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The Carr Family #3
Shameless With Him
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan completes a sexy contemporary series with an unrequited crush on the bad boy next door.
Caleb Carr might have once been ready for commitment, but when the unexpected slams into him with the force of a two-ton truck, he knows he has to run away from anything that might be important. Zoey might well be his final temptation, but to keep her whole, he’ll walk away.
Zoey Wager has loved Caleb since they were eight. And has had her heart broken from afar repeatedly ever since. It doesn’t help that every time she sees him—even when she’s running away halfway across the world—he’s with another woman. She's watched him fall in lust her entire life. Now, she's ready to watch him fall in love. With her.
Caleb Carr might have once been ready for commitment, but when the unexpected slams into him with the force of a two-ton truck, he knows he has to run away from anything that might be important. Zoey might well be his final temptation, but to keep her whole, he’ll walk away.
Zoey Wager has loved Caleb since they were eight. And has had her heart broken from afar repeatedly ever since. It doesn’t help that every time she sees him—even when she’s running away halfway across the world—he’s with another woman. She's watched him fall in lust her entire life. Now, she's ready to watch him fall in love. With her.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2020
186 people are currently reading
3371 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Ann Ryan
284 books6,358 followersCarrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Talon Pack, Promise Me, and Elements of Five series, which have sold millions of books worldwide. She's the winner of a RT Book of the Year and a Prism Award in her genres. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.
The Montgomery Ink World contains the following series, though each series is a stand alone and can be read in any order. Feel free to hop around:
The Montgomery Ink Series
The Gallagher Brothers Series
The Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs Series
The Whiskey and Lies Series
The Fractured Connections Series
The Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series
The Less Than Series
The Promise Me Series
Her Elements of Five Series is her Young Adult Romance series while her other series are all adult.
Her Talon Pack series is set in the same world as the Redwood Pack series, only 30 years later.
The Dante's Circle, Holiday, Montana, and Branded Packs series are all individual series as well.
The Montgomery Ink World contains the following series, though each series is a stand alone and can be read in any order. Feel free to hop around:
The Montgomery Ink Series
The Gallagher Brothers Series
The Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs Series
The Whiskey and Lies Series
The Fractured Connections Series
The Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series
The Less Than Series
The Promise Me Series
Her Elements of Five Series is her Young Adult Romance series while her other series are all adult.
Her Talon Pack series is set in the same world as the Redwood Pack series, only 30 years later.
The Dante's Circle, Holiday, Montana, and Branded Packs series are all individual series as well.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews
March 8, 2020
ARC received for review
I haven't read the first two books in this series or any of the Montgomery titles (I am collecting them when they are free or .99). There's no need to have read any of them to understand this story.
It was a slow, slow start to me, and then the book skipped big periods of time like a month or two, and another month or two. Zoey has been in love with Caleb since she was 8 and him not much older. She's watched him with other girls for years and never opened her mouth or let him know in any way that she was interested. I thought it was weird how ALL his previous ex's are so nice and have no problem with him after they stop dating. I didn't like how long it took for him to share his secret with her. There was just a lot I didn't like, but Zoey and Caleb were hot when they were together.
I haven't read the first two books in this series or any of the Montgomery titles (I am collecting them when they are free or .99). There's no need to have read any of them to understand this story.
It was a slow, slow start to me, and then the book skipped big periods of time like a month or two, and another month or two. Zoey has been in love with Caleb since she was 8 and him not much older. She's watched him with other girls for years and never opened her mouth or let him know in any way that she was interested. I thought it was weird how ALL his previous ex's are so nice and have no problem with him after they stop dating. I didn't like how long it took for him to share his secret with her. There was just a lot I didn't like, but Zoey and Caleb were hot when they were together.
March 26, 2020
“What’s wrong, Caleb?”
“Nothing. But I just wanted to let you know that I might not be staying that long after the ceremony and first part of the reception when I’m needed. My date Christy and I have plans.”
"A date. He had brought a date. To my sister’s wedding. The same wedding I was going to have to touch him and hold his arm as we walked up the aisle together towards photos and dinner and everything that came with a wedding."
"I couldn’t actually believe what he was saying."
"When had things changed? I had let him inside me the day before, holding him as we made love. But, apparently, that had only been on my end. It had been sex for him. A quick fuck in the morning and then a see you later."
..............................
“So, you came here with Zoey, right?” the guy asked.
I shook my head. “No, I didn’t.” Because I made mistakes and couldn’t fix them.
The guy’s brows lifted. “Oh, so you’re not with her?”
"That was the question for the ages. But considering what I had done and what she’d said, I knew the answer now. And though it had been my goal, the taste of regret was bitter on my tongue."
“No, I’m not.”
“So, you wouldn’t mind if I asked her to dance?”
"I had my hands on the guy’s lapels before I even thought about it, and then Dimitri was on me, pulling me back."
..........................
“I’m glad we both agree on that.” I smiled ruefully. “Anyway, I can get over Christy. Because I like her.” I let out a laugh. “Just like I liked every single other woman who’s ever been in your life. Because they’re amazing women, and you have great taste. But I don’t think I can get over the fact that you didn’t tell me you were sick. "
..........................
“I,Caleb, take you Zoey-girl, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold. For richer or poorer. Until the day our souls meet again. I love you with every ounce of my being. I have loved you since long before I knew what love was. I’ll cherish you until the end of our days, and long past that. I’ll be yours forever, I promise.”
“I, Zoey, take you, Caleb, love of my life, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, until the end of our days and beyond. Because I love you. I’ve loved you since we were children and didn’t understand exactly what could be. I have loved you since before I could have you, and ever since. I’ve loved you even when both of us were hard to love. Since you told me you loved me.”
................................
Yes, because apparently hypocrisy and pathetic doormats have become great virtues in "romances" lately. Just stop it, please!🤦♀️😒
“Nothing. But I just wanted to let you know that I might not be staying that long after the ceremony and first part of the reception when I’m needed. My date Christy and I have plans.”
"A date. He had brought a date. To my sister’s wedding. The same wedding I was going to have to touch him and hold his arm as we walked up the aisle together towards photos and dinner and everything that came with a wedding."
"I couldn’t actually believe what he was saying."
"When had things changed? I had let him inside me the day before, holding him as we made love. But, apparently, that had only been on my end. It had been sex for him. A quick fuck in the morning and then a see you later."
..............................
“So, you came here with Zoey, right?” the guy asked.
I shook my head. “No, I didn’t.” Because I made mistakes and couldn’t fix them.
The guy’s brows lifted. “Oh, so you’re not with her?”
"That was the question for the ages. But considering what I had done and what she’d said, I knew the answer now. And though it had been my goal, the taste of regret was bitter on my tongue."
“No, I’m not.”
“So, you wouldn’t mind if I asked her to dance?”
"I had my hands on the guy’s lapels before I even thought about it, and then Dimitri was on me, pulling me back."
..........................
“I’m glad we both agree on that.” I smiled ruefully. “Anyway, I can get over Christy. Because I like her.” I let out a laugh. “Just like I liked every single other woman who’s ever been in your life. Because they’re amazing women, and you have great taste. But I don’t think I can get over the fact that you didn’t tell me you were sick. "
..........................
“I,Caleb, take you Zoey-girl, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold. For richer or poorer. Until the day our souls meet again. I love you with every ounce of my being. I have loved you since long before I knew what love was. I’ll cherish you until the end of our days, and long past that. I’ll be yours forever, I promise.”
“I, Zoey, take you, Caleb, love of my life, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, until the end of our days and beyond. Because I love you. I’ve loved you since we were children and didn’t understand exactly what could be. I have loved you since before I could have you, and ever since. I’ve loved you even when both of us were hard to love. Since you told me you loved me.”
................................
Yes, because apparently hypocrisy and pathetic doormats have become great virtues in "romances" lately. Just stop it, please!🤦♀️😒
May 17, 2020
This was an enjoyable read that I devoured in one day. I had watched the attraction between Caleb and Zoey in the first two books and couldn't wait until I could get my hands on their story.
I absolutely loved the way this story began, it showed us different encounters of Caleb and Zoey through the years from the age of eight through college. In each of these encounters we see how Zoey feels about Caleb even at the tender age of eight, but in each of these encounters he's with a different girl and it breaks her heart each time.
You can read my full #bookreview HERE: bit.ly/NBReviewSWH
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books**
Where you can find me: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
I absolutely loved the way this story began, it showed us different encounters of Caleb and Zoey through the years from the age of eight through college. In each of these encounters we see how Zoey feels about Caleb even at the tender age of eight, but in each of these encounters he's with a different girl and it breaks her heart each time.
You can read my full #bookreview HERE: bit.ly/NBReviewSWH
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books**Where you can find me: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
March 25, 2020
As I was nearing the end of the novel, I found myself asking "What does one do when they realize that they don't like the hero of the novel?". I thought I was ok with Caleb, but I didn't like what he did to push Zoey away or the fact that he kept so many things from her. The fact that he seemed to have a bunch of ex-girlfriends/female friends everywhere he went didn't help either.
You might not know it, but I am a big Carrie Ann Ryan fan. I have loved most of her books and I had high expectations from this one. I really thought that the story was set on the right course and that everything was ok until I realized that it wasn't. There was zero character development and the climax of the story was less satisfactory than a two-pump one nightstand. We should have had twice as many pages in order to make the story feel less rushed and more organic.
Zoey was a pushover. She should have demanded more from Caleb and make him grovel and work for her forgiveness. Caleb sometimes treated her like she didn't matter much to him and I didn't like that. I was not happy with either main character, but mostly with the "hero" of the novel. Even their intimate scenes (to put it mildly for Amazon's sake) felt impersonal and like something you would read in a romance novel where one of the main characters is sleeping with someone who is not the other main character rather than a scene where the two main characters are having a moment. Can I also mention, that Zoey's sister seemed like she didn't care much for her sister and yet everything was forgiven in one moment with a few words? Zoey was handing out forgiveness cards like they were monopoly money.
The epilogue was one of the best things that happened to this book and it closed the Carr books in a lovely way. I haven't read the previous books, so I cannot talk about them, but I wouldn't recommend Shameless with him.
You might not know it, but I am a big Carrie Ann Ryan fan. I have loved most of her books and I had high expectations from this one. I really thought that the story was set on the right course and that everything was ok until I realized that it wasn't. There was zero character development and the climax of the story was less satisfactory than a two-pump one nightstand. We should have had twice as many pages in order to make the story feel less rushed and more organic.
Zoey was a pushover. She should have demanded more from Caleb and make him grovel and work for her forgiveness. Caleb sometimes treated her like she didn't matter much to him and I didn't like that. I was not happy with either main character, but mostly with the "hero" of the novel. Even their intimate scenes (to put it mildly for Amazon's sake) felt impersonal and like something you would read in a romance novel where one of the main characters is sleeping with someone who is not the other main character rather than a scene where the two main characters are having a moment. Can I also mention, that Zoey's sister seemed like she didn't care much for her sister and yet everything was forgiven in one moment with a few words? Zoey was handing out forgiveness cards like they were monopoly money.
The epilogue was one of the best things that happened to this book and it closed the Carr books in a lovely way. I haven't read the previous books, so I cannot talk about them, but I wouldn't recommend Shameless with him.
March 20, 2020
The problem with this book? I had ZERO emotional connection to the hero. Our couple didn't even come face-to-face until almost a third of the way in, and once they did, the hero was trying to stay so emotionally distant that I never felt the love. Sure, it was sexy, and there were a few steamy scenes, but there was no real tenderness or endearing moments. It felt like the love story didn't even kick in until 40% of the way in, and then it went at lightning speed after that. All the right elements were there - a solid writing style, history between these two, and characters who had the potential to be likable - but it just didn't pan out that way.
The story follows Caleb and Zoey, two people who have been in each other's lives in one way or another for years. Zoey has watched Caleb with woman after woman, always wanting to be the one on his arm. Now that he's back in town and helping to plan her sister's wedding, Zoey's determined to finally get his attention. Caleb's got some personal struggles that make him more commitment-shy than ever, but he can't deny that there's something there with Zoey.
Don't let my negativity fool you; if I truly thought this was a bad book, I would've rated it lower without hesitation. A 3-star rating from me is a book that had me groaning at least once but isn't without redeemable qualities. I can appreciate the strength of Ryan's writing, as well as the complexity of the characters. I can also somewhat understand where Caleb was coming from with his reluctance. However, I didn't love how desperate Zoey comes off in pursuing a guy who has repeatedly broken her heart, nor did I love some of Caleb's actions - PARTICULARLY in the final few scenes. This is wrapped up WAY too quickly for me to do anything other than curl my lip at the "HEA." Perhaps if the love story had featured more prominently in the first 40%, it would've been more palatable, but it definitely didn't work given how little time these two spend on the page together. I appreciated receiving an ARC (and am voluntarily leaving a review), but this gets a "meh" from me.
The story follows Caleb and Zoey, two people who have been in each other's lives in one way or another for years. Zoey has watched Caleb with woman after woman, always wanting to be the one on his arm. Now that he's back in town and helping to plan her sister's wedding, Zoey's determined to finally get his attention. Caleb's got some personal struggles that make him more commitment-shy than ever, but he can't deny that there's something there with Zoey.
Don't let my negativity fool you; if I truly thought this was a bad book, I would've rated it lower without hesitation. A 3-star rating from me is a book that had me groaning at least once but isn't without redeemable qualities. I can appreciate the strength of Ryan's writing, as well as the complexity of the characters. I can also somewhat understand where Caleb was coming from with his reluctance. However, I didn't love how desperate Zoey comes off in pursuing a guy who has repeatedly broken her heart, nor did I love some of Caleb's actions - PARTICULARLY in the final few scenes. This is wrapped up WAY too quickly for me to do anything other than curl my lip at the "HEA." Perhaps if the love story had featured more prominently in the first 40%, it would've been more palatable, but it definitely didn't work given how little time these two spend on the page together. I appreciated receiving an ARC (and am voluntarily leaving a review), but this gets a "meh" from me.
March 28, 2020
I'm on the fence with this one. I really like Zoey, even though she was a doormat for everyone in her life, from her sister to Caleb. The latter is where I had issues. For years, so many years, she had a crush on Caleb, saw him with girl after girl, to woman after woman, yet that didn't crush her crush. I didn't get why that she was still interested in him knowing all the women he had been with. Then there was the drama at the end, man...what a stupid move from Caleb, a move to permanent make Zoey go away. So when we got to the HEA, I thought Zoey deserved someone better.
March 10, 2020
I love a book that's hard to put down, and this was one of those! I haven't read anything by this author before, and starting with book 3 in a series might be a lil crazy, but that's me. I live life on the edge. And it paid off, they must be connected stand alones.
This is like a lifetime crush/ friends to lovers sort of thing. Zoey has always wanted Caleb, but never ever acted on it, and he never seemed to be single. And even when they're both free and clear and things are moving along, she's still reserved and content to pull back. Which I guess wasn't a bad thing for the most part.
Caleb has his secrets, but he's close with his family, he's a good friend, and really likeable. I'm still kinda struggling with a stupid decision he made at one point, it made me sooo mad at him. But it all works out, so I guess it's fine. This book did make me want to look up her other books for sure.
This is like a lifetime crush/ friends to lovers sort of thing. Zoey has always wanted Caleb, but never ever acted on it, and he never seemed to be single. And even when they're both free and clear and things are moving along, she's still reserved and content to pull back. Which I guess wasn't a bad thing for the most part.
Caleb has his secrets, but he's close with his family, he's a good friend, and really likeable. I'm still kinda struggling with a stupid decision he made at one point, it made me sooo mad at him. But it all works out, so I guess it's fine. This book did make me want to look up her other books for sure.
March 10, 2020
I love the Carrs and the Montgomery’s! It is always a good time when they get together. Shameless With Him is Caleb and Zoey’s story. There is a fair amount of time hopping in the beginning that I was a bit concerned about, but it laid the foundation for their relationship and it was done well. This was another great read.
March 24, 2020
This is the 3rd book of the series about the Carr siblings. This is Caleb and Zoey's story. You can easily read this without having read the others.
Caleb and Zoey have known each other almost their whole lives. The book starts with flashbacks of the times that were meaningful for Zoey in their young lives. She has always loved him but begged off either because he was with someone else, or because she was friends with his sister.
The story unfolds with Zoey deciding to go for it with Caleb. Lots of fumbling on both their parts. Trying to keep lines drawn and Caleb hiding vital health information from everyone.
As things do, the story sorts itself out. Great to see the rest of the Carr family again. Lots of Montgomery's thrown in the mix just for fun as well.
Great addition to the series.
*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.
Caleb and Zoey have known each other almost their whole lives. The book starts with flashbacks of the times that were meaningful for Zoey in their young lives. She has always loved him but begged off either because he was with someone else, or because she was friends with his sister.
The story unfolds with Zoey deciding to go for it with Caleb. Lots of fumbling on both their parts. Trying to keep lines drawn and Caleb hiding vital health information from everyone.
As things do, the story sorts itself out. Great to see the rest of the Carr family again. Lots of Montgomery's thrown in the mix just for fun as well.
Great addition to the series.
*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.
March 15, 2020
No More Running!!!
Zoey Wager has always been in love with Caleb Carr from a tender age. She kept getting her heart broken over and over again by him from afar. Every time she saw him, he was with a different woman. Even when she tried putting distance between them by running away across the world. He found himself in her orbit.
Caleb Carr was once ready for commitment but when his world was turned upside down, he knew he had to run away from anything that was important. But his sister's best-friend Zoey Wager was a temptation, he couldn't seem to run away from fast enough.
Zoey had enough of watching the man she loved with other people. Now she was ready to put all her cards on the table and claimed him as her own. It wasn't an easy task but she knew she had to do it cause it was time for them both to stop running from what they felt for each other.
Loved the way Zoey's little sister, Lacey and the latter's fiancé planned matchmaker. They were too cute, even though I hated the way Lacey treated her sometimes. The bond between the sisters and the one John shared with Caleb was alluring. Erin ( BREATHLESS WITH HER ) and Amelia's ( RECKLESS WITH YOU ) friendship was another thing that Zoey cherished. They were her rock when her world tilted on it axis.
There was something physically wrong with Caleb, some days his illness incapacitated him. It scared him cause no matter how many tests were ran on him, the doctors couldn't find what was wrong. He started a beautiful affair with the woman he wanted to stay away from. Things were going great with Zoey until, he nearly ruined the best that ever happened to him.
His family and his beloved were angry at him, which was understandable. But they understood where he was coming from and eventually they forgive him. It was a pleasure to catch up with some characters and get mentions of many from the different series within the Montgomery Ink World.
SHAMELESS WITH HIM is the third and final book in Carrie Ann Ryan's LESS THAN series. Ooh la, la! What a wonderful way to end this amazing series. Carrie Ann Ryan outdid herself with this beauty. I recommend you guys grab yourselves a copy and enjoy the ride! 5++++
****I received this book, without any obligation to review.****
****Characters icons & teasers courtesy of Carrie Ann Ryan.****
Zoey Wager has always been in love with Caleb Carr from a tender age. She kept getting her heart broken over and over again by him from afar. Every time she saw him, he was with a different woman. Even when she tried putting distance between them by running away across the world. He found himself in her orbit.
Caleb Carr was once ready for commitment but when his world was turned upside down, he knew he had to run away from anything that was important. But his sister's best-friend Zoey Wager was a temptation, he couldn't seem to run away from fast enough.
Zoey had enough of watching the man she loved with other people. Now she was ready to put all her cards on the table and claimed him as her own. It wasn't an easy task but she knew she had to do it cause it was time for them both to stop running from what they felt for each other.
Loved the way Zoey's little sister, Lacey and the latter's fiancé planned matchmaker. They were too cute, even though I hated the way Lacey treated her sometimes. The bond between the sisters and the one John shared with Caleb was alluring. Erin ( BREATHLESS WITH HER ) and Amelia's ( RECKLESS WITH YOU ) friendship was another thing that Zoey cherished. They were her rock when her world tilted on it axis.
There was something physically wrong with Caleb, some days his illness incapacitated him. It scared him cause no matter how many tests were ran on him, the doctors couldn't find what was wrong. He started a beautiful affair with the woman he wanted to stay away from. Things were going great with Zoey until, he nearly ruined the best that ever happened to him.
His family and his beloved were angry at him, which was understandable. But they understood where he was coming from and eventually they forgive him. It was a pleasure to catch up with some characters and get mentions of many from the different series within the Montgomery Ink World.
SHAMELESS WITH HIM is the third and final book in Carrie Ann Ryan's LESS THAN series. Ooh la, la! What a wonderful way to end this amazing series. Carrie Ann Ryan outdid herself with this beauty. I recommend you guys grab yourselves a copy and enjoy the ride! 5++++
****I received this book, without any obligation to review.****
****Characters icons & teasers courtesy of Carrie Ann Ryan.****
March 11, 2020
I really enjoyed reading Shameless with him, but I have to say that, for me, it was not as good as what I have come to expect from Carrie Ann Ryan. I do love this particular couple but I feel like the story line is missing something, I am not able to pinpoint some of the more important/crucial moments of the story line just the general idea. This could be because I have been in a funk but I honestly do not think that is all it is. I like the characters and the main story but to me it stayed a little too superficial, there were moments where the reader gets a better insight in the main characters but not enough. I still do not think I really know the main characters, next to their jobs, family and relation to each other. Even though the story is approximately the same length as the others in the series, it feels shorter because there seem to be quite some repetition in what is happening. Instead of a diversity of events that all lead to the same thing or have the same underlying feeling, I felt like the same thing happened over and over again. I felt like the story had just really started when I was already at the end… Not to say that the book was bad, because I did enjoy reading it, but I expected more from it so I am a little disappointed.
But the couple is really cute, and the story is sound so it is a good read, especially for people like me that have read all of the Montgomery series and cannot stand not to know what happens with Caleb 😊
But the couple is really cute, and the story is sound so it is a good read, especially for people like me that have read all of the Montgomery series and cannot stand not to know what happens with Caleb 😊
March 25, 2020
Zoey doesn’t remember a time that she hasn’t loved Caleb however her best friend’s brother has never given any signs that he sees her the same way. Instead she watches him date other woman all the while wishing it could be her until she decides to go after the only man she has ever loved.
Caleb is starting to see Zoey as a woman and not just his sister’s best friend. It is only a matter of time before the chemistry and feelings between them escalate but as the uncertainty regarding Caleb’s secret increases he wants to do what is best for Zoey and that means ending their relationship but will he realize the mistake he made before it is too late?
Full of emotion this is a sweet and sexy story of how family and love will get you through the good times and the bad.
Caleb is starting to see Zoey as a woman and not just his sister’s best friend. It is only a matter of time before the chemistry and feelings between them escalate but as the uncertainty regarding Caleb’s secret increases he wants to do what is best for Zoey and that means ending their relationship but will he realize the mistake he made before it is too late?
Full of emotion this is a sweet and sexy story of how family and love will get you through the good times and the bad.
March 25, 2020
4 star
I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, secrets, pain, and heartbreak.
If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
Breathless With Her (Less Than, #1)
Reckless With You (Less Than #2)
This is Zoey and Caleb’s story. She has wanted him forever but has stood on the sidelines while he dated woman after woman. Now it her turn. Caleb wants Zoey and will have her before he leaves. But is this going to be the one woman he can't walk away from?
I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I recommend this book.
I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, secrets, pain, and heartbreak.
If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
Breathless With Her (Less Than, #1)
Reckless With You (Less Than #2)
This is Zoey and Caleb’s story. She has wanted him forever but has stood on the sidelines while he dated woman after woman. Now it her turn. Caleb wants Zoey and will have her before he leaves. But is this going to be the one woman he can't walk away from?
I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I recommend this book.
dnf
January 3, 2026DNF at 26%.
I didn’t read book 1. Book 2 was pretty entertaining. I just can’t with book 3. It seems to be a lot of discussion about wedding planning for a snotty sister. Was the bride the main character in book 1? Would I like her more if I had read it?
Everyone seems like kind of a jerk to the FMC in book 3, except the MMC’s girlfriends.
This book starts so far in the past I’ve lost interest before we get to anything interesting. It’s certainly not the wedding planning.
I didn’t read book 1. Book 2 was pretty entertaining. I just can’t with book 3. It seems to be a lot of discussion about wedding planning for a snotty sister. Was the bride the main character in book 1? Would I like her more if I had read it?
Everyone seems like kind of a jerk to the FMC in book 3, except the MMC’s girlfriends.
This book starts so far in the past I’ve lost interest before we get to anything interesting. It’s certainly not the wedding planning.
March 25, 2020
4 1/2 SHAMELESS WITH HIM STARS!! I enjoyed Zoey and Caleb's story, it kept me turning pages. Their story has feels that will touch your heart and you will be pulling for these two. This author has a way with storytelling, she also turns out a great read.
March 29, 2020
This was the last book in this series. I definitely ran through all the emotions on this one. I was looking forward to Caleb and Zoeys book, we got to see a sneak peak of them in previous books. Caleb has a secret and thinks he needs to push Zoey away. Zoey isn’t letting Caleb push her away this time, no matter how much it hurts. And Caleb does some crappy things, after the secret is revealed people understand but can Zoey forgive him for everything? I loved this story and in sad to see the end but I’m anxious to see what else Ms. Ryan has in store for us in the future
March 25, 2020
Nice and quick read. Love how the Montgomery's and Carr's are one big family now.
December 16, 2025
What a mess. None of this made any sense.
March 19, 2020
Shameless With Him is a sweet and sad story of unrequited love. Caleb is such a man, I wanted to Gibbs slap him more than once. Zoey was too sweet for her own good. But when they finally get together it makes your heart sing.
March 26, 2020
I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest
It was a great book!
Zoey loved Caleb since she was 8 years old.
With her sisters's wedding approaching, she made a decision
It is time to make Caleb notice her.
Caleb was not a fan of commitment.
But with Zoey, will Caleb give love a chance ?
The characters + storytelling were very captivating
It has all the ingredients that you need for an awesome book!
I can't wait for the next book in the series!
It was a great book!
Zoey loved Caleb since she was 8 years old.
With her sisters's wedding approaching, she made a decision
It is time to make Caleb notice her.
Caleb was not a fan of commitment.
But with Zoey, will Caleb give love a chance ?
The characters + storytelling were very captivating
It has all the ingredients that you need for an awesome book!
I can't wait for the next book in the series!
March 24, 2020
What can I say I had to go into this one to follow thru with this series that has me by the teeth. Crushes I remember those they could if you let them turn you into a bundle of nerves or someone you did not recognize. Zoey and Caleb give us their story with them having started with each other when kids. Time and time again we see what she goes through and what he goes and does. Now we see what will happen when the direction seems to be the two of them. Sometimes though a good wake up call was in order but then he had his secrets but they should not be kept from a good friend. Kept us with them wanting to know how this would conclude.
March 23, 2020
I could tell, right from the beginning that this book was going to be a doozy! There were secrets, hints of more, and I could tell that something was going on, something important, and my curiosity was going wild! I was so hooked, I read this book in one sitting, from beginning to end, without stopping! It was definitely engrossing, and I just couldn't stop, until I found out what happened!
Zoey has had feelings for Caleb since childhood. What started as a cute childhood crush, has morphed into adult feelings, but they have stayed one sided, since he always has someone else at his side, whenever they run into each other. But now they are both back in their hometown, thrown together by family and friends and circumstances. Zoey has decided it's her turn. If she could only decide how to make her dreams, into reality!
Caleb's life is spinning out of control, and he doesn't know what to do. So he goes home. Where he has the support of his family and friends. But he wasn't counting on Zoey. Or the feelings she brings out in him. And that is something else he doesn't know how he should handle. Temptation. Confusion. Should he or shouldn't he?
There is such an amazing connection between Zoey and Caleb, hidden under the guise of years of acquaintanceship. They've grown up on the periphery of each other's lives since early childhood, each with their own feelings, and thoughts about the other! There is a familiarity, a basis in friendship that isn't there with a couple that is just meeting. It gives the story a whole new depth, makes it richer, and just that much more perfect! I loved their story, as I've enjoyed the rest of the stories in the series. It was a perfect story of friends to lovers, with just the right amount of angst, and plenty of heat!
Zoey has had feelings for Caleb since childhood. What started as a cute childhood crush, has morphed into adult feelings, but they have stayed one sided, since he always has someone else at his side, whenever they run into each other. But now they are both back in their hometown, thrown together by family and friends and circumstances. Zoey has decided it's her turn. If she could only decide how to make her dreams, into reality!
Caleb's life is spinning out of control, and he doesn't know what to do. So he goes home. Where he has the support of his family and friends. But he wasn't counting on Zoey. Or the feelings she brings out in him. And that is something else he doesn't know how he should handle. Temptation. Confusion. Should he or shouldn't he?
There is such an amazing connection between Zoey and Caleb, hidden under the guise of years of acquaintanceship. They've grown up on the periphery of each other's lives since early childhood, each with their own feelings, and thoughts about the other! There is a familiarity, a basis in friendship that isn't there with a couple that is just meeting. It gives the story a whole new depth, makes it richer, and just that much more perfect! I loved their story, as I've enjoyed the rest of the stories in the series. It was a perfect story of friends to lovers, with just the right amount of angst, and plenty of heat!
June 10, 2020
*SPOLIERS*
I'm sorry I'm sure this author is great, but this book was just...
The first two were kind of blah for me, but I was interested to see what the deal was with Zoey and Caleb. I feel like this book had no character development. I don't get why Zoey was so in love with Caleb, and why Caleb was so not into personal relationships besides the fact he was just a player. He just decided to make a move on Zoey while going through a health crisis? It felt so random. I felt no connection between them and Zoey just kept letting people walk all over her. The references to her feeling "not jealous" about her relationship with her mom and sister were just skimmed over and felt redundant after awhile. Where I really lost it was when he brought that girl to her sister's wedding. Think about that. A big moment in her life and he actually had the audacity to bring another women when everyone knew they were together. How dare he make her go through that day and stand up there across from him and ruin that memory for her. I would not have forgiven him so easily, but of course he collapsed so poor Caleb.
The epilogue really put me over the edge. The fact that his vows seemed so over-romantic but their relationship felt so blah-I couldn't. And then Amelia having triplets while Erin was having twins....just too many cliches going on. Maybe I'll revisit this author since I had the Montgomery Ink series on my want to read, but who knows.
I'm sorry I'm sure this author is great, but this book was just...
The first two were kind of blah for me, but I was interested to see what the deal was with Zoey and Caleb. I feel like this book had no character development. I don't get why Zoey was so in love with Caleb, and why Caleb was so not into personal relationships besides the fact he was just a player. He just decided to make a move on Zoey while going through a health crisis? It felt so random. I felt no connection between them and Zoey just kept letting people walk all over her. The references to her feeling "not jealous" about her relationship with her mom and sister were just skimmed over and felt redundant after awhile. Where I really lost it was when he brought that girl to her sister's wedding. Think about that. A big moment in her life and he actually had the audacity to bring another women when everyone knew they were together. How dare he make her go through that day and stand up there across from him and ruin that memory for her. I would not have forgiven him so easily, but of course he collapsed so poor Caleb.
The epilogue really put me over the edge. The fact that his vows seemed so over-romantic but their relationship felt so blah-I couldn't. And then Amelia having triplets while Erin was having twins....just too many cliches going on. Maybe I'll revisit this author since I had the Montgomery Ink series on my want to read, but who knows.
June 13, 2020
Zoey has love Caleb since they were 8, every few years he sees her somewhere away from home, He is with another woman and she still loves him. Caleb is the last single Carr, and Zoey is best friends with his sister Amelia. They have no sibling feelings for the other between them. Zoey finally owns her flower shop. Caleb works behind a desk for a construction company. They start hanging out, and settle into a friends with benefits arrangement. Lacey, Zoey's sister marries John, a good friend of Caleb's. Caleb has severe debilitating migraines, but only his siblings know, he doesn't tell Zoey. At the wedding he has a migraine but luckily his family is able to get him to the doctor with the wedding guests not knowing about it. Caleb wants to distance himself from Zoey so he invites a friend to the wedding. At the hospital he and Zoey talk, and he admits he wanted to stay away because he wasn't sure what the doctor would say about his migraines. He's fine, the doctor is very optimistic about new treatments for Caleb.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2020
While I liked this book, its story line and its couple. That being said I also had some issues with this book. Things move quite slowly as Zoey and Caleb's tale unfolds. While I understood that there was a lot of ground to cover I still thought things dragged. Zoey and Caleb were just only OK in my opinion. They had there moments but they never truly clicked with me and I honestly never got that much of an connection between them. Still, I'm not saying that this was a bad book because there were some very good things about it like the writing, the heat when these two finally do get together, the world building and the return appearances of familiar characters. This is my frank, freely posted review.
March 25, 2020
Shameless With Him is a best friend's sibling romance which is written in the first-person point of view and can be read as a stand-alone or as the third novel in the Less Than series.
Zoey was in love with Caleb since she was eight years old and she has always got her heartbroken by him from afar. No matter how far away she tried to run he always seemed to be there. Caleb was once ready to commit until his world was turned upside down. He knew he had to run away but his sister's best friend Zoey was always a temptation. Zoey had enough of watching the man she loved with other people. Now she was ready to put all her cards on the table and claimed him as her own.
Shameless With Him is the conclusion of the Less Than series. Carrie Ann Ryan has done a great job of wrapping up another series. Having not read the first two books it was still easy to understand who everyone was and can easily be read as a standalone but it will be nice to read the first two novels and connect with the other characters. Caleb was a little bit annoying with his issues and secrets but after it, all was revealed it was not too bad. I look forward to more Carrie Ann Ryan novels in the future.
*ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review*
March 22, 2020
Shameless With Him begins with Zoey, at eight years old, and her father on the beach in Hawaii. Someone slams into Zoey and she loses her footing and can’t find ‘up’ when someone grabs her and saves her. To her shock, it’s none other than Caleb Carr. Even though they were from the same hometown, neither knew the other would be vacationing in Hawaii. Little did either of them know that the stage had been set for a series of unexpected encounters for years to come.
Zoey was finally living her dream, or at least, part of it. She owned her own flower shop and was doing well for herself. At work late one evening, someone knocks on the window to her shop. When she looks up, she sees none other than Caleb Carr. While they visit for a bit, she finds out that Caleb has moved back and was working locally now.
Caleb has kept his reasons for moving home a secret from his family. Even though he has never lacked female company, he finds himself cautiously wondering if he’s ready for something a little more serious. He and Zoey end up being thrown together due to Zoey being her little sister’s made of honor in her upcoming wedding and Caleb being the best man.
Neither can deny their mutual attraction and the two of them end up giving into their feelings. As the two of them become closer and Zoey’s sister’s wedding looms, they end up being scared for opposite reasons. Zoey, because she has loved Caleb since she was eight years old and Caleb, because his secret could change everything……
Shameless With him is another well written addition to the Less Than series. Zoey and her circle of friends, (whom we’ve met in previous installments), are what every woman needs. They are close and lean on each other in times of need and they have loads of fun together. Caleb and his brothers are very close and are there for each other in every way. When Caleb’s secret is revealed to his family, the depths of his fear of the unknown breaks your heart. However, misunderstandings abound at the wedding and the two of them have to decide, once and for all, if they are really meant to be together. If you’re a fan of contemporary romance, you will never go wrong with one of Ryan’s stories. Well done, Carrie Ann Ryan!
Zoey was finally living her dream, or at least, part of it. She owned her own flower shop and was doing well for herself. At work late one evening, someone knocks on the window to her shop. When she looks up, she sees none other than Caleb Carr. While they visit for a bit, she finds out that Caleb has moved back and was working locally now.
Caleb has kept his reasons for moving home a secret from his family. Even though he has never lacked female company, he finds himself cautiously wondering if he’s ready for something a little more serious. He and Zoey end up being thrown together due to Zoey being her little sister’s made of honor in her upcoming wedding and Caleb being the best man.
Neither can deny their mutual attraction and the two of them end up giving into their feelings. As the two of them become closer and Zoey’s sister’s wedding looms, they end up being scared for opposite reasons. Zoey, because she has loved Caleb since she was eight years old and Caleb, because his secret could change everything……
Shameless With him is another well written addition to the Less Than series. Zoey and her circle of friends, (whom we’ve met in previous installments), are what every woman needs. They are close and lean on each other in times of need and they have loads of fun together. Caleb and his brothers are very close and are there for each other in every way. When Caleb’s secret is revealed to his family, the depths of his fear of the unknown breaks your heart. However, misunderstandings abound at the wedding and the two of them have to decide, once and for all, if they are really meant to be together. If you’re a fan of contemporary romance, you will never go wrong with one of Ryan’s stories. Well done, Carrie Ann Ryan!
March 31, 2020
This review is written after listening to the audio version of this book.
This is Zoey and Caleb's story and I hate to say it but I liked this one the least of all the books in this series. That's not to say I didn't like the book because I did, but at times I had difficulties liking Caleb, that said this was still a book I could not stop listening to. I loved Carrie Ann's writing style and I enjoyed that almost all the characters in the book felt like old friends.
Caleb is the last of the Carrs to find his life partner although Zoey has been part of his life since they were children, he never really saw her. She's loved Caleb since she was eight years old, although it seemed like fate kept throwing them together over the years he was always with a different girlfriend.
When Zoey's sister asked her to be Maid of Honor at her wedding she was thrown into close contact, yet again, with Caleb as he was the Best Man. He's come home, left the job he loved and was now working in an office because he's sick. He's having migraine-like headaches and has even had a hallucination! But he hasn't told his family, he's had so many tests but still has no idea what is wrong with him - is it a tumour in his brain? Is he going to die?
Zoey's sister was a bridezilla, she's demanding and unreasonable but Zoey just took everything and quietly went about all the arrangments she had to do as well as running her own business. The proximity to Caleb seemed to be the one good thing to come out of it, he's seen her at last and they've started a relationship. They've become close but have never talked about the future, Caleb's scared he doesn't have one and she didn't want to pressure him.
The wedding day arrived and Caleb has allowed his fear full rein, he wanted to give Zoey an out, a reason to leave him, but instead of telling her his fears, he invited another woman to the wedding! As I said at the start of this review I had a hard time liking Caleb, his secretiveness and his actions on the wedding day is the reason.
The narration of this book by Samantha Cook and Jacob Morgan is excellent, it could not be improved upon.
I was given this audiobook as a gift and am voluntarily writing my review.
This is Zoey and Caleb's story and I hate to say it but I liked this one the least of all the books in this series. That's not to say I didn't like the book because I did, but at times I had difficulties liking Caleb, that said this was still a book I could not stop listening to. I loved Carrie Ann's writing style and I enjoyed that almost all the characters in the book felt like old friends.
Caleb is the last of the Carrs to find his life partner although Zoey has been part of his life since they were children, he never really saw her. She's loved Caleb since she was eight years old, although it seemed like fate kept throwing them together over the years he was always with a different girlfriend.
When Zoey's sister asked her to be Maid of Honor at her wedding she was thrown into close contact, yet again, with Caleb as he was the Best Man. He's come home, left the job he loved and was now working in an office because he's sick. He's having migraine-like headaches and has even had a hallucination! But he hasn't told his family, he's had so many tests but still has no idea what is wrong with him - is it a tumour in his brain? Is he going to die?
Zoey's sister was a bridezilla, she's demanding and unreasonable but Zoey just took everything and quietly went about all the arrangments she had to do as well as running her own business. The proximity to Caleb seemed to be the one good thing to come out of it, he's seen her at last and they've started a relationship. They've become close but have never talked about the future, Caleb's scared he doesn't have one and she didn't want to pressure him.
The wedding day arrived and Caleb has allowed his fear full rein, he wanted to give Zoey an out, a reason to leave him, but instead of telling her his fears, he invited another woman to the wedding! As I said at the start of this review I had a hard time liking Caleb, his secretiveness and his actions on the wedding day is the reason.
The narration of this book by Samantha Cook and Jacob Morgan is excellent, it could not be improved upon.
I was given this audiobook as a gift and am voluntarily writing my review.
March 25, 2020
I don't know about others but I have been waiting for Caleb and Zoey. In the first two books of this series Carrie wrote just enough about these two to peak our curiosity about these two.
First, I love the way Carrie started this book, we knew that Zoey had a crush on Caleb and has had one for a long time but it really has been most of her life. Fate had a way of bringing these two together at moments throughout their lives that were memorable.
Caleb Carr moved back to Denver not to long ago, giving up a career in the field to sit behind a desk and has been secretive about the reasons for why. Caleb has been keeping a secret from his siblings for a while and events make those secrets impossible to keep. Working together with Zoey, a woman that he has no business being attracted to, is proving very complicated. Zoey's sister and his best friend are getting married and as the best man and maid of honor, staying away from her is impossible. Why fight fate any longer....Zoey was always meant to be his.
Zoey has always taken a back seat to her younger sister in life, her sister had childhood leukemia and it was Zoey's bone marrow that ended up saving her life. Being asked to be her sister's maid of honor was a surprise but it was more of a surprise at the fact that her mom and sister have been planning this for years. It was hard for Zoey to remember the relationship that her mom and sister share is very different than the one she share with her mom and not be jealous about it. Working with Caleb on this wedding was nothing short of torture. Caleb Carr has been the object of her affections for most of her life, most didn't know how far back that went but her sister knew. Can she put aside her feelings for Caleb? At this stage of her life, does she want to? At some point she was going to have to take a chance.
Loved this book, I think its my favorite of the three. All are great and no they don't have to be read in order but I think you will appreciate them more if you do.
First, I love the way Carrie started this book, we knew that Zoey had a crush on Caleb and has had one for a long time but it really has been most of her life. Fate had a way of bringing these two together at moments throughout their lives that were memorable.
Caleb Carr moved back to Denver not to long ago, giving up a career in the field to sit behind a desk and has been secretive about the reasons for why. Caleb has been keeping a secret from his siblings for a while and events make those secrets impossible to keep. Working together with Zoey, a woman that he has no business being attracted to, is proving very complicated. Zoey's sister and his best friend are getting married and as the best man and maid of honor, staying away from her is impossible. Why fight fate any longer....Zoey was always meant to be his.
Zoey has always taken a back seat to her younger sister in life, her sister had childhood leukemia and it was Zoey's bone marrow that ended up saving her life. Being asked to be her sister's maid of honor was a surprise but it was more of a surprise at the fact that her mom and sister have been planning this for years. It was hard for Zoey to remember the relationship that her mom and sister share is very different than the one she share with her mom and not be jealous about it. Working with Caleb on this wedding was nothing short of torture. Caleb Carr has been the object of her affections for most of her life, most didn't know how far back that went but her sister knew. Can she put aside her feelings for Caleb? At this stage of her life, does she want to? At some point she was going to have to take a chance.
Loved this book, I think its my favorite of the three. All are great and no they don't have to be read in order but I think you will appreciate them more if you do.
April 4, 2020
3.75 stars
Shameless With Him by Carrie Ann Ryan is a cute friends to lovers, unrequited love romance novel. Zoey has been in love with Caleb Carr since she was little, but every time she's encountered him, he has had another girl. Caleb always treats women with respect and is great, but he has a new woman with him every time she sees him. Zoey finally makes a plan when she turns 30 that she is going to get Caleb to fall in love with her. Caleb has always thought of Zoey as someone that has been there in the background and a good friend. He has migraines and an undiagnosed health problem, so he is reluctant to be in a relationship. When Zoey's sister Lacey gets engaged, Zoey is the maid of honor and ends up working with the best man, Caleb. They have a connection and become closer to each other, but Caleb is still holding back his fears and secrets and Zoey is afraid to admit her feelings. I thought this book was incredibly slow in the first half. The scenes were all well written with a good cast of characters, the Carr and Montgomery families, but they could be a bit boring. I wished there had been more about Zoey and Caleb's past and more scenes of them being together and having that connection and friendship. The prologue was good, but too short for them to constantly refer back to their past. It made it seem as if they had just been acquaintances, and not super close, so it was odd to see them together and have them think as each other as close friends or interconnected family. I thought the lack of communication and all of the worrying when you read the inner thoughts of Zoey and Caleb was also a bit long winded and unnecessary. Zoey felt a little bit too passive and acted a little like a doormat at times. The book really picked up in the last half, when Zoey and Caleb were interacting more frequently and you could see their relationship grow. They both change over time for the better and there were a number of steamier scenes. Overall, this was a nice romance and Zoey and Caleb were really sweet with each other.
3.75 stars
Shameless With Him by Carrie Ann Ryan is a cute friends to lovers, unrequited love romance novel. Zoey has been in love with Caleb Carr since she was little, but every time she's encountered him, he has had another girl. Caleb always treats women with respect and is great, but he has a new woman with him every time she sees him. Zoey finally makes a plan when she turns 30 that she is going to get Caleb to fall in love with her. Caleb has always thought of Zoey as someone that has been there in the background and a good friend. He has migraines and an undiagnosed health problem, so he is reluctant to be in a relationship. When Zoey's sister Lacey gets engaged, Zoey is the maid of honor and ends up working with the best man, Caleb. They have a connection and become closer to each other, but Caleb is still holding back his fears and secrets and Zoey is afraid to admit her feelings. I thought this book was incredibly slow in the first half. The scenes were all well written with a good cast of characters, the Carr and Montgomery families, but they could be a bit boring. I wished there had been more about Zoey and Caleb's past and more scenes of them being together and having that connection and friendship. The prologue was good, but too short for them to constantly refer back to their past. It made it seem as if they had just been acquaintances, and not super close, so it was odd to see them together and have them think as each other as close friends or interconnected family. I thought the lack of communication and all of the worrying when you read the inner thoughts of Zoey and Caleb was also a bit long winded and unnecessary. Zoey felt a little bit too passive and acted a little like a doormat at times. The book really picked up in the last half, when Zoey and Caleb were interacting more frequently and you could see their relationship grow. They both change over time for the better and there were a number of steamier scenes. Overall, this was a nice romance and Zoey and Caleb were really sweet with each other.
3.75 stars
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