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Pineville #3
Why Did It Have to Be You?
DISORDER IN THE COURT . . .
Connie Wilkerson has worked her butt off to go from heartbroken paralegal with a drinking problem to becoming Pineville, Michigan’s fiercest new lawyer. But she’s still short on luck. Exhibit her very first case is against bad-boy contractor David Carelli.
Carelli has been a thorn in Connie’s side since high school, getting away with whatever he dreams up. He’s blond, handsome, and he dresses like a model. But everyone in town knows he cuts corners. Just the way he looks at her really gets Connie’s goat. She’s going to get him into chambers and settle the smug right out of him.
There’s just one problem. Exhibit Their supposedly hostile negotiations are turning hot instead. Now the jury is out on whether a second chance is recommended . . .
Connie Wilkerson has worked her butt off to go from heartbroken paralegal with a drinking problem to becoming Pineville, Michigan’s fiercest new lawyer. But she’s still short on luck. Exhibit her very first case is against bad-boy contractor David Carelli.
Carelli has been a thorn in Connie’s side since high school, getting away with whatever he dreams up. He’s blond, handsome, and he dresses like a model. But everyone in town knows he cuts corners. Just the way he looks at her really gets Connie’s goat. She’s going to get him into chambers and settle the smug right out of him.
There’s just one problem. Exhibit Their supposedly hostile negotiations are turning hot instead. Now the jury is out on whether a second chance is recommended . . .
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2017
6 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Allyson Charles
20 books341 followersAllyson Charles writes small-town, contemporary romances with heat and humor. A former attorney, she happily ditched those suits and now works in her pajamas writing about men’s briefs instead of legal briefs. When she’s not writing, she’s probably engaged in one of her favorite hobbies: napping, eating, or martial arts (That last one almost makes up for the first two, right?). She also writes steamy historicals as Alyson Chase.
Sign up for Allyson’s newsletter at www.allysoncharles.com/newsletter.
You can find her at www.allysoncharles.com, on Twitter @1allysoncharles, and on Facebook at facebook.com/AuthorAllysonCharles.
Sign up for Allyson’s newsletter at www.allysoncharles.com/newsletter.
You can find her at www.allysoncharles.com, on Twitter @1allysoncharles, and on Facebook at facebook.com/AuthorAllysonCharles.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 3, 2021
Unexpectedly It Was Always Meant To Be You
The third book in the Pineville Series, Why Did It Have To Be You by Allyson Charles was a great continuation in the series. It didn't fall short and it was nice that the villain actually had substance and the messed up character had integrity.
Former Paralegal and New Attorney, Connie Wilkerson is fighting her first trial. She has dealt with her personal issues and previous bad habits. She is now ready and gearing up to help others. She is looking forward to the hard work and wants to win badly to prove to the entire town and a certain defendant on how far she has come. However, her associations with this particular opposition might lead her into discovering herself and finding something worthwhile that she deserves.
Construction Contractor and Business Owner, David Carelli has had the worse reputation in Pineville for a number of years. He is known as the wheeler and dealer that will do anything to get ahead. Currently, he is being sued for one of his construction projects. This doesn't seem to flap him. However, the opposition is tough and will not give even an inch. Let's not even consider the attitude of the newly minted attorney. Some circumstances are going to force David to view himself and his "favours", weighing them against what is important in life and what he truly wants.
The premise of the book was very interesting because of the status and the past interactions between the two main protagonists. There was a lot of angst, hurt and heat since they had both kept everything bottled inside or were secretive about so many things. The ride was long but enjoyable along the way, as they moved towards togetherness. Add in some previous side characters from the previous book and some new subplots along with an annoying but cute pet, and it was rather hilarious and fun at times. It was also nice to see Sadie and Colt make some frequent appearances as well.
As for the four out of five rating, as much as I enjoyed the book, I did not find it "amazing" because in the end it seemed all too convenient. All the situations, narrations and descriptions were great, but the ending felt a smidge rushed. Still, I would re-read this book and continue the series because of the characters and the plots with all its details.
If you are looking for some hardened and hurt main characters who find their happily ever after along with interesting citizens and crazy animals, mixed with passion and with a story that has a lot of feels, you will like this book!
The third book in the Pineville Series, Why Did It Have To Be You by Allyson Charles was a great continuation in the series. It didn't fall short and it was nice that the villain actually had substance and the messed up character had integrity.
Former Paralegal and New Attorney, Connie Wilkerson is fighting her first trial. She has dealt with her personal issues and previous bad habits. She is now ready and gearing up to help others. She is looking forward to the hard work and wants to win badly to prove to the entire town and a certain defendant on how far she has come. However, her associations with this particular opposition might lead her into discovering herself and finding something worthwhile that she deserves.
Construction Contractor and Business Owner, David Carelli has had the worse reputation in Pineville for a number of years. He is known as the wheeler and dealer that will do anything to get ahead. Currently, he is being sued for one of his construction projects. This doesn't seem to flap him. However, the opposition is tough and will not give even an inch. Let's not even consider the attitude of the newly minted attorney. Some circumstances are going to force David to view himself and his "favours", weighing them against what is important in life and what he truly wants.
The premise of the book was very interesting because of the status and the past interactions between the two main protagonists. There was a lot of angst, hurt and heat since they had both kept everything bottled inside or were secretive about so many things. The ride was long but enjoyable along the way, as they moved towards togetherness. Add in some previous side characters from the previous book and some new subplots along with an annoying but cute pet, and it was rather hilarious and fun at times. It was also nice to see Sadie and Colt make some frequent appearances as well.
As for the four out of five rating, as much as I enjoyed the book, I did not find it "amazing" because in the end it seemed all too convenient. All the situations, narrations and descriptions were great, but the ending felt a smidge rushed. Still, I would re-read this book and continue the series because of the characters and the plots with all its details.
If you are looking for some hardened and hurt main characters who find their happily ever after along with interesting citizens and crazy animals, mixed with passion and with a story that has a lot of feels, you will like this book!
May 9, 2017
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog:
Sometimes when you read a series you run into characters that you just don't like. You pray they won't get their own book but 9 out of 10 times, they do. When that happens you just learn to deal with it and hope that you like whoever the author puts them with.
Your nightmare is when the author put them together with another character you don't really care for.
That's what happened in Why Did It Have to Be You? You can't imagine my shock when I realized that David Carelli (a past character I don't like) & Connie Wilkerson (another past character I didn't care for) became the hero and heroine of this story.
I kind of wanted to put the story down and walk away from it but I'm made of stronger stuff so I sat back and started reading.
I'd love to say that right away I feel in love with them and I was happy, happy, happy. Well that didn't happen. I will say for the most part I forgave Connie and quickly started to like her. Yes, I still had a few issues with her but not as many as before.
David on the other had had to really fight for me to give him even the time of day. I don't know what it is about that man....but then it started to happen. I started to see more of the really David and more importantly, I learned the why.
Half the way through the book I started hating the people in town instead of David. Now don't get me wrong, he still made some jackass moves that pissed me off, but I also knew why he did what he did.
I will have to give it to Charles she took two unlikable characters and changed my way of thinking. I ended up really enjoying both David and Connie. It didn't hurt that they had Milo on their side. You'll have to read the story to know who he is.
I'd be smart and read the series in order. Yes each book is written to stand on their own, but work much better in order. You really need to dislike David before you read his story. Strange I know, but trust me.
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ARC received for a honest review
Sometimes when you read a series you run into characters that you just don't like. You pray they won't get their own book but 9 out of 10 times, they do. When that happens you just learn to deal with it and hope that you like whoever the author puts them with.
Your nightmare is when the author put them together with another character you don't really care for.
That's what happened in Why Did It Have to Be You? You can't imagine my shock when I realized that David Carelli (a past character I don't like) & Connie Wilkerson (another past character I didn't care for) became the hero and heroine of this story.
I kind of wanted to put the story down and walk away from it but I'm made of stronger stuff so I sat back and started reading.
I'd love to say that right away I feel in love with them and I was happy, happy, happy. Well that didn't happen. I will say for the most part I forgave Connie and quickly started to like her. Yes, I still had a few issues with her but not as many as before.
David on the other had had to really fight for me to give him even the time of day. I don't know what it is about that man....but then it started to happen. I started to see more of the really David and more importantly, I learned the why.
Half the way through the book I started hating the people in town instead of David. Now don't get me wrong, he still made some jackass moves that pissed me off, but I also knew why he did what he did.
I will have to give it to Charles she took two unlikable characters and changed my way of thinking. I ended up really enjoying both David and Connie. It didn't hurt that they had Milo on their side. You'll have to read the story to know who he is.
I'd be smart and read the series in order. Yes each book is written to stand on their own, but work much better in order. You really need to dislike David before you read his story. Strange I know, but trust me.
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
https://twitter.com/Romancingreader
ARC received for a honest review
May 10, 2017
Connie Wilkerson has been thru a lot … from a deadbeat father to having the man she loved die while serving in the Army. Connie is now an Attorney and her first cast is against the leading General Contractor of Pineville - David Carelli. She has filed a Restraining Order against David to halt his project, and get the Shelter built in another part of town.
David is a self-made man. He gave up his dreams to make a better life for his sister and nephew. When it comes to building/expanding his business he is ruthless. David is used to doing whatever is necessary to get a project done, but the Citizens/Business Owners of Pineville are against his newest project … an Animal Shelter being built in downtown Pineville. The citizens are not against the Animal Shelter they just don't want it built downtown.
Connie and David are going thru some major changes in their lives. They are dealing with how others see them, how they think people see them, and how they see themselves. They are also sparks that fly every time they are near each other, and everything starts to change.
We can't forget Milo … Connie's pet goat. There are LOTS of laughs due to the antics that Milo gets into.
This is the 3rd book in Pineville Series. I enjoyed the book. However, I think I would have understood the characters more if I read the books preceding this one. That being said, I do recommend this book but suggest you read the other books first.
David is a self-made man. He gave up his dreams to make a better life for his sister and nephew. When it comes to building/expanding his business he is ruthless. David is used to doing whatever is necessary to get a project done, but the Citizens/Business Owners of Pineville are against his newest project … an Animal Shelter being built in downtown Pineville. The citizens are not against the Animal Shelter they just don't want it built downtown.
Connie and David are going thru some major changes in their lives. They are dealing with how others see them, how they think people see them, and how they see themselves. They are also sparks that fly every time they are near each other, and everything starts to change.
We can't forget Milo … Connie's pet goat. There are LOTS of laughs due to the antics that Milo gets into.
This is the 3rd book in Pineville Series. I enjoyed the book. However, I think I would have understood the characters more if I read the books preceding this one. That being said, I do recommend this book but suggest you read the other books first.
May 9, 2017
This book truly “gets” what happens in small towns or neighborhoods…everyone knows everyone else’s business. Of course, I should also mention that it has a long memory as well, and very often reputations survive for years and years and years, even if they are undeserved or downright wrong.
Connie Wilkerson is one of those folks that people think they know who she is but she is hiding a very big inferiority complex that smacks her in the face every time she runs into one of her town’s residents. And David Carelli, from the same small town, has a bad-boy reputation that will not go away. He, too, has trouble dealing with the town’s residents seeing who he truly is, not what he was or was perceived to be.
At times I was uncomfortable with the feelings going back and forth, but only because I grew up in a small town and the author hit the nail on the head! People are people, no matter who you are or where you live. Connie and David are on opposites sides of a court case and the book is about how they find their way to each other. Of course, they have a little help from a goat named Milo…where he comes from, who knows! Why Did It Have To Be You has much angst, humor (a lot of it because of Milo!), and love… Good read.
Connie Wilkerson is one of those folks that people think they know who she is but she is hiding a very big inferiority complex that smacks her in the face every time she runs into one of her town’s residents. And David Carelli, from the same small town, has a bad-boy reputation that will not go away. He, too, has trouble dealing with the town’s residents seeing who he truly is, not what he was or was perceived to be.
At times I was uncomfortable with the feelings going back and forth, but only because I grew up in a small town and the author hit the nail on the head! People are people, no matter who you are or where you live. Connie and David are on opposites sides of a court case and the book is about how they find their way to each other. Of course, they have a little help from a goat named Milo…where he comes from, who knows! Why Did It Have To Be You has much angst, humor (a lot of it because of Milo!), and love… Good read.
September 24, 2018
This series is fantastic
Connie is trying to get her life back on track, after spending too much time drinking. She is now an attorney with her first case. David is the town bad boy and has had a thing for Connie since high school. How can he possibly win Connie over, if she doesn’t even like him. I really enjoyed this book and I couldn’t stop laughing at certain parts. I fall more in love with Pineville and the characters in these books, after each book. Now, time for the next book.
Connie is trying to get her life back on track, after spending too much time drinking. She is now an attorney with her first case. David is the town bad boy and has had a thing for Connie since high school. How can he possibly win Connie over, if she doesn’t even like him. I really enjoyed this book and I couldn’t stop laughing at certain parts. I fall more in love with Pineville and the characters in these books, after each book. Now, time for the next book.
May 6, 2017
Very mixed feelings on this one. First let me say I LOVED Milo. That goat's antics had me laughing all the way through. Then there is David and Connie. Individually I liked both of these characters but I just didn't feel them together. They are both working to change public opinion of them but Connie is a little too obsessed with that. I felt the story overall was good but it did drag along in several places. In general this was just an ok read for me.
May 9, 2017
I loved Connie and David grew on me. Milo the goat stole the show. Really enjoyed the small town feel of everyone knowing everybody and rallying around Connie. They both grew as individuals and as a couple. I felt for David because he had to watch Connie with her past boyfriend while longing for her. Their enemies to more was very interesting to watch. Sometimes things aren't exactly as we think.
November 8, 2020
He's loved her forever, she's in love with a ghost.
The leads in this small town love story have had a rough life. Her perception of him is colored by hurtful words from high school. He just wants her to see him. The sparks fly as the town warn her away from him. I have to say I enjoyed every page of this book.
The leads in this small town love story have had a rough life. Her perception of him is colored by hurtful words from high school. He just wants her to see him. The sparks fly as the town warn her away from him. I have to say I enjoyed every page of this book.
June 12, 2017
I read romance to escape the reality. In this story the secondary characters, the people in town, are a little too human to my liking, meaning their meanness, petty jealousy, and games they play was just not what I like with my romance stories.
It is well written, but just not for me.
It is well written, but just not for me.
May 29, 2018
Sometimes the "bad" guys win too!
Another great story by Allyson Charles. A bit of a twist with the main characters not being the town sweeties. But with good friends and a small town behind you, love can make some major changes in one's life.
Another great story by Allyson Charles. A bit of a twist with the main characters not being the town sweeties. But with good friends and a small town behind you, love can make some major changes in one's life.
April 22, 2017
Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC of this book. This is my unbiased review.
I loved this book. I found it to be well written with a good plot and well developed characters.
I loved this book. I found it to be well written with a good plot and well developed characters.
April 29, 2017
Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
2.5 stars
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! The book is set to release in early May.
This is the third book in the Pineville series. I had not read the previous two nor did I realize that it was part of a series when I picked it up. It believe that it can be read as a stand alone, as I had done, however I feel that I may have more of an emotional attachment if I had started the series from the beginning. As I feel this was just a so-so story, to be fair I must acknowledge that this may be because I had not read the first two stories.
Here is the reason why. I felt that I did not identify with Connie or David. In fact I found that neither character was very likeable to me. In David's case I get it. He was portrayed as the bad boy for actions previously taken in his life/career. It was outlined in the story however we may have seen more in the first two books. I get that his struggle was to be acknowledged for being legitimate and his previous actions were for the sake of his family. The reader sees his struggle and it is supposed to sympathise to his plight. I only slightly did and could not bring myself to be on team David.
For Connie, I just found her character meh. I felt that her struggles were somewhat glossed over and that everything she did was just to save appearances. I couldn't dig down to her depth and as a result was not really invested in her. As a result, there were two characters that I was not invested in so I really didn't care about the outcome of their story.
That being said, there were some funny moments in the story. Pretty much anything relating to Milo had me laughing as well as Connie's nosy neighbor. To me they were the highlight of the story.
I hesitate to say that I would not recommend this story. The reason being, as previously mentioned, there may have been aspects I have missed because I did not read the first two stories. I do not know this for sure however in fairness to the author I must acknowledge that this could have been what impacted my enjoyment of the story so my advice to those considering this book is to read the series from the beginning to ensure that there are not aspects that are missed.
2.5 stars
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! The book is set to release in early May.
This is the third book in the Pineville series. I had not read the previous two nor did I realize that it was part of a series when I picked it up. It believe that it can be read as a stand alone, as I had done, however I feel that I may have more of an emotional attachment if I had started the series from the beginning. As I feel this was just a so-so story, to be fair I must acknowledge that this may be because I had not read the first two stories.
Here is the reason why. I felt that I did not identify with Connie or David. In fact I found that neither character was very likeable to me. In David's case I get it. He was portrayed as the bad boy for actions previously taken in his life/career. It was outlined in the story however we may have seen more in the first two books. I get that his struggle was to be acknowledged for being legitimate and his previous actions were for the sake of his family. The reader sees his struggle and it is supposed to sympathise to his plight. I only slightly did and could not bring myself to be on team David.
For Connie, I just found her character meh. I felt that her struggles were somewhat glossed over and that everything she did was just to save appearances. I couldn't dig down to her depth and as a result was not really invested in her. As a result, there were two characters that I was not invested in so I really didn't care about the outcome of their story.
That being said, there were some funny moments in the story. Pretty much anything relating to Milo had me laughing as well as Connie's nosy neighbor. To me they were the highlight of the story.
I hesitate to say that I would not recommend this story. The reason being, as previously mentioned, there may have been aspects I have missed because I did not read the first two stories. I do not know this for sure however in fairness to the author I must acknowledge that this could have been what impacted my enjoyment of the story so my advice to those considering this book is to read the series from the beginning to ensure that there are not aspects that are missed.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews