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Hometown Heartbreakers #2
Marriage on Demand
Don’t miss the second book in #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery’s classic Hometown Heartbreakers series Rebecca Chambers is in a bind. A tragic fire has left her home for orphaned children destroyed. Now with nowhere to go she turns to the wealthy and very tempting Austin Lucas for help. She needs to use his massive house to temporarily give the children somewhere to live. But, after a stormy evening becomes a night of passion, gentle Rebecca captures Austin’s attention—and his desire. Has the small-town saint led the sinner to salvation? Or can Austin really be trusted with Rebecca’s heart?Originally published in 1995.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1995
702 people are currently reading
762 people want to read
About the author
Susan Mallery
862 books15.5k followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 13, 2015
I am glutton for punishment. I know we can’t expect more from harlequin style romances but… S.M. is too much. It is so bad and so cliché it is funny. I’ve read worse, but rarely such a collection of clichés in one single book:
- Unplanned pregnancy – check
- Stupid secrets from the past – check
- Brooding hero – check
- Virginal heroine – check
- Love heals all wounds – check
- Formulaic writing -check
The book doesn’t go anywhere. A scene will drag on because she will write things like this in between dialogues and actions:
He walked with an easy loose-hipped grace.
His arms swung with each stride. [what are arms supposed to do beside swing when one walks?] Despite her bedraggled appearance, she couldn't help thinking that if she hurried and caught up with him, their arms might brush and then she—
Stop it! She commanded herself. This was insane. And embarrassing. She was here on a mission and she couldn't forget that. Still, his scent drifted to her [It is raining and she's not walking very close to him if she can see him swinging his arms BUT SHE CAN SMELL HIM?? hum. Is that really a good thing?] and made her think about tangled sheets and bare skin [she is thinking all that while being drenched by rain and walking] and "Oh, my," she whispered, trying to ignore the heat suddenly blossoming in her belly.”
And so it takes four pages for them to move from the driveway to the house. And we are 10% into the book and we still don’t know why Rebecca came to see Austin when from all evidence she can’t seem to form a sentence or even a thought when she is around him.
And then I come across this:
If Rebecca Chambers knew the truth about him, she would run screaming in the opposite direction. He was doing her a favor by keeping the truth a secret.
I think “Jeez! Another stupid secret story!” The truth is The guy is an award-winning wealthy inventor and he worries about something that happened 20 years ago when he was a minor? Pfff
Off course what would be poor writing without glaringly bad grammar “but she'd shed enough tears for the both of them." What’s with romance writers and poor grammar? Is it a prerequisite?
At this point it is just so bad that I have to continue reading it.
Then off course, they have sex without protection. Following day he figures she doesn’t have any form of birth control and instead of taking her to an ER to get morning after pill he doesn’t do anything. It's not like he can't afford it! When a couple of days later she tells him that her periods are due in 10 days, I wonder why none of them thinks “we had sex smack dab in the middle of fertility period and more than likely there will be a baby.” Oh well…
Next scene, as if she doesn’t have enough, she gets ready again to have sex with him again without protection. How stupid can you be. Anyway, he pushes her away:
"Grow up," he growled. "Look around you. I'm not salvageable. Find someone else, someone
like you. Someone who hasn't seen this world in all its ugliness. Someone who can still
believe in happy endings."
She responds "You believe. You just don't want to admit it." What in the world?? That’s the type of women I wish gets stepped on, crushed and burnt. She is so ridiculous. Type of woman who gets married and believes she will change the guy and when he doesn’t change she is surprised and hurt.
The final cliché (hey what’s one more) is all the hurt he carries inside and she comes and kisses away the booboo and now he is able to accept love and then love her back and he suddently becomes a good father and they live HEA.
Bad romance all around. Just read HHBr #6, Jordan’s book, get all the family secrets out of the way (I told you I was a glutton for punishment. It's like a train wreck this whole series)
- Unplanned pregnancy – check
- Stupid secrets from the past – check
- Brooding hero – check
- Virginal heroine – check
- Love heals all wounds – check
- Formulaic writing -check
The book doesn’t go anywhere. A scene will drag on because she will write things like this in between dialogues and actions:
He walked with an easy loose-hipped grace.
His arms swung with each stride. [what are arms supposed to do beside swing when one walks?] Despite her bedraggled appearance, she couldn't help thinking that if she hurried and caught up with him, their arms might brush and then she—
Stop it! She commanded herself. This was insane. And embarrassing. She was here on a mission and she couldn't forget that. Still, his scent drifted to her [It is raining and she's not walking very close to him if she can see him swinging his arms BUT SHE CAN SMELL HIM?? hum. Is that really a good thing?] and made her think about tangled sheets and bare skin [she is thinking all that while being drenched by rain and walking] and "Oh, my," she whispered, trying to ignore the heat suddenly blossoming in her belly.”
And so it takes four pages for them to move from the driveway to the house. And we are 10% into the book and we still don’t know why Rebecca came to see Austin when from all evidence she can’t seem to form a sentence or even a thought when she is around him.
And then I come across this:
If Rebecca Chambers knew the truth about him, she would run screaming in the opposite direction. He was doing her a favor by keeping the truth a secret.
I think “Jeez! Another stupid secret story!” The truth is The guy is an award-winning wealthy inventor and he worries about something that happened 20 years ago when he was a minor? Pfff
Off course what would be poor writing without glaringly bad grammar “but she'd shed enough tears for the both of them." What’s with romance writers and poor grammar? Is it a prerequisite?
At this point it is just so bad that I have to continue reading it.
Then off course, they have sex without protection. Following day he figures she doesn’t have any form of birth control and instead of taking her to an ER to get morning after pill he doesn’t do anything. It's not like he can't afford it! When a couple of days later she tells him that her periods are due in 10 days, I wonder why none of them thinks “we had sex smack dab in the middle of fertility period and more than likely there will be a baby.” Oh well…
Next scene, as if she doesn’t have enough, she gets ready again to have sex with him again without protection. How stupid can you be. Anyway, he pushes her away:
"Grow up," he growled. "Look around you. I'm not salvageable. Find someone else, someone
like you. Someone who hasn't seen this world in all its ugliness. Someone who can still
believe in happy endings."
She responds "You believe. You just don't want to admit it." What in the world?? That’s the type of women I wish gets stepped on, crushed and burnt. She is so ridiculous. Type of woman who gets married and believes she will change the guy and when he doesn’t change she is surprised and hurt.
The final cliché (hey what’s one more) is all the hurt he carries inside and she comes and kisses away the booboo and now he is able to accept love and then love her back and he suddently becomes a good father and they live HEA.
Bad romance all around. Just read HHBr #6, Jordan’s book, get all the family secrets out of the way (I told you I was a glutton for punishment. It's like a train wreck this whole series)
April 20, 2020
The second in the Haynes brothers series, although it's about a Haynes friend, Austin Lucas, instead of a brother, this one is the best of the six I've read so far. Perhaps because it's got children in it, which is always a plus for me. Austin's relationship with Rebecca Chambers is great but his relationship with 7-year old David, who lives in his old foster home, is even better.
June 23, 2018
Possibly the worst book I ever read. And I'm a Mallery fan!
Everything about this seemed contrived and shallow. The characters and their emotions, the plot, the writing. It was so, so bad.
Virgin meets man who is a bad boy, but there is nothing bad boy about him. She has gone to ask him to loan his home to a children's asylum--and then the weather knocks out the power so she must spend the night. They have sex. She gets pregnant. They marry, but despite his powerful lust/love for this woman he barely knows, he decides it would be best if they don't have sex.
Must I continue?
I only finished it because I have a rule with myself that I can not write a review of a book I didn't read.
Just. Shockingly. Bad.
Especially for a writer of this caliber.
Everything about this seemed contrived and shallow. The characters and their emotions, the plot, the writing. It was so, so bad.
Virgin meets man who is a bad boy, but there is nothing bad boy about him. She has gone to ask him to loan his home to a children's asylum--and then the weather knocks out the power so she must spend the night. They have sex. She gets pregnant. They marry, but despite his powerful lust/love for this woman he barely knows, he decides it would be best if they don't have sex.
Must I continue?
I only finished it because I have a rule with myself that I can not write a review of a book I didn't read.
Just. Shockingly. Bad.
Especially for a writer of this caliber.
March 16, 2021
So, apparently what I was reading on my Kindle was a re-release of a book from 1994. I was once again fooled by updated cover art! Lol. This book has nearly every old, romantic novel cliche in the world- unplanned pregnancy, hasty marriage, some stupid secret from the past, and a heroine who is a virgin. I felt like I was reading a book from the 1950s instead of the 1990s.
December 18, 2017
Not my favorite of this series; Austin is too darn broody and self-loathing to be interesting, and then he recovers too easily. Mostly fun for involvement of other familiar characters.
Appropriate bathroom reading. :)
Appropriate bathroom reading. :)
June 28, 2014
Great early book for her.
February 10, 2016
0.5
This is just awful.
This is just awful.
November 28, 2021
I hated Austin and his pissy attitude so much. That is all
October 6, 2018
This second book of Hometown Heartbreakers series has a complete story and can stand on its own, but there are references to the story in the first book and probably spoilers.
At first, Rebecca seems like she might be a bit of a loser. She is clumsy and timid around Austin. She has a naive optimism. But as we get to know her, we see a powerful determination. Her feelings can be hurt, but it doesn't break her or change her.
Austin is much harder to like but over the course of the book we learn that he has some powerful hurts in his past. He clings to them a little more stubbornly than I would have thought possible given Rebecca's encouragement, but if he didn't, the book would be half as long.
Rebecca's orphans who are taking up temporary residence in Austin's huge house, are important in the story and there are touching moments involving at least one of them.
Am I the only person who found Rebecca's motivation to lose her virginity to be strange?
Mature themes: there are a couple explicit sex scenes. There is no violence. There are at least one or two examples of child abandonment.
At first, Rebecca seems like she might be a bit of a loser. She is clumsy and timid around Austin. She has a naive optimism. But as we get to know her, we see a powerful determination. Her feelings can be hurt, but it doesn't break her or change her.
Austin is much harder to like but over the course of the book we learn that he has some powerful hurts in his past. He clings to them a little more stubbornly than I would have thought possible given Rebecca's encouragement, but if he didn't, the book would be half as long.
Rebecca's orphans who are taking up temporary residence in Austin's huge house, are important in the story and there are touching moments involving at least one of them.
Am I the only person who found Rebecca's motivation to lose her virginity to be strange?
Mature themes: there are a couple explicit sex scenes. There is no violence. There are at least one or two examples of child abandonment.
August 15, 2022
So good
Rebecca is like a teenager when she's around Austin, giddy, awkward, tongue-tied. For his part, Austin makes sure he doesn't get too close to innocent Rebecca. He is the town playboy and a bad man (in his head). A fire and a storm change everything; she goes to ask him for help when the children's home burns to the ground.
A night of passion leads to pregnancy. Naturally they must marry so her reputation isn't compromised. His words, not hers. As they settle in, Rebecca comes to understand her new husband, why he keeps everyone at arm's length. It saddens her but also steels her resolve that it will be okay. They can be a family if they try.
A great story with wonderful characters that brought tears to my eyes. I love how Rebecca never gave up on Austin. I love how a small boy helped break open Austin's shell, giving him the will to love with his whole heart.
Rebecca is like a teenager when she's around Austin, giddy, awkward, tongue-tied. For his part, Austin makes sure he doesn't get too close to innocent Rebecca. He is the town playboy and a bad man (in his head). A fire and a storm change everything; she goes to ask him for help when the children's home burns to the ground.
A night of passion leads to pregnancy. Naturally they must marry so her reputation isn't compromised. His words, not hers. As they settle in, Rebecca comes to understand her new husband, why he keeps everyone at arm's length. It saddens her but also steels her resolve that it will be okay. They can be a family if they try.
A great story with wonderful characters that brought tears to my eyes. I love how Rebecca never gave up on Austin. I love how a small boy helped break open Austin's shell, giving him the will to love with his whole heart.
June 4, 2023
3.88
Rebecca runs the town orphanage, it burns down she goes to a wealthy man Austin to ask to use a house on his land while they rebuild. A storm has come up and she is stuck there for the night. Rebecca has had a crush on Austin sense he came to town. But he is very isolated and only has casual relationships. Rebecca is still a Virgin and want to get it over with, thinks he would be the perfect guy. So they have a night of passion and didn’t use protection. The kids move into the house, Austin is drawn to a boy that seems like him as a child. He spent time in the house as a kid. His mother didn’t want him. So he has abandonment issues. Of course Rebecca thinks she can help him and is pregnant. He wants to marry her, he won’t have a bastard child. They get married and they come closer and she tells him she loves him but he runs…then realizes that he dose love her. They have a boy and adopt the little boy.
Rebecca runs the town orphanage, it burns down she goes to a wealthy man Austin to ask to use a house on his land while they rebuild. A storm has come up and she is stuck there for the night. Rebecca has had a crush on Austin sense he came to town. But he is very isolated and only has casual relationships. Rebecca is still a Virgin and want to get it over with, thinks he would be the perfect guy. So they have a night of passion and didn’t use protection. The kids move into the house, Austin is drawn to a boy that seems like him as a child. He spent time in the house as a kid. His mother didn’t want him. So he has abandonment issues. Of course Rebecca thinks she can help him and is pregnant. He wants to marry her, he won’t have a bastard child. They get married and they come closer and she tells him she loves him but he runs…then realizes that he dose love her. They have a boy and adopt the little boy.
June 19, 2019
Once parental hurt is inflicted, can the damage ever be overcome.
This is the story of a woman who is open and loving and caring and a man who doesn’t trust in love or caring because his mother never showed him he was anything but a problem, and a burden. He grew up outside any circles of caring. Not believing he could have friends or loving parents or be anything but a nuisance. She has always had a crush on him, but loved a young man who was injured and subsequently died. This is the story of how they came together to reach for love and support.
Well written as all of Susan Mallery’s books are. A story that tugged at me with the pains of child abuse that isn’t physical but leaves children certain they aren’t worth being loved. So well presented that I felt sorry for everyone who couldn’t see the damage.
This is the story of a woman who is open and loving and caring and a man who doesn’t trust in love or caring because his mother never showed him he was anything but a problem, and a burden. He grew up outside any circles of caring. Not believing he could have friends or loving parents or be anything but a nuisance. She has always had a crush on him, but loved a young man who was injured and subsequently died. This is the story of how they came together to reach for love and support.
Well written as all of Susan Mallery’s books are. A story that tugged at me with the pains of child abuse that isn’t physical but leaves children certain they aren’t worth being loved. So well presented that I felt sorry for everyone who couldn’t see the damage.
July 4, 2018
Austin Lucas had grown up unwanted and unloved. He believed that no woman could love him. Rebecca Chambers ran the local orphanage. When Rebecca went to Austin’s residence to request use of a house he owned to house children from the orphanage after a fire had destroyed the original orphanage, a storm forced Rebecca to spend the night. The consequences of that night together had long term effects on Rebecca and Austin.
April 11, 2020
A solid 3.5 stars🌟 I wanted to love this book, but perhaps the problem is that it’s so dated.
Rebecca Chambers is so clueless at times that it’s annoying. Other times her good qualities outweigh and it moves the story along. The inclusion and later adoption of David bumped this story up by .5 😉
We never did find out Austin’s big, dark secret.
I am a sucker for a Book Series. I enjoyed the occasional inclusion of Elizabeth & Travis in this novel.
Rebecca Chambers is so clueless at times that it’s annoying. Other times her good qualities outweigh and it moves the story along. The inclusion and later adoption of David bumped this story up by .5 😉
We never did find out Austin’s big, dark secret.
I am a sucker for a Book Series. I enjoyed the occasional inclusion of Elizabeth & Travis in this novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2019
Loved it. Started reading this series out of sequence but it does not matter. Austin feels unlovable and Rebecca bust into his life and shows him that he is not. Throw in 7 year old orphan and he can't resist. Can't wait to read more.
November 7, 2019
Great story!
I had read the other books about the Haynes brothers. In the others in the series they had mentioned their friend Austin so I had to look for this book and I'm glad I did. It has an original story and great characters.
I had read the other books about the Haynes brothers. In the others in the series they had mentioned their friend Austin so I had to look for this book and I'm glad I did. It has an original story and great characters.
December 24, 2019
If it wasn’t for the rushed ending, I would’ve given this a 5*. I loved the development of Austin & Rebecca’s relationship. He’s a flawed sinner, she’s an innocent with a steel backbone and the romance will give you all the feels. Worth a read!
April 8, 2020
Repeats the story within the story.
Quick read. Just make sure you read the series in order. Nice to see Rebecca assert herself with Austin. Stay strong ladies for what you want in a man!
Quick read. Just make sure you read the series in order. Nice to see Rebecca assert herself with Austin. Stay strong ladies for what you want in a man!
August 1, 2020
3 1/2 stars. An intriguing story about a loner, a lady who has loved and lost, a storm, and their unexpected search for a happy ending. Neither is sure they will achieve each, and he is afraid to try. Will Rebecca be able to convince Lucas to take a chance on their happiness and try?
November 16, 2021
I need to reread this book at some point later in my life for its quotes. A lot of what the H felt resonated with me, and a lot of the h too. Sweet slow romance of two soulmates destined to be. I loved Rebecca's patience and could feel her glow shine through the pages.
August 15, 2023
Marriage on Demand
Very enjoyable story I did not stop reading this book until I read the entire story look forward to reading more stories in this series.
Love anything by Susan Mallory.
Very enjoyable story I did not stop reading this book until I read the entire story look forward to reading more stories in this series.
Love anything by Susan Mallory.
October 14, 2017
Bad title.
January 4, 2019
Like this series
February 14, 2019
Quick read, but just ok.
February 26, 2019
A re-release of an older title by Mallery; a good fast read with interesting characters. Free e-book from the library.
June 6, 2019
It’s a cute older series by Susan Mallery. It’s enjoyable reading her earlier writing and realizing she’s currently exceeding my expectations.
July 23, 2019
Easy read. Typical love story.
April 16, 2020
Decent book. oh, to live in a world where you can go from not being able to love and then into love into 20 pages.... :-) but it passes the time.
July 4, 2020
Minu arvamuse leiab blogist https://triinuraamatud.wordpress.com/...
January 29, 2021
Cute fast old school harlequin read just like high school...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews