What do you think?
Rate this book
Show No Weakness
She’s a tenderhearted social worker, looking for her Happy-Ever-After. He’s a distrustful RCMP Corporal who’s sworn off relationships. Factor in a surly teen heading for delinquency, and you have a case of passion and turmoil too explosive to handle.
As a defense mechanism to deal with his guilt and grief over his daughter's death, Cole Dennison has become an expert at compartmentalizing his feelings. He keeps his personal life private while making it his professional mission to rescue children in peril.
Joely Sinclair is fiercely protective and openly compassionate. When she meets Cole Dennison, she falls hard. He's everything she admires in a man, and because she wears her heart on her sleeve, she can't understand how or why Cole keeps all his emotions to himself.
As much as Cole resents his interest in Joely, with her inquisitive and caring nature, he can't deny her appeal. Against his better judgment, he becomes involved in both her and her son's lives. Taylor is in desperate need of a positive male role model, and Cole can't turn his back on the boy. But when Joely starts talking love, Cole's inability to commit puts an end to their relationship—until a dangerous situation throws them back together.
When given a second chance at love, will Cole risk letting Joely into his battered heart?
As a defense mechanism to deal with his guilt and grief over his daughter's death, Cole Dennison has become an expert at compartmentalizing his feelings. He keeps his personal life private while making it his professional mission to rescue children in peril.
Joely Sinclair is fiercely protective and openly compassionate. When she meets Cole Dennison, she falls hard. He's everything she admires in a man, and because she wears her heart on her sleeve, she can't understand how or why Cole keeps all his emotions to himself.
As much as Cole resents his interest in Joely, with her inquisitive and caring nature, he can't deny her appeal. Against his better judgment, he becomes involved in both her and her son's lives. Taylor is in desperate need of a positive male role model, and Cole can't turn his back on the boy. But when Joely starts talking love, Cole's inability to commit puts an end to their relationship—until a dangerous situation throws them back together.
When given a second chance at love, will Cole risk letting Joely into his battered heart?
- GenresRomanceContemporary
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2012
6 people want to read
About the author
Joyce M. Holmes
4 books6 followersJoyce Holmes lives with her husband and two small dogs in the beautiful Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada. The greatest of pleasures can be found in the simplest of things. Playing with puppies, reading, and spending time with family, especially the grandkids. Joyce enjoys photography and blogging about her travels, and when she’s not planning her next adventure, she’s off enjoying life’s simple pleasures.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 10, 2017
This story was very eloquently and beautifully written. The plot flowed perfectly and gave me all the insights I needed to acquaint myself with the three main characters, Cole, Joley and Taylor. I shed a few tears along the way at some of the strong emotions and events that happened. The story was very real to me and the perils of having a young teen are very scary. Trying to keep them on the straight and narrow is a hard job and this is dealt with perfectly in the pages of this book.
Cole is a crotchety man who has suffered a loss no one should have to deal with... so he doesn't deal with it. Nope, safer to just ignore the heartbreak and not let anyone in so he can't be hurt again. Joley is a social worker with a heart full of love. She loves her son, Taylor with all her heart. Cole and Joley meet and are attracted but both dubious to start with. Things go well until Joley says the 'L word.'
Events push the pair together again but can she melt his hard heart?
You'll have to see if he's capable of change.
Cole is a crotchety man who has suffered a loss no one should have to deal with... so he doesn't deal with it. Nope, safer to just ignore the heartbreak and not let anyone in so he can't be hurt again. Joley is a social worker with a heart full of love. She loves her son, Taylor with all her heart. Cole and Joley meet and are attracted but both dubious to start with. Things go well until Joley says the 'L word.'
Events push the pair together again but can she melt his hard heart?
You'll have to see if he's capable of change.
April 11, 2017
My Review of Show No Weakness
by Joyce M. Holmes My Rating 3.5 Stars
This was a well-written romance, it had many elements that kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the characters and their emotional journey. This is one of those stories you can relate to if you have children of your own and only want the best for them. Cole and Joley had an immediate attraction, yet Cole is a hard man who has suffered a loss and it’s up to Joley to break down those walls and show Cole, that love can heal and be worth it!
** I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of his book in exchange for an honest review from Roane Publishing**
by Joyce M. Holmes My Rating 3.5 Stars
This was a well-written romance, it had many elements that kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the characters and their emotional journey. This is one of those stories you can relate to if you have children of your own and only want the best for them. Cole and Joley had an immediate attraction, yet Cole is a hard man who has suffered a loss and it’s up to Joley to break down those walls and show Cole, that love can heal and be worth it!
** I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of his book in exchange for an honest review from Roane Publishing**
March 26, 2016
This book was very interesting, fast paced and enjoyable and before the story ends the reader will see a huge changes and growth in the characters as they all learn and Taylor’s father struggles to keep the love of his son.
Full review in March 2013 issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Full review in March 2013 issue of InD'tale Magazine.
March 9, 2018
After a dreadful marriage, Joely Sinclair still believes in love and commitment. Cole Dennison, the man she fall’s for, is the opposite. He’s been hurt and has no intention of going down that road again. Joely loves him too much to give up. He’s hurting, and she wants to heal him. They have their hiccups; but with time, patience, and love she shows Cole that he can be happy again. I enjoyed Show No Weakness, by Joyce M Holmes. Quick and easy read.
May 19, 2017
“Show No Weakness” by Joyce Holmes is a contemporary romance title that follows single mother, youth counselor Joely Sinclair as she deals with her teenage son Taylor’s growing pains and his search for an adult male role model. The conflict of continuing to keep Taylor from learning about the negative aspects of his father while keeping the boy on the straight and narrow path is almost more than Joely can deal with, particularly once RCMP Corporal Cole Dennison gets added to the mix. Cole has his own painful past to deal with but he’s unwillingly drawn to the protective mom and her personable son. Unfortunately, both Joely and Cole need to make peace with the past before they can explore a future together.
I enjoy reading the stories penned by this talented author because they give me glimpses of a life in a country I am unfamiliar with. The realistic characters face problems that I can relate to, despite never having been in their shoes. I enjoyed seeing the flourishing of the relationship between Cole and the young man he elects to mentor, and thought the slippery slope of peer pressure was nicely depicted. The attraction that builds between the two main characters was delicious to follow, even if I did want to shake some sense into them occasionally, lol. I love stories that end with me sighing happily, and this one definitely evoked that emotion.
A copy of this story was provided to me for review
I enjoy reading the stories penned by this talented author because they give me glimpses of a life in a country I am unfamiliar with. The realistic characters face problems that I can relate to, despite never having been in their shoes. I enjoyed seeing the flourishing of the relationship between Cole and the young man he elects to mentor, and thought the slippery slope of peer pressure was nicely depicted. The attraction that builds between the two main characters was delicious to follow, even if I did want to shake some sense into them occasionally, lol. I love stories that end with me sighing happily, and this one definitely evoked that emotion.
A copy of this story was provided to me for review
March 9, 2013
My Review:
There were moments that I really liked this book. I love how Cole and Joely are immediately drawn to each other, but it takes her troubled teenage son to pull them together. The moments in the book when Taylor was getting in trouble were definitely the most riveting for me.
It's interesting especially knowing Cole's sad past with his own daughter and how much he doesn't want to become emotionally involved with Taylor and Joely. In the end, it's not something that he can fight and I really liked that part of the story.
What bothered me about this book though was Joely. I just couldn't like her as a character. She treats her fifteen year old like an eight year old and she treats Cole like he's only fifteen. The lack of respect for his wishes the last ten percent of the book did it in for me. I just can't see how a happily ever after could ever work for these two when she just barrels through with what she thinks is right, regardless of Cole's feelings on the matter. It ruined the book for me.
Like I said...the premise is good, the writing is good, and I like all the other characters. I just had a personal issue with Joely's choices that affected my enjoyment of the book and I rate purely on how much I enjoy reading a book. But the book is pretty good, so if the story appeals to you, don't let my viewpoints keep you from trying it out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
There were moments that I really liked this book. I love how Cole and Joely are immediately drawn to each other, but it takes her troubled teenage son to pull them together. The moments in the book when Taylor was getting in trouble were definitely the most riveting for me.
It's interesting especially knowing Cole's sad past with his own daughter and how much he doesn't want to become emotionally involved with Taylor and Joely. In the end, it's not something that he can fight and I really liked that part of the story.
What bothered me about this book though was Joely. I just couldn't like her as a character. She treats her fifteen year old like an eight year old and she treats Cole like he's only fifteen. The lack of respect for his wishes the last ten percent of the book did it in for me. I just can't see how a happily ever after could ever work for these two when she just barrels through with what she thinks is right, regardless of Cole's feelings on the matter. It ruined the book for me.
Like I said...the premise is good, the writing is good, and I like all the other characters. I just had a personal issue with Joely's choices that affected my enjoyment of the book and I rate purely on how much I enjoy reading a book. But the book is pretty good, so if the story appeals to you, don't let my viewpoints keep you from trying it out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
March 4, 2013
This is a charming love story.
Joely is lovely. She is looking for her happily ever after. Joely is smart and independent. Taylor, Joely son, is very charming and lovable.
Joely meets the burting Cole. It's definitely not love at first sight.
Cole has always kept to himself and wants nothing to do with love. Joely manages to break thru his defenses to create a beautifully pace romance.
It's a good book. There's more than just the romance between Joely and Cole.
Joely is lovely. She is looking for her happily ever after. Joely is smart and independent. Taylor, Joely son, is very charming and lovable.
Joely meets the burting Cole. It's definitely not love at first sight.
Cole has always kept to himself and wants nothing to do with love. Joely manages to break thru his defenses to create a beautifully pace romance.
It's a good book. There's more than just the romance between Joely and Cole.
July 29, 2015
Great, sweet romance. Loved it!
August 18, 2017
I'll be honest, I liked this book A LOT more than I normally do a sweet romance. This had only brief sexy mentions and fade-to-black scenes, but I really identified with the characters, and I felt their pain. It was a very heartfelt story.
Joely Sinclair is a social worker in British Columbia, Canada. She deals with mostly at risk youth. She was herself pregnant at 16, so she knows what a lot of these kids are going through. Her son, Taylor, is now 15, and as close as they've always been, he's been starting to pull back, and act more recklessly, and she's very concerned. Her ex is an alcoholic, and hasn't been very involved in their life, as he lives on the other side of the country. With good reason. She's mostly just carrying on with every day, while trying to figure out how to reach her son before something terrible happens. On her normal monthly trip to the RCMP office to deliver her reports on teens she's in charge of who are doing community service, etc. she meets the new officer in charge of the youth offenses, Corporal Cole Dennison.
Cole has had it rough. His mom died in a car accident when he was 5, and his father, a city cop, was no shoulder for him to cry on. His dad is old school, stiff upper lip, boys don't cry, etc., and Cole never quite lived up to his expectations. He married young, and badly, but ended up with a beautiful daughter that he cherished, until she died unexpectedly at age 8. His marriage ended shortly thereafter. That was 4 years ago. He's finally back to a semi-normal existence, but he's never really dealt with his losses. He goes around purposely trying not to feel anything, and he's been mostly successful. Then Joely and Taylor fall into his life, and he's at a loss as to how to handle them. Taylor clearly needs a strong male role model, and though he tries never to let feelings get involved in his work, he can't quite ignore the boy's needs. Too bad he starts falling for the boy's mom too. But, he doesn't WANT to feel anything. For either of them.
Cole and Joely's chemistry was apparent, even in the small amount of the story in which their sex life is glossed over. They definitely have a connection, and that only grows as he becomes more involved in her life, and with her son. But, Cole has a TON of personal issues he has to work through before they can have any type of viable relationship, and a lot of it was quite painful to witness. Joely doesn't know how to be with a man that refuses to feel anything, and she struggles quite a bit as well. Not to mention, all of the issues going on with her son, which take most of her attention. Taylor is quite relatable as a 15 year old boy, and all that entails: dealing with peer pressure, trying to be independent, while still holding on to the core values his mom instilled in him, making bad choices, etc. Typical teenage angst, which seems like everything when you're 15. But overall, he was a very likable kid.
The story had good pacing, and the world was interesting, and new to me. I enjoyed the author's writing, and I was drawn into the story, even though it's much different than my typical reading choices. There was quite a bit more angst than I typically enjoy in my romance, but I related to the characters, and their experiences, so much, that it didn't bother me as it sometimes does. If you like a sweet (read: Not Steamy) romance, with heartfelt characters, dealing with realistic issues, you should definitely enjoy this one. And, if you're like me, and this isn't your typical cuppa, you might still enjoy it as I did.
ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
Joely Sinclair is a social worker in British Columbia, Canada. She deals with mostly at risk youth. She was herself pregnant at 16, so she knows what a lot of these kids are going through. Her son, Taylor, is now 15, and as close as they've always been, he's been starting to pull back, and act more recklessly, and she's very concerned. Her ex is an alcoholic, and hasn't been very involved in their life, as he lives on the other side of the country. With good reason. She's mostly just carrying on with every day, while trying to figure out how to reach her son before something terrible happens. On her normal monthly trip to the RCMP office to deliver her reports on teens she's in charge of who are doing community service, etc. she meets the new officer in charge of the youth offenses, Corporal Cole Dennison.
Cole has had it rough. His mom died in a car accident when he was 5, and his father, a city cop, was no shoulder for him to cry on. His dad is old school, stiff upper lip, boys don't cry, etc., and Cole never quite lived up to his expectations. He married young, and badly, but ended up with a beautiful daughter that he cherished, until she died unexpectedly at age 8. His marriage ended shortly thereafter. That was 4 years ago. He's finally back to a semi-normal existence, but he's never really dealt with his losses. He goes around purposely trying not to feel anything, and he's been mostly successful. Then Joely and Taylor fall into his life, and he's at a loss as to how to handle them. Taylor clearly needs a strong male role model, and though he tries never to let feelings get involved in his work, he can't quite ignore the boy's needs. Too bad he starts falling for the boy's mom too. But, he doesn't WANT to feel anything. For either of them.
Cole and Joely's chemistry was apparent, even in the small amount of the story in which their sex life is glossed over. They definitely have a connection, and that only grows as he becomes more involved in her life, and with her son. But, Cole has a TON of personal issues he has to work through before they can have any type of viable relationship, and a lot of it was quite painful to witness. Joely doesn't know how to be with a man that refuses to feel anything, and she struggles quite a bit as well. Not to mention, all of the issues going on with her son, which take most of her attention. Taylor is quite relatable as a 15 year old boy, and all that entails: dealing with peer pressure, trying to be independent, while still holding on to the core values his mom instilled in him, making bad choices, etc. Typical teenage angst, which seems like everything when you're 15. But overall, he was a very likable kid.
The story had good pacing, and the world was interesting, and new to me. I enjoyed the author's writing, and I was drawn into the story, even though it's much different than my typical reading choices. There was quite a bit more angst than I typically enjoy in my romance, but I related to the characters, and their experiences, so much, that it didn't bother me as it sometimes does. If you like a sweet (read: Not Steamy) romance, with heartfelt characters, dealing with realistic issues, you should definitely enjoy this one. And, if you're like me, and this isn't your typical cuppa, you might still enjoy it as I did.
ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews