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North Moon Bay #3
My Best Friend's Girl
He had a damn good reason to stay away from her… and now a million reasons to come back…
Dean Kettering: The quintessential lone wolf, he’s led a solitary existence on his sailboat since leaving the Army. Then one simple act puts this antisocial bad boy in the middle of a media frenzy, earning him the title of “hero” along with an unexpected windfall of a million dollars. He doesn’t want the money—doesn’t feel he deserves it—but he knows someone who does....
Laura Sweeney: Dean’s polar opposite, devoted to home and hearth, she’s the woman he secretly longed for even after she married his best friend… the friend who made Dean promise to take care of her as he lay dying. But when he finally sought her out, their long-simmering passion flared into irresistible, white-hot need.
Dean walked out of Laura’s life that night, only to return years later with a million dollars he insists she must take. But if she does, she’ll have to let him back in… and tell him the truth about her little girl’s father.
My Best Friend’s Girl, Book 3 of the North Moon Bay series, is a secret baby contemporary romance that can be read on its own or as part of the series. It’s a full-length novel—no cliffhanger!
About the Author: Patricia Ryan is the USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen romances and mysteries, including the #1 national bestseller Still Life With Murder, written as P.B. Ryan. A RITA® winner and four-time nominee, she is also the recipient of two RT BookReviews Awards. Subscribe to her newsletter by visiting patricia-ryan.com.
Dean Kettering: The quintessential lone wolf, he’s led a solitary existence on his sailboat since leaving the Army. Then one simple act puts this antisocial bad boy in the middle of a media frenzy, earning him the title of “hero” along with an unexpected windfall of a million dollars. He doesn’t want the money—doesn’t feel he deserves it—but he knows someone who does....
Laura Sweeney: Dean’s polar opposite, devoted to home and hearth, she’s the woman he secretly longed for even after she married his best friend… the friend who made Dean promise to take care of her as he lay dying. But when he finally sought her out, their long-simmering passion flared into irresistible, white-hot need.
Dean walked out of Laura’s life that night, only to return years later with a million dollars he insists she must take. But if she does, she’ll have to let him back in… and tell him the truth about her little girl’s father.
My Best Friend’s Girl, Book 3 of the North Moon Bay series, is a secret baby contemporary romance that can be read on its own or as part of the series. It’s a full-length novel—no cliffhanger!
About the Author: Patricia Ryan is the USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen romances and mysteries, including the #1 national bestseller Still Life With Murder, written as P.B. Ryan. A RITA® winner and four-time nominee, she is also the recipient of two RT BookReviews Awards. Subscribe to her newsletter by visiting patricia-ryan.com.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2000
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494 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Ryan
62 books184 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Patricia Burford Ryan (born August 9, 1954 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States) is an American writer of romance novels as Patricia Ryan, mystery novels as P.B. Ryan and erotica novels as Louisa Burton. She is the twin sister of the romance writer Pamela Burford.
She won a Golden Heart award in 1994 in the category "short contemporary series" and a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her book Silken Threads also won a RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers of America, for "Best Long Historical Romance" of 2000.
Patricia Burford Ryan (born August 9, 1954 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States) is an American writer of romance novels as Patricia Ryan, mystery novels as P.B. Ryan and erotica novels as Louisa Burton. She is the twin sister of the romance writer Pamela Burford.
She won a Golden Heart award in 1994 in the category "short contemporary series" and a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her book Silken Threads also won a RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers of America, for "Best Long Historical Romance" of 2000.
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June 2, 2018💝FREE on iBooks today (6/2/2018)!💝
Blurb:
He had a damn good reason to stay away from her… and now a million reasons to come back…
Dean Kettering: The quintessential lone wolf, he’s led a solitary existence on his sailboat since leaving the Army. Then one simple act puts this antisocial bad boy in the middle of a media frenzy, earning him the title of “hero” along with an unexpected windfall of a million dollars. He doesn’t want the money—doesn’t feel he deserves it—but he knows someone who does....
Laura Sweeney: Dean’s polar opposite, devoted to home and hearth, she’s the woman he secretly longed for even after she married his best friend… the friend who made Dean promise to take care of her as he lay dying. But when he finally sought her out, their long-simmering passion flared into irresistible, white-hot need.
Dean walked out of Laura’s life that night, only to return years later with a million dollars he insists she must take. But if she does, she’ll have to let him back in… and tell him the truth about her little girl’s father.
My Best Friend’s Girl, Book 3 of the North Moon Bay series, is a secret baby contemporary romance that can be read on its own or as part of the series. It’s a full-length novel—no cliffhanger!
Blurb:
He had a damn good reason to stay away from her… and now a million reasons to come back…
Dean Kettering: The quintessential lone wolf, he’s led a solitary existence on his sailboat since leaving the Army. Then one simple act puts this antisocial bad boy in the middle of a media frenzy, earning him the title of “hero” along with an unexpected windfall of a million dollars. He doesn’t want the money—doesn’t feel he deserves it—but he knows someone who does....
Laura Sweeney: Dean’s polar opposite, devoted to home and hearth, she’s the woman he secretly longed for even after she married his best friend… the friend who made Dean promise to take care of her as he lay dying. But when he finally sought her out, their long-simmering passion flared into irresistible, white-hot need.
Dean walked out of Laura’s life that night, only to return years later with a million dollars he insists she must take. But if she does, she’ll have to let him back in… and tell him the truth about her little girl’s father.
My Best Friend’s Girl, Book 3 of the North Moon Bay series, is a secret baby contemporary romance that can be read on its own or as part of the series. It’s a full-length novel—no cliffhanger!
June 28, 2018
(available for a short time only for free on Amazon -currently as of June 27, 2018)
3.5 Stars.
This is the first book I've read by Patricia Ryan. It was professionally done. Decent writing. There was a lot of emotional suspense hanging on the balance of two characters being truthful with one another, and on a deeper level, with themselves.
I enjoyed the dialogue and interaction between the characters. I also liked that the story wrapped up nicely with no cliffhangers. Even though I knew their journey would eventually lead them to being the big happy family in the end, the road there still left me in suspense.
However, a few things did bother me:
1) Despite the heroine's deep seated need to be truthful that she practices in every other aspect of her life, I felt she gave up awfully fast in trying to convey the truth to the father of her baby. It just resonates with how wrong this is and I can't believe a guilty conscience didn't drive her to reveal the truth early on. My other problem is It just felt like she was didn't develop the bravery I expected to see. I just felt a little bit robbed of character growth is all.
2) The hero had such a negative outlook on his own self worth, and while the reasoning was explained, I wanted to see him grow to love himself. I never got that because he based his entire self worth on whether the heroine would accept him. There is nothing than I hate more than a protagonist that doesn't develop self-respect. Let's say the heroine left him in a theoretical sequel; he would most likely revert to his self-hating ways, believing himself a worthless trash. That's the impression I got at the end.
3) My own personal peeve. It annoyed me how the author would describe the type of paint (meaning the chemical pigment used to create the colour, rather than the colour itself) the heroine would use to add to the painting. It just felt too technical, rather than artistic. Maybe it's because I paint, and I never think of colours in terms of their pigment name in my head (e.g. the author used "zinc white" and "alizarin crimson," named after their dyes/pigments).
I sort the colours by what shade they are. For example, orangeish-red, yellowish-green, navy blue, sky blue--you get the picture. But that's my own bias. The only time I ever contemplate the pigment name is when I'm buying paint and I'm looking at the ingredients to check that they aren't toxic (e.g. "cadmium red" still retains its name in the non-toxic versions, though there's no cadmium in them).
4) The supporting character, the heroine's best friend/next door neighbour, had little to contribute to the story other than being one of the forces to try and get the leads together. She felt flat to me. Their conversations were mostly about the heroine's love life, lack there of, or what the side character believed the heroine should do about it whether the heroine wanted the advice or not. I felt this to be a weakness in the story. Her role was to try and pry the heroine's back-story out of her for the reader's benefit. She could have been an opportunity to develop a sub-plot aimed at pushing more character growth or story themes.
In conclusion, I just felt that I was shortchanged on the character growth department that I was looking forward to after learning how damaged they both were in the beginning. Perhaps I was being too critical with this book, but I can't ignore this feeling. That frustration is what led me to giving only 3 stars. Other than that, it was a very entertaining read. This is definitely an author with experience.
I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance (a genre I enjoy, but it's not my favourite).
3.5 Stars.
This is the first book I've read by Patricia Ryan. It was professionally done. Decent writing. There was a lot of emotional suspense hanging on the balance of two characters being truthful with one another, and on a deeper level, with themselves.
I enjoyed the dialogue and interaction between the characters. I also liked that the story wrapped up nicely with no cliffhangers. Even though I knew their journey would eventually lead them to being the big happy family in the end, the road there still left me in suspense.
However, a few things did bother me:
1) Despite the heroine's deep seated need to be truthful that she practices in every other aspect of her life, I felt she gave up awfully fast in trying to convey the truth to the father of her baby. It just resonates with how wrong this is and I can't believe a guilty conscience didn't drive her to reveal the truth early on. My other problem is It just felt like she was didn't develop the bravery I expected to see. I just felt a little bit robbed of character growth is all.
2) The hero had such a negative outlook on his own self worth, and while the reasoning was explained, I wanted to see him grow to love himself. I never got that because he based his entire self worth on whether the heroine would accept him. There is nothing than I hate more than a protagonist that doesn't develop self-respect. Let's say the heroine left him in a theoretical sequel; he would most likely revert to his self-hating ways, believing himself a worthless trash. That's the impression I got at the end.
3) My own personal peeve. It annoyed me how the author would describe the type of paint (meaning the chemical pigment used to create the colour, rather than the colour itself) the heroine would use to add to the painting. It just felt too technical, rather than artistic. Maybe it's because I paint, and I never think of colours in terms of their pigment name in my head (e.g. the author used "zinc white" and "alizarin crimson," named after their dyes/pigments).
I sort the colours by what shade they are. For example, orangeish-red, yellowish-green, navy blue, sky blue--you get the picture. But that's my own bias. The only time I ever contemplate the pigment name is when I'm buying paint and I'm looking at the ingredients to check that they aren't toxic (e.g. "cadmium red" still retains its name in the non-toxic versions, though there's no cadmium in them).
4) The supporting character, the heroine's best friend/next door neighbour, had little to contribute to the story other than being one of the forces to try and get the leads together. She felt flat to me. Their conversations were mostly about the heroine's love life, lack there of, or what the side character believed the heroine should do about it whether the heroine wanted the advice or not. I felt this to be a weakness in the story. Her role was to try and pry the heroine's back-story out of her for the reader's benefit. She could have been an opportunity to develop a sub-plot aimed at pushing more character growth or story themes.
In conclusion, I just felt that I was shortchanged on the character growth department that I was looking forward to after learning how damaged they both were in the beginning. Perhaps I was being too critical with this book, but I can't ignore this feeling. That frustration is what led me to giving only 3 stars. Other than that, it was a very entertaining read. This is definitely an author with experience.
I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance (a genre I enjoy, but it's not my favourite).
not-going-there
March 15, 2015Look at this cover:
I'm crying. I can't even/
I'm crying. I can't even/
June 19, 2018
Review
Was a good book. Loved how it got to the point. I love shorter books, makes it easier to read and faster. Nice to finish a book quickly and not take days to get a HEA.
Was a good book. Loved how it got to the point. I love shorter books, makes it easier to read and faster. Nice to finish a book quickly and not take days to get a HEA.
June 19, 2018
Ahhh...What a lovely, satisfying romance novel!
I gave this touching story five stars because it was almost perfect! When they meet at college, Laura and Dean harbor a deep, instinctive attraction to each other, but stifle those feelings to avoid hurting Will, Lara's high school sweetheart and Dean's best friend. After graduation, Will and Laura marry, and Dean and Will ship out as part of their ROTC commitment. Shortly afterwards, Laura discovers she's pregnant, and writes to share the news with Will. However, Will is killed by an IED before he gets the letter. Cradled in Dean's arms as he lays dying, Will implores Dean to take care of Laura for him and Dean promises he will. When Laura gets the news, she miscarries, but hopes Will might have taken a little comfort from knowing he was going to be a fathrt. When Dean arrives a few months later, to deliver Will's personal effects, the repressed sparks fly between them, and they spend one amazing night together. But to Laura's dismay, Dean is gone the next morning, no note, no goodbyes, just gone, as was always his pattern with girls in college. When she tries to find him to tell him she is pregnant, his phone number is no longer working, and the Army won't divulge his address, so Laura is left to raise their daughter, Janey, alone; until the day, five years later, when Dean suddenly resurfaces in her life, trying to give her a check for a cool million to finally honor his promise to Will. Still strongly attracted to him, but fearing he will hurt her again, and interfere with Janey, Laura tries to reject his gift, to no avail. How do they resolve the impasse? You'll just have to read it to find out! This is book 3 of a series, but it is a complete, stand alone book, not a cliffhanger. Short, but very well written; very touching, full of repressed emotions, misplaced guilt, misunderstandings, miscommunications. A very, very satisfying read! If you like light, romantic, feel good stories, you'll probably love this book as much as I did!
I gave this touching story five stars because it was almost perfect! When they meet at college, Laura and Dean harbor a deep, instinctive attraction to each other, but stifle those feelings to avoid hurting Will, Lara's high school sweetheart and Dean's best friend. After graduation, Will and Laura marry, and Dean and Will ship out as part of their ROTC commitment. Shortly afterwards, Laura discovers she's pregnant, and writes to share the news with Will. However, Will is killed by an IED before he gets the letter. Cradled in Dean's arms as he lays dying, Will implores Dean to take care of Laura for him and Dean promises he will. When Laura gets the news, she miscarries, but hopes Will might have taken a little comfort from knowing he was going to be a fathrt. When Dean arrives a few months later, to deliver Will's personal effects, the repressed sparks fly between them, and they spend one amazing night together. But to Laura's dismay, Dean is gone the next morning, no note, no goodbyes, just gone, as was always his pattern with girls in college. When she tries to find him to tell him she is pregnant, his phone number is no longer working, and the Army won't divulge his address, so Laura is left to raise their daughter, Janey, alone; until the day, five years later, when Dean suddenly resurfaces in her life, trying to give her a check for a cool million to finally honor his promise to Will. Still strongly attracted to him, but fearing he will hurt her again, and interfere with Janey, Laura tries to reject his gift, to no avail. How do they resolve the impasse? You'll just have to read it to find out! This is book 3 of a series, but it is a complete, stand alone book, not a cliffhanger. Short, but very well written; very touching, full of repressed emotions, misplaced guilt, misunderstandings, miscommunications. A very, very satisfying read! If you like light, romantic, feel good stories, you'll probably love this book as much as I did!
July 17, 2018
I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started this book. I have made a conscious decision to broaden my reading range, and started pretty much at random with a romance novel available free at Amazon. I can't recall ever reading a romance novel before, so it was a new area for me, which is why I have given it a middling three stars.
The book wasn't as cheesy or soppy as I worried that it might be. It particularly impressed me at the start by beginning with the story from the guy's perspective, and only later switching to the predominant female viewpoint. There was a fair amount of "write what you know" evident. The settings seemed pretty arbitrary, presumably because they were at least partially familiar to the author. Some of the scene setting exposition seemed a bit pointless: I didn't really need to know about the detail of small boat harbour operations in Bermuda, for example.
As for the plot, it started well, but soon turned into one of those stories which is only prolonged by the characters both refusing to actually tell each other anything, and simultaneously leaping to ridiculous conclusions. I realise that all of this is to drive the matchmaking impulse and make the reader want to get the characters together, but I wanted a bit more variety. I was a little disappointed that some of the side plots and other character stories were not given enough time or space to be satisfying. I was expecting some kind of revelation about "Kay", for example, but the tail of the book seems to forget she exists.
On the whole a pleasant enough read, though,
The book wasn't as cheesy or soppy as I worried that it might be. It particularly impressed me at the start by beginning with the story from the guy's perspective, and only later switching to the predominant female viewpoint. There was a fair amount of "write what you know" evident. The settings seemed pretty arbitrary, presumably because they were at least partially familiar to the author. Some of the scene setting exposition seemed a bit pointless: I didn't really need to know about the detail of small boat harbour operations in Bermuda, for example.
As for the plot, it started well, but soon turned into one of those stories which is only prolonged by the characters both refusing to actually tell each other anything, and simultaneously leaping to ridiculous conclusions. I realise that all of this is to drive the matchmaking impulse and make the reader want to get the characters together, but I wanted a bit more variety. I was a little disappointed that some of the side plots and other character stories were not given enough time or space to be satisfying. I was expecting some kind of revelation about "Kay", for example, but the tail of the book seems to forget she exists.
On the whole a pleasant enough read, though,
January 29, 2019
Lack chemistry and passion👎
Well it was just okay but I'm not sure if this is like first book or stories the Author writes. To me it was long and short at the same time because certain parts of the story could have been explain more and others less. Also, it wasn't very believable to me, it lack something. Another thing I noticed in other writers is when they include children and they try to make them cute and super smart for a very young age. In this case the little girl was five but talking and thinking like a 9 year old or older which to me makes it annoying. Good thing this book was free and short.
Well it was just okay but I'm not sure if this is like first book or stories the Author writes. To me it was long and short at the same time because certain parts of the story could have been explain more and others less. Also, it wasn't very believable to me, it lack something. Another thing I noticed in other writers is when they include children and they try to make them cute and super smart for a very young age. In this case the little girl was five but talking and thinking like a 9 year old or older which to me makes it annoying. Good thing this book was free and short.
August 31, 2016
I have been a Patricia Ryan fan for a very long time. I have read all of the Nell Sweeney Mysteries and also her medieval romances. Loved them all. This book was the first contemporary romance I've read, but definitely won't be my last. It was sweet and sexy without being too explicit. Loved it!! This arc was gifted to me for an honest review.
June 22, 2018
Beautiful
Patricia Ryan has captured my heart with the quiet man whose love for a woman and a friend has tortured him for years. Who gave up all hope, only to be blessed with the greatest of rewards. Love this story.
Patricia Ryan has captured my heart with the quiet man whose love for a woman and a friend has tortured him for years. Who gave up all hope, only to be blessed with the greatest of rewards. Love this story.
November 2, 2018
Dean is a loner, living the solitary life on his boat. He has his rituals and sticks with them. It's comforting, to know what's expected of him and how to handle it.
Will married Dean's girl. He didn't do it maliciously; he was simply unaware of it. They both fell in love with Laura but she felt like Dean was a wild card - too dangerous to her heart. So she chose Will and settled into life with him until fate had other plans.
Will and Dean became soldiers and were deployed when Will died in an IED explosion. With his last breaths he made Dean promise to take care of Laura. He promised. What else could he do?
He eventually came to Laura with Will's belongings in a cardboard box. They both felt the same tension that had always been there and finally it sparked into a flame. They had a quick interlude but it's far from resolved.
Laura has a very full life. She's a painter by trade, but a mommy by birth. Janey is 5 year old and a handful. She is precocious, with a heavy interest in dinosaurs, and an adorable inability to say the letter R in words. She immediately captures the hearts of everyone she meets. Laura is doing fine. She's a realist and knows that money could make things a bit better, but they manage. She a stable platform that allows Janey to grow and that's all she really needs in life.
Kay lives next door to Laura in the B & B she owns. She watches Janey when Laura needs some help and throws some psychology at Laura when the situation warrants it. When Dean shows up on a mission to give Laura a million dollars, her armchair psychologist gets a lot of practice.
The technical aspects of the book are spot on. I didn't see anything that could be improved on with regards to grammar, punctuation, etc. The flow was easy and unhurried. It was a real pleasure to read. Continuity was mostly straightforward with only quick glimpses into the past via memories.
The love story was sweet, without syrup or unnecessary drama. It wasn't angsty or a bad case of instalove. There was sex but it was handled very maturely with no unbelievable acrobatics. It was just two people coming together through pain, regret and guilt. Very realistic in that portrayal. So much so, I kind of want a Dean in my life.
Do I recommend it? Yes. It wasn't a 5 star, life affirming, heart breaking epic but it was a great way to spend a steamy Sunday in the south.
Will married Dean's girl. He didn't do it maliciously; he was simply unaware of it. They both fell in love with Laura but she felt like Dean was a wild card - too dangerous to her heart. So she chose Will and settled into life with him until fate had other plans.
Will and Dean became soldiers and were deployed when Will died in an IED explosion. With his last breaths he made Dean promise to take care of Laura. He promised. What else could he do?
He eventually came to Laura with Will's belongings in a cardboard box. They both felt the same tension that had always been there and finally it sparked into a flame. They had a quick interlude but it's far from resolved.
Laura has a very full life. She's a painter by trade, but a mommy by birth. Janey is 5 year old and a handful. She is precocious, with a heavy interest in dinosaurs, and an adorable inability to say the letter R in words. She immediately captures the hearts of everyone she meets. Laura is doing fine. She's a realist and knows that money could make things a bit better, but they manage. She a stable platform that allows Janey to grow and that's all she really needs in life.
Kay lives next door to Laura in the B & B she owns. She watches Janey when Laura needs some help and throws some psychology at Laura when the situation warrants it. When Dean shows up on a mission to give Laura a million dollars, her armchair psychologist gets a lot of practice.
The technical aspects of the book are spot on. I didn't see anything that could be improved on with regards to grammar, punctuation, etc. The flow was easy and unhurried. It was a real pleasure to read. Continuity was mostly straightforward with only quick glimpses into the past via memories.
The love story was sweet, without syrup or unnecessary drama. It wasn't angsty or a bad case of instalove. There was sex but it was handled very maturely with no unbelievable acrobatics. It was just two people coming together through pain, regret and guilt. Very realistic in that portrayal. So much so, I kind of want a Dean in my life.
Do I recommend it? Yes. It wasn't a 5 star, life affirming, heart breaking epic but it was a great way to spend a steamy Sunday in the south.
July 24, 2018
Yet another new author to me, and what a pleasure to have her in my reading life! This is the first of this series that I have had the distinct pleasure of reading, and hope it will not be the last. It is a standalone, and complete story. The characters are quirky, fun and loving, each in their own way. Who would have ever thought that secrets we believed buried deep in the bottom of our souls would ever rise to taunt us later on in life. When Dean promised his best friend, dying in his arms, that he would look after his girl, he never would have imagined not following through with said promises. At least, not in the way it was intended. After the loss of her husband, loosing the baby she was carrying was almost her undoing, until Dean showed up when she needed him the most. The forever present spark that had been there, lurking just below the surface, since they day they met, decided it was time to act, and a single night together, changed both of their lives forever. But will fate lend a hand in bringing these two back into each others' lives? Or will they forever keep their distance?
Awesome read!
Awesome read!
Currently reading
July 23, 2024Three stars.
This begins with so many f-words that I considered stopping. The tale itself was good, but the author used more description than I cared for so skimming was my solution.
Some things were difficult to accept. Janey is five years old and in preschool three days a week. Even born in January she would have been in kindergarten or pre-k, but she's written as very intelligent. She knows the difference between the Paleozoic and Cretaceous periods. A chicken wire and paper mache T Red is not a preschool art project, especially not when Laura and Dean are making it without Janey there. I worked at a nursery school and kindergarten for decades so I know. The author's intent was probably to give Laura and Dean time to talk.
Overall an all right book, but the language greatly detracted as did the lengthy wording.
This begins with so many f-words that I considered stopping. The tale itself was good, but the author used more description than I cared for so skimming was my solution.
Some things were difficult to accept. Janey is five years old and in preschool three days a week. Even born in January she would have been in kindergarten or pre-k, but she's written as very intelligent. She knows the difference between the Paleozoic and Cretaceous periods. A chicken wire and paper mache T Red is not a preschool art project, especially not when Laura and Dean are making it without Janey there. I worked at a nursery school and kindergarten for decades so I know. The author's intent was probably to give Laura and Dean time to talk.
Overall an all right book, but the language greatly detracted as did the lengthy wording.
June 27, 2018
My best friends girl
Just the right book for me right now. A trio of friends, two a couple the third was the bad boy that loved them both. Dean thinks he's unworthy due to his dad being a jerk. He goes into the military with his best friend Will who's married to Laura. Will dies in his arms and with his dying breath asks Dean to take care of his wife. He comes home on leave, brings her a box of Wills belongings and the passion they've been fighting for years burns bright. The next morning he's gone feeling guilty. Fast forward six years and he gets a million dollars, he signs it over to Laura his Lorelei. She takes it back to him, then he goes and spends it on her . It's cute, heartwarming and an adorable story.
Just the right book for me right now. A trio of friends, two a couple the third was the bad boy that loved them both. Dean thinks he's unworthy due to his dad being a jerk. He goes into the military with his best friend Will who's married to Laura. Will dies in his arms and with his dying breath asks Dean to take care of his wife. He comes home on leave, brings her a box of Wills belongings and the passion they've been fighting for years burns bright. The next morning he's gone feeling guilty. Fast forward six years and he gets a million dollars, he signs it over to Laura his Lorelei. She takes it back to him, then he goes and spends it on her . It's cute, heartwarming and an adorable story.
June 20, 2018
this was a quick read that was pretty decently written and had a lot of potential. there were a few things that left me underwhelmed though. I couldn't believe Laura kept the truth from Dean - that seemed inexcusable and out of line with the rest of her personality; and I couldn't believe that once Dean finally learned the truth he wasn't more pissed off - come on, not even a little bit angry at Laura? Janey was cute but seemed older than 5 in a lot of what she said but way younger than 5 to still be saying "r" as a "w" sound.
this was a cheap buy on amazon, so it was my first read from this author. I wouldn't say no to another book by this author but I likely won't actively seek one out.
this was a cheap buy on amazon, so it was my first read from this author. I wouldn't say no to another book by this author but I likely won't actively seek one out.
June 23, 2018
I really loved this book!
I enjoyed every aspect of this book. As an author a big part of it is being able to explain every detail and you nailed every part of it. I never had to wonder about how something might or give my own perception of the scenery because you’ve given every detail from every angle. The story line you had me waiting impatiently wondering what was gonna happen was she ever gonna tell dean? When she was gonna tell him. But the ending was so unexpected it made me love the book even more! I wish you luck with every other book you write! I definitely recommend this book!
I enjoyed every aspect of this book. As an author a big part of it is being able to explain every detail and you nailed every part of it. I never had to wonder about how something might or give my own perception of the scenery because you’ve given every detail from every angle. The story line you had me waiting impatiently wondering what was gonna happen was she ever gonna tell dean? When she was gonna tell him. But the ending was so unexpected it made me love the book even more! I wish you luck with every other book you write! I definitely recommend this book!
June 29, 2018
A nice summer read
My Best Friends Girl by Patricia Ryan was a nice book to read on warm, sunny summer days and some nights too when I just couldn't put it down! I didn't read the 2 previous books in this seties, but as a stand alone book. I found it interesting because I am an artist as the main female character is. I could picture Laura as I read about her painting landscapes, which I do quite frequently in my own studio. Also being a single mom many years ago and falling in love with the man that loved my child as well as myself, pulled at my heart strings as I read this well written story. ❤️
My Best Friends Girl by Patricia Ryan was a nice book to read on warm, sunny summer days and some nights too when I just couldn't put it down! I didn't read the 2 previous books in this seties, but as a stand alone book. I found it interesting because I am an artist as the main female character is. I could picture Laura as I read about her painting landscapes, which I do quite frequently in my own studio. Also being a single mom many years ago and falling in love with the man that loved my child as well as myself, pulled at my heart strings as I read this well written story. ❤️
July 18, 2020
No part in all this story held my attention. They were great friends in college and Dean held a torch for Laura but let his buddy Will date and marry her. Until a couple months later after Will’s death did Dean and Laura has a one night stand. 6 years later the product of their night is way to bright to be 5 years old, plus a million dollar gift check Dean received was sent to Laura. Her secret she wasn’t every going to tell him but he found out and high tailed it away from Laura and their daughter with out a god buy but a not. Unlike after their one night together he didn’t even leave a note just disappeared.
July 27, 2018
Delightful story
Must say I enjoyed this one and found the main characters Dean and Laura well fleshed out but her daughter Janey stole the book. A great character a little hard to believe her age as 5 almost 6 by the dialogue but then it is a novel and make believe can be real. Well written a fairy tale romance that you can lose yourself in. Looking for a few hours to relax and wander into fantasy land this is for you. Even the tears I shed were good! Recommend with 4.5 Stars from me.
Must say I enjoyed this one and found the main characters Dean and Laura well fleshed out but her daughter Janey stole the book. A great character a little hard to believe her age as 5 almost 6 by the dialogue but then it is a novel and make believe can be real. Well written a fairy tale romance that you can lose yourself in. Looking for a few hours to relax and wander into fantasy land this is for you. Even the tears I shed were good! Recommend with 4.5 Stars from me.
June 29, 2018
Will was Deans best friend and he died in his arms. He made Dean promise to take care of his wife Laura. He failed at that task and felt guilty over it for years. But when he gets a windfall of a million dollars he figures he can just give it to her and all will be on. Only he wasn’t planning on her refusing the money. He sets out to take care of Laura and her daughter who he thought was Wills. I really enjoyed this book.
August 19, 2018
Sweet Romance
Laura, Janey and Dean’s story. A culmination of missed opportunities and assumptions kept them apart until fate threw them a line.
Laura and Dean are their own worse enemies as they hang on to misguided notions about themselves and each other. Laura’s daughter Janey is a sweet six year old who charmed me despite her exceedingly adult way of speaking. I overlooked these minor aspects to the story and just went with the flow. 🙂
Laura, Janey and Dean’s story. A culmination of missed opportunities and assumptions kept them apart until fate threw them a line.
Laura and Dean are their own worse enemies as they hang on to misguided notions about themselves and each other. Laura’s daughter Janey is a sweet six year old who charmed me despite her exceedingly adult way of speaking. I overlooked these minor aspects to the story and just went with the flow. 🙂
June 27, 2025
Hmm. This started well but sagged quite a bit in the middle. The "tell him/don't tell him" vibe went on for way too long as did the story itself. However, I loved that Dean wasn't an arsehole and that in the end .
If you love second chance romances with a brooding, gorgeous hero and cute-sounding kids, give this a go.
If you love second chance romances with a brooding, gorgeous hero and cute-sounding kids, give this a go.
September 21, 2025
Hmm. This started well but sagged quite a bit in the middle. The "tell him/don't tell him" vibe went on for way too long as did the story itself. However, I loved that Dean wasn't an arsehole and that in the end .
If you love second chance romances with a brooding, gorgeous hero and cute-sounding kids, give this a go.
If you love second chance romances with a brooding, gorgeous hero and cute-sounding kids, give this a go.
July 18, 2018
Good read.
What a lovely book. Well written & so good. Dean has loved Laura for years but she was his best buddies wife. He vows to look out for Laura when Will does. Laura has a secret that she doesn't want Dean to find out. They are so suited to each other. Laura is very stubborn so he has his work cut out for him. Thanks.
What a lovely book. Well written & so good. Dean has loved Laura for years but she was his best buddies wife. He vows to look out for Laura when Will does. Laura has a secret that she doesn't want Dean to find out. They are so suited to each other. Laura is very stubborn so he has his work cut out for him. Thanks.
July 23, 2018
Good story
This one is kind of a heart wrenching tale. Good writing and a good story line make it very easy to read in one sitting. Sad in a few areas because it is too realistic not to be someone’s story somewhere but a nice HEA to sum it up. A good read for those rainy, lazy days. Happy reading.
This one is kind of a heart wrenching tale. Good writing and a good story line make it very easy to read in one sitting. Sad in a few areas because it is too realistic not to be someone’s story somewhere but a nice HEA to sum it up. A good read for those rainy, lazy days. Happy reading.
March 10, 2025
Again a 5 year old who talks like a 2 year old
And discussing with the grownups.
Make up your mind she is either a 5 year old or a baby or a teenager or an adult
But all of the above.
And what would have happened if he hadn’t found the papers.
A whole book about her lying to him and a happy ending without a word about it.
And discussing with the grownups.
Make up your mind she is either a 5 year old or a baby or a teenager or an adult
But all of the above.
And what would have happened if he hadn’t found the papers.
A whole book about her lying to him and a happy ending without a word about it.
June 13, 2018
It's meant to be.
A true friend is so hard to find. But to standby and be in love with someone and do nothing about it because of friendship, well that's a true friend indeed. Good read and Jane you will fall in love with
A true friend is so hard to find. But to standby and be in love with someone and do nothing about it because of friendship, well that's a true friend indeed. Good read and Jane you will fall in love with
June 18, 2018
As it's the 3rd book in the series, that I haven't read the others, I feel if there's some background missing.
Some of it jarred for me. It's difficult to believe that a man who was given elite training has such bad image of himself & a relgious woman keeps a big lie & has so little faith.
Some of it jarred for me. It's difficult to believe that a man who was given elite training has such bad image of himself & a relgious woman keeps a big lie & has so little faith.
June 28, 2018
Fabulous but
Loved the story how it played out and how they found out the true of how they felt but a epilogue saying what happened later would have been great I'm sorry to say I'm nosey and like to have long term happy ever afters
Loved the story how it played out and how they found out the true of how they felt but a epilogue saying what happened later would have been great I'm sorry to say I'm nosey and like to have long term happy ever afters
June 25, 2018
Lovely Read
Heart wrenching but easy to get immersed in...wanting to get to the next page. I enjoyed this book very much but it wouldn't have been as enjoyable without little Janey 😊
Heart wrenching but easy to get immersed in...wanting to get to the next page. I enjoyed this book very much but it wouldn't have been as enjoyable without little Janey 😊
July 3, 2018
My Best Friend's Girl...
Another delightful story from the North Moon Bay series. I liked the storyline of a love denied but reunited with a secret child in the mix. Angst filled drama and predictable at times. Laura got on my last nerve but it was still a decent read.
Another delightful story from the North Moon Bay series. I liked the storyline of a love denied but reunited with a secret child in the mix. Angst filled drama and predictable at times. Laura got on my last nerve but it was still a decent read.
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