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Sutton Family #3
A Grand Race
Caroline Tindell arrives in St. Louis for the thousand-mile 1905 Great Plains Automobile Race expecting a comfortable ride in her cousin's Pierce Great Arrow. Instead, she endures an unsettling encounter with the rogue who broke her heart six years ago, a seat in the back of the automobile with the luggage, and long moments of terror when the speeding Arrow plunges off the road.
Jamie Lenahan's brief conversation with Caroline before the start of the race evokes regret and painful memories. The way she left him years ago didn't surprise him. The effect she still has on him does. At least since her cousin roared off among the pacesetters, Caroline will be safely out of sight, if not out of mind, for the rest of the race.
Caroline is not out of sight, however. There she is, sitting stranded by the side of the road. What can a man do except stop and offer her a ride?
Jamie Lenahan's brief conversation with Caroline before the start of the race evokes regret and painful memories. The way she left him years ago didn't surprise him. The effect she still has on him does. At least since her cousin roared off among the pacesetters, Caroline will be safely out of sight, if not out of mind, for the rest of the race.
Caroline is not out of sight, however. There she is, sitting stranded by the side of the road. What can a man do except stop and offer her a ride?
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2016
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August 23, 2016
2.5 Stars
Buddy read with the wonderful Lyuda.
This is only the second book I've read by Ellen O'Connell, and after the perfection that was Beautiful Bad Man, I knew I should keep my expectations low. And I did.
A Grand Race suffers from novella-itis, but it's not a novella in the first place. However, at 176 pages it's not a full-length novel either. Does it explain the weaknesses? I'd love to say yes, but that would be the fan girl in me speaking, so if I have to be completely honest, the flaws of the story can't be solely pinned down on its length.
Caroline Tindell, the daughter of a rich Protestant family, and Jamie Lenahan, a poor Irish-Catholic man with a working class background, were once madly in love with each other. A story of two star-crossed lovers who get their second chance six years later when they participate in the same automobile race. There are family members on both sides who played a big role in tearing these two apart, misunderstandings, hurt feelings, but despite it all, their emotions for each other never died. When her cousin Percy's automobile breaks down, Jamie picks up Caroline to drop her off in the next town, but we're reading a romance novel, so obviously they end up racing together in Jamie's car.
As expected, Ellen O'Connell's talent that I so admired in Beautiful Bad Man is there: the writing and pacing were engaging, sucking me into a world that was just about to experience the tremendous changes that cars would bring. A welcome change from the endless Regency novels in Historical Romances. Romance being the keyword here, that's what was missing and left me rather dissatisfied with A Grand Race. The reader gets a pretty good picture of what happened to Caro and Jamie six years ago and why they're still hurt, but I never 'felt' their feelings for each other. It felt detached, rushed, short. Now, this I can pin down on the length of the book. With all that is happening during the race, there's simply not enough page time to get a grip of these two.
That said, it doesn't explain the inconsistencies of the characters, the almost shallow exploration of the changes Caro and Jamie undergo. Without going too much into detail, Caroline was a bloody nightmare to follow. Spoiled brat is the best way to describe her, and especially towards the end, I was not convinced of their love. Jamie's character had potential but, for whatever reason, he was left severely underdeveloped. With Caroline being Caroline, I started to wonder what he saw in her in the first place.
I'd like to point out that A Grand Race wasn't a bad book. I just think that 176 pages isn't enough for someone like Ellen O'Connell to show what a brilliant storyteller and romance author she is. Somewhere along the way, the character development was either forgotten or simply neglected.
On the bright side, I got to see Norah and Caleb again. What a swoon-worthy couple that is!
Thank you, Lyuda, for yet another brilliant b-r :) And I still find your mind reading skills scary!
Buddy read with the wonderful Lyuda.
This is only the second book I've read by Ellen O'Connell, and after the perfection that was Beautiful Bad Man, I knew I should keep my expectations low. And I did.
A Grand Race suffers from novella-itis, but it's not a novella in the first place. However, at 176 pages it's not a full-length novel either. Does it explain the weaknesses? I'd love to say yes, but that would be the fan girl in me speaking, so if I have to be completely honest, the flaws of the story can't be solely pinned down on its length.
Caroline Tindell, the daughter of a rich Protestant family, and Jamie Lenahan, a poor Irish-Catholic man with a working class background, were once madly in love with each other. A story of two star-crossed lovers who get their second chance six years later when they participate in the same automobile race. There are family members on both sides who played a big role in tearing these two apart, misunderstandings, hurt feelings, but despite it all, their emotions for each other never died. When her cousin Percy's automobile breaks down, Jamie picks up Caroline to drop her off in the next town, but we're reading a romance novel, so obviously they end up racing together in Jamie's car.
As expected, Ellen O'Connell's talent that I so admired in Beautiful Bad Man is there: the writing and pacing were engaging, sucking me into a world that was just about to experience the tremendous changes that cars would bring. A welcome change from the endless Regency novels in Historical Romances. Romance being the keyword here, that's what was missing and left me rather dissatisfied with A Grand Race. The reader gets a pretty good picture of what happened to Caro and Jamie six years ago and why they're still hurt, but I never 'felt' their feelings for each other. It felt detached, rushed, short. Now, this I can pin down on the length of the book. With all that is happening during the race, there's simply not enough page time to get a grip of these two.
That said, it doesn't explain the inconsistencies of the characters, the almost shallow exploration of the changes Caro and Jamie undergo. Without going too much into detail, Caroline was a bloody nightmare to follow. Spoiled brat is the best way to describe her, and especially towards the end, I was not convinced of their love. Jamie's character had potential but, for whatever reason, he was left severely underdeveloped. With Caroline being Caroline, I started to wonder what he saw in her in the first place.
I'd like to point out that A Grand Race wasn't a bad book. I just think that 176 pages isn't enough for someone like Ellen O'Connell to show what a brilliant storyteller and romance author she is. Somewhere along the way, the character development was either forgotten or simply neglected.
On the bright side, I got to see Norah and Caleb again. What a swoon-worthy couple that is!
Thank you, Lyuda, for yet another brilliant b-r :) And I still find your mind reading skills scary!
December 6, 2016
Many years earlier, Caroline and Jamie were deeply in love, but her parents opposed a marriage to an Irishman and bundled her off to Europe leaving her heartbroken and him bitter.
When she arrives in St Louis for the Great Plains Automobile Race, she fully expects to enjoy a breezy drive to Denver via Nebraska and Wyoming in her brother's Pierce-Arrow. She very quickly discovers that her brother's idea of breezy is closer to break-neck and even worse he won't let her drive.
Jamie joins the race but is less interested in winning than finishing in one piece and delivering the Franklin he is driving to its new owner in Denver. When he comes across the Pierce-Arrow crashed into a field he agrees to take Caroline to the next town and send help back.
As they continue the race, circumstances take over and they find themselves driving ever onward towards Denver. Within the race they form a partnership as they ford rivers, battle belligerent farmers and slowly begin to repair their own damaged relationship. But the real question is can a relationship they forge in the race survive their return reality.
Another great story from Ellen O'Connell. Well written period romance set in the early 20th century.
When she arrives in St Louis for the Great Plains Automobile Race, she fully expects to enjoy a breezy drive to Denver via Nebraska and Wyoming in her brother's Pierce-Arrow. She very quickly discovers that her brother's idea of breezy is closer to break-neck and even worse he won't let her drive.
Jamie joins the race but is less interested in winning than finishing in one piece and delivering the Franklin he is driving to its new owner in Denver. When he comes across the Pierce-Arrow crashed into a field he agrees to take Caroline to the next town and send help back.
As they continue the race, circumstances take over and they find themselves driving ever onward towards Denver. Within the race they form a partnership as they ford rivers, battle belligerent farmers and slowly begin to repair their own damaged relationship. But the real question is can a relationship they forge in the race survive their return reality.
Another great story from Ellen O'Connell. Well written period romance set in the early 20th century.
August 26, 2016
Ellen O'Connell is one of my favorite authors and I am thrilled to have a new book to read.
A Grand Race was a great story about a topic I've never read about before. The car race across the U.S. in the old-timey cars was kinda fun. I loved the MCs Jake and Caro. They were so good together. And the things keeping them apart felt very real.
So why only 3 stars? This book felt like it was lacking the depth of her other stories. I would have liked more background into their history. And I guess I am used to her westerns. This book takes place in 1905 and it had a different atmosphere. It just didn't grab me like her other books.
Her writing is beautiful as always and I would read anything she writes, I adore her books!
A Grand Race was a great story about a topic I've never read about before. The car race across the U.S. in the old-timey cars was kinda fun. I loved the MCs Jake and Caro. They were so good together. And the things keeping them apart felt very real.
So why only 3 stars? This book felt like it was lacking the depth of her other stories. I would have liked more background into their history. And I guess I am used to her westerns. This book takes place in 1905 and it had a different atmosphere. It just didn't grab me like her other books.
Her writing is beautiful as always and I would read anything she writes, I adore her books!
August 24, 2016
2.5 stars
Buddy-read with Bubu:)
As one who is a huge fan of Ellen O’Connell, who thinks the first book in the series Beautiful Bad Man is one of the best western HRs ever written, this story was especially disappointing to me.Being 176 pages long, it felt like a novella with all of the pitfalls of the format: underdeveloped characters, rushed plot, lack of depth. But there is more than just the format that made the story frustrating for me.
Firstly, let me acknowledge what I liked. The author can definitely write. No surprise to her many-many fans. Her vivid description of 1905 car race brings to life challenges and hardships that drivers of the early cars had to encounter. And these challenges were not limited to reliability, or rather unreliability of the cars, or the awful road conditions. There was also a matter of resistance to the cars proliferation among many in general population. The author captured this beautifully.
This is a second-chance story where the main characters, Caro and Jamie, once loved each other but were forced to separate due to their socio-economic and religious differences. Six years later they are thrown together as part of the thousand-mile 1905 Great Plains Automobile Race.
Unfortunately, the rekindling of their romance didn’t work for me. I felt something was missing. And the missing part was their initial falling in love aspect. It was barely mentioned and without this missing piece it was hard to relate to the subsequent reconciliation of the characters. And speaking of them…Their behavior was full of inconsistencies. The further the story went the less and less I liked them.
Caro who initially appeared to be a strong woman slowly turned into a nagging petulant tantrum-prone one. And Jamie who I liked a lot at the beginning, who appeared to be almost a dream man, slowly became a cardboard character who just smiled and accepted everything including Caro’s tantrums as somehow the signs she loved him. It's hard for me to accept such a desperation in a male romance character.
And then the whole big reason for the characters’ initial separation 6 years ago, this huge insurmountable external to their romance conflict was reduced to a short resolution in epilogue. Hugh?? Really? What was the point of creating the conflict in the first place? What had changed from 6 years ago to the time they met again before the race even began? Money that Caro inherited? We’ve been told it gave her the confidence she supposedly lacked 6 years ago. And when she got this confidence (aka inheritance money) what did she do? Did she try to gain her independence (I know it’s maybe not easy circa 1905 but still there’re the ways)? Nope. She invested the money with her family, hence, making her depended on their good will of managing them. And did she use the money to at least move somewhere and leave independently in a boarding house as some young women did? Nope, she resided with her family, the same family who according to her, wronged her so much. Did she learn any useful traits to forge the pass to her independence? Nope. She volunteered occasionally in the library to elevate her boredom.
Overall, neither the characters nor their romance worked for me. I can’t express how disappointed I'm with the story…
Luckily for me, I had my friend Bubu along the way. Thank you very much Bubu for being there, for our discussions. Even though the book was disappointing, the b-r with you was excellent as usual.:)
August 23, 2016
A short story from EOC’s Sutton Family series, I immediately fell into the story. Set around the turn of the century, the main characters already have a backstory when we meet up with them. (She, from a well to do protestant family, he from hard working Irish/Catholics, of course their love was star-crossed. Separated by her family, she returns later to his cold distant treatment and takes her cue from him.)
When she spies him signing up for the thousand-mile 1905 Great Plains Automobile Race that she too is participating in with her cousin- she’s unsettled, but determined to move forward as if losing his love didn’t effect her.
Jamie Lenahan never stopped loving Caro, even after her family shipped her off to Europe to get her away. But he knew all along she was never meant for him, so why even try again?
Fate it would seem had other plans, and when Caroline is left stranded in the middle of the race- he decides to help fate along and offer a ride.
Many times I don’t enjoy stories beginning in the middle, but this one never felt that way to me- even though it did just that. In fact, I found I even enjoyed it, surprise surprise. I do believe however, that if we had been with them through their entire story, their coming together would have been a much more emotional read. I think it worked though because the author kept the characters reasonable and level-headed . (There was no anger for example, just disappointment and then an easing back into companionship.) Their sexual history, although never spoken of directly, became apparent when they finally came together again in the end. I liked this because it spoke of Caroline’s sensibleness, something sorely lacking in much of today’s romance novel heroines. (You can be sexy without being pouty, bitchy or an airhead.)
4 out of 5 from. I hope we’ll get a new story from the author soon!
When she spies him signing up for the thousand-mile 1905 Great Plains Automobile Race that she too is participating in with her cousin- she’s unsettled, but determined to move forward as if losing his love didn’t effect her.
Jamie Lenahan never stopped loving Caro, even after her family shipped her off to Europe to get her away. But he knew all along she was never meant for him, so why even try again?
Fate it would seem had other plans, and when Caroline is left stranded in the middle of the race- he decides to help fate along and offer a ride.
Many times I don’t enjoy stories beginning in the middle, but this one never felt that way to me- even though it did just that. In fact, I found I even enjoyed it, surprise surprise. I do believe however, that if we had been with them through their entire story, their coming together would have been a much more emotional read. I think it worked though because the author kept the characters reasonable and level-headed . (There was no anger for example, just disappointment and then an easing back into companionship.) Their sexual history, although never spoken of directly, became apparent when they finally came together again in the end. I liked this because it spoke of Caroline’s sensibleness, something sorely lacking in much of today’s romance novel heroines. (You can be sexy without being pouty, bitchy or an airhead.)
4 out of 5 from. I hope we’ll get a new story from the author soon!
August 27, 2016
Ellen O'Connell is and always will be one of my favorite authors. She has a way of spinning tales that are captivating and unique. I LOVE her stories.
A Grand Race is the best example. Funny, entertaining, beautifully researched, down to earth, and heart warming.
I wish she would write faster.;-)
A Grand Race is the best example. Funny, entertaining, beautifully researched, down to earth, and heart warming.
I wish she would write faster.;-)
August 23, 2016
It's a fun read!:)
We got a little bit of Caleb and Norah and Caroline's time with them was very fun too:)
We got a little bit of Caleb and Norah and Caroline's time with them was very fun too:)
December 18, 2023
This story begins well and develops nicely during the race, even though I was a little aggravated with both Jamie and Caroline for how casual they pretended their feelings were six years prior when Caroline’s family dragged her away. That aggravation turned to incredulousness when it was revealed they had had a sexual relationship also. They ignored and avoided that fact for SIX YEARS??!! In that time, premarital sex was A BIG DEAL. I could not wrap my head around two people deeply in love with each other, so much that neither had been able to attach themselves to another, who had known each other sexually, remaining silent and keeping their distance for six long years. Surely, I thought, they could have found one opportunity in six years to speak about their feelings.
Then Caroline’s family turned murderous and I began to understand.
Apart from all that, I thought the plot derailed shortly after Jamie and Caroline’s return to Hubbell. It lost momentum, wandered around with Norah and Caleb from a previous book in the series, then fizzled out with a weak HEA, which is how it got four stars instead of five.
Then Caroline’s family turned murderous and I began to understand.
Apart from all that, I thought the plot derailed shortly after Jamie and Caroline’s return to Hubbell. It lost momentum, wandered around with Norah and Caleb from a previous book in the series, then fizzled out with a weak HEA, which is how it got four stars instead of five.
August 23, 2016
I love her books.
I love reading Ellen O'Connell's stories. A Grand Race is book three in the Sutton Family Series. The book tells the story of Jamie, who we met in book two. The couple face social difficulties as he is an Irish immigrant and she a daughter of a rich family. The story unfolds during a two week long car race and the strive to overcome their doomed and painful past. They race again all odds and fight for a future that is against them.
I love reading Ellen O'Connell's stories. A Grand Race is book three in the Sutton Family Series. The book tells the story of Jamie, who we met in book two. The couple face social difficulties as he is an Irish immigrant and she a daughter of a rich family. The story unfolds during a two week long car race and the strive to overcome their doomed and painful past. They race again all odds and fight for a future that is against them.
January 18, 2024
January 2024
September 2026
Set 5 years after the previous book in the series, Into the Light.
This is a second chance romance, but it didn't completely deliver. Caro and Jamie were good together, but I don't think that the author showed enough of their past to fully develop their relationship.
The first 70% of the book shows a cross-country automobile race in 1905. The rest of it is set in their hometown of Hubbell, Kansas.
September 2026
Set 5 years after the previous book in the series, Into the Light.
This is a second chance romance, but it didn't completely deliver. Caro and Jamie were good together, but I don't think that the author showed enough of their past to fully develop their relationship.
The first 70% of the book shows a cross-country automobile race in 1905. The rest of it is set in their hometown of Hubbell, Kansas.
August 23, 2016
Years ago, Caroline Tindell and Jamie Lenahan had a secret love affair. When her well to do family learned she was seeing an Irish immigrant, they bundled her off to Europe. Since her return they have rarely met, and never spoken except polite cool greetings if they happen to see each other on the street. But their feelings for one another haven't died. Thrown together in a car race, they find love and adventure. Can Caroline stand up to her snobbish controlling family?
I really enjoyed this. I've enjoyed everything by Ellen O'Connell, but Beautiful Bad Man is my absolute favorite, so I was happy to spend a little time with Caleb and Norah. One of the things Ms. O'Connell does so well is give us characters who fit their world. Caroline and Jamie aren't 21st century people stuck in a pseudo-Old West theme park. I liked the 1905 setting too. I wonder if Ms. O'Connell will have a 4th book in this series?
I really enjoyed this. I've enjoyed everything by Ellen O'Connell, but Beautiful Bad Man is my absolute favorite, so I was happy to spend a little time with Caleb and Norah. One of the things Ms. O'Connell does so well is give us characters who fit their world. Caroline and Jamie aren't 21st century people stuck in a pseudo-Old West theme park. I liked the 1905 setting too. I wonder if Ms. O'Connell will have a 4th book in this series?
March 31, 2017
A pleasant story. It’s nice to learn a little about cars in 1905.
In a couple other books by this author I complained about too much cruelty, but this book was almost too much the other way. It could have used a little more tension or suspense. It was mostly a sweet story with good things happening in the end. It’s about half the length of a regular novel.
THE BACKSTORY:
At age 16 Caroline and Jamie (23) were in love. She was from a wealthy protestant family. He was Irish Catholic and working in a mill. Caroline’s parents were abhorred with the relationship and sent Caroline to Europe to break it up. The author did not show the conversation between Caroline and Jamie at the time she was leaving. Apparently they each thought the other didn’t care. So when Caroline returned they did not pick up where they left off. I wish the author showed more about that.
THE NOW STORY:
It is now six years later. When they see each other things are tense and cold between them. During a road trip they soften toward each other and re-fall in love.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 176 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: about two. Setting: 1905 drive from St. Louis, Missouri to Denver, Colorado, plus Hubbell, Kansas. Copyright: 2016. Genre: historical romance.
In a couple other books by this author I complained about too much cruelty, but this book was almost too much the other way. It could have used a little more tension or suspense. It was mostly a sweet story with good things happening in the end. It’s about half the length of a regular novel.
THE BACKSTORY:
At age 16 Caroline and Jamie (23) were in love. She was from a wealthy protestant family. He was Irish Catholic and working in a mill. Caroline’s parents were abhorred with the relationship and sent Caroline to Europe to break it up. The author did not show the conversation between Caroline and Jamie at the time she was leaving. Apparently they each thought the other didn’t care. So when Caroline returned they did not pick up where they left off. I wish the author showed more about that.
THE NOW STORY:
It is now six years later. When they see each other things are tense and cold between them. During a road trip they soften toward each other and re-fall in love.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 176 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: about two. Setting: 1905 drive from St. Louis, Missouri to Denver, Colorado, plus Hubbell, Kansas. Copyright: 2016. Genre: historical romance.
June 24, 2025
4.5! /
Song: bad idea right? - Olivia Rodrigo
Song: bad idea right? - Olivia Rodrigo
August 26, 2016
Ellen O'Connell has been one of my favorite authors for a long time. She made me fall in love with western romance. A Grand Race was the 3rd book for Sutton Family Trilogy. Now that I've read it I am ready to read it all over again.
Caroline Tidwell and Jamie Lenahan meet up again after years of heartache. A forbidden love that has more differences than similarities: rich and poor, catholic and protestant. How could they be more different? Will they get a second chance? He was supposed to tell her he loved her, she was supposed to tell him she loved him. He was afraid to say I love you, she was afraid to say it too.
Once I started it I couldn't put it down. It has great action, drama, sizzling love scenes, humor; everything you could want in a book.
Congratulations to Ellen for a book well done.
Caroline Tidwell and Jamie Lenahan meet up again after years of heartache. A forbidden love that has more differences than similarities: rich and poor, catholic and protestant. How could they be more different? Will they get a second chance? He was supposed to tell her he loved her, she was supposed to tell him she loved him. He was afraid to say I love you, she was afraid to say it too.
Once I started it I couldn't put it down. It has great action, drama, sizzling love scenes, humor; everything you could want in a book.
Congratulations to Ellen for a book well done.
September 19, 2016
It absolutely pains me to give the great Ellen O'Connell anything less than five stars, but this one just didn't catch my attention like the others did. I loved the appearance of Cal and Norah, though. I've missed them.
August 29, 2016
This story was too short and it wasn't fully developed, but I still thought it was sweet and I definitely enjoyed it :)
September 30, 2023
4.25- its still a good story and very interesting! It just doesn't have the depth that Cal & Norahs story did. I love the auto aspect, and the traveling across the US in such rough times was a fun read. I like cars so that may have something to do with it.
Jamie and Caro- lovers, and I mean lovers, when she was 19. She got shipped off to Europe and I do not know why the tainted woman that scarred many a girl never got attached to her. Maybe since she didn't end up pregnant, the family could cover up the scandal. Anyway, it suits this stories purposes.
Caro and Percy, her cousin, embark on this race from St. Louis to Denver and of course, mayhem happens:
"If she shouted a complaint, and if Percy even heard her over the sound of engine, wheels, and wind, he’d tell her to be grateful for the superior craftsmanship that had gone into the vehicle and its door latches, and if he did that, she’d beat him over the head with that small valise and precipitate an accident that would kill them all."
Percy ends up crashing and along comes Jamie:
"An hour in Caro’s company was an unexpected gift and more than enough time to remind him why he had avoided her for the past six years and needed to continue doing so for the next sixty."
They find time to reflect on how their relationship ended and I thought this was interesting, Caroline's introspection:
"Maybe she would have begged him anyway if she’d never heard his ideas about how people trapped themselves in poverty. They married with grand hopes—and then the babies came, or illness, or injury. The time to get ahead was before taking on those responsibilities, and he had wanted desperately to get ahead."
-----------
"Caroline stared at the checkerboard of fields passing by. She had expected him to be furious, but except for a little yelling through the door at the barber’s, his usual good nature had prevailed. She had forgotten that about him, how fast his temper disappeared, how he never carried grudges."
And of course some banter:
“Sure you are, but for now sit by the fire. Once you warm up you won’t need to smother yourself like that.”
“There’s nothing to sit on.”
“That’s why the Lord put extra padding on your backside, darling. Sit on that.”
If looks could kill, he’d be a hundred times dead and moldering in the grave, but she sat.
------------
He opened his eyes and rolled his head toward her. “A man’s pride can be a selfish thing. I’m sorry I didn’t swallow mine.”
One of the conditions Jamie had to fulfill was to write a journal and Caroline took to that immediately:
“There is no kindly widow. Maura is doing all the nursing herself.”
“I know that, and you know that, but a kindly widow makes a better story.”
Jamie muttered, “Better story my arduous burden.”
Caroline pretended not to hear. If he wanted to criticize, he could speak more clearly.
They meet up with unsavory sorts of men along the way:
“Doesn’t your hand hurt?”
“Like fire, but I could hit him with the other one.”
“Or you could kick him. We could both go back and kick him a few times.”
So much for worrying he had frightened her or that she would be afraid of him after seeing that bit of violence.
I was surprised by the reaction from bother hers and his family, and they were too. So they ran off for their own HEA:
"You’re mine now, Mrs. Lenahan, and no one can take you away again.”
At his words all Caroline’s reserve dissolved too. She pressed her forehead against his shoulder.
“You’re mine now too, Mr. Lenahan, and I love you.”
Jamie and Caro- lovers, and I mean lovers, when she was 19. She got shipped off to Europe and I do not know why the tainted woman that scarred many a girl never got attached to her. Maybe since she didn't end up pregnant, the family could cover up the scandal. Anyway, it suits this stories purposes.
Caro and Percy, her cousin, embark on this race from St. Louis to Denver and of course, mayhem happens:
"If she shouted a complaint, and if Percy even heard her over the sound of engine, wheels, and wind, he’d tell her to be grateful for the superior craftsmanship that had gone into the vehicle and its door latches, and if he did that, she’d beat him over the head with that small valise and precipitate an accident that would kill them all."
Percy ends up crashing and along comes Jamie:
"An hour in Caro’s company was an unexpected gift and more than enough time to remind him why he had avoided her for the past six years and needed to continue doing so for the next sixty."
They find time to reflect on how their relationship ended and I thought this was interesting, Caroline's introspection:
"Maybe she would have begged him anyway if she’d never heard his ideas about how people trapped themselves in poverty. They married with grand hopes—and then the babies came, or illness, or injury. The time to get ahead was before taking on those responsibilities, and he had wanted desperately to get ahead."
-----------
"Caroline stared at the checkerboard of fields passing by. She had expected him to be furious, but except for a little yelling through the door at the barber’s, his usual good nature had prevailed. She had forgotten that about him, how fast his temper disappeared, how he never carried grudges."
And of course some banter:
“Sure you are, but for now sit by the fire. Once you warm up you won’t need to smother yourself like that.”
“There’s nothing to sit on.”
“That’s why the Lord put extra padding on your backside, darling. Sit on that.”
If looks could kill, he’d be a hundred times dead and moldering in the grave, but she sat.
------------
He opened his eyes and rolled his head toward her. “A man’s pride can be a selfish thing. I’m sorry I didn’t swallow mine.”
One of the conditions Jamie had to fulfill was to write a journal and Caroline took to that immediately:
“There is no kindly widow. Maura is doing all the nursing herself.”
“I know that, and you know that, but a kindly widow makes a better story.”
Jamie muttered, “Better story my arduous burden.”
Caroline pretended not to hear. If he wanted to criticize, he could speak more clearly.
They meet up with unsavory sorts of men along the way:
“Doesn’t your hand hurt?”
“Like fire, but I could hit him with the other one.”
“Or you could kick him. We could both go back and kick him a few times.”
So much for worrying he had frightened her or that she would be afraid of him after seeing that bit of violence.
I was surprised by the reaction from bother hers and his family, and they were too. So they ran off for their own HEA:
"You’re mine now, Mrs. Lenahan, and no one can take you away again.”
At his words all Caroline’s reserve dissolved too. She pressed her forehead against his shoulder.
“You’re mine now too, Mr. Lenahan, and I love you.”
April 9, 2019
Loved the main characters and really loved seeing characters from the 2 previous books making an appearance.
August 20, 2024
Jamie seemed like a totally different character from Treys book. He was so boring in this. I wanted either flashbacks or more of Jamie and Caro in Into the Light, it was such a small footnote in the other book it didn’t seem like enough to make a whole novel about.
August 9, 2021
3.75 stars. I liked where the author was going with this one. The turn of the century is the precipice for massive changes industrially, socially and I felt these were handled really well. Although a couple automobiles seemed to be past the time period, it was fun to read about them. I felt the relationship of Caroline and Jamie lended itself really well to the time period.
Im kind of in an Ellen O’Connell rabbit hole.
Im kind of in an Ellen O’Connell rabbit hole.
March 19, 2017
It felt rushed compared to her other books.
November 17, 2016
I found this book very disappointing, not disappointing in a ‘this is a bad, poorly written book’, but in a ‘dang, I wish she hadn’t done it this way’ way. No one is a bigger cheerleader of some of her earlier books than me. Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold, Beautiful Bad Man, Dancing on Coals – sigh – oh my they are delightful and I’ve read all of them a number of times. So when I heard that a new book, A Grand Tour was out, well I couldn’t get a copy fast enough.
Heavy sigh. This book is a novella and I so wish she had written a complete novel. The book takes place in 1905, a very interesting time period and is about an automobile endurance race. At this time in history automobiles’ were still pretty new.
Our heroine, Caroline Tindell, a wealthy modern for the times young woman is determined to take part in the race and bullies her cousin into including her. Much to her dismay another entrant into the race is Jamie Lenahan, a young man she has a past with. It seems they were very much in love but she was rich and he came from the wrong side of the tracks so her family managed to break them apart and banished her to Europe. Since she’s been back they have pretty much ignored each other, a situation that hurts them both since the love they had hasn’t gone away, it’s just been lost under a pile of misunderstandings.
When Caroline’s cousin car breaks down, this is an endurance race, Jamie rescues her and takes her the rest of the way. During this time of forced togetherness they talk and clear a lot of air and both realize their feelings for each other are as deep and strong as they ever have been.
Sounds good it? And it is – don’t get me wrong. But it would have been SO MUCH better as a full novel and had it started when Caroline and Jamie first met. I wanted so bad to see the beginning of the romance, to experience the young star crossed lovers when they were torn apart from each other. There is only a brief mention that they were observed holding hands and that’s when the shit hit the fan so to speak. This is gross, but I would have liked to have seen that flying shit.
I still completely believe that Ms. O’Connell is a wonderful writer and has a way of bringing the reader right into the story but please Ms. O’Connell, please give us the full story in your next book. While I know you don’t write speedily, I would still rather wait a bit longer for the rest of the story, than feel like I’ve kind of, sort of been robbed of it.
So if you are a fan of this author, like I am, I think you might feel there could have been so much more. If this is your first book, it’s good, but read her other books too. They are even fuller.
Heavy sigh. This book is a novella and I so wish she had written a complete novel. The book takes place in 1905, a very interesting time period and is about an automobile endurance race. At this time in history automobiles’ were still pretty new.
Our heroine, Caroline Tindell, a wealthy modern for the times young woman is determined to take part in the race and bullies her cousin into including her. Much to her dismay another entrant into the race is Jamie Lenahan, a young man she has a past with. It seems they were very much in love but she was rich and he came from the wrong side of the tracks so her family managed to break them apart and banished her to Europe. Since she’s been back they have pretty much ignored each other, a situation that hurts them both since the love they had hasn’t gone away, it’s just been lost under a pile of misunderstandings.
When Caroline’s cousin car breaks down, this is an endurance race, Jamie rescues her and takes her the rest of the way. During this time of forced togetherness they talk and clear a lot of air and both realize their feelings for each other are as deep and strong as they ever have been.
Sounds good it? And it is – don’t get me wrong. But it would have been SO MUCH better as a full novel and had it started when Caroline and Jamie first met. I wanted so bad to see the beginning of the romance, to experience the young star crossed lovers when they were torn apart from each other. There is only a brief mention that they were observed holding hands and that’s when the shit hit the fan so to speak. This is gross, but I would have liked to have seen that flying shit.
I still completely believe that Ms. O’Connell is a wonderful writer and has a way of bringing the reader right into the story but please Ms. O’Connell, please give us the full story in your next book. While I know you don’t write speedily, I would still rather wait a bit longer for the rest of the story, than feel like I’ve kind of, sort of been robbed of it.
So if you are a fan of this author, like I am, I think you might feel there could have been so much more. If this is your first book, it’s good, but read her other books too. They are even fuller.
September 14, 2016
Good story.
My least favorite by this author but still very readable.
The characters, as always, come to life in no time.
Looking forward to reading the next book but hoping it'll be something new, not again a Hubbell story.
My least favorite by this author but still very readable.
The characters, as always, come to life in no time.
Looking forward to reading the next book but hoping it'll be something new, not again a Hubbell story.
September 16, 2016
Me ha gustado, pero nada de ver con sus anteriores novelas (Eyes of silver..., Dancing on... o incluso la primera de los Sutton) que para mí son de lo mejorcito que he leído nunca en novelas románticas del oeste.
January 24, 2017
Grade: C
"meh"
"meh"
January 24, 2018
I was expecting something a little more different...but finally the book is okay.
For sure is not like the previous two longer novels, but it continues the story of Trey's friend with his lady from book no.2. I was also quite happy to meet the old characters and get an indea of their progress ^^.
As for this book...well, it was surprising to see that Caro and Jamie were busy in their young days and have wend farther with their affection. Their re-encounter is steamy and once again the importance of conversation is underlaned in a relationship. As many other romance novels, the main characters have suffere or still suffer because they do not talk to each other.
The beginning of their story is slow, after Caro's rescue from the side of the road they waste precious time by not talking or just throwing verbal attacks to each other. When they finally do make a truce..well...it ends up in an unexpected steamy scene which took me by surprise. But in a good way. Practically, during their bumpy ride they make up. As a nice touch for the plot, was her twisted family, BUT this was dropped as soon as they managed to escape. I was actually waiting for more conflict giving the fact that the protest of both their families was so strong...
The book is rather simple and most of it does happen on the trip.
Cute and easy reading.
For sure is not like the previous two longer novels, but it continues the story of Trey's friend with his lady from book no.2. I was also quite happy to meet the old characters and get an indea of their progress ^^.
As for this book...well, it was surprising to see that Caro and Jamie were busy in their young days and have wend farther with their affection. Their re-encounter is steamy and once again the importance of conversation is underlaned in a relationship. As many other romance novels, the main characters have suffere or still suffer because they do not talk to each other.
The beginning of their story is slow, after Caro's rescue from the side of the road they waste precious time by not talking or just throwing verbal attacks to each other. When they finally do make a truce..well...it ends up in an unexpected steamy scene which took me by surprise. But in a good way. Practically, during their bumpy ride they make up. As a nice touch for the plot, was her twisted family, BUT this was dropped as soon as they managed to escape. I was actually waiting for more conflict giving the fact that the protest of both their families was so strong...
The book is rather simple and most of it does happen on the trip.
Cute and easy reading.
September 30, 2021
I give this a 3.5.
I an a big fan if Ellen O'Connell books and so started this one with high hopes. First 75% was great no doubt but I think the last 25% just dragged unnecessarily and seemed forced.
If two people are so desperate to be married having waited 6 years for each other, why wait another month to do so? Especially when you know her family is trying to keeo her from getting married!?
I know about the practicalities of life but come on this is a romance novel. It felt like it was just an excuse to bring in characters from other books.Though I liked to see how Cal and Norah were doing it kind of was pointless and couldve been done without tbh.
I an a big fan if Ellen O'Connell books and so started this one with high hopes. First 75% was great no doubt but I think the last 25% just dragged unnecessarily and seemed forced.
If two people are so desperate to be married having waited 6 years for each other, why wait another month to do so? Especially when you know her family is trying to keeo her from getting married!?
I know about the practicalities of life but come on this is a romance novel. It felt like it was just an excuse to bring in characters from other books.Though I liked to see how Cal and Norah were doing it kind of was pointless and couldve been done without tbh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2017
This was a quick and fun read. While not as dramatic or involving as some of the author's other works, I still enjoyed it a lot. Part of that is definitely due to the fact that I was on my own road trip this past summer and could sympathize with the characters' experiences. But, I also genuinely liked Jamie and Caro, and I also liked how they discussed their problems/past. It was also great to see characters from previous books in the series; Cal and Norah are definitely among my favourite historical romance couples.
July 14, 2020
I like the story, but comparing it to others within the series I liked it less? Like ranking, not at the top. But comparative to other books in general, still a high quality story. I like cars, a lot actually, but it pulled a little less at what I was looking for. That being said, Jamie is quite the character. He's fun and charismatic and a great male lead. I was a little less pulled towards Caroline, but I still did enjoy her character. And who doesn't love reading the equivalent of one of the first road trip stories? If you've read the other Sutton stories, highly worth.
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