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Shower & Shelter Artist Collective #1
JFK to Dublin
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.Sarah Spicer took this saying to heart, at least where love was concerned. She had given up any hope in ever finding a decent man. She was convinced they had only one thing on their minds and were untrustworthy and unfit for relationships. This was exactly why she had a strict no-dating policy.That was before she met Collin Ross. He was handsome, successful, and possessed a refined confidence that any woman would have adored. Well, any woman except for Sarah. Her indifference toward his charms made gaining her affection difficult.But patience is a virtue, and Collin was determined to prove that if there was a man worthy of winning her heart, he was the one.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2016
378 people are currently reading
535 people want to read
About the author
Brooke St. James
115 books954 followersBrooke St. James is a USA Today bestselling author and Amazon Kindle All-Star. She writes contemporary romance novels with Christian and inspirational themes and happy endings. She was born and raised in south Louisiana but has had the opportunity to travel and live throughout the U.S. An avid reader, writer, audio book addict, and fan of all things artistic, Brooke constantly has her hands in some creative activity. She's currently back home in Louisiana enjoying life with her husband, children, and two lazy dogs.
To find out more about Brooke visit her Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/brookesaintj...
Her Official website at:
http://www.brookesaintjames.com/
Follow her on Twitter or Instagram:
@brooke_stjames
To join her mailing list or for specific inquiries:
brookesaintjames@gmail.com
Listen to her audiobooks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeStJames
To find out more about Brooke visit her Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/brookesaintj...
Her Official website at:
http://www.brookesaintjames.com/
Follow her on Twitter or Instagram:
@brooke_stjames
To join her mailing list or for specific inquiries:
brookesaintjames@gmail.com
Listen to her audiobooks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeStJames
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 9, 2022
I'm dropping out of this before I hit 20%. Sarah annoys me. Her whole "I'm not dating" schtick is so irrationally absolute that I just find it trying, even before you get to the negative motivation* of it. I think the final break was clear when she says something like "I'm not a man hater or anything, I love my brothers blah blah blah, I'm just not going to trust anyone like that." And sorry. I don't buy that. I mean, her relationship with her father is already a bit weird. She condemns him for his philandering and builds that into her man hating, and yet, she's happy to call him to recommend someone she met, live on his money, and, in short, enjoy all the luxuries she has as a result of not expressing her contempt to him in any meaningful way.
So when we meet Collin, and he expresses interest only to be shot down preemptively, I'm all like "can I respect this guy if he persists? What does he see in this cold-hearted, man-hating idiot who feels free generalizing from a few bad examples?" Because that's what's really on offer here; someone who generalizes a few bad experiences onto an entire population. We have a word for that. The word is bigot. It is not a nice word and Sarah is not a nice person. Sorry.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
So when we meet Collin, and he expresses interest only to be shot down preemptively, I'm all like "can I respect this guy if he persists? What does he see in this cold-hearted, man-hating idiot who feels free generalizing from a few bad examples?" Because that's what's really on offer here; someone who generalizes a few bad experiences onto an entire population. We have a word for that. The word is bigot. It is not a nice word and Sarah is not a nice person. Sorry.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
October 31, 2020
If all romance books were this romantic (and clean) I would seriously read more romance books!!
March 21, 2017
Forgiveness and grace and sweet romance.
This quote says so much. "It was after I realized how needy of grace I was that I was able to truly have grace in my heart to forgive others. It was amazing to me that a revelation of my own flaws was what freed me from assuming the worst of others." Loved seeing the healing in the heroine's hearth. Taking a few things to heart myself. It's a good read and I'm anxious to start the second book.
This quote says so much. "It was after I realized how needy of grace I was that I was able to truly have grace in my heart to forgive others. It was amazing to me that a revelation of my own flaws was what freed me from assuming the worst of others." Loved seeing the healing in the heroine's hearth. Taking a few things to heart myself. It's a good read and I'm anxious to start the second book.
June 1, 2017
Could not love it more!
I downloaded this ebook on a whim with my kindle unlimited subscription, and I'm so glad I did! I couldn't put it down, and stayed up until the wee hours in the morning finishing it. I'm hooked and can't wait to read everything else this author has written. A must read, feel good, easy, whirlwind, clean romance.
I downloaded this ebook on a whim with my kindle unlimited subscription, and I'm so glad I did! I couldn't put it down, and stayed up until the wee hours in the morning finishing it. I'm hooked and can't wait to read everything else this author has written. A must read, feel good, easy, whirlwind, clean romance.
December 20, 2016
So Fun
I am really becoming a huge fan of Brooke. Her characters are sweet and fun and it is nice to believe that just maybe there are men out there that would truly love a woman to the point of protecting her and honestly cherishing her. Sigh
I am really becoming a huge fan of Brooke. Her characters are sweet and fun and it is nice to believe that just maybe there are men out there that would truly love a woman to the point of protecting her and honestly cherishing her. Sigh
March 10, 2017
Sweet romantic story
This book was absolutely the sweetest and most fun to read. It was just so Precious. I really enjoyed it and have already downloaded the second book. I definitely recommend it.
This book was absolutely the sweetest and most fun to read. It was just so Precious. I really enjoyed it and have already downloaded the second book. I definitely recommend it.
July 3, 2018
This book needs a good proofreader. I always get annoyed by lots of errors.
As far as the story? It was just okay for me. There were some fun moments but overall I felt like it was a bit too surface and lacked depth.
As far as the story? It was just okay for me. There were some fun moments but overall I felt like it was a bit too surface and lacked depth.
January 19, 2022
UPDATE: 😆😆 18/01/22 Enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(Another audiobook to love) This is my first time reading from this author and I absolutely loved everything about this book. Sarah has some trust issues due to past failed relationships and so is determined to avoid all men. Until Collin that is 😉 Collin was charming, sweet and a complete gentleman. He and Sarah had explosive chemistry and I loved how he was so patient with her.
I thoroughly enjoyed how open Collin & Sarah were with each other from the get-go. While I enjoyed their banter, which was amazing, I especially loved their honest communication. Although they did fall in love pretty quickly, I did not mind at all. Collin was such a good guy and so nice that anyone would fall in love with him within a short period of time. *Sighhhh* 😌 (My heart just exploded 💗) Great read/listen.
FAVORITE QUOTE
“I love you like a fat kid loves popsicles”
Content: Clean, kissing, mild religious undertone (BOOK BOYFRIEND #17 🥰)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(Another audiobook to love) This is my first time reading from this author and I absolutely loved everything about this book. Sarah has some trust issues due to past failed relationships and so is determined to avoid all men. Until Collin that is 😉 Collin was charming, sweet and a complete gentleman. He and Sarah had explosive chemistry and I loved how he was so patient with her.
I thoroughly enjoyed how open Collin & Sarah were with each other from the get-go. While I enjoyed their banter, which was amazing, I especially loved their honest communication. Although they did fall in love pretty quickly, I did not mind at all. Collin was such a good guy and so nice that anyone would fall in love with him within a short period of time. *Sighhhh* 😌 (My heart just exploded 💗) Great read/listen.
FAVORITE QUOTE
“I love you like a fat kid loves popsicles”
Content: Clean, kissing, mild religious undertone (BOOK BOYFRIEND #17 🥰)
August 11, 2017
Sweet, quick read.
I love a clean romance. It is a short book so the characters and their relationship isn't fully developed but it is worth the time to read. I would read the series and I liked it enough to refer it to friends.
I love a clean romance. It is a short book so the characters and their relationship isn't fully developed but it is worth the time to read. I would read the series and I liked it enough to refer it to friends.
January 3, 2017
Read it from beginning to end with a huge grin on my face... no complicated antagonisms;just cute real life normal love story
February 24, 2017
Totally romantic
Thoroughly entertaining. So romantic and inspiring to anyone waiting for after marriage for sexual intimacy. Refreshing in comparison to other writers of our day..
Thoroughly entertaining. So romantic and inspiring to anyone waiting for after marriage for sexual intimacy. Refreshing in comparison to other writers of our day..
March 8, 2017
I've never read anything by this author before, but I will in the future.
June 21, 2023
I listened to this in less than twenty-four hours so basically starting it late at night it seems and finishing it by the afternoon the next day haha. I do have to say I actually enjoyed this story, and yet, part of me actually felt for Sarah in the story. In different ways and situations, I too had a moment where I didn't want to date for a long time and had a hard time letting guys in because of my after effects of being a sexually abused by my own dad when I was 20 back in 2011, and even though this wasn't Sarah's case, I still felt for her and understood her reasonings.
Until she met Colin Ross who ended up being the last person she expected to show her actual love and someone whom she thought to let in her life and fall in love with. Their story is really cute and one of second chances, forgiveness not to just those who hurt her, but how she had to forgive herself as well for all that happened and that it was possible for her to find love and know that all men aren't dirtbags. Overall, as I said before, I related with Sarah more than I thought I would and yet I know part of me knows there has to be that special someone just for me and I'm excited to find out one day who's going to be my own Colin Ross in this story and be the one to love me for me and sweep me off my feet and will want to be with me forever. Until then, I'm keeping my fictional boys close by ;) haha
Until she met Colin Ross who ended up being the last person she expected to show her actual love and someone whom she thought to let in her life and fall in love with. Their story is really cute and one of second chances, forgiveness not to just those who hurt her, but how she had to forgive herself as well for all that happened and that it was possible for her to find love and know that all men aren't dirtbags. Overall, as I said before, I related with Sarah more than I thought I would and yet I know part of me knows there has to be that special someone just for me and I'm excited to find out one day who's going to be my own Colin Ross in this story and be the one to love me for me and sweep me off my feet and will want to be with me forever. Until then, I'm keeping my fictional boys close by ;) haha
October 18, 2022
cute
A sweet little romance if you are looking for that kind of story.
Personally, I wanted to see a bit more drama and a lot more emotion. The chemistry just wasn’t there for me. The relationship felt rushed in the end.
A sweet little romance if you are looking for that kind of story.
Personally, I wanted to see a bit more drama and a lot more emotion. The chemistry just wasn’t there for me. The relationship felt rushed in the end.
May 22, 2017
What a load of crap!
1- Girl sworn off relationship because her father cheated on her mother and she's been cheating on twice. Ok.
2- Girl decided she wouldn't have sex before her wedding. Not okay but well, that's your loss.
3- 1st chapter, girl gets out to eat with her friends and meet a cute guy and Bam! He's the one. And Bam! They're in love. And Bam! They're getting married...All of that in, let's say a month but I'm not even sure that's not less.
It's very fast paced, there's absolutely no alchemy between the characters because, well, the author didn't really took time to develop any of them. The only thing I could gather was that our girl missed some brain cells, not to be mean but she was just stupid. Not stupid like a 12 yo girl who doesn't know much about life but stupid like a simpleminded person, you know, most time you can't help but feel a little sorry for her. How a man who's supposed to be rich and talented would fall in love with someone like that, I don't know. How someone could rate this book with more than 1 or 2 stars, I don't know either.
OMG and there's that scene where's she's lying on her bed, praying, and she has that huge clarification about life, where she "sees" all the mistakes she's done in her past and understand that she should forgive everyone, from her dad to the men that cheated on her, and she starts to cry because she feels so much lighter afterward LOL I couldn't stop laughing after this scene. That's also at this moment I realized the story and our character was completely fucked up. Truly, that as nothing to do with the fact that she was praying or anything, it's just the way she explained it all, that was ridiculous.
1- Girl sworn off relationship because her father cheated on her mother and she's been cheating on twice. Ok.
2- Girl decided she wouldn't have sex before her wedding. Not okay but well, that's your loss.
3- 1st chapter, girl gets out to eat with her friends and meet a cute guy and Bam! He's the one. And Bam! They're in love. And Bam! They're getting married...All of that in, let's say a month but I'm not even sure that's not less.
It's very fast paced, there's absolutely no alchemy between the characters because, well, the author didn't really took time to develop any of them. The only thing I could gather was that our girl missed some brain cells, not to be mean but she was just stupid. Not stupid like a 12 yo girl who doesn't know much about life but stupid like a simpleminded person, you know, most time you can't help but feel a little sorry for her. How a man who's supposed to be rich and talented would fall in love with someone like that, I don't know. How someone could rate this book with more than 1 or 2 stars, I don't know either.
OMG and there's that scene where's she's lying on her bed, praying, and she has that huge clarification about life, where she "sees" all the mistakes she's done in her past and understand that she should forgive everyone, from her dad to the men that cheated on her, and she starts to cry because she feels so much lighter afterward LOL I couldn't stop laughing after this scene. That's also at this moment I realized the story and our character was completely fucked up. Truly, that as nothing to do with the fact that she was praying or anything, it's just the way she explained it all, that was ridiculous.
July 12, 2017
Mostly Sweet Romance
I was a little disappointed in the whole waiting thing. It's one thing to be waiting (which is awesome), and quite another to talk about it all the time. She went from not being willing to date to getting married in less than a couple months. Crazy! That seems like a rushed marriage in order to not have to wait. I was incredibly uncomfortable with the last two chapters and I thought it was too much for a sweet romance.
I was a little disappointed in the whole waiting thing. It's one thing to be waiting (which is awesome), and quite another to talk about it all the time. She went from not being willing to date to getting married in less than a couple months. Crazy! That seems like a rushed marriage in order to not have to wait. I was incredibly uncomfortable with the last two chapters and I thought it was too much for a sweet romance.
January 15, 2017
A fun story!
This was my first book by this author nd it was so fun. There was humor, lessons in forgiveness and lots of clean romance.
This was my first book by this author nd it was so fun. There was humor, lessons in forgiveness and lots of clean romance.
February 20, 2017
Love This Story
This was a fun and beautifully written story with amazing characters in a beautiful setting it hope you pick up a copy and enjoy.
This was a fun and beautifully written story with amazing characters in a beautiful setting it hope you pick up a copy and enjoy.
March 16, 2017
New series, same great writing!
September 2, 2017
My main issue with this book was that nothing was developed. We're given the cardboard cutouts of Sarah (no trust, man-hater, etc.) and Collin (swoon-worthy, friendly, kind), but they weren't developed or fleshed out at all. Before they even could be, Sarah does a complete 180, it's instalove, she has a
come-to-Jesus moment that's completely unexpected (no lead up beforehand, no follow-though on branding this as a Christian romance), and then boom they're getting married. I don't take issue with quick romances. I was engaged within two months of first meeting my husband, so I'm perfectly willing to suspend my disbelief when it comes to instalove. But at the same time, Collin and Sarah were physically together maybe three days, and even with phone calls exchanged, I just couldn't buy them being ready to tie the knot without spending more time in each other's physical presence than that. I'm almost always up for a cheesy romance, especially if there's nothing to make me blush, but this pushed even my tolerant boundaries. The silliness and eye-roll-inducing situations weren't balanced out with fantastic writing or humor or engaging side characters or anything like that, at least in my opinion. That made it kind of hard to get through, even though on the surface, this is totally my kind of book.
come-to-Jesus moment that's completely unexpected (no lead up beforehand, no follow-though on branding this as a Christian romance), and then boom they're getting married. I don't take issue with quick romances. I was engaged within two months of first meeting my husband, so I'm perfectly willing to suspend my disbelief when it comes to instalove. But at the same time, Collin and Sarah were physically together maybe three days, and even with phone calls exchanged, I just couldn't buy them being ready to tie the knot without spending more time in each other's physical presence than that. I'm almost always up for a cheesy romance, especially if there's nothing to make me blush, but this pushed even my tolerant boundaries. The silliness and eye-roll-inducing situations weren't balanced out with fantastic writing or humor or engaging side characters or anything like that, at least in my opinion. That made it kind of hard to get through, even though on the surface, this is totally my kind of book.
April 18, 2021
(3.5 stars) - a little uneven but still good
This is one of the first books I read by the author, and I guess I wasn't in the mood for it. I ended up putting it aside, tried it again about a month later, & enjoyed it quite a bit. It's one of her earlier works, so it's a little more uneven in quality. but I still found it entertaining.
Her style of writing is like a friend who's telling you her story, so it has a "conversational casual" tone. It can seem a bit young-ish at times, which I think is what put me off initially. And I would definitely discuss the story with my teen if I were going to let her read it - impulsive marriages like the one in this book might make for fun fairytales but are a terrible idea in real life.
Still, it has that spark which eventually led me to read all of her books. The romance & happiness of that newly in love feeling is so fun. And the series flows from the premise & characters introduced here so that, even though the individual books can stand alone, the connectivity between them makes for a fuller story.
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
*Religion: just a brief mention of a prayer moment with a very light touch
This is one of the first books I read by the author, and I guess I wasn't in the mood for it. I ended up putting it aside, tried it again about a month later, & enjoyed it quite a bit. It's one of her earlier works, so it's a little more uneven in quality. but I still found it entertaining.
Her style of writing is like a friend who's telling you her story, so it has a "conversational casual" tone. It can seem a bit young-ish at times, which I think is what put me off initially. And I would definitely discuss the story with my teen if I were going to let her read it - impulsive marriages like the one in this book might make for fun fairytales but are a terrible idea in real life.
Still, it has that spark which eventually led me to read all of her books. The romance & happiness of that newly in love feeling is so fun. And the series flows from the premise & characters introduced here so that, even though the individual books can stand alone, the connectivity between them makes for a fuller story.
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
*Religion: just a brief mention of a prayer moment with a very light touch
April 26, 2022
This book had me fist in the air CHEERING for this couple. Sarah has been burned and she's just not having it anymore, so dating anyone, especially great-looking Collin is off the table. Except she cannot stop thinking about him and he's got everything she's looking for, if she were looking. Honestly, this was just an entire book of smiles and fantastic romance moments. Conflict resolutions galore, a trip to Ireland, castles, and the perfect book boyfriend. Standalone (although there are other books in the series) and definitely a swoon-worthy HEA.
October 26, 2020
This is one of my new favorite narrators. I wish she narrated all of the Brooke St James series.
This story was about Collin the celebrity restaurant entrepreneur and Sarah the famous movie producers daughter. Sarah is jaded. She has a poor view of men, through the bad examples in her past. Collin and Sarah are immediately attracted to each other, but to takes a little convincing for Collin to get her to agree to a date. But once she agrees, things move fast.
This story was about Collin the celebrity restaurant entrepreneur and Sarah the famous movie producers daughter. Sarah is jaded. She has a poor view of men, through the bad examples in her past. Collin and Sarah are immediately attracted to each other, but to takes a little convincing for Collin to get her to agree to a date. But once she agrees, things move fast.
September 26, 2023
I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Artist Sarah Spicer has a no dating rule. She and her friends meet Colin Ross at one of his restaurants and he is interested in dating her. She gives in and they begin a relationship. When he has to go to London and Dublin for a month, he convinces her to meet him in Dublin. A heartwarming book about forgiveness and living life.
May 14, 2018
Very inspiring book
I enjoyed reading this book so much. I could not put it down. This book is so inspiring to read. The fact that Sarah was a virgin was wonderful. I enjoy reading about that and wish girls now days would wait for marriage to become intimate. Follow what God has listed in the Bible for marriage.
I enjoyed reading this book so much. I could not put it down. This book is so inspiring to read. The fact that Sarah was a virgin was wonderful. I enjoy reading about that and wish girls now days would wait for marriage to become intimate. Follow what God has listed in the Bible for marriage.
June 29, 2018
This novel, like so many others, has failed to grab and captivate my attention. There are many different times that I can pick up a novel and cannot finish it at that time; however, I might be able to return to it at a later date. This is one of those, who knows, maybe next time it will be a game changer.
September 21, 2023
This is my first book by this author. I really enjoyed the sweet romance with Christian elements. There was still some swoony to the kisses and conversation though. I enjoyed watching this heroine evaluate herself and the touchpoint on forgiveness. I'm looking forward to trying more from this series.
January 28, 2017
Quick Read
Quick read,old romantic notion of guy meeting girl and falling in love. Does not happen for many of us,but it does happen to a few. Particularly liked the purity of the I relationship. I enjoyed the book
Quick read,old romantic notion of guy meeting girl and falling in love. Does not happen for many of us,but it does happen to a few. Particularly liked the purity of the I relationship. I enjoyed the book
September 27, 2018
I loved this book. I really related to the main character so much. I think most women in their 20s and 30s would relate to her and her hesitancy towards relationships because of how she was treated by men in the past. It was a great book! a quick, clean, read!
March 20, 2020
Another very enjoyable and satisfying book by Ms. St. James. You don't want to put it down, and you simply glide from page to page, knowing that she wastes no words, and entraps you into a "smileable" story. Looking forward to S&S #2, and beyond. Thank you so much...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews