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Forbidden Cove #2
Unmanageable
A woman with a plan—and the man who shakes it all up.
Veronica Andersen might not need a man in her life, but in the bedroom . . . well, that’s a different story. With her eye on making partner at her father’s law firm, she doesn’t have time to think about much beyond a fling. So when she can’t get her mind off the hot young thing who walks her dog, Veronica knows exactly what to do.
Brian Walsh isn’t just a dog walker. He’s a former hockey pro who’s rebuilding his life after a career-ending injury on the ice. He’s taking his time and enjoying his current freedom—and the four-legged companionship. If only he could stop fantasizing about the best two legs he’s ever seen. . . .
Brian and Veronica can’t help coming together. Again. And again. Suddenly, Veronica finds herself throwing all her best-laid plans out the window. Could she possibly have fallen in love with a man who’s wrong in every way—except the only one that matters?
This ebook includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
Veronica Andersen might not need a man in her life, but in the bedroom . . . well, that’s a different story. With her eye on making partner at her father’s law firm, she doesn’t have time to think about much beyond a fling. So when she can’t get her mind off the hot young thing who walks her dog, Veronica knows exactly what to do.
Brian Walsh isn’t just a dog walker. He’s a former hockey pro who’s rebuilding his life after a career-ending injury on the ice. He’s taking his time and enjoying his current freedom—and the four-legged companionship. If only he could stop fantasizing about the best two legs he’s ever seen. . . .
Brian and Veronica can’t help coming together. Again. And again. Suddenly, Veronica finds herself throwing all her best-laid plans out the window. Could she possibly have fallen in love with a man who’s wrong in every way—except the only one that matters?
This ebook includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2019
About the author
Lavinia Kent
32 books192 followersI live in Washington, DC with my husband, kids, two cats and a changing menagerie of other small beasts.
I worked in both the arts and in the business world before giving into my love of story telling after the birth of my oldest -- although it wasn't until after the birth of my youngest when I suddenly had full-time childcare that it all came together for me.
I love discussing books -- almost any books at any time.
One of my great joys is having my children get old enough that we can all read the same things and talk. I am so happy that YA is the flourishing world that it is.
And of course I love Romance. I started back with Kathleen Woodiwiss and Johanna Lindsay and have never given them up since -- although there were a few slow spots along the way.
I worked in both the arts and in the business world before giving into my love of story telling after the birth of my oldest -- although it wasn't until after the birth of my youngest when I suddenly had full-time childcare that it all came together for me.
I love discussing books -- almost any books at any time.
One of my great joys is having my children get old enough that we can all read the same things and talk. I am so happy that YA is the flourishing world that it is.
And of course I love Romance. I started back with Kathleen Woodiwiss and Johanna Lindsay and have never given them up since -- although there were a few slow spots along the way.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 26, 2019
Enjoyed for the most part. Some issues irritated me! 3.5 Stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are so many parts of this book I loved
- Brian - soooo Hot and kind
- The steamy scenes - oh yeah!
- Everything else but Veronica - She was a hot mess.
I vacillated between liking her and hating her. She was rude and treated Brian like crap for the most part. Even when she recognized she was being a b.. she still did it. He was the one that made this book what it was.
The ending was really fast and I did not care for it at all. It did not even seem like a typical romance ending.
While the theme of the story is entertaining, the characterization of Veronica was not a great choice. Very self centered and that did not balance well with Brian, although he had his own secrets he held back.
I just wanted more connection and less analyzing and defining of their relationship. It would have read so much better.
* copy received for review consideration
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are so many parts of this book I loved
- Brian - soooo Hot and kind
- The steamy scenes - oh yeah!
- Everything else but Veronica - She was a hot mess.
I vacillated between liking her and hating her. She was rude and treated Brian like crap for the most part. Even when she recognized she was being a b.. she still did it. He was the one that made this book what it was.
The ending was really fast and I did not care for it at all. It did not even seem like a typical romance ending.
While the theme of the story is entertaining, the characterization of Veronica was not a great choice. Very self centered and that did not balance well with Brian, although he had his own secrets he held back.
I just wanted more connection and less analyzing and defining of their relationship. It would have read so much better.
* copy received for review consideration
November 27, 2019
This was the first book that I have read from this author and it was an ok read for me. I liked the premise of the story but once I got started it was hard to really get into it. Loved Brian but Veronica was not someone I liked. She didn’t redeem herself to me and it made it really hard to like the book. I did finish it but to be honest it was hard. Others may like this book just fine but I just didn’t and I have a hard time recommending this.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
November 18, 2019
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
3.5*s rounded up for Baxter!
This is the second book in the series, and I would recommend book 1 to you, although it is not essential to have read it to enjoy this one.
I rather like that this series is unconventional in its romantic choices. The last book was about an older woman having a relationship with her step-daughter's ex. In fact there was nothing really seedy or sordid about it, but the idea is one which we are conditioned to have preconceptions about. Here Veronica is also older than Brian, but the issue here is one of snobbery about his seeming lack of a proper job. For a lawyer she is hopeless at keeping her thoughts to herself, and she is extremely offensive at times, possibly not even realising that she is doing it. It is not an attractive trait, and one that the reader is forced to confront. I imagine that some people will judge her poorly, and yet be guilty of similar, as we are often swift to form opinions of others ... even if reluctant to admit it. So I felt that Kent was making a clever point (as she has done in many books before), although there will some who do not appreciate it.
As we get to see how Veronica has lived her life, and how her family have shaped her thinking, it is easy to see why she has become so conditioned by it. I forgave her a great deal when we see what a misogynistic culture she works within, and how lonely she is - with the exception of her dead brother's Basset hound, Baxter. So she really isn't very skilled in the art of relationships, and certainly struggles to recognise love, or even some levels of human decency. Brian is fascinated by her I think, as she is the opposite of the puck bunnies who have been following him around, and his anonymity is a pleasurable change. Of course it is that which causes much of the trouble between them, and it was interesting to see how Kent could possibly pull that around. Her solution is the absolute best, and I was very happy by the end of the book that everyone got their just desserts.
3.5*s rounded up for Baxter!
This is the second book in the series, and I would recommend book 1 to you, although it is not essential to have read it to enjoy this one.
I rather like that this series is unconventional in its romantic choices. The last book was about an older woman having a relationship with her step-daughter's ex. In fact there was nothing really seedy or sordid about it, but the idea is one which we are conditioned to have preconceptions about. Here Veronica is also older than Brian, but the issue here is one of snobbery about his seeming lack of a proper job. For a lawyer she is hopeless at keeping her thoughts to herself, and she is extremely offensive at times, possibly not even realising that she is doing it. It is not an attractive trait, and one that the reader is forced to confront. I imagine that some people will judge her poorly, and yet be guilty of similar, as we are often swift to form opinions of others ... even if reluctant to admit it. So I felt that Kent was making a clever point (as she has done in many books before), although there will some who do not appreciate it.
As we get to see how Veronica has lived her life, and how her family have shaped her thinking, it is easy to see why she has become so conditioned by it. I forgave her a great deal when we see what a misogynistic culture she works within, and how lonely she is - with the exception of her dead brother's Basset hound, Baxter. So she really isn't very skilled in the art of relationships, and certainly struggles to recognise love, or even some levels of human decency. Brian is fascinated by her I think, as she is the opposite of the puck bunnies who have been following him around, and his anonymity is a pleasurable change. Of course it is that which causes much of the trouble between them, and it was interesting to see how Kent could possibly pull that around. Her solution is the absolute best, and I was very happy by the end of the book that everyone got their just desserts.
November 14, 2019
DNF
I really wanted to try and like this book but I couldn't finish it.
I really wanted to try and like this book but I couldn't finish it.
November 8, 2019
I just couldn’t like the heroine, Veronica. She’s a lawyer in this small town and is working hard as a lawyer for her father. She is trying to somehow earn his love, but it’s clear that he doesn’t really know or love her. She is falling for Brian, the sexy dog-walker and has no idea that he’s a former professional NHL goalie. She’s rather snobby and snotty to him when she thinks that he lacks ambition and is happy to walk dogs. She treats him selfishly, kicking him out whenever she wants to be alone or is just feeling too much. When she finally finds out about his former career and his ambitious future plans, she kicks him out again because…. I’m not sure why. I couldn’t follow her hang-ups and Brian seems much too good for her.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.
November 16, 2019
Unfortunately, this was not my favorite romance.
We follow a lawyer named Veronica who is a bit of a workaholic who enters into a romance with a retired professional hockey player/dog walker Brian. While the premise sounded fun, I found the writing and dialogue to be very poorly done. There were long stretches of monologue when two characters were having a conversation and the author used the same wording almost every time which made the conversations very repetitive and unrealistic.
Also the characterization was not done well. Veronica was snobby and too hot and cold with Brian. It was so hard to figure out what she really wanted from the relationship and the shortcomings with the dialogue as mentioned above certainly did not help the situation.
Overall, would not recommend this novel. While there was nothing really problematic, I think it should be edited more throughly, characterization more fleshed out and a more satisfying conclusion.
ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
We follow a lawyer named Veronica who is a bit of a workaholic who enters into a romance with a retired professional hockey player/dog walker Brian. While the premise sounded fun, I found the writing and dialogue to be very poorly done. There were long stretches of monologue when two characters were having a conversation and the author used the same wording almost every time which made the conversations very repetitive and unrealistic.
Also the characterization was not done well. Veronica was snobby and too hot and cold with Brian. It was so hard to figure out what she really wanted from the relationship and the shortcomings with the dialogue as mentioned above certainly did not help the situation.
Overall, would not recommend this novel. While there was nothing really problematic, I think it should be edited more throughly, characterization more fleshed out and a more satisfying conclusion.
ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2019
This was probably my least favourite romance book for 2019. The writing and dialogue were poorly executed. The premise sounded fun, but the author just couldn't pull it together. To add to my dislike, I also did not like the lead female character Veronica. She was such a snob and flipped emotions with Brian too much. I couldn't figure out what she wanted from Brian and the dialogue issues did not help matters any. I would not recommend this book to anyone. I think the characters need to be fleshed out more, the book more thoroughly edited, more likeable lead and a more satisfying ending. A great premise poorly executed.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
October 18, 2019
This is my first book in this series and while I'm sure some might love it, I did not like this book from the beginning. I found the main character, Veronica, to be spoiled, jaded, and judgemental beyond saving. The more I read, the less redeeming qualities I found about her treatment of Brian. His character was well written but I couldn't connect with him either. The family drama around this book was also boring and uninspired, I felt like giving up on this book so many times. Not even the smexy scenes did it for me. I would not recommend this book.
I received a free ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.
I received a free ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.
November 28, 2019
Check out our Unmanageable post on Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars rounded up for Baxter!
This is the second book in the series, and I would recommend book one to you, although it is not essential to have read it to enjoy this one.
I rather like that this series is unconventional in its romantic choices. The last book was about an older woman having a relationship with her stepdaughter's ex. In fact, there was nothing really seedy or sordid about it, but the idea is one which we are conditioned to have preconceptions about. Here Veronica is also older than Brian, but the issue here is one of snobbery about his seeming lack of a proper job. For a lawyer, she is hopeless at keeping her thoughts to herself and she is extremely offensive at times, possibly not even realising that she is doing it. It is not an attractive trait, and one that the reader is forced to confront. I imagine that some people will judge her poorly, and yet be guilty of similar, as we are often swift to form opinions of others... even if reluctant to admit it. So I felt that Kent was making a clever point (as she has done in many books before), although there will some who do not appreciate it.
As we get to see how Veronica has lived her life and how her family have shaped her thinking, it is easy to see why she has become so conditioned by it. I forgave her a great deal when we see what a misogynistic culture she works within, and how lonely she is – with the exception of her dead brother's Basset hound, Baxter. So, she really isn't very skilled in the art of relationships, and certainly struggles to recognise love, or even some levels of human decency. Brian is fascinated by her I think, as she is the opposite of the puck bunnies who have been following him around, and his anonymity is a pleasurable change. Of course, it is that which causes much of the trouble between them, and it was interesting to see how Kent could possibly pull that around. Her solution is the absolute best, and I was very happy by the end of the book that everyone got their just desserts.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
December 29, 2019
This is the first book that I have read from this author. It left me puzzled.
I really like Brian Walsh. He is a former NHL goalie was has to reinvent himself after he blows out his knee. He spend many childhood summers with his Aunt Mols in Forbidden Cove and has come to help her with her dog walking business, which is PT for his knee and to figure out his future. Since he always liked science even before he got into hockey and did get his BS, he is thinking of going to Med School.
Veronica, I found hard to warm up to. She definitely has Daddy issues, and knows it. Her father seduced her mother, when he was in college and she still in high school. Ok, he didn't know that at the time. He married her after she became pregnant, but divorced her after Veronica was born and started a second family. He is a jerk, but Veronica did have her sweet mother's love for many years, so did not have to be such a bitch. She adopted her half brother's dog Baxter, after her brother died in an auto accident, but is a workaholic, so uses Mrs. Clouster's services. She has issues with not only her father, but also her half sister, who is even ruder than she is.
Veronica doesn't recognize Brian and he finds that refreshing, so lets her believe that he is an unambitious, but gorgeous man. She is a snob, but there is strong chemistry between them. When her sister becomes engaged to her ex, she feels threatened about their father's law firm and who he will leave it to when he retires. She finds Brian easy to talk to and have sex with. Neither is looking for a relationship, but they do become friends. His mother is a therapist and he forces Veronica to talk things out with him.
There is a lot of dialogue between them, but at times it becomes annoying. There is also lots of holes in the story. What was her relationship with her brother and why was it so much closer than with her sister? Why is her sister so nasty to her, when she is the oldest, but received so little attention from her father? And then the climax leaves everything in the air, with no resolutions.
I read an ARC from NetGalley. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
I really like Brian Walsh. He is a former NHL goalie was has to reinvent himself after he blows out his knee. He spend many childhood summers with his Aunt Mols in Forbidden Cove and has come to help her with her dog walking business, which is PT for his knee and to figure out his future. Since he always liked science even before he got into hockey and did get his BS, he is thinking of going to Med School.
Veronica, I found hard to warm up to. She definitely has Daddy issues, and knows it. Her father seduced her mother, when he was in college and she still in high school. Ok, he didn't know that at the time. He married her after she became pregnant, but divorced her after Veronica was born and started a second family. He is a jerk, but Veronica did have her sweet mother's love for many years, so did not have to be such a bitch. She adopted her half brother's dog Baxter, after her brother died in an auto accident, but is a workaholic, so uses Mrs. Clouster's services. She has issues with not only her father, but also her half sister, who is even ruder than she is.
Veronica doesn't recognize Brian and he finds that refreshing, so lets her believe that he is an unambitious, but gorgeous man. She is a snob, but there is strong chemistry between them. When her sister becomes engaged to her ex, she feels threatened about their father's law firm and who he will leave it to when he retires. She finds Brian easy to talk to and have sex with. Neither is looking for a relationship, but they do become friends. His mother is a therapist and he forces Veronica to talk things out with him.
There is a lot of dialogue between them, but at times it becomes annoying. There is also lots of holes in the story. What was her relationship with her brother and why was it so much closer than with her sister? Why is her sister so nasty to her, when she is the oldest, but received so little attention from her father? And then the climax leaves everything in the air, with no resolutions.
I read an ARC from NetGalley. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
November 26, 2019
This review was originally posted on my review blog Deanna Reads Books
I was really excited to read this one, because you know me and hockey romances. This is the second book in a series, but I didn't read the first one, but I don't think you really need to. I ended this book just feeling "okay" with this one.
I found Brian's part of the story to be really interesting, a dude who had nothing but hockey and now he's trying to figure out what to do with his life. Veronica, I just didn't gel with. She ran hot and cold with Brian so much that it was starting to annoy me. I also just felt like there was extra drama with her dad that felt like too much.
I wanted strictly a romance, so all the family drama to this book, just wasn't what I thought I was getting into. Don't get me wrong, her dad sucked, but I just didn't understand why she felt like she had to impress him so much. I would have wanted nothing to do with him.
This book does have happy ending so I was glad about that, and it does have some great steamy parts. If you like romance like this, I would definitely recommend.
*I received a review copy of this book via the publisher from Netgalley and voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was really excited to read this one, because you know me and hockey romances. This is the second book in a series, but I didn't read the first one, but I don't think you really need to. I ended this book just feeling "okay" with this one.
I found Brian's part of the story to be really interesting, a dude who had nothing but hockey and now he's trying to figure out what to do with his life. Veronica, I just didn't gel with. She ran hot and cold with Brian so much that it was starting to annoy me. I also just felt like there was extra drama with her dad that felt like too much.
I wanted strictly a romance, so all the family drama to this book, just wasn't what I thought I was getting into. Don't get me wrong, her dad sucked, but I just didn't understand why she felt like she had to impress him so much. I would have wanted nothing to do with him.
This book does have happy ending so I was glad about that, and it does have some great steamy parts. If you like romance like this, I would definitely recommend.
*I received a review copy of this book via the publisher from Netgalley and voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 5, 2020
#2 in the Forbidden Cove romance series
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a Lavinia Kent fan, but I feel she's still finding her way in the contemporary romance world. In this book, I just couldn't like Veronica. She should be strong and independent as a 35-year-old respected lawyer, but instead she comes across like a teenage girl--totally indecisive and angsty. Even Brian once asked her, "Are you sure you're a lawyer?" She is unsure about her feelings about her father and the rest of her family, she's worried about her job (with the family firm, for Pete's sake!), and she sends major mixed signals to Brian as they try to develop their romantic relationship. Brian is a good hero, although he has his own issues. He enjoys the anonymity of her not knowing he's a hockey player, so I understand his not being up-front right away, but after a while he should have shared since it made Veronica look and sound dumb. Why would he want to do that to her? And he would always say he wanted to talk, but then he'd "wait until later." I just couldn't feel any of the connection, the romance, between them. I've got to say that the sex scenes were definitely hot, though!
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a Lavinia Kent fan, but I feel she's still finding her way in the contemporary romance world. In this book, I just couldn't like Veronica. She should be strong and independent as a 35-year-old respected lawyer, but instead she comes across like a teenage girl--totally indecisive and angsty. Even Brian once asked her, "Are you sure you're a lawyer?" She is unsure about her feelings about her father and the rest of her family, she's worried about her job (with the family firm, for Pete's sake!), and she sends major mixed signals to Brian as they try to develop their romantic relationship. Brian is a good hero, although he has his own issues. He enjoys the anonymity of her not knowing he's a hockey player, so I understand his not being up-front right away, but after a while he should have shared since it made Veronica look and sound dumb. Why would he want to do that to her? And he would always say he wanted to talk, but then he'd "wait until later." I just couldn't feel any of the connection, the romance, between them. I've got to say that the sex scenes were definitely hot, though!
November 21, 2019
Brian was more than a dog walker!
Lawyer Veronica Andersen had Mrs. Clouster walk her basset hound on the three days a week she commuted to the city office during the summer and almost every day during the winter when her nephew showed up to walk Baxter. Brian Walsh needs a break from his old life and he knew that his aunt would give him a couch to sleep on while he walked dogs for her.
Veronica worked for her father’s law firm and was hoping to make partner but when she got the invitation to her half-sister’s wedding she decided to ask Brian to be her plus one even though taking a dog walker wasn’t what her family would expect at a family wedding. What Veronica didn’t know that Brian was retaking some college classes while he was preparing to take his MCAT so he could hopefully go to medical school.
Veronica and Brian needed to deal with figuring what they wanted to do when their lives changed and falling in love during the middle of it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lawyer Veronica Andersen had Mrs. Clouster walk her basset hound on the three days a week she commuted to the city office during the summer and almost every day during the winter when her nephew showed up to walk Baxter. Brian Walsh needs a break from his old life and he knew that his aunt would give him a couch to sleep on while he walked dogs for her.
Veronica worked for her father’s law firm and was hoping to make partner but when she got the invitation to her half-sister’s wedding she decided to ask Brian to be her plus one even though taking a dog walker wasn’t what her family would expect at a family wedding. What Veronica didn’t know that Brian was retaking some college classes while he was preparing to take his MCAT so he could hopefully go to medical school.
Veronica and Brian needed to deal with figuring what they wanted to do when their lives changed and falling in love during the middle of it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 21, 2019
Unmanageable wasn’t quite what I was expecting. It’s sort of a sports romance, sort of a employee/employer romance but uniquely all on its own. Veronica has no time for men, and that includes the man who has shown up to walk her dog. Doesn’t matter that one look and she is drooling and clenching. Brian is a dog work who lives with his aunt and she’s a lawyer about to make partner at her dads firm.
Brian is on a mission to figure out his life. Everything he ever wanted and thought he had his future set fell apart with one injury. Now he’s staying with his aunt while he heals and figures out what’s next. He just never expected to find Veronica. She hits him like no one has before. What starts as a booty call turns serious but he’s keeping his past quiet and she thinks of her being beneath her. Can they survive family, jobs, and secrets?
Brian is on a mission to figure out his life. Everything he ever wanted and thought he had his future set fell apart with one injury. Now he’s staying with his aunt while he heals and figures out what’s next. He just never expected to find Veronica. She hits him like no one has before. What starts as a booty call turns serious but he’s keeping his past quiet and she thinks of her being beneath her. Can they survive family, jobs, and secrets?
December 1, 2019
Veronica Anderson has lived her life trying to please her father. who is stuck in the dark ages. She also has no filter, especially around a certain dog walker. Brian Walsh. Now Brian is not just a dog walker, he is an ex-hockey player. He has landed at his aunt's house to get away from it all and figure out what is next in his life. From the moment they meet, it is instant combustion. Veronica is used to being in control, about saying one and done. Only this time those pesky feelings are sneaking in. Seeing them navigate this not "dating" thing, is unusual. In the end, Brian gets Veronica like no one else has.
Read
December 4, 2019This is my first book by this author and I will have to admit that I didn’t finish it. Even though I liked Brian, I found Veronica to be a snob (even though she tries not to be) and I felt she kept blowing hot and cold with Brian. One thing I did empathize with Veronica is her relationship with her father. I also couldn’t wade through the multiple “does (s)he like me, does (s)he not” thoughts. This was not for me – even with the dog.
I received a copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
I received a copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
October 7, 2019
3 hockey loving stars!
I love a good hockey romance! Brian Walsh isn’t just a dog walker that is helping out with Veronica Andersen's adorable dog. He is also an ex hockey player dealing with an injury that ended his career. When Veronica invites Brian to her sister's wedding, life takes an unexpected turn for everyone involved.
This was a cute story. I liked the dog aspect. Who would think their dog walker was an ex hockey god??? Cute plot line.
I love a good hockey romance! Brian Walsh isn’t just a dog walker that is helping out with Veronica Andersen's adorable dog. He is also an ex hockey player dealing with an injury that ended his career. When Veronica invites Brian to her sister's wedding, life takes an unexpected turn for everyone involved.
This was a cute story. I liked the dog aspect. Who would think their dog walker was an ex hockey god??? Cute plot line.
February 23, 2020
5 Stars
Another hit by Lavinia Kent. Brian and Veronica had excellent emotional characterizations. Their inner dialogues also gave more depth to each person's real feelings. Always enjoys all Lavinia's books
Another hit by Lavinia Kent. Brian and Veronica had excellent emotional characterizations. Their inner dialogues also gave more depth to each person's real feelings. Always enjoys all Lavinia's books
Read
June 29, 2021😅 ok so it's now 6-28-2021 and ... :X considering I've yet to finish this book ... I'm marking it as a DNF. SORRY, BOOK.
[I'm putting the "read/finished" date as the end of 2019 though, to keep things neat/grouped by year.
[I'm putting the "read/finished" date as the end of 2019 though, to keep things neat/grouped by year.
November 26, 2019
Baxter, the dog, brings Brian into Veronica’s life. The fantasies start almost immediately. There relationship takes a steamy path even though neither is looking for a relationship. Veronica is struggling with work and family, while Brian is trying to start a new life. There are lots of deep conversations between the characters and a lot of soul searching.
December 19, 2019
Light romance with difficult life decisions. Some life altering are very visible and yet not easily realized. Others are deep and very emotional. Lavinia leaving what's to come
December 27, 2019
not as good as the first one
March 22, 2023
I don’t often say I dislike the main character. In this case, I have to say it. She got on my nerves more than once throughout the story.
Overall, this was a ok read for me.
Overall, this was a ok read for me.
April 2, 2023
Easy predictable read. Age gap romance. The Heroine being older.
December 29, 2019
One of my favorite books ever is Gone Girl. It grabs you by the throat from the beginning and doesn't let go, even though both main characters are the epitome of despicable. They're interesting. Their world is fascinating. The writing is superb. I say all this to communicate that I don't need a story with likeable or warm and fuzzy characters. Or even moral characters.
What I do need are characters that make sense, a story that makes sense, a narrative that pulls me in and through, and dialogue that reflects the individuality of the characters.
With Unmanageable, I get none of this.
What I did get:
- A main character Heroine who is unlikeable and whiny at best, inconsistent at worst. Her decisions make no sense. The reader never fully grasps just exactly who she is, but what we do grasp, we don't care enough about. She never gives us a reason to care, other than she took over the care of her deceased brother's dog. She's cold, unfeeling, self-serving, shallow, snotty, snooty. We're never shown what love means to her, or who she's loved in the present or past, so it's hard to buy when she finally says she's "in love." It simply doesn't feel genuine.
- A main character hero who's played in a major league sport, but he didn't play all that long, and it's not a sport the majority of the U.S. population fawns over. And he's *gulp* shocked that this woman doesn't recognize his name, as though he were the winning quarterback of the most recent Super Bowl. As a fan of hockey, I know of their "puck bunnies" and wonder why he's okay with this H crapping all over him or even giving her a second chance after her first dismissal of him.
- Dialogue. Most of the dialogue reminded me of a computer-generated voice indistinguishable from one character to the next. Sports figures, especially, speak in slang terms during casual moments. Not these guys. Nope. They sounded just as formal and awkward as attorney Heroine. Except for his use of "smokin' hot" multiple times. The further into the book, the more hunky hockey player began to sound like rod-up-her-butt attorney. And when attorney interacted with her friends or other females? They all sounded like a mix of New England and proper British.
- I appreciated the author trying to delve into the characters' emotions and internal conflicts, and explore beyond romance trope. But too much angst and self-reflection caused me to skip paragraphs and pages, and the repetition insulted me as a reader.
Unfortunately, I simply couldn't connect with anyone or find myself invested at all in the story.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
What I do need are characters that make sense, a story that makes sense, a narrative that pulls me in and through, and dialogue that reflects the individuality of the characters.
With Unmanageable, I get none of this.
What I did get:
- A main character Heroine who is unlikeable and whiny at best, inconsistent at worst. Her decisions make no sense. The reader never fully grasps just exactly who she is, but what we do grasp, we don't care enough about. She never gives us a reason to care, other than she took over the care of her deceased brother's dog. She's cold, unfeeling, self-serving, shallow, snotty, snooty. We're never shown what love means to her, or who she's loved in the present or past, so it's hard to buy when she finally says she's "in love." It simply doesn't feel genuine.
- A main character hero who's played in a major league sport, but he didn't play all that long, and it's not a sport the majority of the U.S. population fawns over. And he's *gulp* shocked that this woman doesn't recognize his name, as though he were the winning quarterback of the most recent Super Bowl. As a fan of hockey, I know of their "puck bunnies" and wonder why he's okay with this H crapping all over him or even giving her a second chance after her first dismissal of him.
- Dialogue. Most of the dialogue reminded me of a computer-generated voice indistinguishable from one character to the next. Sports figures, especially, speak in slang terms during casual moments. Not these guys. Nope. They sounded just as formal and awkward as attorney Heroine. Except for his use of "smokin' hot" multiple times. The further into the book, the more hunky hockey player began to sound like rod-up-her-butt attorney. And when attorney interacted with her friends or other females? They all sounded like a mix of New England and proper British.
- I appreciated the author trying to delve into the characters' emotions and internal conflicts, and explore beyond romance trope. But too much angst and self-reflection caused me to skip paragraphs and pages, and the repetition insulted me as a reader.
Unfortunately, I simply couldn't connect with anyone or find myself invested at all in the story.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 18, 2019
There many times I wanted to DNF this book, but mercifully I made it to the end. I hated Veronica! She was shallow, snotty and very judgmental. His age, his beard, his occupation were all issues. She basically treated Brian like some kind of lap dog. Kicking ng him out for dumb reasons. She was cringing when she thought he was nothing but a dog walker. But yet, it bothered her to learn he was a former athlete. And telling him she liked having the power in a relationship. WTF? She was also very judgy of her friend Jordan as well. But she had no problem being passive-aggressive and playing into her dysfunctional family dynamics. Her father was a jerk and her sister Charlotte was a bish like her. Why didn't she put her family members in their place instead of taking their abuse? And what happened at the wedding was too much, the betrayal of what her father did. Yet, she still wanted to work there being treated as an underling. I was disgusted with the lot of them. Brian could have manned up more instead of letting her treat him like that. She needed to make amends for her poor behavior. The book ended with no resolution for anything. And it was extremely boring to boot. It was supposed to be a sports romance. But it did not feel like one. I voluntarily read this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 24, 2019
This review is going to focus on Unmanageable by Lavinia Kent. This is the second book in her Forbidden Cove series. I received an eARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The main character of this title is lawyer Veronica Andersen. She lives in Forbidden Cove and commutes daily to the city. Sometimes it's hard for her to get back home with work events at night, which makes it hard for her to care for her dog she got from her brother after he passed away in a car accident. She's hired a neighbor to walk her dog when she needs it.
But when she opens the door she doesn't find the older woman she's expecting. She finds the woman's nephew, the sexy Brian Walsh. The two feel an immediate connection, and after an initial hook-up Veronica invites him to be her date to her sister's wedding.
The two insist they don't want anything serious, and Veronica doesn't take the time to get to know Brian. She even judges him for his current lifestyle of being a dog walker and doing sunset yoga on the beach.
But what she doesn't know is that he was a star goalie in the NHL until a recent injury ended his career. Eventually the two can't be kept apart and they work on their differences and learn about each other.
This was a fun, interesting read, and I will definitely be picking up other titles in this series.
Happy reading :)
The main character of this title is lawyer Veronica Andersen. She lives in Forbidden Cove and commutes daily to the city. Sometimes it's hard for her to get back home with work events at night, which makes it hard for her to care for her dog she got from her brother after he passed away in a car accident. She's hired a neighbor to walk her dog when she needs it.
But when she opens the door she doesn't find the older woman she's expecting. She finds the woman's nephew, the sexy Brian Walsh. The two feel an immediate connection, and after an initial hook-up Veronica invites him to be her date to her sister's wedding.
The two insist they don't want anything serious, and Veronica doesn't take the time to get to know Brian. She even judges him for his current lifestyle of being a dog walker and doing sunset yoga on the beach.
But what she doesn't know is that he was a star goalie in the NHL until a recent injury ended his career. Eventually the two can't be kept apart and they work on their differences and learn about each other.
This was a fun, interesting read, and I will definitely be picking up other titles in this series.
Happy reading :)
December 10, 2019
Unmanageable is the second book in the Forbidden Cove series but can be read as a standalone. It is a bit similar to the first book, at least in terms of the romance or lack thereof. Veronica and Brian do seem to do a lot of talking, and there is certainly chemistry, but chemistry and sexual attraction don't necessarily equal love and romance. These two just didn't seem very compatible to me. Veronica is a hard character to like, and I'm not really sure that I ever really got there with her. She comes across as self-centered, selfish, and judgmental, and just when I would start to think there was more to her, she'd do or say something else that just frustrated me to no end. She had reason for some issues, but instead of making her more relatable, she acted like the whole world revolved around her. On the flip side, Brian is just a genuinely likable guy. He's warm and friendly, and an all-around good guy. He does have a secret, but the big reveal of that secret was a bit blown out of proportion in my opinion. It really had nothing to do with Veronica or the relationship, and it felt like her response was just angst for the sake of angst. In the end, this one was just okay for me. I really wanted more depth in the relationship, and maybe a more likable main character.
December 3, 2019
Veronica is a workaholic who is determined to make partner at her father's law firm. She doesn't have time to date. but she does have time for a fling. And she knows the perfect person to help her scratch the itch - her dogwalker, Brian Walsh. But Brian isn't just a dogwalker. He's a former professional hockey player who's rebuilding his life after a career ending injury. The attraction between the two grows and before long, the two are together again and again. Could Veronica throw all her plans out the window and fall for the guy who is all wrong for her?
This book had a really cute storyline. Also, any story with a dog in it has me hooked! Neither Brian or Veronica are looking for a relationship, but both end up heading in that direction. After an invitation to her sister's wedding, things take an unexpected turn. It took me a bit to get into the characters, but once I was invested, I flew through the book. Overall, it was a sweet story and I enjoyed it.
This book had a really cute storyline. Also, any story with a dog in it has me hooked! Neither Brian or Veronica are looking for a relationship, but both end up heading in that direction. After an invitation to her sister's wedding, things take an unexpected turn. It took me a bit to get into the characters, but once I was invested, I flew through the book. Overall, it was a sweet story and I enjoyed it.
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