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You Make Me Tremble
Animal rescue worker Iris Mallery thinks she has created a stable and secure home for herself, but when her small town is battered by an earthquake, Iris needs to rebuild not only her own life, but the lives of the displaced dogs and cats now filling her shelter. The quake’s effects are personal for Iris, but not for seismologist Casey Radnor. Casey is a scientist above all else, logical and disconnected from the natural disasters she studies. When she rescues a stray dog from some rubble, she finds herself caught up in the lives of Iris and the others affected by the quake, despite her best efforts to remain professional. The beautiful San Juan Islands in Washington State become the epicenter of both the earthquake and the collision of Iris's and Casey’s hearts. Can love bind the shattered fragments together again?
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2017
29 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Karis Walsh
34 books153 followersKaris Walsh is a native of the Pacific Northwest and an adopted citizen of Texas. When she isn’t wrapped up in a book—either reading or writing one—she spends her time with her animals, playing music on her viola or violin, or hiking among the prickly pears.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 20, 2017
I have read all Karis Walsh's traditional romances, so I can say that in this one her formula, to me already familiar and distinctive, is in full action. You Make Me Tremble is a cross between Wingspan and Blindsided. Two well-defined and very likable leads with strong work ethics and some childhood emotional issues, a sweet love story, some great secondary and animal characters...
We can always count on learning something new from Walsh's books, and this time she takes us into the world of seismology, geology and animal rescue. The story is again set in the Washington State’s Puget Sound region, this time on the beautiful and nicely described San Juan Islands.
If you liked Wingspan or Blindsided, it is highly likely that you will like this story too. If you have never read any of Walsh's books, this can be a good start. Recommended.
3.5 stars
June 20, 2017
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
We can always count on learning something new from Walsh's books, and this time she takes us into the world of seismology, geology and animal rescue. The story is again set in the Washington State’s Puget Sound region, this time on the beautiful and nicely described San Juan Islands.
If you liked Wingspan or Blindsided, it is highly likely that you will like this story too. If you have never read any of Walsh's books, this can be a good start. Recommended.
3.5 stars
June 20, 2017
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
July 5, 2017
3 1/2 Stars. I've been a fan of Walsh, for a while now. It's not that her books are exciting or gripping, it's the way she writes. It just works for me. I honestly think I could read one of her traditional romances with no cover, and still know that it was her writing, just by her style. This was not my favorite by her, but it was in the same vein I come to expect, and I enjoyed it.
This story takes place in the San Juan Islands, off of Washington State. Being an East Coaster, I never even realized there were San Juan Islands. Now, I would love to visit there. Walsh, does a wonderful job of describing the setting. She picks the setting in her books for a purpose, they are not interchangeable. They make sense, and enrich the story. The other thing Walsh does really well, is write character occupations. Her characters always have interesting jobs, and as a reader you learn about how they actually do them. I honestly think, if some other writer tackled some of these jobs, like a seismologist, I might have been bored. Walsh obviously does her research and manages to make these job interesting to me. The other main job featured, is working at an animal shelter. If you are an animal lover, you will eat these scenes up. In fact, I found myself becoming choked up over some of the animals, more than the humans. If you are not a pet person, you might be a little bored, but for me this part of the book worked.
When it came to the two characters, there was an immediate physical attraction, but it was still a slow burn romance. I actually was getting annoyed, in the beginning, at all the inner dialog of thinking about the other person. The last 2/3 of the book got more on track for me, and I was able to enjoy the more slow building romance. This is not an angst filled book. There is a little conflict a few times, it is not all smooth sailing, but it worked in the book and seemed true to the characters.
If you are looking for a more mellow, traditional romance, this book is for you. I really like Walsh's writings and am always happy to get my hands on her books. While this was not my favorite book of hers, it still was an enjoyable read.
An ARC was given to me by BSB, for a honest review.
This story takes place in the San Juan Islands, off of Washington State. Being an East Coaster, I never even realized there were San Juan Islands. Now, I would love to visit there. Walsh, does a wonderful job of describing the setting. She picks the setting in her books for a purpose, they are not interchangeable. They make sense, and enrich the story. The other thing Walsh does really well, is write character occupations. Her characters always have interesting jobs, and as a reader you learn about how they actually do them. I honestly think, if some other writer tackled some of these jobs, like a seismologist, I might have been bored. Walsh obviously does her research and manages to make these job interesting to me. The other main job featured, is working at an animal shelter. If you are an animal lover, you will eat these scenes up. In fact, I found myself becoming choked up over some of the animals, more than the humans. If you are not a pet person, you might be a little bored, but for me this part of the book worked.
When it came to the two characters, there was an immediate physical attraction, but it was still a slow burn romance. I actually was getting annoyed, in the beginning, at all the inner dialog of thinking about the other person. The last 2/3 of the book got more on track for me, and I was able to enjoy the more slow building romance. This is not an angst filled book. There is a little conflict a few times, it is not all smooth sailing, but it worked in the book and seemed true to the characters.
If you are looking for a more mellow, traditional romance, this book is for you. I really like Walsh's writings and am always happy to get my hands on her books. While this was not my favorite book of hers, it still was an enjoyable read.
An ARC was given to me by BSB, for a honest review.
June 22, 2017
Two women meet (and clash) on the ferry heading over to San Juan island following an earthquake. Casey is a seismologist hoping to measure and monitor the impact of the quake for her university. Iris runs an animal shelter on the island and is returning with a collection of rescue dogs and a cat from a neighbouring island. She is both attracted and offended by Casey and her clinical approach to the devastation. Casey is attracted to Iris but struggles to understand her bitterness towards the scientist and her mission.
Pet lovers will enjoy the many scenes involving the shelter and rescue animals in this novel. Iris and her staff are tireless advocates for their strays. I enjoyed the unique way Iris raised money to fund her operations. Casey knows her science but this book is not an info dump of seismological proportions. She struggles to express her feelings with Iris and everyone she meets. Iris has doubts about a relationship with this woman who will soon be leaving the island and returning to her life in the city. The barriers both women have thrown up and hidden behind begin to crumble with the help of a dog Casey rescues and the work needed to repair the animal shelter following the earthquake.
Walsh breathes life into this basic plot with characters bent but not broken by the challenges they’ve faced in their lives. Add in the beautiful settings and you have a nice summer read.
3.5 stars
A copy of this novel was received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for an honest review.
Pet lovers will enjoy the many scenes involving the shelter and rescue animals in this novel. Iris and her staff are tireless advocates for their strays. I enjoyed the unique way Iris raised money to fund her operations. Casey knows her science but this book is not an info dump of seismological proportions. She struggles to express her feelings with Iris and everyone she meets. Iris has doubts about a relationship with this woman who will soon be leaving the island and returning to her life in the city. The barriers both women have thrown up and hidden behind begin to crumble with the help of a dog Casey rescues and the work needed to repair the animal shelter following the earthquake.
Walsh breathes life into this basic plot with characters bent but not broken by the challenges they’ve faced in their lives. Add in the beautiful settings and you have a nice summer read.
3.5 stars
A copy of this novel was received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for an honest review.
June 19, 2017
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.
This book involves two women, neither of whom has their age stamped on them (either could be in their twenties, thirties, though unlikely to be in their 40s but might be). One, Casey, works as a seismologist in a lab in Seattle, though opens the book on a field assignment to San Juan Island off the coast of Washington state. The other, Iris, works as the owner and operator of a pet rescue place, and supplements her income (or, I should say, pays for everything else) by being a greeting card writer/artist. Both are in quite different occupations, and likely would never meet but for a specific earthquake that occurred before the start of this novel, and both see the other as being quite different than them (though others point out similarities).
The two meet well, then quickly the first meeting turns bad. Casey is riding over on the ferry between Seattle and one of the islands off the coast, and along the way one of the stops before Casey’s has Iris on the dock. Casey spots her, and odd as it may or may not seem, Iris also spots Casey up leaning against the railings looking down. Life might have continued with neither spotting the other again, but for a loose dog. For Iris had been on this other island to gather two dogs and ended up with three plus a pregnant cat. One of the dogs breaks free from her, once Iris had gotten on board the ferry, and the dog’s leash is captured by Casey. And, as noted, they meet well. Have a pleasant conversation. Then Casey mentions what she is doing on the ferry, and where and why she’s going to the islands (to study the fault lines and the impact of the recent large earthquake event), and everything about what Casey is saying, how she is saying it, and even using the word ‘event’ causes the already emotionally fragile Iris to erupt in anger at Casey (‘we are just specimens for you to examine!’ – or words to that effect, not exact quote).
Again, neither might not have seen the other again after that bad first meeting but for another dog. A dog Casey spots while wandering around the woods planting equipment. A dog that needs help. No one recognizes the dog and when she asks where to go, they tell her . . . someone other than Iris. So it isn’t just the dog that leads Casey back. For both have the other in their thoughts. And Casey uses the dog as an excuse to hunt Iris down again (my wording is probably poor there).
And so, they meet again, Iris and Casey. And the two will have longer to try to figure out what these messed up feelings might be, for Iris, after learning that Casey slept in her truck her first night on the island (everything is closed due to the earthquake), invites Casey to use one of the spare rooms (which implies the wrong thing but I can’t recall how to spell. Bungalow. Oh, I can spell. Right, that, spare bungalow).
The two women’s interactions between each other seem natural enough to me. And I kind of had a deeper connection to the book than I might have otherwise expected, due to the writing, and the imagery on display. Furry kittens, and playful goats, and plain ordinary rocks which are hundreds of millions of years old, and trees, lots of trees, and spider-webs which might have been created by monster sized spiders and . . . all that and more.
So I like the writing and I like the romance. The sex? Well, I need a paragraph for that as well. Is an important element for some on whether to read or not read.
Sex: Yes, there is sex. It isn’t immediate, but it is graphically described.
Emotions: I admit that there was/is a specific event that occurs late in the book that made me teary-eyed, may or may not correspond to what might be expected. And I kind of read the rest of the book in that kind of state. Whether or not others would read the book the same way certainly depends on many factors.
Rating: 5+
June 19 2017
This book involves two women, neither of whom has their age stamped on them (either could be in their twenties, thirties, though unlikely to be in their 40s but might be). One, Casey, works as a seismologist in a lab in Seattle, though opens the book on a field assignment to San Juan Island off the coast of Washington state. The other, Iris, works as the owner and operator of a pet rescue place, and supplements her income (or, I should say, pays for everything else) by being a greeting card writer/artist. Both are in quite different occupations, and likely would never meet but for a specific earthquake that occurred before the start of this novel, and both see the other as being quite different than them (though others point out similarities).
The two meet well, then quickly the first meeting turns bad. Casey is riding over on the ferry between Seattle and one of the islands off the coast, and along the way one of the stops before Casey’s has Iris on the dock. Casey spots her, and odd as it may or may not seem, Iris also spots Casey up leaning against the railings looking down. Life might have continued with neither spotting the other again, but for a loose dog. For Iris had been on this other island to gather two dogs and ended up with three plus a pregnant cat. One of the dogs breaks free from her, once Iris had gotten on board the ferry, and the dog’s leash is captured by Casey. And, as noted, they meet well. Have a pleasant conversation. Then Casey mentions what she is doing on the ferry, and where and why she’s going to the islands (to study the fault lines and the impact of the recent large earthquake event), and everything about what Casey is saying, how she is saying it, and even using the word ‘event’ causes the already emotionally fragile Iris to erupt in anger at Casey (‘we are just specimens for you to examine!’ – or words to that effect, not exact quote).
Again, neither might not have seen the other again after that bad first meeting but for another dog. A dog Casey spots while wandering around the woods planting equipment. A dog that needs help. No one recognizes the dog and when she asks where to go, they tell her . . . someone other than Iris. So it isn’t just the dog that leads Casey back. For both have the other in their thoughts. And Casey uses the dog as an excuse to hunt Iris down again (my wording is probably poor there).
And so, they meet again, Iris and Casey. And the two will have longer to try to figure out what these messed up feelings might be, for Iris, after learning that Casey slept in her truck her first night on the island (everything is closed due to the earthquake), invites Casey to use one of the spare rooms (which implies the wrong thing but I can’t recall how to spell. Bungalow. Oh, I can spell. Right, that, spare bungalow).
The two women’s interactions between each other seem natural enough to me. And I kind of had a deeper connection to the book than I might have otherwise expected, due to the writing, and the imagery on display. Furry kittens, and playful goats, and plain ordinary rocks which are hundreds of millions of years old, and trees, lots of trees, and spider-webs which might have been created by monster sized spiders and . . . all that and more.
So I like the writing and I like the romance. The sex? Well, I need a paragraph for that as well. Is an important element for some on whether to read or not read.
Sex: Yes, there is sex. It isn’t immediate, but it is graphically described.
Emotions: I admit that there was/is a specific event that occurs late in the book that made me teary-eyed, may or may not correspond to what might be expected. And I kind of read the rest of the book in that kind of state. Whether or not others would read the book the same way certainly depends on many factors.
Rating: 5+
June 19 2017
June 23, 2017
Overall I really enjoy Karis Walsh's work. She writes interesting novels that have well-developed characters who aren't perfect, but they super likable and always very intelligent women. Most of her novels follow her particular formula. She creates smart stories, with well thought out plots and characters that you could imagine yourself being friends with. While not overly remarkable her stores are good nonetheless.
The two mains in this book immediately clash with each other, okay that’s not totally true, they do check out each other and make about five minutes of small talk and then said clash! Casey Radnor is headed to the San Juan Islands to study the aftereffects of a recent earthquake. Excited to be in the field, she chats up local Iris Mallery. Iris does not care for the seismologist’s glee of studying this life-altering event. She points out the real people are affected that have had damage to their homes, businesses, and way of life.
Life has a funny way of bringing people back together. Casey, out studying fault lines stumbles on a gorgeous golden retriever in need of rescuing. Who runs the animal shelter in town? Why of course it’s that cutie Iris! A friendship is born and they make a few missteps along the way all the while attraction is just simmering away.
Another quality read from Karis Walsh. She is definitely a go-to for a heartwarming read. 3.5 stars
The two mains in this book immediately clash with each other, okay that’s not totally true, they do check out each other and make about five minutes of small talk and then said clash! Casey Radnor is headed to the San Juan Islands to study the aftereffects of a recent earthquake. Excited to be in the field, she chats up local Iris Mallery. Iris does not care for the seismologist’s glee of studying this life-altering event. She points out the real people are affected that have had damage to their homes, businesses, and way of life.
Life has a funny way of bringing people back together. Casey, out studying fault lines stumbles on a gorgeous golden retriever in need of rescuing. Who runs the animal shelter in town? Why of course it’s that cutie Iris! A friendship is born and they make a few missteps along the way all the while attraction is just simmering away.
Another quality read from Karis Walsh. She is definitely a go-to for a heartwarming read. 3.5 stars
August 28, 2017
5 STARS
A solid Karis Walsh romance which was a quick and easy, enjoyable read. The two main characters are very likable. There is Casey, a seismologist who is visiting San Juan Islands in WA state which was the epicenter of a major quake. Casey is sent to measure and observe the aftershocks and the geological effects of the earthquake. When we meet Casey, she is very focused and thinks very linear and factual. Iris is the owner of a private no kill animal rescue center. She is wrapped up in repairing the damages to her center and finding the owners or homes for animals in her shelter. She is also a poet and artist. When they first meet it doesn't go well. Their opposite views on the earthquake clash - Casey, is interested in the impersonal facts and data while Iris is focused on the people and animals. Circumstances brings them together again when Casey rescues a stray dog and brings him to Iris' shelter. Even though they clashed both were attracted to the other - it is a romance after all. As they get to know each other they find they have a lot in common and they both see and understand the opposite's viewpoints.
And we get to know more about geology, earthquakes and rocks and animal shelter management. On the surface, that sounds boring and tedious, but Walsh has a talent of immersing readers into the lives of her characters. Whether they be scientists, musicians, Mounties or dog trainers.
I really enjoyed this book, especially after I struggled with a previous book which I hated the MCs. Maybe it affected my rating? Its not unusual that my mood or circumstances would influence my ratings.
My favorite quote, not earthshaking (Ha!) but it summed up Casey's life.
"...Casey had been left with no real direction for the future except for a resolution to never again date a woman whose name began with S."
A solid Karis Walsh romance which was a quick and easy, enjoyable read. The two main characters are very likable. There is Casey, a seismologist who is visiting San Juan Islands in WA state which was the epicenter of a major quake. Casey is sent to measure and observe the aftershocks and the geological effects of the earthquake. When we meet Casey, she is very focused and thinks very linear and factual. Iris is the owner of a private no kill animal rescue center. She is wrapped up in repairing the damages to her center and finding the owners or homes for animals in her shelter. She is also a poet and artist. When they first meet it doesn't go well. Their opposite views on the earthquake clash - Casey, is interested in the impersonal facts and data while Iris is focused on the people and animals. Circumstances brings them together again when Casey rescues a stray dog and brings him to Iris' shelter. Even though they clashed both were attracted to the other - it is a romance after all. As they get to know each other they find they have a lot in common and they both see and understand the opposite's viewpoints.
And we get to know more about geology, earthquakes and rocks and animal shelter management. On the surface, that sounds boring and tedious, but Walsh has a talent of immersing readers into the lives of her characters. Whether they be scientists, musicians, Mounties or dog trainers.
I really enjoyed this book, especially after I struggled with a previous book which I hated the MCs. Maybe it affected my rating? Its not unusual that my mood or circumstances would influence my ratings.
My favorite quote, not earthshaking (Ha!) but it summed up Casey's life.
"...Casey had been left with no real direction for the future except for a resolution to never again date a woman whose name began with S."
June 11, 2017
As someone well acquainted with earthquakes, I was looking forward to reading a story that portrays the devastating effects such an event has on a community. While there is certainly mention of the clean up, the central focus of the story is the animal shelter Iris works at. In short, 'You make me Tremble' is an animal lovers wet dream. The twins, goats, were wonderful characters.
The fact both heroines are practically orphans gave them a common ground, and along with that, abandonment issues they both needed to deal with. While sex is far from the focus of this story, there's one sexy scene to whet the appetite.
I'm happy these two found each other; this is a sweet love story with a satisfying ending.
Copy provided by the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, via NetGalley.
The fact both heroines are practically orphans gave them a common ground, and along with that, abandonment issues they both needed to deal with. While sex is far from the focus of this story, there's one sexy scene to whet the appetite.
I'm happy these two found each other; this is a sweet love story with a satisfying ending.
Copy provided by the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, via NetGalley.
August 8, 2017
“You Make me Tremble” suffers from yet another narrator who has a great voice, but a generally uninspiring delivery. The story itself is pleasant, but doesn’t present anything too particularly exciting. It’s a slow-burn romance between two likable MCs.
Scientist Casey had a difficult childhood, and has learned to shut down emotions to protect herself. She plans to only be studying a recent earthquake for a few days or a couple weeks, so local dog shelter owner Iris is reluctant to want to become to close to Casey, even as she begins to realize how much more alive she is because of her.
The supporting characters are entertaining, but are generally just in the background…rooting for the MCs to get together. I think they probably root for the MCs more than some readers might, because as likable as Casey and Iris are….they’re really kind of boring. Despite the upheaval of the earthquake, Casey and Iris are both just drifting through life, and they sort of just drift together.
They seem drawn to each other much like two five year old kids notice each other across a crowded restaurant, thinking “hey, look….another mammal that’s my height”. Some authors write books where virtually every character is lesbian, and develop a plausible reason for two of them to have enough chemistry to get together and entertain us for an entire book. This author seems to think that two lesbians are like two five year olds….they immediately have enough reason to stare, and if allowed to spend enough time near each other they’re bound to play together eventually.
So, Casey and Iris spend time near each other, eventually play together, and there’s a HEA.
I suspect the book might be a better beach read than the audiobook was a good listen. I rate the book as perhaps 3.5*, but subtract for the narrator, so overall the audiobook gets 3* - meh.
Scientist Casey had a difficult childhood, and has learned to shut down emotions to protect herself. She plans to only be studying a recent earthquake for a few days or a couple weeks, so local dog shelter owner Iris is reluctant to want to become to close to Casey, even as she begins to realize how much more alive she is because of her.
The supporting characters are entertaining, but are generally just in the background…rooting for the MCs to get together. I think they probably root for the MCs more than some readers might, because as likable as Casey and Iris are….they’re really kind of boring. Despite the upheaval of the earthquake, Casey and Iris are both just drifting through life, and they sort of just drift together.
They seem drawn to each other much like two five year old kids notice each other across a crowded restaurant, thinking “hey, look….another mammal that’s my height”. Some authors write books where virtually every character is lesbian, and develop a plausible reason for two of them to have enough chemistry to get together and entertain us for an entire book. This author seems to think that two lesbians are like two five year olds….they immediately have enough reason to stare, and if allowed to spend enough time near each other they’re bound to play together eventually.
So, Casey and Iris spend time near each other, eventually play together, and there’s a HEA.
I suspect the book might be a better beach read than the audiobook was a good listen. I rate the book as perhaps 3.5*, but subtract for the narrator, so overall the audiobook gets 3* - meh.
July 2, 2017
ARC received via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Everything in the book is good, but not great. The characters are likeable, but the pacing makes the story a little slow (this isn't helped by long stretches, especially at the start of the book, that are more introspection and description than the characters interacting and sharing dialogue). Both characters are also prone to self-doubt, which gets old after awhile.
Once the two of them get over their initial irritation with each other, the story does pick up, and both the shelter setting and the earthquake/seismology information provide a bit of interest, but in all honestly, I knew exactly how this would turn out from the start.
The two leads do spend quite a bit of time together (albeit over only a short period of time) but I still thought their relationship developed too quickly. Especially given the changes one of them was going to have to make for it to be long term.
The backgrounds of both characters could have been more developed, they obviously affected the characters, yet are only touched on in passing, Casey's discussion with her father is a case in point, it was used only to deliver some information to us, but didn't hold the emotional impact it could have had their relationship been better developed. The secondary characters didn't add much to the story either, the animals were actually more interesting than most of them.
Still, I've enjoyed all of the Karis Walsh novels I've read, and this one is worth the read too. 3 to 3.5 stars.
Everything in the book is good, but not great. The characters are likeable, but the pacing makes the story a little slow (this isn't helped by long stretches, especially at the start of the book, that are more introspection and description than the characters interacting and sharing dialogue). Both characters are also prone to self-doubt, which gets old after awhile.
Once the two of them get over their initial irritation with each other, the story does pick up, and both the shelter setting and the earthquake/seismology information provide a bit of interest, but in all honestly, I knew exactly how this would turn out from the start.
The two leads do spend quite a bit of time together (albeit over only a short period of time) but I still thought their relationship developed too quickly. Especially given the changes one of them was going to have to make for it to be long term.
The backgrounds of both characters could have been more developed, they obviously affected the characters, yet are only touched on in passing, Casey's discussion with her father is a case in point, it was used only to deliver some information to us, but didn't hold the emotional impact it could have had their relationship been better developed. The secondary characters didn't add much to the story either, the animals were actually more interesting than most of them.
Still, I've enjoyed all of the Karis Walsh novels I've read, and this one is worth the read too. 3 to 3.5 stars.
June 25, 2017
I have read a number of Karis Walsh's books and have found that I really enjoy some of her books but others weren't my cup of tea, so I never know which it will be when I pick up one of her books.
Good news, I really enjoyed this one! I liked Casey and Iris and the interactions they had together. I wouldn't think of Karis Walsh's books as funny but found myself laughing out loud a few times. The connection between the two was really good and I did like the banter.
As a dog lover I did love the setting and the inclusion of our furry friends.
It was a nice sweet romance with likable characters.
I was given this book by Net Galley for an honest review.
Good news, I really enjoyed this one! I liked Casey and Iris and the interactions they had together. I wouldn't think of Karis Walsh's books as funny but found myself laughing out loud a few times. The connection between the two was really good and I did like the banter.
As a dog lover I did love the setting and the inclusion of our furry friends.
It was a nice sweet romance with likable characters.
I was given this book by Net Galley for an honest review.
March 1, 2018
The ending was quite good but I really struggled to get there. Casey is sent by her university to study the aftermath of an earthquake on San Juan island. On the ferry on the way there she meets Iris, an animal shelter owner on the island. They rub each other the wrong way immediately.
What follows is a lot of inner monologues from both characters about their childhoods and feelings. There is not enough dialogue in this novel for me. And then when there is dialogue, it's not very interesting and sometimes a repeat of one of the character's thoughts.
I quite liked both characters but the flashes of interaction were too few and far between. Essentially, this was not my kind of book.
What follows is a lot of inner monologues from both characters about their childhoods and feelings. There is not enough dialogue in this novel for me. And then when there is dialogue, it's not very interesting and sometimes a repeat of one of the character's thoughts.
I quite liked both characters but the flashes of interaction were too few and far between. Essentially, this was not my kind of book.
July 2, 2017
*The copy provided by NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. in exchange for an honest review*
This is a very cute book, especially attractive to animal lovers. Both characters are very likable, there's a very believable plot. I do think, in my personal opinion that it revolves a bit too much around animals than those two , but overall it is a nice books for a lovely afternoon.
This is a very cute book, especially attractive to animal lovers. Both characters are very likable, there's a very believable plot. I do think, in my personal opinion that it revolves a bit too much around animals than those two , but overall it is a nice books for a lovely afternoon.
June 3, 2018
Not my fav for the author , yet very smooth.. it’s an enjoyable read but don’t expect fireworks here :)
July 11, 2017
I've read many books by Karis Walsh and I'm pleased this book lived up to my expectations. I found this book to be a really laid back romance and one you couldn't help but like.
The two main characters Iris a animal rescuer and Casey a seismologist. Despite their very different jobs I feel they are very much a like. Both very caring people who just show the caring ways differently. There are several secondary characters which do add to the story. The animals without are the stars especially the twins and Chert.
The story is that Casey is sent to the San Juan Islands in Washington State to monitor and evaluate the earthquake they had just suffered. Iris owns an animal rescue centre on the island and obviously the island is suffering from the tragedy with many animals homeless. They initially meet on the ferry and lets say it doesn't go so well with Iris taking offense of Casey observing the damage for study. Casey finds a dog entangled in a fishing net and frees him and takes him to the rescue centre. Ends with Casey and Iris falling in love but Casey's rescue dog gets returned to his family. I guess if you are an animal lover you will really relate to how Iris and Casey bond, if not I guess you'll find it tedious. I loved the way Walsh incorporated the animals into the story and how the two characters bonded over them.
It is a really nice story. I definitely would recommend this book. If you like Walsh you will love this.
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
The two main characters Iris a animal rescuer and Casey a seismologist. Despite their very different jobs I feel they are very much a like. Both very caring people who just show the caring ways differently. There are several secondary characters which do add to the story. The animals without are the stars especially the twins and Chert.
The story is that Casey is sent to the San Juan Islands in Washington State to monitor and evaluate the earthquake they had just suffered. Iris owns an animal rescue centre on the island and obviously the island is suffering from the tragedy with many animals homeless. They initially meet on the ferry and lets say it doesn't go so well with Iris taking offense of Casey observing the damage for study. Casey finds a dog entangled in a fishing net and frees him and takes him to the rescue centre. Ends with Casey and Iris falling in love but Casey's rescue dog gets returned to his family. I guess if you are an animal lover you will really relate to how Iris and Casey bond, if not I guess you'll find it tedious. I loved the way Walsh incorporated the animals into the story and how the two characters bonded over them.
It is a really nice story. I definitely would recommend this book. If you like Walsh you will love this.
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
April 18, 2018
Casey is a geologist who has traveled from Seattle to an island off the coast of Washington state in the aftermath of an earthquake in order to study the terrain. On the ferry to the island, she meets Iris, a resident of the island and owner of an animal shelter. Despite a mutual attraction, the two clash but are soon thrown together when Casey finds a lost dog and brings him to the shelter. The book then focuses on the growing connection between the two and the changes each bring out in the other.
This is a solid romance from an experienced author. The settings are well described and interesting. But while the main characters are well drawn, there's a bit of armchair psychology the author employs making simple connections between their childhoods and their current issues. The book took me a little while to capture my interest, but it was good once it got going.
I'll rate it a 4, though really it's 3.5.
This is a solid romance from an experienced author. The settings are well described and interesting. But while the main characters are well drawn, there's a bit of armchair psychology the author employs making simple connections between their childhoods and their current issues. The book took me a little while to capture my interest, but it was good once it got going.
I'll rate it a 4, though really it's 3.5.
June 21, 2017
Nice idea, but the characters were lacking in chemistry. I was missing the sparkles when they finally got together. The end felt a little rushed as well.
July 13, 2017
So this wasn't my favorite book by this author. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it, I think the romance was a little odd to me. Too quick or that they didn't seem to click at all. I did enjoy learning about seismology and I'd love to volunteer at the animal shelter because it sounded like a great one, but the story was just different than I come to expect from this author. Its not like it would deter me from reading her next offering and I do enjoy the stories she's recently put out with dogs.
October 28, 2020
Second reading and still this stands up as a 5* book - excellent. Nothing out of the ordinary, but so well written. Loved the story.
July 4, 2017
I had a really hard time getting into this book. It was so slow to start I almost did not finish it. Instead I just paused and came back. I persevered and was glad that I did. It's a really nice love story. Not earth shattering, but nice. The characters I initially found a little boring grew before my eyes and did find myself invested in the ending.
So, all in all this is an ok read. Not fantastic but satisfying in a slow burn kind of way.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
So, all in all this is an ok read. Not fantastic but satisfying in a slow burn kind of way.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2017
I try to get a little further along into these stories before giving up and packing it in, but by chapter three I knew I had reached my interest limit. I gave it a chance, I mean there's a dog on the cover, how bad could it be?
The two leads meet and the title is drawn from a massive earthquake that hits some small islands along the Pacific Northwest. For whatever reason, the author chooses to tell us about this earthquake rather than describe it and let us as readers experience it along with the characters. So this inciting incident of an earthquake, the very fabric of the story, occurs completely off page and prior to the events of the story. Very odd choice.
Once more on the two leads--all I really know of them, I think, is their hair color and maybe relative lengths? I'm sure there was probably also a descriptor of fitness level, but you'll excuse me for glossing over it as nearly every lesfic story I've read describes their characters as regularly running 5 miles a day with toned everything--they all tend to run together for me at this point. Anyway, they see each other from afar and instantly fall in lust, that is until the dog rescue one takes umbrage with the earthquake researcher as though she just heard the woman was a Nazi "scientist". The reaction is so far over the top and seems to come from left field--yet both these women continue to think about and lust after each other even though one of them is quite obviously insane. Right about here is where I decided I really don't care where these two go, nor will I enjoy any of the ride as they get there.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
The two leads meet and the title is drawn from a massive earthquake that hits some small islands along the Pacific Northwest. For whatever reason, the author chooses to tell us about this earthquake rather than describe it and let us as readers experience it along with the characters. So this inciting incident of an earthquake, the very fabric of the story, occurs completely off page and prior to the events of the story. Very odd choice.
Once more on the two leads--all I really know of them, I think, is their hair color and maybe relative lengths? I'm sure there was probably also a descriptor of fitness level, but you'll excuse me for glossing over it as nearly every lesfic story I've read describes their characters as regularly running 5 miles a day with toned everything--they all tend to run together for me at this point. Anyway, they see each other from afar and instantly fall in lust, that is until the dog rescue one takes umbrage with the earthquake researcher as though she just heard the woman was a Nazi "scientist". The reaction is so far over the top and seems to come from left field--yet both these women continue to think about and lust after each other even though one of them is quite obviously insane. Right about here is where I decided I really don't care where these two go, nor will I enjoy any of the ride as they get there.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
August 26, 2019
I've read enough by the author by this point to know that she has a definite pattern. And this book fits it well. You have two women who are going in wildly different directions who find that they are compatible. They can't see how they can be together but decide maybe temporary is enough. They date. They have sex. Something happens to break them up. They figure out how they can actually be together, somehow. All with a backdrop of somewhere in the Pacific Northwest that Walsh conveys with an outstanding sense of place that draws readers in.
The setting this time is a touristish isle near Seattle and Iris and Casey don't disappoint. This one had a bit stronger vector against being together than usual because their careers are so place-oriented and don't overlap at all. I liked the eventual resolution, though, and what it took to get there.
I didn't quite buy their connection for quite a while and Iris's poetry was a little too perfect/piercing so I'm going to call this another three-star read. It's about what I expected, so it's all good.
A note about Steamy: Another part of the pattern—a single explicit sex scene putting this on the light side of my steam tolerance.
The setting this time is a touristish isle near Seattle and Iris and Casey don't disappoint. This one had a bit stronger vector against being together than usual because their careers are so place-oriented and don't overlap at all. I liked the eventual resolution, though, and what it took to get there.
I didn't quite buy their connection for quite a while and Iris's poetry was a little too perfect/piercing so I'm going to call this another three-star read. It's about what I expected, so it's all good.
A note about Steamy: Another part of the pattern—a single explicit sex scene putting this on the light side of my steam tolerance.
June 11, 2017
This is a story about finding peace with your past. Both main characters had childhoods and upbringings that challenged the reader to think about and maybe even compare their upbringing. The read may also have a parent shake their head and ask the question of the parents and grandparents in this read, "what were you thinking?" Casey Radnor is passionate about her work and not much else. Iris Mallery is passionate about her work and not much else. When they meet it is a little bumpy and you wonder if they can see beyond the surface. These characters bring out the best in each other which in my opinion, is oh so very cool. Educational if you are interested in geology and seismology. Patience and care for the main characters is a necessity for this read.
Read provided by Bold Strokes Books via Net Galley.
Read provided by Bold Strokes Books via Net Galley.
August 6, 2017
More like 2.5 stars. This one didn't really work for me. Too full of constant roadblocks and bad feels. Started page flipping at the 80% mark. Out of the 15 Walsh novels I've read, at least one other got a similar rating. Everything else from her has always been 4 or 5 so have to chock this up to an anomaly.
August 14, 2023
I really liked this book. This is my second book I’ve read by the author and so far, my favorite. I liked both main characters but identified with Casey the most. I loved the animals and the environment. I must have laughed out loud 10 times. There were some pretty funny one liners that tickled my funny bone. I highly recommend this book.
July 13, 2017
Lovely story.
February 8, 2018
Okay it's not my preferred book of Walsh but I can't put it less than 5 stars it would be heresy. Walsh's writing works with me who is not English-speaking. here we have 2 different characters, but the purpose of the romances is to make them meet and love each other and to finish together at the end of the book. And Walsh is very good at it so why not go for it? So as soon as you see Karis Walsh on the cover, you buy without looking at the 4th cover, not worth it, the book will be good!!
June 15, 2017
I rec'd an ARC from NetGalley/Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review. Iris (animal rescue worker) and Casey (seismologist) are the leads in this little romance. It is a story for animal lovers interwoven with the acceptance/angst of daily living in an earthquake prone area. Her descriptions of the Sound and Islands brought back memories of living in Br. Columbia, C'da., and the many trips made south to beautiful Washington State. This book is a worthwhile read in keeping with Ms. Walsh's previous work. 4 stars.
August 18, 2017
Iris Mallory is an owner of an animal rescue center. Casey Radnor is an employee of the University of Washington and is engaged in the study of earthquakes. A major earthquake has hit the islands off of Washington State and Casey has been sent to the San Juan Islands to study the effects of the earthquake on the islands.
Iris and Casey meet on the boat from the mainland. There is instant attraction as well as personality clashes. Ms. Walsh has developed two very strong characters who are passionate for their respective careers. Because of the earthquake Iris is overwhelmed by the number of lost and abandoned animals. In addition to having to take care of a lot of animals, her rescue center needs major repair. Casey’s character is a scientist who sees the world in logical order and loves to talk about geology. As one might expect, Iris and Casey fall in love.
You Make Me Tremble is a sweet romance. I recommend this book and rate it 4 stars out of five stars.
I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
Iris and Casey meet on the boat from the mainland. There is instant attraction as well as personality clashes. Ms. Walsh has developed two very strong characters who are passionate for their respective careers. Because of the earthquake Iris is overwhelmed by the number of lost and abandoned animals. In addition to having to take care of a lot of animals, her rescue center needs major repair. Casey’s character is a scientist who sees the world in logical order and loves to talk about geology. As one might expect, Iris and Casey fall in love.
You Make Me Tremble is a sweet romance. I recommend this book and rate it 4 stars out of five stars.
I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
August 13, 2017
Well developed characters, not too many surprises. I recently visited the Seattle area and enjoyed going back through the characters and the description of things in the area. Loved the interactions with the animals from the shelter.
August 26, 2017
This was a lovely romance set in the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state. It centers on seismologist Casey Radnor who comes to the islands to study the effects of a recent earthquake and Iris Mallery, an animal shelter owner who lives on one of the islands. When they meet, Iris is irritated by Casey's enthusiasm about an event that left her community battered, but there is an immediate attraction, as well. The two characters are both slightly damaged from lonely childhoods, leading to some of the obstacles/tense moments between the two. I would have liked to see the supporting characters developed more. I was intrigued by pub owner Jazz and wanted to know her story. Overall, a sweet, enjoyable romance.
*I received a copy of this book from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
*I received a copy of this book from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
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