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Wild Men #1
Caveman
Matt Hansen.
Hot single daddy.
Arrogant. Rude. Older.
My boss.
Totally off limits... right?
Matthew Hansen is the kind of handsome that has grown women whispering behind their hands and giggling like schoolgirls.
Dark, tall and mysterious, he’s a newcomer to our little town. He’s a gritty, grease-covered mechanic, and a single daddy.
Sweet, right?
Plus, he’s looking for a nanny – and I am desperately looking for a job.
Sounds like the perfect deal.
Only he’s a jerk. An uncivilized, hulking brute. Zero manners. Zero interest in making me feel welcome in his home. Downright rude.
But oh, so sexy.
And I need the job. I can do this.
One thing is for sure: I can’t fall for the Caveman. No matter how sexy he is. How mysterious. How tortured.
That’s the only rule – and one I’m about to break.
***This is a standalone, full-length romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger or cheating. For a limited time, I have included ZANE, a standalone novel, and MICAH, a standalone long novella, as bonus. ***
(Librarian Note: This story is loosely connected (as a sort of sequel) to Zane (Inked Brotherhood, #3).)
Hot single daddy.
Arrogant. Rude. Older.
My boss.
Totally off limits... right?
Matthew Hansen is the kind of handsome that has grown women whispering behind their hands and giggling like schoolgirls.
Dark, tall and mysterious, he’s a newcomer to our little town. He’s a gritty, grease-covered mechanic, and a single daddy.
Sweet, right?
Plus, he’s looking for a nanny – and I am desperately looking for a job.
Sounds like the perfect deal.
Only he’s a jerk. An uncivilized, hulking brute. Zero manners. Zero interest in making me feel welcome in his home. Downright rude.
But oh, so sexy.
And I need the job. I can do this.
One thing is for sure: I can’t fall for the Caveman. No matter how sexy he is. How mysterious. How tortured.
That’s the only rule – and one I’m about to break.
***This is a standalone, full-length romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger or cheating. For a limited time, I have included ZANE, a standalone novel, and MICAH, a standalone long novella, as bonus. ***
(Librarian Note: This story is loosely connected (as a sort of sequel) to Zane (Inked Brotherhood, #3).)
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2017
2627 people are currently reading
1445 people want to read
About the author
Jo Raven
49 books2,782 followersBe the first to get your hands on Jo Raven’s new releases & offers, giveaways, previews, and more by signing up here ▶ http://bit.ly/1CTNTHM
Jo Raven is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, best known for her series Inked Brotherhood and Damage Control. She writes edgy, contemporary New Adult romance with sexy bad boys and strong-willed heroines. She writes about MME fighters and tattoo artists, dark pasts that bleed into the present, loyalty and raw emotion. Add to that breathtaking suspense, super-hot sex scenes and a happy ending, and you have a Jo Raven® story.
Meet Jo Raven online – on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJoRaven), chat with her on Twitter (@AuthorJoRaven) and join her readers group for sneak previews of her covers and stories (http://on.fb.me/1K2LvzO).
Jo Raven is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, best known for her series Inked Brotherhood and Damage Control. She writes edgy, contemporary New Adult romance with sexy bad boys and strong-willed heroines. She writes about MME fighters and tattoo artists, dark pasts that bleed into the present, loyalty and raw emotion. Add to that breathtaking suspense, super-hot sex scenes and a happy ending, and you have a Jo Raven® story.
Meet Jo Raven online – on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJoRaven), chat with her on Twitter (@AuthorJoRaven) and join her readers group for sneak previews of her covers and stories (http://on.fb.me/1K2LvzO).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 539 reviews
June 1, 2017
Edited because I made a mistake regarding the Hero's age but my opinion still stands.
Ugh. This book isn't necessarily bad but I do have few issues with it.
First of all, this book is very angsty and I wasn't expecting that. Especially with the blurb that comes with it. Not that I hate angsty books-- I love angsty books--but the blurb is so misleading!
The heroine just turned eighteen and the hero's about to turn thirty, which is fine, it's legal. The sex was consensual. But I can't help feeling how gross it was because I still see the heroine as a baby. I don't know if it's my problem or not but she's SO young.
An eighteen year old nanny with a thirty year old single dad? Sounds like a porno flick. And the sex scenes between them are all something you would see on porn websites, I swear.
And the last thing: the thing I was genuinely disturbed about. The Hero was still mourning the lost of his dead wife throughout this book. It's been 3 years if I remember correctly, but he still hadn't truly mourned for his dead wife. He had nightmares of her and he even said that the heroine reminded him of his wife.
Which begs the question, is the heroine just a fill in for his dead wife? Because to me it seems like it. The heroine NEVER once questioned it, I mean yeah she's young and inexperienced, she just rolled with it because she was so enamoured with him. But the Hero was just using her to fill that gap in his heart. Everyone in the right mind could see that!
An 18 year old girl who was there for a 30-year-old when he was mourning. How convenient, right?
And that, ladies and gentlemen is NOT AT ALL ROMANTIC FOR ME. I'm not sorry.
The only saving grace for this book? The kids. Those two angels who deserved so much better. I wish there were more scenes with them in it.
June 4, 2017
Get it here:
Amazon * Barnes & Noble
There wasn't anything wrong with this book really, but it just wasn't for me. The beginning really dragged for me and I got bored with it before we even got to the 20% mark. I couldn't see any connection between the characters and I felt like there was really only about 5% of the book where Matthew actually acted like he liked Octavia, the majority of the time was him growling at her. Now don't get me wrong, I love a growly Alpha Hero but I need at least some nice moments between characters.
Overall, I would still recommend this book for anyone that likes a single dad romance with a younger woman. It wasn't for me but I think a lot of people will love the story.
Amazon * Barnes & Noble
There wasn't anything wrong with this book really, but it just wasn't for me. The beginning really dragged for me and I got bored with it before we even got to the 20% mark. I couldn't see any connection between the characters and I felt like there was really only about 5% of the book where Matthew actually acted like he liked Octavia, the majority of the time was him growling at her. Now don't get me wrong, I love a growly Alpha Hero but I need at least some nice moments between characters.
Overall, I would still recommend this book for anyone that likes a single dad romance with a younger woman. It wasn't for me but I think a lot of people will love the story.
July 26, 2017
widower + teenager nanny + instalust + dramalhama + 2 kids + psycho seeking revenge
-----------
The book ends with 42% of the file and the rest are samples and another book.
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It was a read ok, nothing special.
The hero is a widower with two small children that need a nanny.
Heroine is only 18 years old and need to work to pay off debts from her mother.
He is very rude to her, but is attracted to her because she resembles his wife.
He is still in mourning, even after three years still has nightmares about the loss of his wife.
In addition to any personal drama he still faces problems from the past.
I am not connected with the characters.
------
terminou em 42% do arquivo.
-----------
The book ends with 42% of the file and the rest are samples and another book.
-------------
It was a read ok, nothing special.
The hero is a widower with two small children that need a nanny.
Heroine is only 18 years old and need to work to pay off debts from her mother.
He is very rude to her, but is attracted to her because she resembles his wife.
He is still in mourning, even after three years still has nightmares about the loss of his wife.
In addition to any personal drama he still faces problems from the past.
I am not connected with the characters.
------
“Tell me this wasn’t your first goddamn time?”
"It doesn’t mean anything. Not to me. It’s just a fuck."
"This was a fucking huge mistake. Fucking my nanny, a girl who never slept with anyone before, a girl… who isn’t Emma."
"He treated you like trash. Like a whore. Used you and dismissed you."
"I can’t replace Emma. Can’t let myself fall for a girl because she reminds me of my dead wife."
“You’re like Emma…I whisper, “And you’re not.” How many times did I think that since I met her? Countless. In my wake, in my sleep, in my dreams."
“I fucked up. I’ll keep fucking up. My mind… isn’t in the right place. Not yet.”
terminou em 42% do arquivo.
June 26, 2017
dnf @ 35%
this was one of the worst books I've read and the only silver lining was that I did not spend my own hard earned cash on it. It was boring, predictable and filled with the most flat characters. It's the cliche middle aged man falls for his barely legal nanny, but there wasn't a redeeming part to this story.
This followed a single(terrible, borderline neglectful) father who is still reeling (suffering from a breakdown) after the death of his wife.
He is an asshole to everybody on planet earth. I don't care what shit you're going through, you don't take it out on the people around you or your children.
And do NOT get me started on Octavia.
Imma just leave it at that.
this was one of the worst books I've read and the only silver lining was that I did not spend my own hard earned cash on it. It was boring, predictable and filled with the most flat characters. It's the cliche middle aged man falls for his barely legal nanny, but there wasn't a redeeming part to this story.
This followed a single
He is an asshole to everybody on planet earth. I don't care what shit you're going through, you don't take it out on the people around you or your children.
And do NOT get me started on Octavia.
Imma just leave it at that.
June 9, 2017
Despite some reviews I've been reading, and it being only my second Jo Raven book, I quite liked it. I was completely entertained and engrossed in the story. CAVEMAN was slightly angsty and had a slow start, but it picked up nicely and I loved the sub-storyline it had going on. Gave the book a more dynamic feel and that kept me invested.
Matt is a tough nut to crack. He's got your typical wounded, broken heart, dark, sexy vibe going on and then in complete contrast you have young Octavia, who may appear young in age, but her maturity level surpasses the stereotype. His 30 years to her 18 seem like a lot on paper, but in actuality, it worked well. I would have liked if she had just finished college instead of high school, but whatever.
If you're looking for a moody, brooding, well rounded book with great characters, action and seriously HOT bow-chick-a-wow-wow, then this books for you! I couldn't put it down.
Matt is a tough nut to crack. He's got your typical wounded, broken heart, dark, sexy vibe going on and then in complete contrast you have young Octavia, who may appear young in age, but her maturity level surpasses the stereotype. His 30 years to her 18 seem like a lot on paper, but in actuality, it worked well. I would have liked if she had just finished college instead of high school, but whatever.
If you're looking for a moody, brooding, well rounded book with great characters, action and seriously HOT bow-chick-a-wow-wow, then this books for you! I couldn't put it down.
May 29, 2017
4,5 totally in love stars!!!
OMG! OMG! OMG!
Eu amei esse livroooooo!!!
É daqueles que você não consegue largar a leitura por nada.
Amei demais esse casal. O mocinho então? Senhor, impossível não se apaixonar!!!
Adoro quando um livro me surpreende, me deixa tãooooo feliz! :D
Muito bom e recomendo demais, demais! <3
OMG! OMG! OMG!
Eu amei esse livroooooo!!!
É daqueles que você não consegue largar a leitura por nada.
Amei demais esse casal. O mocinho então? Senhor, impossível não se apaixonar!!!
Adoro quando um livro me surpreende, me deixa tãooooo feliz! :D
Muito bom e recomendo demais, demais! <3
June 23, 2017
This whole story had a much deeper and insightful conotation than the title gives a hint of.
A broken man. Shattered by the loss of the person he loves, leaving him lost and a mess with 2 little children to take care of.
And he's alienating himself from them, being overshadowed by the grief and pain and helplessness...
And he cant find his way out of it.
He needs help in taking care of his little ones...and he finds her.
The girl he least expected.
The girl who reminds him of his loss and yet she's not her. She 's more. She's offering more-compation, solace, care, love...
But is he ready to live again?!
Coming off as rude, abrupt, grumpy and broody, he 's the unlikely to be the right man for her...but the destined path doesnt really care about 'wants' it only fulfills the 'needs'. And he needs her. As much as she needs him.
When his past comes to hunt him down, threathning his kids, and the girl he came to change around...he has only seconds to realize how fleeting these true moment actually are...
And he wont back down...from living again.
This is a sort of a spin-off of Inked brotherhood series having to meet here the main character who appeared in them first as a secondary cast. But it could easily be read as a standalone too.
Drama. Action. Deep life altering issues. Insightful. Passionate. HEA.
Well, what else could you want?! *wink*
A broken man. Shattered by the loss of the person he loves, leaving him lost and a mess with 2 little children to take care of.
And he's alienating himself from them, being overshadowed by the grief and pain and helplessness...
And he cant find his way out of it.
He needs help in taking care of his little ones...and he finds her.
The girl he least expected.
The girl who reminds him of his loss and yet she's not her. She 's more. She's offering more-compation, solace, care, love...
But is he ready to live again?!
Coming off as rude, abrupt, grumpy and broody, he 's the unlikely to be the right man for her...but the destined path doesnt really care about 'wants' it only fulfills the 'needs'. And he needs her. As much as she needs him.
When his past comes to hunt him down, threathning his kids, and the girl he came to change around...he has only seconds to realize how fleeting these true moment actually are...
And he wont back down...from living again.
This is a sort of a spin-off of Inked brotherhood series having to meet here the main character who appeared in them first as a secondary cast. But it could easily be read as a standalone too.
Drama. Action. Deep life altering issues. Insightful. Passionate. HEA.
Well, what else could you want?! *wink*
Read
June 10, 2017Ugh! I give up at 16%!
May 27, 2017
5 Stars!!! to Caveman by author Jo Raven.
Matt and Tay (Octavia).......
Once again Jo Raven has me completely 100% in love with her book! Truth? When I have a new book from Jo Raven, I expect it to be perfect. Because it always is.
Her writing style, her plot, her characters are all always flawed with tortured souls; a past that will gut you. My connection to her characters are there from the first pages. I can't explain my relationship with Jo's books but I can tell you she is literally on my top favorite author's list. I have said many times, of her characters, that Asher (from Inked Brotherhood) was my favorite. He still is but Matt is literally right behind him.
Do I have to read the blurb before I one click Jo Raven? The answer is a resounding "no!"
Matt is a single father. He lost his wife to cancer and several years later he still struggles with deep grief, pain, and loss. It is a struggle for him to get out of bed everyday. But he does it because he knows that his two adorable children need their daddy. Unfortunately Matt is the epitome of a rude, gruff, grumpy and mean jerk. Despite his attitude, I never doubted how much he loved his children.
Matt realizes he needs help with his children. He needs someone to watch and care for them while he is at work everyday. Matt needs a nanny.
What he doesn't need is a kind, beautiful, too young woman.
Octavia...Tati...Tay.....
Tay is perfect for Matt and his children despite how young she is. The author does a superb job of matching Matt with his savior. There is constant chemistry and tension between them. Matt is not very nice to her. And even though Tay has her own troubled past, she is always concerned first and foremost for Matt and his two adorable children.
I won't say much more because I don't want to give away any spoilers. I can and will tell you that Matt and Tay have several obstacles to overcome before they have their happily ever after. This book has angst, some suspense, secondary characters that add even more depth to the story, and even some suspense with a bit of danger added. All around this book had everything.
AND.....We get a visit from some old friends that we love from Jo's other books!
If you haven't read anything by this author yet, I recommend you do! I promise you won't be sorry. I have been one of Jo's biggest fans since her first book, Asher. And more than 20 books later, I am still am.
This review is from my heart; honest and unbiased.
Matt and Tay (Octavia).......
Once again Jo Raven has me completely 100% in love with her book! Truth? When I have a new book from Jo Raven, I expect it to be perfect. Because it always is.
Her writing style, her plot, her characters are all always flawed with tortured souls; a past that will gut you. My connection to her characters are there from the first pages. I can't explain my relationship with Jo's books but I can tell you she is literally on my top favorite author's list. I have said many times, of her characters, that Asher (from Inked Brotherhood) was my favorite. He still is but Matt is literally right behind him.
Do I have to read the blurb before I one click Jo Raven? The answer is a resounding "no!"
Matt is a single father. He lost his wife to cancer and several years later he still struggles with deep grief, pain, and loss. It is a struggle for him to get out of bed everyday. But he does it because he knows that his two adorable children need their daddy. Unfortunately Matt is the epitome of a rude, gruff, grumpy and mean jerk. Despite his attitude, I never doubted how much he loved his children.
Matt realizes he needs help with his children. He needs someone to watch and care for them while he is at work everyday. Matt needs a nanny.
What he doesn't need is a kind, beautiful, too young woman.
Octavia...Tati...Tay.....
Tay is perfect for Matt and his children despite how young she is. The author does a superb job of matching Matt with his savior. There is constant chemistry and tension between them. Matt is not very nice to her. And even though Tay has her own troubled past, she is always concerned first and foremost for Matt and his two adorable children.
I won't say much more because I don't want to give away any spoilers. I can and will tell you that Matt and Tay have several obstacles to overcome before they have their happily ever after. This book has angst, some suspense, secondary characters that add even more depth to the story, and even some suspense with a bit of danger added. All around this book had everything.
AND.....We get a visit from some old friends that we love from Jo's other books!
If you haven't read anything by this author yet, I recommend you do! I promise you won't be sorry. I have been one of Jo's biggest fans since her first book, Asher. And more than 20 books later, I am still am.
This review is from my heart; honest and unbiased.
January 12, 2018
Not for me, 10% in and the author has offered up absolutely nothing about either of these characters that makes me want to continue on with the story.
If you are going to offer a dull, depressing town, with down on their luck, miserable characters you need to add a little something to make them endearing enough that you want to keep reading, and for me the continual 'woe is me' attitude gave me absolutely nothing in the way of encouragement in that vein.
Another impulse one-click purchase that turned out to be a disappointment, on the plus it was only 99p so a reasonable price to pay to try out a new author, even if the story-line/characters weren't to my liking on this occasion.
May 29, 2017
4.5 Stars
Matthew is in over his head and he's taking it out on the world. Head lost the love of his life, he's in a new place, starting a new job and he has two small children to raise with zero idea how to go about it. Given all of the above he's rude, abrasive and seemingly devoid of basic civility. The only thing that seems certain is the fact he needs help in the form of a Nanny.
Octavia wants nothing to do with Matthew. He seems more caveman than man, but a good job is a good job and she's desperate. Her initial thoughts are proven right as he acts rude, uncivilized and unwelcoming. Also sexy, he's definitely sexy. Of course, resisting his sexy should be easy when it's wrapped in such an unsavory package, right?
Caveman was quite the surprise for me. Going in I expected an abrasive man turned more palatable thanks to the right woman and lots of sexy time. There was definitely a lot of sexy time, but Raven gave us so much more than a simple brutish changes thanks to a charming new woman. There was suspense I was not expecting and several interesting plot twists. I took a little while to warm up to Matt and Tay at first, but once they started working their magic on me I was completely invested in their story. This was a nicely written more than meets the eye romance.
Matthew is in over his head and he's taking it out on the world. Head lost the love of his life, he's in a new place, starting a new job and he has two small children to raise with zero idea how to go about it. Given all of the above he's rude, abrasive and seemingly devoid of basic civility. The only thing that seems certain is the fact he needs help in the form of a Nanny.
Octavia wants nothing to do with Matthew. He seems more caveman than man, but a good job is a good job and she's desperate. Her initial thoughts are proven right as he acts rude, uncivilized and unwelcoming. Also sexy, he's definitely sexy. Of course, resisting his sexy should be easy when it's wrapped in such an unsavory package, right?
Caveman was quite the surprise for me. Going in I expected an abrasive man turned more palatable thanks to the right woman and lots of sexy time. There was definitely a lot of sexy time, but Raven gave us so much more than a simple brutish changes thanks to a charming new woman. There was suspense I was not expecting and several interesting plot twists. I took a little while to warm up to Matt and Tay at first, but once they started working their magic on me I was completely invested in their story. This was a nicely written more than meets the eye romance.
June 4, 2017
4.5 stars!!!
I really enjoyed this book! I loved both the hero and the heroine, which is rare for me. Their story was sweet and although I kind of had already guessed who the stalker guy was, I liked the suspense. I feel like it was really well written.
I'm also glad I didn't stop reading in the middle of the book because I almost did. I really don't like stories with dead exes, but I feel that after the H realized that she wasn't coming bad, that the story and romance really progressed from there.
So, overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it!!
I really enjoyed this book! I loved both the hero and the heroine, which is rare for me. Their story was sweet and although I kind of had already guessed who the stalker guy was, I liked the suspense. I feel like it was really well written.
I'm also glad I didn't stop reading in the middle of the book because I almost did. I really don't like stories with dead exes, but I feel that after the H realized that she wasn't coming bad, that the story and romance really progressed from there.
So, overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it!!
February 11, 2018
3.5 STARS for
Caveman
by Jo Raven
Ok So....
I would say that reading Caveman felt like this book is a collaboration between M. Robinson and Mariana Zapata. I'm not comparing Jo Raven with them but this what I felt while reading. I won't give this 4 or 5 stars because it didn't hit me 'there' in the 'special' place of my 'heart' but I really enjoyed reading it and the suspence had me glued to it.
Despite some negative reviews I took the chance of reading it and honestly I liked it. It's very well written but for some parts i felt like the author was just dragging.
I loved the characters, especially Matt. I have a thing for hot depressed guys.
I would recommend it because you might love it.
Ok So....
I would say that reading Caveman felt like this book is a collaboration between M. Robinson and Mariana Zapata. I'm not comparing Jo Raven with them but this what I felt while reading. I won't give this 4 or 5 stars because it didn't hit me 'there' in the 'special' place of my 'heart' but I really enjoyed reading it and the suspence had me glued to it.
Despite some negative reviews I took the chance of reading it and honestly I liked it. It's very well written but for some parts i felt like the author was just dragging.
I loved the characters, especially Matt. I have a thing for hot depressed guys.
I would recommend it because you might love it.
Read
May 30, 2017DNF
I don't think I've ever read anything with less chemistry between the main characters.
Angry, hostile and belligerent guys can be hot but this one was behaving like a bad tempered kid one minute and saluting the child-woman with inconvenient erections every time she looked his way the next, I couldn't work out what was going on with him at all. The instalust felt creepy to me because she was such a naive and immature 18 year-old.
Not for me, sorry.
I don't think I've ever read anything with less chemistry between the main characters.
Angry, hostile and belligerent guys can be hot but this one was behaving like a bad tempered kid one minute and saluting the child-woman with inconvenient erections every time she looked his way the next, I couldn't work out what was going on with him at all. The instalust felt creepy to me because she was such a naive and immature 18 year-old.
Not for me, sorry.
June 4, 2017
I could not continue. The pining from the hero throughout the book for his dead wife was too much. Also, it would have worked better if the heroine was in her 20s.
Good luck. You may love this one. It did not work for me.
This could have been so good!!! So disappointing.
Good luck. You may love this one. It did not work for me.
This could have been so good!!! So disappointing.
June 29, 2018
the story is so cliche. an older man falling for 18 years old virgin. a single dad and his nanny. i think jo raven must runs out of idea when she write this book.
the writing style is still powerful. wordly dramatic. but the story is just empty. and the characters are typical. i can live with the characters. but i just can not live with the bland story/ plot.
the writing style is still powerful. wordly dramatic. but the story is just empty. and the characters are typical. i can live with the characters. but i just can not live with the bland story/ plot.
June 19, 2017
Didn't really draw me in. The hero was a little too messed up for too long. I had problems with the small town setting. For one thing, if it was so small in the mid west there was no way there was a bus running in the town. Just kind of over the top while being pretty ordinary. Is that even a thing?
January 3, 2019
[1.5]
Más de lo mismo. Esta historia me recordó a varias; ni hablemos del exceso de clichés.
Alguien me explica la necesidad de poner una adolescente con un madurito¿?, (garpa, cortito y al pie).
Pd: Igual voy a leer los otros, así de psshyyyco estoy. 🙈
Más de lo mismo. Esta historia me recordó a varias; ni hablemos del exceso de clichés.
Alguien me explica la necesidad de poner una adolescente con un madurito¿?, (garpa, cortito y al pie).
Pd: Igual voy a leer los otros, así de psshyyyco estoy. 🙈
June 10, 2017
I had a couple issues with this book. Overall it was definitely not my favourite but it wasn't a DNF so like a C+ or C-? I dunno I can't decide and the more I think about it the more issues I have.
SUPER MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!
1) Cole was definitely written as a 18 month old baby instead of a three year old. If a three year old is not talking in complete sentences, still takes a bottle, and wears a diaper all the time then there are serious developmental problems (source: I have a three year old)
2) the plot had SO MANY HOLES and issues that were never fully fleshed out. Ie: what was the purpose of Jasper being Octavia's dad? It was mentioned that she was bullied for being a bastard then 18 years later she finally figures out what everyone and their dog already knew but then there was no mention of it again. IMO it didn't add anything to the overall story and it was sort of brought up then forgotten so what was the point?
2) so the great master plan at the end of this psychotic break was to kidnap Octavia and hide her in a closet while he leaves town? Um...what? How do you go from killing cats and suspending them to doors with a knife to hiding someone in an ice cream shop? Super anticlimactic and underwhelming.
3) also what was up with the huge chunk of the book where they blamed Ross for everything? It was like if anything out of the ordinary happened Matt was like "goddammit Ross!". It felt a bit silly after the 5th instance
4) also why hint at Mercury being gay if there is no follow up?!
This could have done with some more tightening up of the writing and plot line. Sex scenes were pretty good though. Although who thinks a blind fold is a good idea two weeks after their partner is kidnapped??
SUPER MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!
1) Cole was definitely written as a 18 month old baby instead of a three year old. If a three year old is not talking in complete sentences, still takes a bottle, and wears a diaper all the time then there are serious developmental problems (source: I have a three year old)
2) the plot had SO MANY HOLES and issues that were never fully fleshed out. Ie: what was the purpose of Jasper being Octavia's dad? It was mentioned that she was bullied for being a bastard then 18 years later she finally figures out what everyone and their dog already knew but then there was no mention of it again. IMO it didn't add anything to the overall story and it was sort of brought up then forgotten so what was the point?
2) so the great master plan at the end of this psychotic break was to kidnap Octavia and hide her in a closet while he leaves town? Um...what? How do you go from killing cats and suspending them to doors with a knife to hiding someone in an ice cream shop? Super anticlimactic and underwhelming.
3) also what was up with the huge chunk of the book where they blamed Ross for everything? It was like if anything out of the ordinary happened Matt was like "goddammit Ross!". It felt a bit silly after the 5th instance
4) also why hint at Mercury being gay if there is no follow up?!
This could have done with some more tightening up of the writing and plot line. Sex scenes were pretty good though. Although who thinks a blind fold is a good idea two weeks after their partner is kidnapped??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2020
The hero was so damaged and depressed for most of the book, that it was hard to enjoy.
August 6, 2017
4 Last Chance Stars
Matt has to make this work. He has lost his wife and is now raising his 2 small kids on his own. He has a new job in a new town. He has no choice to be make this work. His small family that is has seen so much hurt is depending on him. Matt doesn't have the luxury of a second chance. This has to work.
My kids mean the fucking world to me. Although the world has lost its shine, they're part of me.
Octavia needs a job. She needs to help her mom out with the bills. She wants nothing more than to get out of this little town but she is can't bring herself to leave her mom and siblings. This job is her last chance to make some money that might mean they keep their head above water. She will be nanny to Matt's kids. She will put up with his sulleness because she doesn't have a second choice.
For now, I have my hands full. I have to teach him how to be a human being again.
Matt is tortured by his past. He wants so badly to be a dad to his kids but he is drowning in his own grief.
For years now, I haven't been able to tell reality from nightmare, and today's no different.
Caveman is more than just an broody hottie and the young woman who brings him back to life. There are dangerous elements in town. Matt awakens to his family being in danger. His whole family. His new family that includes Octavia.
Matt has to make this work. He has lost his wife and is now raising his 2 small kids on his own. He has a new job in a new town. He has no choice to be make this work. His small family that is has seen so much hurt is depending on him. Matt doesn't have the luxury of a second chance. This has to work.
My kids mean the fucking world to me. Although the world has lost its shine, they're part of me.
Octavia needs a job. She needs to help her mom out with the bills. She wants nothing more than to get out of this little town but she is can't bring herself to leave her mom and siblings. This job is her last chance to make some money that might mean they keep their head above water. She will be nanny to Matt's kids. She will put up with his sulleness because she doesn't have a second choice.
For now, I have my hands full. I have to teach him how to be a human being again.
Matt is tortured by his past. He wants so badly to be a dad to his kids but he is drowning in his own grief.
For years now, I haven't been able to tell reality from nightmare, and today's no different.
Caveman is more than just an broody hottie and the young woman who brings him back to life. There are dangerous elements in town. Matt awakens to his family being in danger. His whole family. His new family that includes Octavia.
May 27, 2017
******ARC given for an honest review**********
3.5 stars. Couldn't warm up to the heroine.
Jo Raven is one of my absolute favorite authors, I have loved every one of her previous books. Which is why it pains me to give this one a bad review.
For me, what didn’t work was the heroine Octavia. She was so very young, just barely legal. Normally a decade difference in age isn’t an issue, that is if the heroine is at least in her twenties and more mature.
I didn’t feel like Octavia was mature at all. She knew Matt was still grieving his wife, still in limbo and trying to heal. And while I appreciate her efforts to bring him out of his shell for his children, I didn’t think she should have been pushing herself on him expecting a relationship. She came across slightly obsessive stalker, hormonal teenager in her obsession with him.
Matt was clearly messed up, depressed, angry and violent, and while I agree he needed help coming out of his grief fog for the sake of his sanity and his kids, I don’t feel like the relationship between him and Tay was more than a few rounds of sex. There needed to be more organic emotional attachment to buy the connection between people who are clearly at different stages in their lives.
I will say that the last few chapters were the best. Zane made a cameo, there was danger to raise the drama level, and a more mature dialogue that I would have loved to have seen and felt throughout the book.
Again, I wish I had loved this like Jo’s other books, but I did promise an honest review. I still absolutely look forward to the next book she publishes.
3.5 stars. Couldn't warm up to the heroine.
Jo Raven is one of my absolute favorite authors, I have loved every one of her previous books. Which is why it pains me to give this one a bad review.
For me, what didn’t work was the heroine Octavia. She was so very young, just barely legal. Normally a decade difference in age isn’t an issue, that is if the heroine is at least in her twenties and more mature.
I didn’t feel like Octavia was mature at all. She knew Matt was still grieving his wife, still in limbo and trying to heal. And while I appreciate her efforts to bring him out of his shell for his children, I didn’t think she should have been pushing herself on him expecting a relationship. She came across slightly obsessive stalker, hormonal teenager in her obsession with him.
Matt was clearly messed up, depressed, angry and violent, and while I agree he needed help coming out of his grief fog for the sake of his sanity and his kids, I don’t feel like the relationship between him and Tay was more than a few rounds of sex. There needed to be more organic emotional attachment to buy the connection between people who are clearly at different stages in their lives.
I will say that the last few chapters were the best. Zane made a cameo, there was danger to raise the drama level, and a more mature dialogue that I would have loved to have seen and felt throughout the book.
Again, I wish I had loved this like Jo’s other books, but I did promise an honest review. I still absolutely look forward to the next book she publishes.
September 9, 2017
I bought this book for two reasons. The first I will admit is totally shallow, I really like the cover – including cover model. But the second reason is I read the whole Inked Brotherhood series and enjoyed them and this book is a spin off on those books. While the hero is a jerk times 10 through a good part of the book, because I already knew him from a previous book I knew why he is the way he is.
Matt is a widower whose wife died after a long battle with cancer. He is left with a young son and daughter. He’s never really either grieved nor accepted her death and so the way he copes is to take his young children away with him to a small town where he barely survives. He has a difficult time handling fatherhood and does so by drinking and taking sleeping pills. He desperately needs a nanny for his kids while he works as a mechanic.
Octavia is the young woman who applies for the position. While only 18, she has held the responsibility of taking care of her family, her mother and younger brother and sister. She wants to continue and is desperate to find something in this small town they live in. Her first meeting with Matt is a disaster. He refuses her the job with no explanation, not even letting her in the house and he’s rude to boot.
But because this is a romance with a story to tell, Tati as the kids call her, is hired. Matt is very hot and cold, one minute being caring and protective of her, the next pushing her away as hard as he can. But it’s because he is so attracted to her but there are issues around that. He’s 10 years older than she is. That didn’t bother me much as she’s kind of an old soul. He feels guilty because he’s attracted to another woman but hasn’t let go of his wife yet.
This is an angsty book and I read it while in the mood for angsty. Oddly enough the only issue I had with it was an overabundance of sex once things got going, but it’s easy to skim that if I get tired of it. I would rather have too much than not enough.
I haven’t done any kind of reviews for the other Inked Brotherhood books by Ms. Raven but since I have read them, I knew going in that this would be quite emotional. Some readers might have issues with how nasty Matt can get but since I understand where he is coming from and what’s behind his actions, it didn’t bother me.
Included in this book are chapters from the other books and while not 100% sure, I think the whole story where we first meet Matt is in this book so it’s quite a good deal and gives you a sense whether this is an author one would want to continue with.
Matt is a widower whose wife died after a long battle with cancer. He is left with a young son and daughter. He’s never really either grieved nor accepted her death and so the way he copes is to take his young children away with him to a small town where he barely survives. He has a difficult time handling fatherhood and does so by drinking and taking sleeping pills. He desperately needs a nanny for his kids while he works as a mechanic.
Octavia is the young woman who applies for the position. While only 18, she has held the responsibility of taking care of her family, her mother and younger brother and sister. She wants to continue and is desperate to find something in this small town they live in. Her first meeting with Matt is a disaster. He refuses her the job with no explanation, not even letting her in the house and he’s rude to boot.
But because this is a romance with a story to tell, Tati as the kids call her, is hired. Matt is very hot and cold, one minute being caring and protective of her, the next pushing her away as hard as he can. But it’s because he is so attracted to her but there are issues around that. He’s 10 years older than she is. That didn’t bother me much as she’s kind of an old soul. He feels guilty because he’s attracted to another woman but hasn’t let go of his wife yet.
This is an angsty book and I read it while in the mood for angsty. Oddly enough the only issue I had with it was an overabundance of sex once things got going, but it’s easy to skim that if I get tired of it. I would rather have too much than not enough.
I haven’t done any kind of reviews for the other Inked Brotherhood books by Ms. Raven but since I have read them, I knew going in that this would be quite emotional. Some readers might have issues with how nasty Matt can get but since I understand where he is coming from and what’s behind his actions, it didn’t bother me.
Included in this book are chapters from the other books and while not 100% sure, I think the whole story where we first meet Matt is in this book so it’s quite a good deal and gives you a sense whether this is an author one would want to continue with.
July 9, 2017
2.5 - 3 ***
This book was a KU and was almost a DNF. Matt is a widower with two young kids. He's almost 30. Octavia just turned 18 and becomes a nanny for Mary and Cole. First, Matt is so depressed and messed up over his wife dying _years_ ago he has no business trying to take care of little kids. Really, where is social services when you need them. He's not abusive he's just too wrapped up in his own pain to be a decent parent. He's depressed and has a history of attempted suicide. Why isn't this guy on meds? Octavia behaves like she's Matt's mother at times. We never find out how Matt's wife died. There's a crazy guy stalking Matt then Octavia. There are secrets in Octavia's family that come out with no real resolution. I don't even know why this twist was in the book. It didn't add to the story line. This book is like a buffet of messed up. It doesn't take a genius to work out who the stalker is immediately after the character makes an appearance.
Almost immediately after Matt and Octavia have sex (of course she's a virgin). he begins to heal and become a better father. YAWN.
This book was a KU and was almost a DNF. Matt is a widower with two young kids. He's almost 30. Octavia just turned 18 and becomes a nanny for Mary and Cole. First, Matt is so depressed and messed up over his wife dying _years_ ago he has no business trying to take care of little kids. Really, where is social services when you need them. He's not abusive he's just too wrapped up in his own pain to be a decent parent. He's depressed and has a history of attempted suicide. Why isn't this guy on meds? Octavia behaves like she's Matt's mother at times. We never find out how Matt's wife died. There's a crazy guy stalking Matt then Octavia. There are secrets in Octavia's family that come out with no real resolution. I don't even know why this twist was in the book. It didn't add to the story line. This book is like a buffet of messed up. It doesn't take a genius to work out who the stalker is immediately after the character makes an appearance.
Almost immediately after Matt and Octavia have sex (of course she's a virgin). he begins to heal and become a better father. YAWN.
June 3, 2017
cover : I was hooked on this cover when I first saw it so hot!!
where to start with Matt Hansen.. he is moody and angry and loveable and he can be my caveman any day of the week.
I really loved this story I dived right into this world and did not leave until I finished romantics this one is definitely for you Octavia is really sweet she's a tad on the young qnd stupid side at times but it's all good really loved this book.and OMG Zane makes an appearance!
would Matt be my book boyfriend hell yes he is my book husband mine #CLAIMED
where to start with Matt Hansen.. he is moody and angry and loveable and he can be my caveman any day of the week.
I really loved this story I dived right into this world and did not leave until I finished romantics this one is definitely for you Octavia is really sweet she's a tad on the young qnd stupid side at times but it's all good really loved this book.and OMG Zane makes an appearance!
would Matt be my book boyfriend hell yes he is my book husband mine #CLAIMED
March 29, 2022
Eep, this one was middle of the road. Didn't love it or hate it. I think the book had an interesting premise but fell short and the character development was just not there. I wasn't that scandalized by the age gap, I just felt the book just wasn't great. Still intrigued by the other side stories. The audiobook narration was great though, loved the narrators.
February 6, 2018
Kind of a mess but Ms. Raven won points for realistically portraying Matt's grief over losing his wife.
May 28, 2017
Jo Raven is back to writing moody,broken, sexy bad boys & I love it!
Octavia:
He's been wounded by the twist of fate but he's still hanging on. And don't ask me how I know but I think he's the one for me.
Matt Hanson age 29, AKA Caveman, he's loved and lost, luck certainly hasn't been on his side and now he has two young children to tend to, a new home out of area and a new job to start. He's heartbreakingly hopeless, he loves his kids but hasn't a clue what to do. He's tired and grumpy,rude and acts more beast that man.
Matt needs a nanny, he's at his wits end and not coping, he acts like the world is his enemy on the best of days.
18 year old Octavia answers an advertisement for a Nanny, she's looking for work to help out her mother who's a single mother of four.
Octavia's first meeting with Matt isn't much of a meeting at all because Matt slams the door in her face. Octavia reminds him of his dead wife in her teens and that's one less reminder he needs in his life right now when he has run away to another town trying to forget.
Octavia is a mature 18 year old who has helped bring up her siblings being the daughter of a single mum. She see's past Matt's rudeness, see's the crease between his browse as sorrow and dismisses the short answered grunts, Octavia is drawn to Matt and eventually her persistence pays off and she gets the job.
Matt sort of becomes less grumpy as the story progresses but not much. A relationship starts with Octavia and Matt, well when I say relationship it's sex,lots of sex and boy is it hot!
Jo Raven has certainly upped her game with the sexy times since writing Candy boys.
I digress... anyway....
There's more to this plot than Nanny falls for rude caveman boss or rude caveman boss falls for Nanny. There's twists and turns,danger and suspense when Matt begins to get a series of notes stuck to his door with a knife and that sends Mr moody up another notch.
A good read, an enjoyable plot told in dual pov's, hot fan me down scenes and Caveman or maybe I should call him Ice man, does eventually melt, so the story leads to a well deserved hea.
Another good read from Jo Raven.
Arc gratefully received for review purposes
http://www.Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookb...
Octavia:
He's been wounded by the twist of fate but he's still hanging on. And don't ask me how I know but I think he's the one for me.
Matt Hanson age 29, AKA Caveman, he's loved and lost, luck certainly hasn't been on his side and now he has two young children to tend to, a new home out of area and a new job to start. He's heartbreakingly hopeless, he loves his kids but hasn't a clue what to do. He's tired and grumpy,rude and acts more beast that man.
Matt needs a nanny, he's at his wits end and not coping, he acts like the world is his enemy on the best of days.
18 year old Octavia answers an advertisement for a Nanny, she's looking for work to help out her mother who's a single mother of four.
Octavia's first meeting with Matt isn't much of a meeting at all because Matt slams the door in her face. Octavia reminds him of his dead wife in her teens and that's one less reminder he needs in his life right now when he has run away to another town trying to forget.
Octavia is a mature 18 year old who has helped bring up her siblings being the daughter of a single mum. She see's past Matt's rudeness, see's the crease between his browse as sorrow and dismisses the short answered grunts, Octavia is drawn to Matt and eventually her persistence pays off and she gets the job.
Matt sort of becomes less grumpy as the story progresses but not much. A relationship starts with Octavia and Matt, well when I say relationship it's sex,lots of sex and boy is it hot!
Jo Raven has certainly upped her game with the sexy times since writing Candy boys.
I digress... anyway....
There's more to this plot than Nanny falls for rude caveman boss or rude caveman boss falls for Nanny. There's twists and turns,danger and suspense when Matt begins to get a series of notes stuck to his door with a knife and that sends Mr moody up another notch.
A good read, an enjoyable plot told in dual pov's, hot fan me down scenes and Caveman or maybe I should call him Ice man, does eventually melt, so the story leads to a well deserved hea.
Another good read from Jo Raven.
Arc gratefully received for review purposes
http://www.Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookb...
January 17, 2019
Matt está huyendo de sus demonios y de su pena con sus dos hijos pequeños, es así como acaba en el pequeño pueblo de Destiny. Pero tener un trabajo y dos hijos no es compatible y necesita una niñera, pero definitivamente no necesita a Octavia. No a ella y a sus vestidos, ni a ella y su voz suave, sus sonrisas ni sus ojos... No la necesita, no...
Me gustó mucho la historia. Sufrí mucho por Cole y Mary que solo necesitaban a su padre pero al mismo tiempo comprendían lo triste que estaba él y se mantenían alejados... Uf todo muy complicado, unos niños tan pequeños pero con la mente de unos adultos. En cuanto a Octavia es dulce, y me faltó quizás que tuviese un pelín más de carácter para enfrentarse a Ross. Y ahora voy a decir las cosas que me fallaron en el libro:
En cuanto a la lentitud o la rapidez de la historia. He de decir que la historia de amor entre Matt y Octavia para mi gusto fue super rápida, porque la tía al poco de empezar el trabajo prácticamente le estaba metiendo la mano en los pantalones 😒😂 pero después miras la trama del psicópata que hay de fondo y es lenta, lenta. Porque, seamos sinceros, todos sabíamos quien era cuando ya empezaba a describir sus miradas como duras y blablabla... Ya me entendéis. Así que fue alargada al máximo con 50 secuestros y liberaciones, para mi gusto es un tema que se pudo resolver antes.
Y la otra cosa que me gustaría se hubiese cerrado, porque no se cerró, fue el tema de Jasper y Ross. Soy la única que esperaba que Octavia le echase un par, o todos los hermanos juntos mismamente, y fuesen allí a cantarle las cuarenta? Porque yo me quedé absolutamente con las ganas. Me pareció un tema bastante importante que quedó ahí colgando.
Por lo demás, el libro, aunque extenso, te engancha y no lo sueltas. A Matt lo acabas amando incluso con sus maneras gruñonas, y a sus hijos aún más ❤️
Me gustó mucho la historia. Sufrí mucho por Cole y Mary que solo necesitaban a su padre pero al mismo tiempo comprendían lo triste que estaba él y se mantenían alejados... Uf todo muy complicado, unos niños tan pequeños pero con la mente de unos adultos. En cuanto a Octavia es dulce, y me faltó quizás que tuviese un pelín más de carácter para enfrentarse a Ross. Y ahora voy a decir las cosas que me fallaron en el libro:
En cuanto a la lentitud o la rapidez de la historia. He de decir que la historia de amor entre Matt y Octavia para mi gusto fue super rápida, porque la tía al poco de empezar el trabajo prácticamente le estaba metiendo la mano en los pantalones 😒😂 pero después miras la trama del psicópata que hay de fondo y es lenta, lenta. Porque, seamos sinceros, todos sabíamos quien era cuando ya empezaba a describir sus miradas como duras y blablabla... Ya me entendéis. Así que fue alargada al máximo con 50 secuestros y liberaciones, para mi gusto es un tema que se pudo resolver antes.
Y la otra cosa que me gustaría se hubiese cerrado, porque no se cerró, fue el tema de Jasper y Ross. Soy la única que esperaba que Octavia le echase un par, o todos los hermanos juntos mismamente, y fuesen allí a cantarle las cuarenta? Porque yo me quedé absolutamente con las ganas. Me pareció un tema bastante importante que quedó ahí colgando.
Por lo demás, el libro, aunque extenso, te engancha y no lo sueltas. A Matt lo acabas amando incluso con sus maneras gruñonas, y a sus hijos aún más ❤️
July 14, 2017
♥♥ 2.5 Rugged Stars ♥♥
And yet another book that left me wanting recently. Matt, a hot single dad hires Tati to nanny for his kids. Tati is straight out of high school and barely legal. She's naive, loving, and selfless. Matt lost his wife a few years before this story takes place, and he still hasn't really dealt with losing her. He's angry and gruff, and everyone in the town he just moved to thinks he's a total dick.
After Tati starts working for him, however, Matt starts coming home to threatening messages stabbed onto his front door. He doesn't know what they mean or who's sending them, and the local police are less than helpful. One thing that bothered me with this was how neither Tati nor the kids heard anything; if someone rammed a knife through a solid door, I'd like to think that I'd notice that. It also felt like these messages kept getting brushed under the rug by everyone involved -- Matt, Tati, even the police. How is it that a knife in someone's door isn't seen as a serious threat? Especially when other things start happening, no one thinks to connect the occurrences, and it drove me crazy.
I also struggled with Matt and Tati's relationship. I'm all for age gaps, but this one was hard for me to swallow; Tati literally just graduated high school. How does she know what she wants to do with her life yet? How does Matt see her as mature enough to be equally paired with him? Sure, she's good with kids and grew up taking care of her siblings, but that's only one aspect of her development. I just don't like that she would be willing to limit her future for someone she's only known a couple months. Also, this could just be me, but I think 18-year-olds still look like babies, so idk how I feel about that.
And yet another book that left me wanting recently. Matt, a hot single dad hires Tati to nanny for his kids. Tati is straight out of high school and barely legal. She's naive, loving, and selfless. Matt lost his wife a few years before this story takes place, and he still hasn't really dealt with losing her. He's angry and gruff, and everyone in the town he just moved to thinks he's a total dick.
After Tati starts working for him, however, Matt starts coming home to threatening messages stabbed onto his front door. He doesn't know what they mean or who's sending them, and the local police are less than helpful. One thing that bothered me with this was how neither Tati nor the kids heard anything; if someone rammed a knife through a solid door, I'd like to think that I'd notice that. It also felt like these messages kept getting brushed under the rug by everyone involved -- Matt, Tati, even the police. How is it that a knife in someone's door isn't seen as a serious threat? Especially when other things start happening, no one thinks to connect the occurrences, and it drove me crazy.
I also struggled with Matt and Tati's relationship. I'm all for age gaps, but this one was hard for me to swallow; Tati literally just graduated high school. How does she know what she wants to do with her life yet? How does Matt see her as mature enough to be equally paired with him? Sure, she's good with kids and grew up taking care of her siblings, but that's only one aspect of her development. I just don't like that she would be willing to limit her future for someone she's only known a couple months. Also, this could just be me, but I think 18-year-olds still look like babies, so idk how I feel about that.
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