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Somebody #1
Somebody Wonderful
Rescued from a gang of street urchins by police officer Michael McCann, Timona Calverson, a runaway from a house of ill repute, finds a protector in this gentle Irishman who steals her heart with his compassion and kindness. Original.
302 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2004
About the author
Kate Rothwell
23 books162 followersAlso writes as Summer Devon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 19, 2015
4 ½ stars. Very enjoyable. Strong smart woman pursues honorable man who resists her.
This review is a little different than normal because I am comparing this book to another book as a way to describe why I liked it - why this book worked.
I love a strong smart heroine, but many authors do not do it well. An example is “A Bollywood Affair.” Heroine Mili is smart and perfect. Hero has writers block but when he’s around Mili he can write again. He normally hates women who cry, but with Mili he loves her tears. He does all kinds of things for her.
“Somebody Wonderful” is very different and does it well. Timona was kidnapped but fought the guys and got away. She was then attacked by a gang of youths but saved by a cop coming by. For her it was love at first sight. She wants to marry him. But what made this good was that he did not want her. She was striving toward the goal of getting him to love her. In Bollywood, they both were drawn to each other from the beginning and there was no goal for Mili to strive for.
Timona was so open and honest in her desire for Mick that at one point he said “Have you no pride? Have you no shame?” And she was not bothered by this comment.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 302 pages. Swearing language: moderate including religious swear words but not often used. Sexual language: moderate: Number of sex scenes: about two plus several referred to. Setting: 1882 New York and Montana. Copyright: 2004. Genre: historical romance.
This review is a little different than normal because I am comparing this book to another book as a way to describe why I liked it - why this book worked.
I love a strong smart heroine, but many authors do not do it well. An example is “A Bollywood Affair.” Heroine Mili is smart and perfect. Hero has writers block but when he’s around Mili he can write again. He normally hates women who cry, but with Mili he loves her tears. He does all kinds of things for her.
“Somebody Wonderful” is very different and does it well. Timona was kidnapped but fought the guys and got away. She was then attacked by a gang of youths but saved by a cop coming by. For her it was love at first sight. She wants to marry him. But what made this good was that he did not want her. She was striving toward the goal of getting him to love her. In Bollywood, they both were drawn to each other from the beginning and there was no goal for Mili to strive for.
Timona was so open and honest in her desire for Mick that at one point he said “Have you no pride? Have you no shame?” And she was not bothered by this comment.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 302 pages. Swearing language: moderate including religious swear words but not often used. Sexual language: moderate: Number of sex scenes: about two plus several referred to. Setting: 1882 New York and Montana. Copyright: 2004. Genre: historical romance.
July 16, 2010
I was in the mood for a 'different' type of romance when I started this book. Lately, because so many popular authors are writing romances with similar plots, I have felt somewhat cheated. So when I started SOMEBODY WONDERFUL by Kate Rothwell I wasn't sure how I would feel.
This historical romance takes place between an Irish NY police officer and an heiress in the late 1800's. What little I remember from past history lessons was that the Irish were not well-liked when they arrived in America. This story follows that idea. Our hero, Mick, is not well-off financially but he manages. Though he has used a 'stick' on his beat, he tries to treat others fairly. Only when it is warranted does he use any sort of violence. If anything he is guilty of, it is believing in some of the fundamental mores of the time. Still, he is an endearing character. Not the best looking, he is flawed but likeable and sweet in many ways.
Timona, 'Timmy', is a different type of heroine. Naive and innocent, she sees the world through filtered glass. I loved that she responded to Mick's seriousness with simplicity. She is a photographer who was raised by her father in unusual worldly settings. Well off financially, she is smart but she lacks guile; she sees the good in others first.
I was highly impressed with Ms. Rothwell's ability to create characters who don't always speak and behave the way you expect them to. Mick and Timmy's relationship is believable, they are good for each other even though it takes Mick some time to see just how good they are. The secondary characters were interesting and some deserve a story of their own. With a few sex scenes, more sensuality than graphic depiction, their love evolved.
While reading the book I found myself smiling on more than one occasion. I can't give it five stars because some issues were not resolved. Though minor, it still would have been nice to have a better understanding of why certain things happened. I won't go into detail because I don't want to give away any spoilers. In any case I enjoyed Mick and Timmy's story and am looking forward to reading Ms. Rothwell's next book in this series, SOMEBODY TO LOVE.
This historical romance takes place between an Irish NY police officer and an heiress in the late 1800's. What little I remember from past history lessons was that the Irish were not well-liked when they arrived in America. This story follows that idea. Our hero, Mick, is not well-off financially but he manages. Though he has used a 'stick' on his beat, he tries to treat others fairly. Only when it is warranted does he use any sort of violence. If anything he is guilty of, it is believing in some of the fundamental mores of the time. Still, he is an endearing character. Not the best looking, he is flawed but likeable and sweet in many ways.
Timona, 'Timmy', is a different type of heroine. Naive and innocent, she sees the world through filtered glass. I loved that she responded to Mick's seriousness with simplicity. She is a photographer who was raised by her father in unusual worldly settings. Well off financially, she is smart but she lacks guile; she sees the good in others first.
I was highly impressed with Ms. Rothwell's ability to create characters who don't always speak and behave the way you expect them to. Mick and Timmy's relationship is believable, they are good for each other even though it takes Mick some time to see just how good they are. The secondary characters were interesting and some deserve a story of their own. With a few sex scenes, more sensuality than graphic depiction, their love evolved.
While reading the book I found myself smiling on more than one occasion. I can't give it five stars because some issues were not resolved. Though minor, it still would have been nice to have a better understanding of why certain things happened. I won't go into detail because I don't want to give away any spoilers. In any case I enjoyed Mick and Timmy's story and am looking forward to reading Ms. Rothwell's next book in this series, SOMEBODY TO LOVE.
February 11, 2018
DNF 11% - interesting premise, poorly (childishly) written
October 12, 2015
This book was originally published by Zebra in 2004, and I'm going to give Kate Rothwell (aka Summer Devon) the benefit of the doubt and say that she has become a much better writer in the ensuing 11 years since her debut. Because this book is ridiculous. It would be easier to think that the heroine, Timona ("Timmy") is from another planet or from the future than to believe that a late-19th century heroine would act, think, or talk the way she does. She decides within about 12 hours of meeting the hero that she is in love with him and wants to marry him, she has 21st century sex-positive attitudes that are explained away because she traveled the world with her absent-minded archaeologist father and her brother told her the facts of life, she charms everyone she meets from rich to poor, she laughs in the face of danger, and of course she is strikingly beautiful. Oh, and she knows how to fight with a knife (but she still needs to be rescued by the hero several times). One extra star for the gruff but adoring beta hero Mick (although the old "I found her on the streets so she must be a whore" trope hasn't worked since The Flame & the Flower.)
I have enjoyed several historical M/M romance novels co-written by Summer Devon and Bonnie Dee, but now I'm wondering if I should think twice about trying another one. Oh, let's chalk the ludicrousness of this book up to Zebra's mediocrity and the author's inexperience.
I have enjoyed several historical M/M romance novels co-written by Summer Devon and Bonnie Dee, but now I'm wondering if I should think twice about trying another one. Oh, let's chalk the ludicrousness of this book up to Zebra's mediocrity and the author's inexperience.
January 17, 2021
Charming story, albeit with lots of “saving people”. Rich heiress and poor irish copper. Sex positive couple but a lot of cultural shame thrown at them for “living in sin”. It was an enjoyable few hours of audiobook, pleasantly narrated. Mick and Timmy were almost too good to be true, but sweet characters nonetheless.
November 9, 2021
This was well fine, a little predictable with the bad guy, a little too easy with the romance. But I didn't have any serious issues with it. I may try reading vs listening to something else from this author to see if the audio version threw me off
February 22, 2022
Somebody Wonderful by Kate Rothwell had me pinned to the pages. Of course, I needed to be, or I’d miss all the twists and turns of the plot. I needed to pay close attention to remember all the characters and their relationships—there were many.
The plot was a great switch from the poor girl gets the rich guy. Moreover, it was funny that Timona wanted Mick, but he didn’t want her initially. In fact, he thought she was a prostitute!
Michael (Mick) McCann is the definition of a good guy. He was an NYC Irish cop who cared for everyone in his building. He even put out fires and doctored the poor. But I loved Timona (Timmy) Calverson. She was bright, clever, witty, and rich. She had the wherewithal to escape the thugs who kidnapped her.
The characters and settings were superbly crafted. The romantic scenes were tastefully done. And there was a HEA at the end. Four stars!
The plot was a great switch from the poor girl gets the rich guy. Moreover, it was funny that Timona wanted Mick, but he didn’t want her initially. In fact, he thought she was a prostitute!
Michael (Mick) McCann is the definition of a good guy. He was an NYC Irish cop who cared for everyone in his building. He even put out fires and doctored the poor. But I loved Timona (Timmy) Calverson. She was bright, clever, witty, and rich. She had the wherewithal to escape the thugs who kidnapped her.
The characters and settings were superbly crafted. The romantic scenes were tastefully done. And there was a HEA at the end. Four stars!
April 2, 2021
Weird heroine with an happy-go-lucky attitude that I couldn't figure out. It was like she was a baby bird dropped from a nest onto the sidewalk, got kidnapped and attacked and was pretty cool with that. Then she woke up and immediately fell in love with the guy taking care of her because...he had a nice smile? She was a really good judge of character? There were some sweet aspects of their love for one another as their dynamic evolved, but the buildup in their chemistry and over all love story was lackluster. I think I just found too many anachronistic elements to this story and it was hard to believe.
March 19, 2011
4.5 stars.
Well... this was such a fun book! I loved that it was set in the NYC slums. The characters were wonderful and I loved the adventure of it all. The fact that there weren't misunderstandings between the two main characters due to lack of communication was a big plus. A romance that made me smile.
Well... this was such a fun book! I loved that it was set in the NYC slums. The characters were wonderful and I loved the adventure of it all. The fact that there weren't misunderstandings between the two main characters due to lack of communication was a big plus. A romance that made me smile.
August 13, 2021
Questo è il romanzo d'esordio di questa scrittrice ed è collegato al libro "Qualcuno d'amare". Il collegamento però è molto marginale in quanto Araminta (amica del cuore di Timona) e Griffith Calverson (fratello di Timona) che appaiono in questo come personaggi secondari saranno i protagonisti nel successivo.
Il romanzo è ambientato nel 1882 a New York e i due protagonisti non appartengono alla nobiltà infatti Mick è un poliziotto irlandese ignorante (così si definisce) mentre Timona è una famosa fotografa.
Mick nonostante si definisca ignorante si esprime con una certa proprietà di linguaggio. E' un uomo buono che cerca in tutti i modi di aiutare i più deboli, infatti vive in una zona di New York alquanto degradata e la sua stanza non è certo una reggia ma cerca in tutti i modi di aiutare i suoi vicini. Timona invece ha vissuto tantissime avventure, proviene da una famiglia ricca che ha a cuore il suo futuro anche se non tutti i membri della sua famiglia hanno le rotelle al loro posto. Sicuramente la caratterizzazione dei personaggi è interessante ma per quanto riguarda la trama sono rimasta un po' delusa.
Sin dalle prime pagine si evince che Timona vuole sposare Mick, la sua bravura a riconoscere le persone buone la spinge a voler quell'uomo per tutta la vita. Per tutto il romanzo è un continuo tira e molla (mi sposi o no?) mentre vivono sotto lo stesso tetto. Mick che nonostante stia corteggiando un'altra ragazza perde letteralmente la testa per Timona ma fa di tutto per controllarsi. Non manca l'uomo da sempre innamorato di lei che cerca di rapirla per impossessarsi del suo patrimonio e per coprire i propri traffici illegali.
Il livello di sensualità è sicuramente alto anche se non è mai troppo dettagliato tranne per uno due casi poi lascia tutto all'immaginazione del lettore.
Il romanzo è ambientato nel 1882 a New York e i due protagonisti non appartengono alla nobiltà infatti Mick è un poliziotto irlandese ignorante (così si definisce) mentre Timona è una famosa fotografa.
Mick nonostante si definisca ignorante si esprime con una certa proprietà di linguaggio. E' un uomo buono che cerca in tutti i modi di aiutare i più deboli, infatti vive in una zona di New York alquanto degradata e la sua stanza non è certo una reggia ma cerca in tutti i modi di aiutare i suoi vicini. Timona invece ha vissuto tantissime avventure, proviene da una famiglia ricca che ha a cuore il suo futuro anche se non tutti i membri della sua famiglia hanno le rotelle al loro posto. Sicuramente la caratterizzazione dei personaggi è interessante ma per quanto riguarda la trama sono rimasta un po' delusa.
Sin dalle prime pagine si evince che Timona vuole sposare Mick, la sua bravura a riconoscere le persone buone la spinge a voler quell'uomo per tutta la vita. Per tutto il romanzo è un continuo tira e molla (mi sposi o no?) mentre vivono sotto lo stesso tetto. Mick che nonostante stia corteggiando un'altra ragazza perde letteralmente la testa per Timona ma fa di tutto per controllarsi. Non manca l'uomo da sempre innamorato di lei che cerca di rapirla per impossessarsi del suo patrimonio e per coprire i propri traffici illegali.
Il livello di sensualità è sicuramente alto anche se non è mai troppo dettagliato tranne per uno due casi poi lascia tutto all'immaginazione del lettore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2021
This is one story that I can say I didn't see coming. As well as one story that I MUST compliment the narrator, Stephanie Cannon, for her talented ability to do accents and change voices for the multiple characters that she reads. Kate Rothwell's book Somebody Wonderful, is one that I wasn't sure that I would like. That being said I can't give this book anything other than 5 out of 5 stars. The pepper scale is not the highest but there are a few scenes that prove to be steamy, the rating that I would have to give this one is aPepperonicni/Jalepeno Pepper. There is a low burn through most of the story with some sexy scenes in there a couple of times.
Michael "Mick" McCann, an Irish Immigrant, working as a Cop in New York City stubbles across a group of boys beating up what looks to be a young lad. Only when Mick goes to help the injured lad, he is shocked to find that it is a young woman dresssed in a young man's clothes. Timona Calverson comes to find herself in a strange man's company. The story that evolves from there is one that is before it's time in a lot of aspects. The woman is more well off than the man and she is the one that doesn't care about the social stigma around the "role" of a woman.
I recommend this book to people who like stories that are set back in the 1880's in New York City. There is a little violence in this book so before warned, but there is not really anything else to expect in New York City back then. Corruption is something that ran rampant in that time period.
I hope this has helped you find your next Tantalizing Tome!
Michael "Mick" McCann, an Irish Immigrant, working as a Cop in New York City stubbles across a group of boys beating up what looks to be a young lad. Only when Mick goes to help the injured lad, he is shocked to find that it is a young woman dresssed in a young man's clothes. Timona Calverson comes to find herself in a strange man's company. The story that evolves from there is one that is before it's time in a lot of aspects. The woman is more well off than the man and she is the one that doesn't care about the social stigma around the "role" of a woman.
I recommend this book to people who like stories that are set back in the 1880's in New York City. There is a little violence in this book so before warned, but there is not really anything else to expect in New York City back then. Corruption is something that ran rampant in that time period.
I hope this has helped you find your next Tantalizing Tome!
September 17, 2017
Would you consider the audio edition of Somebody Wonderful to be better than the print version?
This is a fabulous story complete with a super sexy Irish hunk as the hero and a totally alluring woman who's free spirit and unassuming beauty break the barriers of class society had established in the 1800's in New York. These characters are so well developed and described that you cannot help but gravitate toward them. The audio edition of this book provides a 5 star performance by a gifted narrator who breaths life into the multifaceted characters written by Ms Rothwell. The vivid descriptions of the characters, their surroundings, and the detail of the plot all bring together a fabulous experience. I really delighted in listening to both of the "Somebody" audio books. Me. Rothwell is a superb writer who makes every experience enjoyable. This series is an easy one to recommend to friends! If you haven't given it a listen yet, you are really missing out! 😍
This is a fabulous story complete with a super sexy Irish hunk as the hero and a totally alluring woman who's free spirit and unassuming beauty break the barriers of class society had established in the 1800's in New York. These characters are so well developed and described that you cannot help but gravitate toward them. The audio edition of this book provides a 5 star performance by a gifted narrator who breaths life into the multifaceted characters written by Ms Rothwell. The vivid descriptions of the characters, their surroundings, and the detail of the plot all bring together a fabulous experience. I really delighted in listening to both of the "Somebody" audio books. Me. Rothwell is a superb writer who makes every experience enjoyable. This series is an easy one to recommend to friends! If you haven't given it a listen yet, you are really missing out! 😍
May 5, 2021
To Timona, It Was Love At First Sight, But Mick Needed Convincing
2.5 Stars
Mick didn't know what to make of Timona. Her unconventional perspectives bewildered him, the way she made the far-fetched sound logical, even possible. He took his role as a public servant seriously, a trait Timona noticed early on, causing her to set her sights on him. What he considered a simple public service turned his life upside down. Mick was admirable, and Timona's eccentricities were often amusing. However, her family was too quirky and somewhat off-putting where Timona's welfare was concerned. She was independent but not invincible. It is why she met Mick in the first place. I enjoyed the interaction between Mick and Timona, but the story as a whole not as much.
2.5 Stars
Mick didn't know what to make of Timona. Her unconventional perspectives bewildered him, the way she made the far-fetched sound logical, even possible. He took his role as a public servant seriously, a trait Timona noticed early on, causing her to set her sights on him. What he considered a simple public service turned his life upside down. Mick was admirable, and Timona's eccentricities were often amusing. However, her family was too quirky and somewhat off-putting where Timona's welfare was concerned. She was independent but not invincible. It is why she met Mick in the first place. I enjoyed the interaction between Mick and Timona, but the story as a whole not as much.
January 10, 2022
Cross Cultural, cross class and cross country historical romance. Very enjoyable and quite unlike the English based historical romances that I have usually read.
Both parties are from the UK, but he is Irish and she is English. He’s Working Class and she’s Upper Class. They meet in New York City, where he’s now a policeman and she’s visiting with her Archeologist father.
Their route to romance is an interesting one, involving many of the neighbourhood characters (especially street ‘urchins’), all of whom are interesting and add depth to the story.
I really like the lead characters, and am intrigued by Griffin (her brother), whom I believe is the focus of the next instalment. I listened to the audiobook version of this title. It was well read and the various accents well rendered v
Both parties are from the UK, but he is Irish and she is English. He’s Working Class and she’s Upper Class. They meet in New York City, where he’s now a policeman and she’s visiting with her Archeologist father.
Their route to romance is an interesting one, involving many of the neighbourhood characters (especially street ‘urchins’), all of whom are interesting and add depth to the story.
I really like the lead characters, and am intrigued by Griffin (her brother), whom I believe is the focus of the next instalment. I listened to the audiobook version of this title. It was well read and the various accents well rendered v
December 6, 2020
Listened to this on audiobook and didn't find the writing/narration to be simple or childish (per a lot of the negative reviews here).
I found the way Timona went after Mic to be refreshing (and funny), and I thought they just worked together. Timona is simple in her wants and needs (Mic), and doesn't play games. Timona's lack of social graces (her want of him, her honesty, and her wealth) confuses Mic and all of his self doubt stems from that stems from that confusion (and plays into lack of trust). Their falling in love and overcoming it all read really natural and sweet. <3
I found the way Timona went after Mic to be refreshing (and funny), and I thought they just worked together. Timona is simple in her wants and needs (Mic), and doesn't play games. Timona's lack of social graces (her want of him, her honesty, and her wealth) confuses Mic and all of his self doubt stems from that stems from that confusion (and plays into lack of trust). Their falling in love and overcoming it all read really natural and sweet. <3
March 17, 2018
Enjoyable
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be very well written and different from what I expected, in a good way. I'd never read anything from this author before but I will now.
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be very well written and different from what I expected, in a good way. I'd never read anything from this author before but I will now.
November 10, 2020
Not bad. Had some funny moments. But I hate that the heroin was attacked by thugs and the hero thought she was a prostitute. In her book, "The Earl, A Girl, and a Promise", the hero also thought the heroin was a prostitute.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2021
I do have to say that I feel like I have listened to enough historical romances that they aren't my favorite but I have this one sitting on my audible account for a while so I decided to listen to it. It was fine. I felt like it was just the same old story.
January 22, 2018
Cute. Ridiculous but cute.
The crisis was a bit over the top but I enjoyed it and the resolution. The author missed an opportunity by leaving Griffin out of that scene imo.
The crisis was a bit over the top but I enjoyed it and the resolution. The author missed an opportunity by leaving Griffin out of that scene imo.
February 13, 2018
A deft story
An unusual heroine meets a worthy hero, two attractive people who deserve each other, s suspected villain and a supporting cast of delightful characters
An unusual heroine meets a worthy hero, two attractive people who deserve each other, s suspected villain and a supporting cast of delightful characters
December 6, 2020
Absolutely loved it
December 29, 2020
This book was a delightful surprise. It was a really fun book to read.
January 29, 2021
So much fun
April 17, 2021
Free on audible. Had to skip some raunchy romance scenes, but a good story.
April 20, 2021
Loved this book. Love Timona and Michael so much. They are perfect together. Happy reading and listening!
April 26, 2021
Easy listen - kept me entertained.
December 18, 2021
Poorly written
April 6, 2022
It didn’t keep my attention at all
September 29, 2022
i obviously liked Rothwell's books as i listened to a plethora of them.
(date listened to is est)
(date listened to is est)
October 22, 2022
Free with my audible app. I like this author and the narrator is great with her voices.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews