites him to no end.
I loved the verbal sparring between Ava and Landon just as much as their intense connection. They were both very strong and well-matched as a couple. For a guy who was not interested in anything permanent, Landon was very quick to change his tune and cede over control of the pace of their relationship to Ava, instead of following his usual MO. I love that Landon didn't take himself too seriously, especially because Ava was a bit too serious about her lists and plans and balanced her out very nicely.
A SURE THING is a must read for anyone who loves a really good romance because Ms. Harte combines passion and humor in a way that keeps me coming back for more.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
Want more? Subscribe to my Newsletter on The Sassy Bookster.
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Ava Rosenthal figures it's time to focus on her personal life after setting herself up successfully career-wise and for someone who likes to plan everything out, she's chosen to find this perfect man through online dating. So far, all of her dates have been duds but she's optimistic that she'll find a man that meets the criteria on her list, unlike the hulking blond she's crossed paths with at the gym so many times. He is nowhere near what she is looking for but the chemistry between them sure is.
Landon Donnigan figured he was set to be career military until an injury blew those chances. But his bossiness has carried over into civilian life and he loves to control everyone and everything around him until Ava. Ava is unlike a lot of women that have passed through his life. She's smart, independent, snarky as heck and always quick to call him on his bs and for some reason, it excites him to no end.
I loved the verbal sparring between Ava and Landon just as much as their intense connection. They were both very strong and well-matched as a couple. For a guy who was not interested in anything permanent, Landon was very quick to change his tune and cede over control of the pace of their relationship to Ava, instead of following his usual MO. I love that Landon didn't take himself too seriously, especially because Ava was a bit too serious about her lists and plans and balanced her out very nicely.
A SURE THING is a must read for anyone who loves a really good romance because Ms. Harte combines passion and humor in a way that keeps me coming back for more.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
Want more? Subscribe to my Newsletter on The Sassy Bookster.
Follow me on Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin’.
Like my page on Facebook.
July 12, 2017
I enjoyed book, totally fell in love with the Donnigan's. We have an Alpha male Landon, and a head strong woman Ava, who seem like total opposites and will not have anything in common but simple attraction and lust. Landon goes full force after Ava, and at first she annoyed a little, but she did grow on me. The families of both of them was awesome, you saw, how even though they gave them hard times, they loved them dearly and had there backs, I loved Elliot and Sadie, they great, well so where his family. Glad everything was resolved, noticed they kept referring to the McCauley's so I am assuming there are some books, I need to get to. On to the next one.
June 11, 2018
This was a cute romance. I liked the flirting between Landon and Ava, loved the prank war antics between the siblings and how the siblings all chimed in on things between Landon and Ava.
November 1, 2016
3.75 stars---
ABOUT THE BOOK: RELEASE DATE November 1, 2016
Meet the Donnigans
With the eldest Donnigan brothers adjusting to civilian life, their younger sister constantly in trouble, and their little brother clueless about life in general, falling in love is the last thing on anyone's mind...
Can this Bossy Badass Marine...
The Marine Corps was everything Landon Donnigan ever wanted in life...until a bullet sent him home with a medical discharge. Teaching a self-defense class at the gym is old-hat for a marine, but when he meets sexy Ava Rosenthal, his combat skills are useless for protecting his heart.
Be her Mr. Right?
Ava can take care of herself and likes quiet, bookish men-not muscular warriors who think women need to be coddled. But Landon is more than he seems, and when they come together, the results are explosive.
••••••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars---A SURE THING is the first installment in Marie Harte’s contemporary, adult THE DONNIGANS series focusing the Donnigan family of Seattle. This is former marine, and business manager Landon Donnigan, and psychologist Ava Rosenthal’s story line. THE DONNIGANS is a spin off from Marie Harte’s THE MCCAULEY BROTHERS and BODY SHOP BAD BOYS series. You do not have to have read the previous series to follow the spin off-The Donnigan and The McCauley siblings are cousins. There is a slight cross over with some of the characters.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Landon and Ava) A SURE THING follows the building relationship between businessman Landon Donnigan, and clincal psychologist Ava Rosenthal. Ava and Landon both like to work out, and first meet at a local gym where they are both members but the meeting is anything but positive as Landon tries to give, a less than receptive but independent Ava, some pointers. What ensues is Landon’s pursuit of the feisty and somewhat uptight Ava-a woman who has a five year plan and a check list of requirements about men that she dates-a list where Landon doesn’t check any of our heroine’s boxes.
Landon is a reluctant civilian-a gunshot wound ended his career in the Marines, and he is struggling to get his life on track. Our hero has a take-charge attitude, and he is trying to take charge of a woman who refuses to lose her independence. Ava is a psychologist who tends to ‘analyze’ things and the people around her, and Landon is a man who refuses to be analyzed. Ava likes order in her life, has had a number of failed online dating fiascos, and Landon pushes our heroine out of her comfort zone to try something new. The $ex scenes are erotic and provocative. Landon likes to talk dirty in the bedroom.
We are introduced to Landon’s siblings: Gavin Donnigan-a fellow, former US Marine who suffers with some PTSD; youngest brother, twenty year old Theo who has yet to find his path in life; and sister Hope whose dating history is tempestuous at best. The Donnigan siblings like to prank one another, and the results are giggle worthy throughout. The Donnigan parental units Van and Linda butt proverbial heads with Theo and Hope as the younger siblings struggle with their current paths in life. Ava’s over the top cousins Elliott, and Sadie add some comic relief and insight into Ava’s background and history. There is plenty of back and forth banter between all of the story line characters. Some of the McCauley siblings have cameo roles throughout the story.
A SURE THING is a sweet story line; a sexy but predictable romance with moments of humor and fun. The premise is engaging; the characters are dynamic and spirited; the romance is a slow build to a happily ever after.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: RELEASE DATE November 1, 2016
Meet the Donnigans
With the eldest Donnigan brothers adjusting to civilian life, their younger sister constantly in trouble, and their little brother clueless about life in general, falling in love is the last thing on anyone's mind...
Can this Bossy Badass Marine...
The Marine Corps was everything Landon Donnigan ever wanted in life...until a bullet sent him home with a medical discharge. Teaching a self-defense class at the gym is old-hat for a marine, but when he meets sexy Ava Rosenthal, his combat skills are useless for protecting his heart.
Be her Mr. Right?
Ava can take care of herself and likes quiet, bookish men-not muscular warriors who think women need to be coddled. But Landon is more than he seems, and when they come together, the results are explosive.
••••••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars---A SURE THING is the first installment in Marie Harte’s contemporary, adult THE DONNIGANS series focusing the Donnigan family of Seattle. This is former marine, and business manager Landon Donnigan, and psychologist Ava Rosenthal’s story line. THE DONNIGANS is a spin off from Marie Harte’s THE MCCAULEY BROTHERS and BODY SHOP BAD BOYS series. You do not have to have read the previous series to follow the spin off-The Donnigan and The McCauley siblings are cousins. There is a slight cross over with some of the characters.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Landon and Ava) A SURE THING follows the building relationship between businessman Landon Donnigan, and clincal psychologist Ava Rosenthal. Ava and Landon both like to work out, and first meet at a local gym where they are both members but the meeting is anything but positive as Landon tries to give, a less than receptive but independent Ava, some pointers. What ensues is Landon’s pursuit of the feisty and somewhat uptight Ava-a woman who has a five year plan and a check list of requirements about men that she dates-a list where Landon doesn’t check any of our heroine’s boxes.
Landon is a reluctant civilian-a gunshot wound ended his career in the Marines, and he is struggling to get his life on track. Our hero has a take-charge attitude, and he is trying to take charge of a woman who refuses to lose her independence. Ava is a psychologist who tends to ‘analyze’ things and the people around her, and Landon is a man who refuses to be analyzed. Ava likes order in her life, has had a number of failed online dating fiascos, and Landon pushes our heroine out of her comfort zone to try something new. The $ex scenes are erotic and provocative. Landon likes to talk dirty in the bedroom.
We are introduced to Landon’s siblings: Gavin Donnigan-a fellow, former US Marine who suffers with some PTSD; youngest brother, twenty year old Theo who has yet to find his path in life; and sister Hope whose dating history is tempestuous at best. The Donnigan siblings like to prank one another, and the results are giggle worthy throughout. The Donnigan parental units Van and Linda butt proverbial heads with Theo and Hope as the younger siblings struggle with their current paths in life. Ava’s over the top cousins Elliott, and Sadie add some comic relief and insight into Ava’s background and history. There is plenty of back and forth banter between all of the story line characters. Some of the McCauley siblings have cameo roles throughout the story.
A SURE THING is a sweet story line; a sexy but predictable romance with moments of humor and fun. The premise is engaging; the characters are dynamic and spirited; the romance is a slow build to a happily ever after.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
June 4, 2018
Ramblings:
In the series vs. standalone debate, I’m partial to series. I enjoy spotting cameos and get a kick out of reading what’s new with old characters. Ms. Harte must know this about reader preference. Her website shows she has 20+ series under her belt.
Summary:
Landon Donnigan has been medically discharged from the Marines, has an unstable ex named Claudia, a bad knee, and a brother who drinks his PTSD away. And if that’s not enough to handle, he just hit an all new low. By accepting love advice from Sam Hamilton (Zero to Sixty). For those who haven’t met McSteroid, he’s got a wee bit of an anger issue.
Meeting Dr. Ava Rosenthal at Jameson’s Gym may prove to be a stroke of luck for Landon. The only snag? Claudia. Who still considers Landon-hers.
Review:
A Sure Thing is the first installment in the Donnigans series by author Marie Harte. There are two others in the series Just the Thing and The Only Thing. Seeing as there are four siblings (Landon, Gavin, Hope, and Theo) and only three novels, I’m trusting the final novel will tell us if Theo enlists with the USMC. In the debut novel, he’s undecided.
This novel includes multiple cameos and references to two other series by the same author. The Body Shop Bad Boys and the McCauley Brothers. I recommend reading at least one novel from the others. If only to avoid feeling as if you heard an “inside joke” you just didn’t get. Which do I recommend based on cameos? Zero to Sixty and What to Do with a Bad Boy.
The real life of the party in A Sure Thing were the secondary characters. I loved Ava’s cousins (Elliot and Sadie), esp. Elliot and his banana references! I liked Landon, but his brother, Gavin, is more to my liking. I have a weakness for scarred heroes. 🤫 And I’m looking forward to reading who helps Gavin adjust to civilian life in Just the Thing. If I had to change any one thing, I’d alter the ending to include an epilogue of the main characters instead of an intro to another series. Sidenote: I loved that book she intros. A lot!
Rating: 3.75 rounded to 4.
You’ll like this story if you:
#1 Want to hear Sam (Zero to Sixty) hand out love advice
#2 Generally read Harlequin Dare novels
#3 Read spicy contemporaries, erotica, or erotic romances
#4 Want to meet Mohawk Man 😂
#5 Like pranks (this book includes sibling prank wars)
Content: For mature readers. This novel contains explicit adult language and “graphic” love scenes-including role playing. If Collision Course is hot, then A Sure Thing is boiling hot. Wear oven mitts 🧤for the Dr.-patient scene.
Disclosure:
I received a paperback via a newsletter giveaway. The author did not request a review. I shared one of my own volition including my honest thoughts/ramblings.
A Sure Thing
In the series vs. standalone debate, I’m partial to series. I enjoy spotting cameos and get a kick out of reading what’s new with old characters. Ms. Harte must know this about reader preference. Her website shows she has 20+ series under her belt.
Summary:
Landon Donnigan has been medically discharged from the Marines, has an unstable ex named Claudia, a bad knee, and a brother who drinks his PTSD away. And if that’s not enough to handle, he just hit an all new low. By accepting love advice from Sam Hamilton (Zero to Sixty). For those who haven’t met McSteroid, he’s got a wee bit of an anger issue.
Meeting Dr. Ava Rosenthal at Jameson’s Gym may prove to be a stroke of luck for Landon. The only snag? Claudia. Who still considers Landon-hers.
Review:
A Sure Thing is the first installment in the Donnigans series by author Marie Harte. There are two others in the series Just the Thing and The Only Thing. Seeing as there are four siblings (Landon, Gavin, Hope, and Theo) and only three novels, I’m trusting the final novel will tell us if Theo enlists with the USMC. In the debut novel, he’s undecided.
This novel includes multiple cameos and references to two other series by the same author. The Body Shop Bad Boys and the McCauley Brothers. I recommend reading at least one novel from the others. If only to avoid feeling as if you heard an “inside joke” you just didn’t get. Which do I recommend based on cameos? Zero to Sixty and What to Do with a Bad Boy.
The real life of the party in A Sure Thing were the secondary characters. I loved Ava’s cousins (Elliot and Sadie), esp. Elliot and his banana references! I liked Landon, but his brother, Gavin, is more to my liking. I have a weakness for scarred heroes. 🤫 And I’m looking forward to reading who helps Gavin adjust to civilian life in Just the Thing. If I had to change any one thing, I’d alter the ending to include an epilogue of the main characters instead of an intro to another series. Sidenote: I loved that book she intros. A lot!
Rating: 3.75 rounded to 4.
You’ll like this story if you:
#1 Want to hear Sam (Zero to Sixty) hand out love advice
#2 Generally read Harlequin Dare novels
#3 Read spicy contemporaries, erotica, or erotic romances
#4 Want to meet Mohawk Man 😂
#5 Like pranks (this book includes sibling prank wars)
Content: For mature readers. This novel contains explicit adult language and “graphic” love scenes-including role playing. If Collision Course is hot, then A Sure Thing is boiling hot. Wear oven mitts 🧤for the Dr.-patient scene.
Disclosure:
I received a paperback via a newsletter giveaway. The author did not request a review. I shared one of my own volition including my honest thoughts/ramblings.
A Sure Thing
December 15, 2016
A Sure Thing was just…OK. Although I really liked the cocky hero and his family, the heroine left me cold with all her psychobabble. In general, I don’t have objections to main characters from particular professions but I think “therapist MC” will become a no-no for me.
Ava is in her 30s so according to her 5-year life plan or whatever, she should be getting married. She starts dating and has a very particular set of characteristics for the man she’s looking for, including size. You see, the guy has to be only slightly taller than her and no more (**rolls eyes**). She meets Landon at the gym and him being a very tall ex-Marine with muscles up to his eyebrows, he’s an obvious no-go even though they have serious chemistry. Landon “steamroller” Donnigan doesn’t take no for an answer and soon enough they’re dating.
That’s her only objection to the relationship. “You’re too big and muscly!” Could you believe this woman? You would think that a therapist who loves to psychoanalyze everybody would understand that looks are not the most important thing in a person – I mean, would she advise a client not to date somebody who they really like because they don’t conform to the looks they thought they wanted?
The best part of the story was Landon and his family. They were so real! In romance, we tend to get extremes with regards to family: the horrible family or the perfect family. This was neither! Yes, they are very close but each of the parents get along better with some of their kids than others, there were pranks, trash-talking and best of all, the type A-hero is actually a mirror image of his mother! When was the last time you read that in romance?
Even though I wasn’t crazy about the romance here, I liked the family dynamics so much that I’ll give the next book in the series a chance.
First posted at Badass Book Reviews. Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.
Ava is in her 30s so according to her 5-year life plan or whatever, she should be getting married. She starts dating and has a very particular set of characteristics for the man she’s looking for, including size. You see, the guy has to be only slightly taller than her and no more (**rolls eyes**). She meets Landon at the gym and him being a very tall ex-Marine with muscles up to his eyebrows, he’s an obvious no-go even though they have serious chemistry. Landon “steamroller” Donnigan doesn’t take no for an answer and soon enough they’re dating.
That’s her only objection to the relationship. “You’re too big and muscly!” Could you believe this woman? You would think that a therapist who loves to psychoanalyze everybody would understand that looks are not the most important thing in a person – I mean, would she advise a client not to date somebody who they really like because they don’t conform to the looks they thought they wanted?
The best part of the story was Landon and his family. They were so real! In romance, we tend to get extremes with regards to family: the horrible family or the perfect family. This was neither! Yes, they are very close but each of the parents get along better with some of their kids than others, there were pranks, trash-talking and best of all, the type A-hero is actually a mirror image of his mother! When was the last time you read that in romance?
Even though I wasn’t crazy about the romance here, I liked the family dynamics so much that I’ll give the next book in the series a chance.
First posted at Badass Book Reviews. Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.
November 1, 2016
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Every time I read a contemporary romance by Marie Harte I simply want to run out and tell everyone to read it and see for yourself why I love her work so much. She makes me laugh, she makes me tear up, she makes me cheer and she makes me want to grab my husband and drag him to the bedroom, a whole lot like real life. Simply put, she is an amazingly gifted author who writes characters most people can relate to, characters you want to be friends with, and characters who while not perfect find the perfect one for them. A Sure Thing is the first book in her new The Donnigans series, but characters from her wildly popular The McCauley Brothers and characters from her Bad Boy Body Shop do appear in it, but you don't have to read those series to be completely immersed in this one. Intense chemistry, crazy courtship and just flat out fun; I LOVED A Sure Thing by Marie Harte.
Landon Donnigan loved being in the Marine Corp and would have retired a Marine if a bullet hadn't put an end to his career. Landon was made for the Marines and leadership and even in civilian life he controls everything and everyone around him until he meets Ava Rosenthal a clinical psychologist who doesn't find his overbearing tendencies all that charming or so she pretends.
The verbal sparring, the heated exchanges, the intense connection and the way that Landon gives Ava control over if and when things will happen between them all made this story entertaining, fun and so very, very hot.
I could go on and on about this book and the way their relationship plays out, but instead I'm just going to ask you to check this book and author out. If you love contemporary romance, you will not be disappointed in A Sure Thing!
Review copy provided with no obligation.
Every time I read a contemporary romance by Marie Harte I simply want to run out and tell everyone to read it and see for yourself why I love her work so much. She makes me laugh, she makes me tear up, she makes me cheer and she makes me want to grab my husband and drag him to the bedroom, a whole lot like real life. Simply put, she is an amazingly gifted author who writes characters most people can relate to, characters you want to be friends with, and characters who while not perfect find the perfect one for them. A Sure Thing is the first book in her new The Donnigans series, but characters from her wildly popular The McCauley Brothers and characters from her Bad Boy Body Shop do appear in it, but you don't have to read those series to be completely immersed in this one. Intense chemistry, crazy courtship and just flat out fun; I LOVED A Sure Thing by Marie Harte.
Landon Donnigan loved being in the Marine Corp and would have retired a Marine if a bullet hadn't put an end to his career. Landon was made for the Marines and leadership and even in civilian life he controls everything and everyone around him until he meets Ava Rosenthal a clinical psychologist who doesn't find his overbearing tendencies all that charming or so she pretends.
The verbal sparring, the heated exchanges, the intense connection and the way that Landon gives Ava control over if and when things will happen between them all made this story entertaining, fun and so very, very hot.
I could go on and on about this book and the way their relationship plays out, but instead I'm just going to ask you to check this book and author out. If you love contemporary romance, you will not be disappointed in A Sure Thing!
Review copy provided with no obligation.
May 4, 2019
The first thing that drew me to this book was the cover. This guy is totally hot.
This was a great read which I enjoyed thoroughly.
This was a great read which I enjoyed thoroughly.
Want to read
October 15, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/15/2019)! 🎁
August 15, 2021
Quick novella, fun, very steamy (lots of dirty talk if that’s your thing if not don’t open it);
July 15, 2017
Landon is definitely not my type- rude, arrogant, condescending, controlling, annoying, and thinks he's hot stuff. By the end of the book, he's still the same except for the fact that he's gotten a little bit better at expressing his emotions.
Ava is also controlling, though in a different way, and she's also somewhat closed off emotionally. I liked her more than him. She was calmer, more reasonable. They had sparks as a couple but I never warmed up to him and so I never cared about them as a couple. I wanted Ava to have an HEA but I didn't care if Landon got one.
Ava is also controlling, though in a different way, and she's also somewhat closed off emotionally. I liked her more than him. She was calmer, more reasonable. They had sparks as a couple but I never warmed up to him and so I never cared about them as a couple. I wanted Ava to have an HEA but I didn't care if Landon got one.
December 27, 2016
This is the first book that I've read by Marie Harte and it won't be the last. I checked out the average rating for this book after I was done and I was a little shocked! The rating really isn't that high and if I could give this half stars, it would have been a 4.5 book for me. I REALLY enjoyed this one. Maybe too much ...
I instantly fell in love with Landon and it wasn't too many pages later that I began to just adore Ava. And what a couple!! Landon is cocky as hell and as irritating that that trait is, it was beyond hot. He's this sexy dude that you just can't stay away from. Ava was sweet and sassy and knows exactly what she wants and what she doesn't in every aspect of her life.
When you put these two together, you get nothing but sparks. Landon irritates the ever loving shit out of Ava and I couldn't help but grin like an idiot every time that he did something because it just reminded me so much of my husband. That man knows how to push my damn buttons and not always the good ones. Watching the love story unfold was just all-encompassing with this book. I couldn't put it down and I blew through it in less than a day. Our kids didn't get showers and I have no clue if they ate lunch, but I finished this book! It's all about priorities.
This book was so close to perfection and with how Harte set all of these characters up, I'm excited to see who the next book in the series is going to be about. I think I may have found a new series to stalk. Good book, amazing sparks and a couple of characters that are at the top of my favorites list for the year. I just wish I had read it sooner.
* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *
Check out more of my reviews at Little Miss Bookmark!
November 3, 2016
FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH NET GALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!
When I first learned about this series, I was a bit excited by it, as I remember enjoying the McCauley Brothers series overall. However, I was very disappointed by this story!
Ava really got on my nerves! I hated how much she clung to her "list", instead of realizing that Landon really wouldn't conform to a list. She was a bit on the prissy side, and I felt she was hard to relate to overall.
Landon, unfortunately, was not much better as a character! He was a bit bossy and domineering, but never took it anywhere. He came across as a bit of a bum, even though he was employed at the gym and had another mystery consulting job. I think it was a deliberate ploy on the author's part, because Ava was so wrapped up in her job, but it fell very flat for me.
To me, the chemistry between the two characters was lacking. It felt as if all they had to base their relationship on was the sex, and no real depth beyond that. It did not ring true for me at all! Even the supporting characters were a bit lackluster overall!
The book did have a few moments of levity and enjoyment for me, so it saved the book from a lower rating, but I'm definitely hesitant to purchase more in this series, or even this book itself! It also had a bit of foreshadowing for the next Body Shop Bad Boys book, which I find to be a much better series than this one. However, I'm not immediately moving this series to the Abandoned Series pile just yet, so that is a good thing!
When I first learned about this series, I was a bit excited by it, as I remember enjoying the McCauley Brothers series overall. However, I was very disappointed by this story!
Ava really got on my nerves! I hated how much she clung to her "list", instead of realizing that Landon really wouldn't conform to a list. She was a bit on the prissy side, and I felt she was hard to relate to overall.
Landon, unfortunately, was not much better as a character! He was a bit bossy and domineering, but never took it anywhere. He came across as a bit of a bum, even though he was employed at the gym and had another mystery consulting job. I think it was a deliberate ploy on the author's part, because Ava was so wrapped up in her job, but it fell very flat for me.
To me, the chemistry between the two characters was lacking. It felt as if all they had to base their relationship on was the sex, and no real depth beyond that. It did not ring true for me at all! Even the supporting characters were a bit lackluster overall!
The book did have a few moments of levity and enjoyment for me, so it saved the book from a lower rating, but I'm definitely hesitant to purchase more in this series, or even this book itself! It also had a bit of foreshadowing for the next Body Shop Bad Boys book, which I find to be a much better series than this one. However, I'm not immediately moving this series to the Abandoned Series pile just yet, so that is a good thing!
November 21, 2016
A Sure Thing is a new series that is a spin-off of the McCauley Brothers series. The Donnigans are cousins of the McCauley clan. Landon is a marine to the core and is slowly adjusting to civilian life. He never has deep relationships with women until he meets Ava. Ava has a five year plan and is convinced big sexy Landon doesn't fit into it.
I thought this was a cute story. I enjoyed it and I enjoyed Landon and Ava together. I liked Landon a lot more than Ava. His relationship with his family was really sweet. I liked their banter. Ava was a bit too uptight for me in the beginning. She ended up relaxing more toward the end so she did end up growing on me. I think fans of this author will like this book. Some characters from the McCauleys and The Boy Shop series show up here, but it can be read as a stand alone
I thought this was a cute story. I enjoyed it and I enjoyed Landon and Ava together. I liked Landon a lot more than Ava. His relationship with his family was really sweet. I liked their banter. Ava was a bit too uptight for me in the beginning. She ended up relaxing more toward the end so she did end up growing on me. I think fans of this author will like this book. Some characters from the McCauleys and The Boy Shop series show up here, but it can be read as a stand alone
January 8, 2017
3.5 Stars
This story was alright but I never really connected to the Ava and Landon as a couple. I liked there characters well enough but didn't feel their connection to each other as much as I would have liked to.
I enjoyed the secondary characters as well but maybe they were too much of the story? Perhaps in an attempt to set the stage for the new series, too much time was spent on the entire group of characters and not enough time on the romance between Ava and Landon. I'm hoping that this means the rest of the series will flow a little more smoothly because everyone is established enough now. We shall see.
*I received an ARC from
NetGalley for voluntary review
This story was alright but I never really connected to the Ava and Landon as a couple. I liked there characters well enough but didn't feel their connection to each other as much as I would have liked to.
I enjoyed the secondary characters as well but maybe they were too much of the story? Perhaps in an attempt to set the stage for the new series, too much time was spent on the entire group of characters and not enough time on the romance between Ava and Landon. I'm hoping that this means the rest of the series will flow a little more smoothly because everyone is established enough now. We shall see.
*I received an ARC from
NetGalley for voluntary review
December 22, 2016
This one just wasn't for me. DNF at 62%. Most of that was just skimming throughout it.
I could not move past Mr. Perfect and Mrs. Better Than Everyone. The Donnigan family moments were nice, but there just wasn't enough good there to save the bad. Way too frustrating.
I could not move past Mr. Perfect and Mrs. Better Than Everyone. The Donnigan family moments were nice, but there just wasn't enough good there to save the bad. Way too frustrating.
October 30, 2016
This started out strong but after a while the heroine grated on my nerves. Review to come
September 9, 2017
Ms. Harte writes a lot of series books. I would love to get and read them all but unfortunately some are pretty expensive for ebooks so I just give them the puppy dog eyes when I see them on Amazon. But A Sure Thing is only $1.11 so I was all over it when I saw the price.
This is the first book of a spin off series, The McCauley’s. I’ve read one book in that series and really enjoyed it. The rest were too expensive though. The hero of this first book, Landon Donnigan is recently out of the marines, due to a career ending bullet. But he sure does have the mentality of a marine still. He’s very alpha and bossy. Fortunately he comes up against Ava Rosenthal who is bossy right back and gives him a run for his money. Ava is a successful physiologist who is just getting into the dating world. She has a specific type of guy in mind. And Landon Donnigan is not the type she plans for. She starts getting to know him when she signs up for a self-defense class and Landon and his brother are the running. The chemistry between the two is off the charts but Ava insists nothing will come of it because he’s not the kind of guy she’s looking for and Donnigan is just as convinced that they would get along VERY well *wink wink*.
This is a lovely story of flirtation of giving back what is given in way of snappy sexy dialogue; of coming to see that the one we see as not our type really might be after all. They both share close ties with their families. Donnigan is the oldest of four so he is the mother hen of the brood. His younger brothers and sister are well written and I’m hoping when their stories come out they aren’t too much money because this is a fun family. The pranks they play on each other are hilarious, starting with the first one played on Donnigan. It had me laughing out loud.
Ava was stubborn, a wee bit too stubborn at times, but still I liked her. I think this is a good start to this new series and as I said, I hope the rest are within my price range when they come out.
This is the first book of a spin off series, The McCauley’s. I’ve read one book in that series and really enjoyed it. The rest were too expensive though. The hero of this first book, Landon Donnigan is recently out of the marines, due to a career ending bullet. But he sure does have the mentality of a marine still. He’s very alpha and bossy. Fortunately he comes up against Ava Rosenthal who is bossy right back and gives him a run for his money. Ava is a successful physiologist who is just getting into the dating world. She has a specific type of guy in mind. And Landon Donnigan is not the type she plans for. She starts getting to know him when she signs up for a self-defense class and Landon and his brother are the running. The chemistry between the two is off the charts but Ava insists nothing will come of it because he’s not the kind of guy she’s looking for and Donnigan is just as convinced that they would get along VERY well *wink wink*.
This is a lovely story of flirtation of giving back what is given in way of snappy sexy dialogue; of coming to see that the one we see as not our type really might be after all. They both share close ties with their families. Donnigan is the oldest of four so he is the mother hen of the brood. His younger brothers and sister are well written and I’m hoping when their stories come out they aren’t too much money because this is a fun family. The pranks they play on each other are hilarious, starting with the first one played on Donnigan. It had me laughing out loud.
Ava was stubborn, a wee bit too stubborn at times, but still I liked her. I think this is a good start to this new series and as I said, I hope the rest are within my price range when they come out.
February 24, 2019
4 saucy stars!
I really loved this one! It followed an ex-Marine named Landon (which got a little weird, because I have a close friend by that name, but I just tried to avoid the hairy bits of the book - pun intended), and psychologist Ava, who is looking for Mr. Right: bookish, boring and safe.
That definitely does not describe Landon. Ava agrees, which is why she tries to stay far, far away from the sexy, enigmatic man who is pursuing her so heavily.
This one was so fun! It was a sweet, sexy read that I blew through pretty fast, but definitely enjoyed it! It was just a hair to the right of your normal fluffy romance, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much. Not to mention the fight-the-attraction and friends-to-lovers tropes I adore so much!
One of my favorite elements in romance lately are books with boisterous families - and that definitely comes into play in this one! The Donnigans are a fun crew, and I had a great time hanging out with the fam in these books. The jokes, pranks, rough-housing and general family time was definitely a highlight.
You know I love a man who is Mr. Alpha, and bosses the heroine around, but equally important in that equation is a heroine who bosses right back - which is Landon and Ava to a T. Their snappy dialogue and sassy arguments were - and I know I keep saying this - so fun!
It's just a fun, flirty book that I definitely recommend for an afternoon of lazing around - which is what I did while reading this ;)
I really loved this one! It followed an ex-Marine named Landon (which got a little weird, because I have a close friend by that name, but I just tried to avoid the hairy bits of the book - pun intended), and psychologist Ava, who is looking for Mr. Right: bookish, boring and safe.
That definitely does not describe Landon. Ava agrees, which is why she tries to stay far, far away from the sexy, enigmatic man who is pursuing her so heavily.
This one was so fun! It was a sweet, sexy read that I blew through pretty fast, but definitely enjoyed it! It was just a hair to the right of your normal fluffy romance, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much. Not to mention the fight-the-attraction and friends-to-lovers tropes I adore so much!
One of my favorite elements in romance lately are books with boisterous families - and that definitely comes into play in this one! The Donnigans are a fun crew, and I had a great time hanging out with the fam in these books. The jokes, pranks, rough-housing and general family time was definitely a highlight.
You know I love a man who is Mr. Alpha, and bosses the heroine around, but equally important in that equation is a heroine who bosses right back - which is Landon and Ava to a T. Their snappy dialogue and sassy arguments were - and I know I keep saying this - so fun!
It's just a fun, flirty book that I definitely recommend for an afternoon of lazing around - which is what I did while reading this ;)
October 27, 2019
Well, it could have been a 5 star read if not for the snarky, frequently unlikable heroine and the abrupt ending with no epilogue but set up I guess for future books.
Go ahead and read it, It's not bad. I just have no patience for this h.
What I liked, good side characters who are funny and relevant. I liked the banter between the H & h, it was funny and clever at times. It was hot and sexy.
What I didn't like, the h. Supposed to be educated and intelligent. She's a clinical psychologist so you'd expect her to not act so sophomoric or be so out of touch with her own feelings and emotions. Alas. She calls the H names all through the book, asshole, arrogant prick, SOB. Tells him over and over he's annoying and bossy and irritating. Oh for Gods sake just shut up already.
She accuses him of not opening up or sharing his feelings when, in fact, he does and it's her who doesn't share and deflects. She's also kind of mean and makes fun of him and teases him mercilessly but hey it's ok cause she's only "kidding" right? (Wrong).
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't mind some conflict and waffling in the beginning but once you have become a couple it's maddening when she keeps putting up walls and running when he's been nothing but loyal and devoted to her.
Not cool.
Go ahead and read it, It's not bad. I just have no patience for this h.
What I liked, good side characters who are funny and relevant. I liked the banter between the H & h, it was funny and clever at times. It was hot and sexy.
What I didn't like, the h. Supposed to be educated and intelligent. She's a clinical psychologist so you'd expect her to not act so sophomoric or be so out of touch with her own feelings and emotions. Alas. She calls the H names all through the book, asshole, arrogant prick, SOB. Tells him over and over he's annoying and bossy and irritating. Oh for Gods sake just shut up already.
She accuses him of not opening up or sharing his feelings when, in fact, he does and it's her who doesn't share and deflects. She's also kind of mean and makes fun of him and teases him mercilessly but hey it's ok cause she's only "kidding" right? (Wrong).
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't mind some conflict and waffling in the beginning but once you have become a couple it's maddening when she keeps putting up walls and running when he's been nothing but loyal and devoted to her.
Not cool.
April 14, 2022
I’m getting to you.”
“Like salmonella. Yes, you’re pervasive in a germy kind of way.” She ignored his low laughter.
“He likes to give orders. But don’t blame the Corps. He’s been like that my entire life. The Marine Corps just gave him an outlet to be the controlling jacka** he’s always been”.
“What do you want from me? You’re a handsome man. You have large muscles that most women seem to like.”
“Most women? What about you?”
“I doubt you hurt for companionship. Michelle seemed to like you well enough. So why are you coming on to me? You’re not my type.”
“I’m not? Why not? What’s your type, exactly?”
“Well, you’re bigger than most men I date. I like my dates more cerebral, not so physical.”
“You calling me stupid?” She blushed. Again.
“No, of course not. It’s just, in this environment, you don’t seem so scholarly.”
“I told you I work for a logistics company. I have to understand their vast array of spreadsheets and databases. And even with these fat, ugly fingers, I can type into one of them newfangled computers”.
“So you admit you were avoiding me.”
“I sincerely have no idea if this approach works for you with other women.”
“What approach?”
“Annoying me until I want to brain you.”.
“It’s funny, but my sister has the same response around me. But not the ladies.”
“As in plural. Yet another strike against you. I require loyalty and fidelity in a mate.”
“So I’ll see you again. Tomorrow?”
“Yes. Tomorrow. Right. What’s tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow’s Saturday, Doc. How do you feel about college basketball?”
“Watching it?”
“As opposed to…?”
“For all I know, your family gets together to play. And I never played.”
“You know you want to see where I live. Consider it research, checking me out in my natural habitat.”
“You make it sound like I’m heading into the jungle to study gorillas. Though the comparison seems apt.”
When he says come over and watch the game, he’s not kidding. “Shh.”
“I don’t get it. My cousins watch football for the tight pants and manly looking uniforms. But basketball is all giants rushing around to sink an orange ball in a net. What’s the point?”
“I’m with you. I especially don’t like how they play. Like that guy. He’s clearly not going to get through the mob of people standing in front of the basket. So why doesn’t he pass it off?”
Ava sipped her drink. “It’s ridiculous. Why keep plowing through so many people? I’d pass the ball, then move where there’s no one, yell for someone to pass it to me, then shoot. That’s if I didn’t dribble out of bounds. Frankly I find bouncing a ball in place tedious.”
“I know, right?”
“Yes. I mean, that guy right there. He’s shoving the guy right next to him. That can’t be legal.”
“It’s called playing a physical game. Have you ever played sports?”
Ava nodded. “I suppose tennis doesn’t count. But at least in tennis, I never shoved anyone out of the way.” Hope agreed. “Good point. It’s so much more civilized.” “And not so pushy.”
“See? That guy is open right there. Shouldn’t someone be passing him the ball?” Theo sighed. “That’s the referee.” “Hey, you two armchair quarterbacks.” Gavin frowned. “Can the chatter.” “Isn’t that football talk?” Ava asked. “It fits,” Gavin answered. “Seriously.” Even Theo looked annoyed. Landon saw the tiny smile Ava tried to hide. She was such a pain in the ass. Man, he really liked her. Hope shrugged.
“Just calling it like we see it. I mean, why doesn’t that Oregon guy just launch it down the court to number fourteen?”
“That’s a good point.” Ava asked. “Because he can’t,” Gavin disagreed. “Utah will pick if off if they try. See? Number thirty-three? He’s guarding twenty-two, who’s right in front of fourteen.” “Why don’t they just throw the ball up and let everyone jump for it?” Ava suggested. “It looks like Oregon is taller.”
Landon struggled not to laugh out loud. “Just because a guy is tall doesn’t mean he can jump. And throwing the ball away is just stupid.” He paused at something one of the announcers said and glared at the TV.
Ava turned to Hope. “Hey, do those pizza rolls taste good?”
“Try some. I love ’em.” His sister handed her the bowl. The girls talked appetizers.
Ava watched the guys argue, volleying back and forth without taking a breath, and getting louder with each statistic and swear word. “Then you have people like him,” Hope said, nodding to Landon, “who think anything they say will influence what happens on TV.” She sighed. “It’s sad, really. My brothers always seem much more intelligent before watching one of these games.”
Landon’s parents meet Ava:::
“Did you know their son Cameron got married and had a baby?”
“I thought Vanessa had the kid?” Landon cut in.
“They had a baby girl. Beth is a grandmother twice over now. Not me. I’m still so far from having my own grandbabies.”
“Uh, Mom? We’re just here for dinner. Not to repopulate the family tree.”
“How did you two meet?” Linda asked, as if she didn’t already know.
“Landon and I met at Jameson’s Gym.”
“Technically, Landon was bothering her at the gym,” Gavin corrected. “Out of desperation, and to get him to quit stalking her, Ava gave him a pity date. Now she can’t shake him.”
“Yes, Beth now has Colin and baby Eleanor.” Linda had departed reality for her own world, one in which nothing existed but babies and future progeny. “Such a gorgeous little girl.”
Like Linda, Ava ignored him too. “You’re young yet, Linda. You have plenty of time to be a grandma. I still can’t believe Landon’s your son. You don’t look old enough to have “You don’t look old enough to have Theo, let alone these three.”
“Mom drinks the blood of her victims, keeping her eternally young.”
Van hurriedly interrupted. “Actually, I’m wondering myself what you three are waiting for. I’d make a stellar grandfather.”
Gavin scowled at his dad. Suck up.
“Exactly,” his mom agreed. “Ava, what do you think? Are my children afraid of commitment or of growing up?
“Landon frowned, then turned to Ava. “This is the real Linda Donnigan. Don’t get taken in by the savvy professional eating up the competition. This crazy woman demanding babies is my mother doing her best impression of ‘unhinged and baby-obsessed.’”
The consummate bachelor Landon meets Ava, the shrink.
“Like salmonella. Yes, you’re pervasive in a germy kind of way.” She ignored his low laughter.
“He likes to give orders. But don’t blame the Corps. He’s been like that my entire life. The Marine Corps just gave him an outlet to be the controlling jacka** he’s always been”.
“What do you want from me? You’re a handsome man. You have large muscles that most women seem to like.”
“Most women? What about you?”
“I doubt you hurt for companionship. Michelle seemed to like you well enough. So why are you coming on to me? You’re not my type.”
“I’m not? Why not? What’s your type, exactly?”
“Well, you’re bigger than most men I date. I like my dates more cerebral, not so physical.”
“You calling me stupid?” She blushed. Again.
“No, of course not. It’s just, in this environment, you don’t seem so scholarly.”
“I told you I work for a logistics company. I have to understand their vast array of spreadsheets and databases. And even with these fat, ugly fingers, I can type into one of them newfangled computers”.
“So you admit you were avoiding me.”
“I sincerely have no idea if this approach works for you with other women.”
“What approach?”
“Annoying me until I want to brain you.”.
“It’s funny, but my sister has the same response around me. But not the ladies.”
“As in plural. Yet another strike against you. I require loyalty and fidelity in a mate.”
“So I’ll see you again. Tomorrow?”
“Yes. Tomorrow. Right. What’s tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow’s Saturday, Doc. How do you feel about college basketball?”
“Watching it?”
“As opposed to…?”
“For all I know, your family gets together to play. And I never played.”
“You know you want to see where I live. Consider it research, checking me out in my natural habitat.”
“You make it sound like I’m heading into the jungle to study gorillas. Though the comparison seems apt.”
When he says come over and watch the game, he’s not kidding. “Shh.”
“I don’t get it. My cousins watch football for the tight pants and manly looking uniforms. But basketball is all giants rushing around to sink an orange ball in a net. What’s the point?”
“I’m with you. I especially don’t like how they play. Like that guy. He’s clearly not going to get through the mob of people standing in front of the basket. So why doesn’t he pass it off?”
Ava sipped her drink. “It’s ridiculous. Why keep plowing through so many people? I’d pass the ball, then move where there’s no one, yell for someone to pass it to me, then shoot. That’s if I didn’t dribble out of bounds. Frankly I find bouncing a ball in place tedious.”
“I know, right?”
“Yes. I mean, that guy right there. He’s shoving the guy right next to him. That can’t be legal.”
“It’s called playing a physical game. Have you ever played sports?”
Ava nodded. “I suppose tennis doesn’t count. But at least in tennis, I never shoved anyone out of the way.” Hope agreed. “Good point. It’s so much more civilized.” “And not so pushy.”
“See? That guy is open right there. Shouldn’t someone be passing him the ball?” Theo sighed. “That’s the referee.” “Hey, you two armchair quarterbacks.” Gavin frowned. “Can the chatter.” “Isn’t that football talk?” Ava asked. “It fits,” Gavin answered. “Seriously.” Even Theo looked annoyed. Landon saw the tiny smile Ava tried to hide. She was such a pain in the ass. Man, he really liked her. Hope shrugged.
“Just calling it like we see it. I mean, why doesn’t that Oregon guy just launch it down the court to number fourteen?”
“That’s a good point.” Ava asked. “Because he can’t,” Gavin disagreed. “Utah will pick if off if they try. See? Number thirty-three? He’s guarding twenty-two, who’s right in front of fourteen.” “Why don’t they just throw the ball up and let everyone jump for it?” Ava suggested. “It looks like Oregon is taller.”
Landon struggled not to laugh out loud. “Just because a guy is tall doesn’t mean he can jump. And throwing the ball away is just stupid.” He paused at something one of the announcers said and glared at the TV.
Ava turned to Hope. “Hey, do those pizza rolls taste good?”
“Try some. I love ’em.” His sister handed her the bowl. The girls talked appetizers.
Ava watched the guys argue, volleying back and forth without taking a breath, and getting louder with each statistic and swear word. “Then you have people like him,” Hope said, nodding to Landon, “who think anything they say will influence what happens on TV.” She sighed. “It’s sad, really. My brothers always seem much more intelligent before watching one of these games.”
Landon’s parents meet Ava:::
“Did you know their son Cameron got married and had a baby?”
“I thought Vanessa had the kid?” Landon cut in.
“They had a baby girl. Beth is a grandmother twice over now. Not me. I’m still so far from having my own grandbabies.”
“Uh, Mom? We’re just here for dinner. Not to repopulate the family tree.”
“How did you two meet?” Linda asked, as if she didn’t already know.
“Landon and I met at Jameson’s Gym.”
“Technically, Landon was bothering her at the gym,” Gavin corrected. “Out of desperation, and to get him to quit stalking her, Ava gave him a pity date. Now she can’t shake him.”
“Yes, Beth now has Colin and baby Eleanor.” Linda had departed reality for her own world, one in which nothing existed but babies and future progeny. “Such a gorgeous little girl.”
Like Linda, Ava ignored him too. “You’re young yet, Linda. You have plenty of time to be a grandma. I still can’t believe Landon’s your son. You don’t look old enough to have “You don’t look old enough to have Theo, let alone these three.”
“Mom drinks the blood of her victims, keeping her eternally young.”
Van hurriedly interrupted. “Actually, I’m wondering myself what you three are waiting for. I’d make a stellar grandfather.”
Gavin scowled at his dad. Suck up.
“Exactly,” his mom agreed. “Ava, what do you think? Are my children afraid of commitment or of growing up?
“Landon frowned, then turned to Ava. “This is the real Linda Donnigan. Don’t get taken in by the savvy professional eating up the competition. This crazy woman demanding babies is my mother doing her best impression of ‘unhinged and baby-obsessed.’”
The consummate bachelor Landon meets Ava, the shrink.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2018
Since I started reading the McCauley Brothers books, I've been curious about the Donnigans. Especially with Hope working for Cam. Though I enjoyed it and liked that Ava was the "touchy, feely" therapist who worked with Beth and James when they were having issues, I still would have liked more interaction with the McCauley clan. Landon mentions the long standing rivalry between the families of who is doing better, but this wasn't used or played up on in this book.
It was cute in parts. But again, not as funny as the McCauley Brothers series.
I am interested in reading about Mac and his wife Maggie in The Works. Of course, that's the only book I don't have in all the series that interconnect. I'm also looking forward to reading about Sam in The Body Works series.
It was cute in parts. But again, not as funny as the McCauley Brothers series.
I am interested in reading about Mac and his wife Maggie in The Works. Of course, that's the only book I don't have in all the series that interconnect. I'm also looking forward to reading about Sam in The Body Works series.
February 18, 2018
Aaah just what I needed to come back from my dry reading spell.
This was a nice read.
- I really liked the fact that the author connected it to previous series and characters i was like awww~ that’s nice I remember those people XD
- I didn’t like how she over analyzed everything but it’s understandable since it was her job to do that which makes it ingrained in her
- I liked the hero and how he was so ... I don’t everything was perfect about him XD
- loved the heroine’s cousins they r so cool XD
- loved the hero and his relationship with his family
Overall, *thumbs up*
This was a nice read.
- I really liked the fact that the author connected it to previous series and characters i was like awww~ that’s nice I remember those people XD
- I didn’t like how she over analyzed everything but it’s understandable since it was her job to do that which makes it ingrained in her
- I liked the hero and how he was so ... I don’t everything was perfect about him XD
- loved the heroine’s cousins they r so cool XD
- loved the hero and his relationship with his family
Overall, *thumbs up*
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