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McGrath #1
Waiting on a Cowboy
Meet New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan’s McGraths: a family as untamed as the land they call home.
Tate McGrath just didn’t get it. Why was Liz Scott, his best friend—and the person he relied on and trusted most—suddenly avoiding him! When he finally tracks her down, he finds her with a man he knows nothing about and she’s been dating for weeks. Suddenly, he can’t make himself ignore her tempting curves and deep green eyes, and all he wants to do is keep her all to himself. What was going on? Could he possibly be…jealous?
Liz had made the decision: stop carrying a torch for Tate and find a guy who wants to be her everything. Tate had always seen her as honest, dependable, smart, kind…Best friend, not girlfriend! And she needed to give up the dream of marrying the man she’d loved since preschool and move on.
But when Liz’s boyfriend turns dangerous, Tate steps up to help and soon realizes he’s the cowboy hero she’s been waiting for him to be all along.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2020
372 people are currently reading
1782 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Ryan
55 books1,885 followersJennifer Ryan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Hunted and McBrides Series, writes romantic suspense and contemporary small-town romances.
Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home, and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.
Please visit her website at www.jennifer-ryan.com for information about upcoming releases.
Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home, and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.
Please visit her website at www.jennifer-ryan.com for information about upcoming releases.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
March 24, 2021
Liz Scott and Tate McGrath have been friends since she was five years old. Even back then she announced she was going to marry him. Now it’s 25 years later and Liz can’t get him to move out of the friend zone. She decides to move on into another relationship with Clint Mahew who seemed like the ideal boyfriend...until he wasn’t. His obsession with her turns ugly and menacing, creating a dangerous situation for Liz. In the meantime, Tate awakens to the loss of his best friend who he now realizes is so much more.
What I thought was going to be a sweet friends to lovers romance ended up being shadowed by a sinister backdrop. Clint was crazy scary and not someone to be handed off or ignored. However, in the midst of all of that, Liz and Tate were able to find their way to each other and create a deeper relationship. It was a balm in the midst of the damage wreaked by Clint.
Apparently, Liz and Tate were first introduced in the last book of the Wild Rose Ranch series where their history together as friends was showcased. I found this out when I went looking because I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing something. It’s still an interesting and compelling story but I would have preferred to have experienced the friendship phase. I also opted for the audio version as the narrator, Coleen Marlo, is someone I’ve listened to and enjoyed in the past. She delivered another strong performance, managing to distinguish a host of characters and shifts in the storytelling. I liked the story and do plan to continue the series. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to HarperAudio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
What I thought was going to be a sweet friends to lovers romance ended up being shadowed by a sinister backdrop. Clint was crazy scary and not someone to be handed off or ignored. However, in the midst of all of that, Liz and Tate were able to find their way to each other and create a deeper relationship. It was a balm in the midst of the damage wreaked by Clint.
Apparently, Liz and Tate were first introduced in the last book of the Wild Rose Ranch series where their history together as friends was showcased. I found this out when I went looking because I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing something. It’s still an interesting and compelling story but I would have preferred to have experienced the friendship phase. I also opted for the audio version as the narrator, Coleen Marlo, is someone I’ve listened to and enjoyed in the past. She delivered another strong performance, managing to distinguish a host of characters and shifts in the storytelling. I liked the story and do plan to continue the series. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to HarperAudio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
August 26, 2020
I loved this book, romance with some suspense.
“ I won this book on Goodreads Giveaways!”
“ I won this book on Goodreads Giveaways!”
April 22, 2020
At the age of 5, Liz Scott looked at Tate McGrath and said "I'm going to marry you."
They stayed the best of friends as the years passed. Liz was deeply in love with Tate but he didn't know he felt the same as her. He wanted to keep her in the "friend zone." So Liz decides that she needs to move on and start dating to find someone to spend her life with. She finds Clint, a nice man and a great personality. When she goes out with Clint to a local bar and runs in to Tate, Clint starts to show an abusive side that she had never seen before. He grabbed her arm several times and hurt her. Tate sees what is happening and starts to "feel". Why? Is he feeling jealous? Why is she doing this to him?
Liz's new boyfriend turns in to a stalker/dangerous, Tate quickly becomes her protector and now realizes that he has alway loved Liz and wants to spend his life with her. Clint's abuse goes beyond Liz. He is abusing all of the women he works with. Even blackmailing some of them to do his biding.
Abusive relationships, violence, murder, close family connections and love is packed in to a really good book by Jennifer Ryan. I look forward to the next book in the series. Hopefully we will see Declan, Tate's brother, and also Trinity find their HEA in the upcoming books. A good ride!
Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
They stayed the best of friends as the years passed. Liz was deeply in love with Tate but he didn't know he felt the same as her. He wanted to keep her in the "friend zone." So Liz decides that she needs to move on and start dating to find someone to spend her life with. She finds Clint, a nice man and a great personality. When she goes out with Clint to a local bar and runs in to Tate, Clint starts to show an abusive side that she had never seen before. He grabbed her arm several times and hurt her. Tate sees what is happening and starts to "feel". Why? Is he feeling jealous? Why is she doing this to him?
Liz's new boyfriend turns in to a stalker/dangerous, Tate quickly becomes her protector and now realizes that he has alway loved Liz and wants to spend his life with her. Clint's abuse goes beyond Liz. He is abusing all of the women he works with. Even blackmailing some of them to do his biding.
Abusive relationships, violence, murder, close family connections and love is packed in to a really good book by Jennifer Ryan. I look forward to the next book in the series. Hopefully we will see Declan, Tate's brother, and also Trinity find their HEA in the upcoming books. A good ride!
Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2020
What a wonderful story. Long time love, suspense, and a beautiful ending.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We women know sometimes guys are a little clueless. Sometimes you have to do something drastic to make them see what’s right in front of their face.
That’s with the story is based on. Best friends who are trying to figure out how to be something more in the face of everything else surrounding them.
Liz has serious man issues. Totally in love with Tate but yet had to make a clean break. Her new guy is a serious jerk, however.
The author blends in so many different obvious control triggers and issues that women see while dating. Fyi – This book does contain stalking and several other major issues of a complete controlling jerk.
But through all of the stress and suspense, we also get the beacon of light of the best friend connection and a possible growing romance. Tate is seriously sweet and absolutely adores his best friend. This author did a great job balancing the protective nature Tate has with the serious situations she is finding herself in.
With action, suspense, some creepy factors, and some amazing heated connections, I just fell for Tate myself and seriously loved this book! And if you love a hot cowboy story, you got to grab this one!!
* copy received for review consideration
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/waiting-on-a...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We women know sometimes guys are a little clueless. Sometimes you have to do something drastic to make them see what’s right in front of their face.
That’s with the story is based on. Best friends who are trying to figure out how to be something more in the face of everything else surrounding them.
Liz has serious man issues. Totally in love with Tate but yet had to make a clean break. Her new guy is a serious jerk, however.
The author blends in so many different obvious control triggers and issues that women see while dating. Fyi – This book does contain stalking and several other major issues of a complete controlling jerk.
But through all of the stress and suspense, we also get the beacon of light of the best friend connection and a possible growing romance. Tate is seriously sweet and absolutely adores his best friend. This author did a great job balancing the protective nature Tate has with the serious situations she is finding herself in.
With action, suspense, some creepy factors, and some amazing heated connections, I just fell for Tate myself and seriously loved this book! And if you love a hot cowboy story, you got to grab this one!!
* copy received for review consideration
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/waiting-on-a...
April 26, 2020
ARC received for review
4.5 stars
Friends to lovers romance. Tate and Liz have been friends since they were in kindergarten, and Liz announced she was going to marry him. Years have passed and they are still just best friends. Tate sees her out one night on a date, and things start to change. There was a little angst on his part before he finally got it. Plus throw in a seriously bat sh!t crazy ex. Great story.
At the beginning and periodical throughout the story is mentioned his brother's story which was in Tough Talking Cowboy. I am curious about their story, but didn't need to read it to enjoy this one. There are two more siblings to get HEAs.
4.5 stars
Friends to lovers romance. Tate and Liz have been friends since they were in kindergarten, and Liz announced she was going to marry him. Years have passed and they are still just best friends. Tate sees her out one night on a date, and things start to change. There was a little angst on his part before he finally got it. Plus throw in a seriously bat sh!t crazy ex. Great story.
At the beginning and periodical throughout the story is mentioned his brother's story which was in Tough Talking Cowboy. I am curious about their story, but didn't need to read it to enjoy this one. There are two more siblings to get HEAs.
July 25, 2020
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Waiting On A Cowboy is the first book to the new series by this author but is loosely connected with the previous series she wrote "Wild Rose Ranch" and we get the story with Tate McGrath. And I have to say that even though this book wasn't quite as emotionally intense as I normally receive from this author, it was a wonderful addition to her work. It was quite a fun and relaxing read and I had such a fun time especially with the playful tension between our characters and a bit of suspense.
Tate McGrath and Liz Scott have been best friends since they were in the sandbox. Liz always knew even at 5 years old that she would marry Tate McGrath. But Tate always put Liz on the "friend" pedestal. And Liz has been in love with Tate since she was a little girl. But she is tired of waiting for him to wake up and see her for the woman that she is instead of the "friend" he tends to always sees in her. But when Liz starts dating another man, Tate wakes up with powerful jealousy and begins realizing he could lose Liz and starts fighting for her. So may the best man win!
Waiting On A Cowboy is such a fun book and was quite the relaxing vibe that I really was in the right mood for at the time of reading it. I do love a good friends to lovers trope and Jennifer Ryan walked this out of the PARK....this book was pure romance and intimacy and I adored every single moment. Tate and Liz are so darling together and they make such a great team. Everyone that knows them know that they are meant to be. But Tate....*sigh* ignorant blind Tate lol Seeing him get his wake up call was quite fun. But he does make it up to Liz and love seeing him work his way back to redeeming himself especially when he realizes what an idiot he has been.
What I really loved seeing was the difference in the relationships that Liz has with the two men. And seeing the signs of abuse over love and respect. Tate really knows Liz but he respects her boundaries and even though he is an idiot at times, he never treats her less than she deserves. And I really adored seeing the difference in comparison to the "third party" and seeing the signs of manipulation and abuse and the power of saying "no" to it. I really adored seeing the maturity in this book and the amount of healthy relationship building that is shown here.
Overall I found Waiting On A Cowboy to be an enticing, beautifully portrayed story of friendship, love and fighting for what you believe in!!
Waiting On A Cowboy is the first book to the new series by this author but is loosely connected with the previous series she wrote "Wild Rose Ranch" and we get the story with Tate McGrath. And I have to say that even though this book wasn't quite as emotionally intense as I normally receive from this author, it was a wonderful addition to her work. It was quite a fun and relaxing read and I had such a fun time especially with the playful tension between our characters and a bit of suspense.
Tate McGrath and Liz Scott have been best friends since they were in the sandbox. Liz always knew even at 5 years old that she would marry Tate McGrath. But Tate always put Liz on the "friend" pedestal. And Liz has been in love with Tate since she was a little girl. But she is tired of waiting for him to wake up and see her for the woman that she is instead of the "friend" he tends to always sees in her. But when Liz starts dating another man, Tate wakes up with powerful jealousy and begins realizing he could lose Liz and starts fighting for her. So may the best man win!
I want you to know I really love you. The kind of love that includes rings and vows and a home we share and waking up with you by my side
Waiting On A Cowboy is such a fun book and was quite the relaxing vibe that I really was in the right mood for at the time of reading it. I do love a good friends to lovers trope and Jennifer Ryan walked this out of the PARK....this book was pure romance and intimacy and I adored every single moment. Tate and Liz are so darling together and they make such a great team. Everyone that knows them know that they are meant to be. But Tate....*sigh* ignorant blind Tate lol Seeing him get his wake up call was quite fun. But he does make it up to Liz and love seeing him work his way back to redeeming himself especially when he realizes what an idiot he has been.
What I really loved seeing was the difference in the relationships that Liz has with the two men. And seeing the signs of abuse over love and respect. Tate really knows Liz but he respects her boundaries and even though he is an idiot at times, he never treats her less than she deserves. And I really adored seeing the difference in comparison to the "third party" and seeing the signs of manipulation and abuse and the power of saying "no" to it. I really adored seeing the maturity in this book and the amount of healthy relationship building that is shown here.
Overall I found Waiting On A Cowboy to be an enticing, beautifully portrayed story of friendship, love and fighting for what you believe in!!
August 18, 2020
3.5 stars
I've read a couple of books by this author, so when I saw there was a new series starting with a BFF to more plot line, I was in.
I really liked Liz and Tate. They have loads of history and I liked that this story started with Liz trying to get some distance. I loved the dynamic between Tate and his siblings and how Liz fit right in with them.
Plot wise, it was good. The synopsis definitely downplays how dangerous the new boyfriend is and doesn't really convey how much of the book is Liz and Tate dealing with Clint's obsession. Yes, it is a romance about the two of them finding love; however, the majority of the story is their reactions to what Clint does. And we even get a couple of chapters of Clint's POV.
Overall, I didn't find it as suspenseful as other reviewers did, but I really enjoyed this cast of characters and I'm eager to read the next book in the series.
FYI: stalking, revenge porn, verbal threats, forceful grabbing, talks of physical violence against women
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
I've read a couple of books by this author, so when I saw there was a new series starting with a BFF to more plot line, I was in.
I really liked Liz and Tate. They have loads of history and I liked that this story started with Liz trying to get some distance. I loved the dynamic between Tate and his siblings and how Liz fit right in with them.
Plot wise, it was good. The synopsis definitely downplays how dangerous the new boyfriend is and doesn't really convey how much of the book is Liz and Tate dealing with Clint's obsession. Yes, it is a romance about the two of them finding love; however, the majority of the story is their reactions to what Clint does. And we even get a couple of chapters of Clint's POV.
Overall, I didn't find it as suspenseful as other reviewers did, but I really enjoyed this cast of characters and I'm eager to read the next book in the series.
FYI: stalking, revenge porn, verbal threats, forceful grabbing, talks of physical violence against women
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
November 4, 2020
3.5 Stars
January 24, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Not really
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
I did not read book 1 and do think this one stands fine on its own. There’s some brief appearances of the couple from book 1 in the series, nothing major.
Basic plot
Tate and Liz have been friends since childhood. Liz wanted more, but Tate was clueless so she finally moved on. Tate doesn’t understand why he hasn’t seen Liz – he hunts her down and realizes she has a boyfriend. Jealousy ensues, which soon morphs into feelings of protection when Liz’s boyfriend shows his true colors.
Give this a try if you want:
- Medium steam – a handful of open door scenes, average length
- a thriller disguised as a romance
- lots of time spent with the villain, talking about the villain, in the villains head
- childhood friends to lovers romance trope
My thoughts:
Oof. Well.
I found this book to not be a romance. Really. Nope. It’s a book about a woman who is abused by her ex-boyfriend and the entire book is spent focused on him and his behavior.
I could not get into this book. So little of the time spent was actually focused on the couple. I felt like I had the same amount of time in the villain’s head as I did the main characters. I feel like I know the villain better than the hero or heroine. I kept waiting for it to take a break from how awful he was and focus on some relationship development but it never happened :(
Lots of content warnings here for the things the villain does. It was just over the top with the never ending drama. Sadly, this book didn’t work for me at all.
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Not really
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
I did not read book 1 and do think this one stands fine on its own. There’s some brief appearances of the couple from book 1 in the series, nothing major.
Basic plot
Tate and Liz have been friends since childhood. Liz wanted more, but Tate was clueless so she finally moved on. Tate doesn’t understand why he hasn’t seen Liz – he hunts her down and realizes she has a boyfriend. Jealousy ensues, which soon morphs into feelings of protection when Liz’s boyfriend shows his true colors.
Give this a try if you want:
- Medium steam – a handful of open door scenes, average length
- a thriller disguised as a romance
- lots of time spent with the villain, talking about the villain, in the villains head
- childhood friends to lovers romance trope
My thoughts:
Oof. Well.
I found this book to not be a romance. Really. Nope. It’s a book about a woman who is abused by her ex-boyfriend and the entire book is spent focused on him and his behavior.
I could not get into this book. So little of the time spent was actually focused on the couple. I felt like I had the same amount of time in the villain’s head as I did the main characters. I feel like I know the villain better than the hero or heroine. I kept waiting for it to take a break from how awful he was and focus on some relationship development but it never happened :(
Lots of content warnings here for the things the villain does. It was just over the top with the never ending drama. Sadly, this book didn’t work for me at all.
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
September 11, 2020
Liz Scott has been in love with her best friend Tate McGrath since kindergarten. While the two are best friends and he confides in her, he doesn’t see her as a woman. Frustrated, she commits to opening herself up to seeing someone else. For six weeks she hasn’t contacted Tate and has been dating another man. Someone who spoils her and treats her like a woman. Confronted with losing his friend, Tate risks their friendship for more.
Unfortunately, Liz’s new boyfriend shows a darker, more dangerous side. Even when she breaks up with him, he can’t seem to take no for an answer.
The tale that unfolds focused on the ex and his threat as our best friend’s budding relationship blooms. Thanks to the suspense angle, drama was minimal and mostly involved interference from outside sources.
Ryan delivered genuine characters. Tate and Liz really seem to know each other and Tate has to face the fact that deep down he knew Liz fancied him. I loved their moments together, from laughter to intimate moments.
The suspense angle was intense and there may be triggers regarding stalkers and controlling men. Ryan shared the manipulation, frustrations and fear victims face.
Despite the dark storyline, the romance was sweet and balanced out the dark with sweet moments. I closed the book with a smile and look forward to the next McGrath novel. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Unfortunately, Liz’s new boyfriend shows a darker, more dangerous side. Even when she breaks up with him, he can’t seem to take no for an answer.
The tale that unfolds focused on the ex and his threat as our best friend’s budding relationship blooms. Thanks to the suspense angle, drama was minimal and mostly involved interference from outside sources.
Ryan delivered genuine characters. Tate and Liz really seem to know each other and Tate has to face the fact that deep down he knew Liz fancied him. I loved their moments together, from laughter to intimate moments.
The suspense angle was intense and there may be triggers regarding stalkers and controlling men. Ryan shared the manipulation, frustrations and fear victims face.
Despite the dark storyline, the romance was sweet and balanced out the dark with sweet moments. I closed the book with a smile and look forward to the next McGrath novel. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
February 10, 2021
lol, NOPE. Hot garbage.
We chose to read a romance novel for our February book club. This read more as a rejected screenplay from the western cop show Longmire.
What I chuckled at: The random, matter of fact insertions of trivia about deep fake videos, the slowness of corporate environments to address sexual harassment, and the lag in the development of enforceable laws against revenge porn. The swiftness of the book’s criminal justice system in investigating crime. The author’s need to account for how a character would pay for medical bills because, this is America, and we can’t escape our health care system even in romantic fantasy.
What I didn’t like: The complete lack of character development of any of the characters, including the female protagonist. The female protagonist has no personality. Every character is a trope, and never transcends it. The complete lack of setting. The predictable, dull plot.
What I hated: The repeated demonstration that women are possessions to be owned by men, even by the “good guy.” The casual use of domestic abuse and violence against women as a shallow plot device. The fact that this book does not pass the Bechdel test. The fact that the female protagonist requires rescuing by a man.
We chose to read a romance novel for our February book club. This read more as a rejected screenplay from the western cop show Longmire.
What I chuckled at: The random, matter of fact insertions of trivia about deep fake videos, the slowness of corporate environments to address sexual harassment, and the lag in the development of enforceable laws against revenge porn. The swiftness of the book’s criminal justice system in investigating crime. The author’s need to account for how a character would pay for medical bills because, this is America, and we can’t escape our health care system even in romantic fantasy.
What I didn’t like: The complete lack of character development of any of the characters, including the female protagonist. The female protagonist has no personality. Every character is a trope, and never transcends it. The complete lack of setting. The predictable, dull plot.
What I hated: The repeated demonstration that women are possessions to be owned by men, even by the “good guy.” The casual use of domestic abuse and violence against women as a shallow plot device. The fact that this book does not pass the Bechdel test. The fact that the female protagonist requires rescuing by a man.
August 15, 2020
Did you see the 1990's Julia Roberts movie "Sleeping With the Enemy"? If so, would you call it a Romance? No? Well, WAITING ON A COWBOY is the book form of Sleeping With the Enemy. And it sure as hell isn't a Romance.
This is a book about a woman who is dates a man who becomes abusive. When she breaks up with him he begins stalking her and they eventually have a climactic showdown. As a very small side story is the fact that she is in love with her best friend, Tate, and they start dating.
80% of this book is her abusive relationship/stalking. A mere 20% is the romance with the best friend from her youth. If you like a suspense thriller then you might really enjoy this book, but selling it as a romance is completely absurd.
Trigger Warning: Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Sexual Abuse, Murder
This is a book about a woman who is dates a man who becomes abusive. When she breaks up with him he begins stalking her and they eventually have a climactic showdown. As a very small side story is the fact that she is in love with her best friend, Tate, and they start dating.
80% of this book is her abusive relationship/stalking. A mere 20% is the romance with the best friend from her youth. If you like a suspense thriller then you might really enjoy this book, but selling it as a romance is completely absurd.
Trigger Warning: Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Sexual Abuse, Murder
March 6, 2021
A good friends-to-lovers romance.
August 17, 2020
This felt a bit different, but I grew to really like it.
Liz has liked her best friend Tate for ages, but he has never looked twice at her in that way. Then she gets a new boyfriend, omg this guy was a wacko. He was the one that put suspense in the story, and it gets dark.
And then Tate does see her and want her, ok so this as a bit strange at first, I mean they have been bffs forever, she has has boyfriends before. But hey I guess they had to take that step in the end. Personally I would have been a bit, really Tate, really?! But then she did love him.
So they try to make it work, and all while a crazy person is after Liz.
And it made me realise I missed the last book in the previous series! Since one of the sisters from that one got together with Tate's brother! But yes not necessary to read this new series, but oh no, I missed that one.
Good, suspenseful, sweet, I really do like her books.
Narrator
I liked the narration. She made it all so easy to follow along. Nice distinctive voices
Liz has liked her best friend Tate for ages, but he has never looked twice at her in that way. Then she gets a new boyfriend, omg this guy was a wacko. He was the one that put suspense in the story, and it gets dark.
And then Tate does see her and want her, ok so this as a bit strange at first, I mean they have been bffs forever, she has has boyfriends before. But hey I guess they had to take that step in the end. Personally I would have been a bit, really Tate, really?! But then she did love him.
So they try to make it work, and all while a crazy person is after Liz.
And it made me realise I missed the last book in the previous series! Since one of the sisters from that one got together with Tate's brother! But yes not necessary to read this new series, but oh no, I missed that one.
Good, suspenseful, sweet, I really do like her books.
Narrator
I liked the narration. She made it all so easy to follow along. Nice distinctive voices
April 18, 2020
This is the first book I have read from this author and I loved it. I will have to go back and read her earlier work.
Tate and Liz have been friends since elementary school. They were each others person without the romantic entanglements. They have remained loyal friends through it all. Until Liz finally realizes that Tate is never going to see her as a friend.
I liked the character of Tate. For some reason I could really understand him. He had completely put Liz in the friend zone and would not ever entertain anything else. That was why the first time he feels a little jealous he loses it. It was like to put blinders on to her. He knew she had interest in him but chose to ignore it.
Liz was a woman I could admire. She was sick of pining for Tate and decided that she wanted someone who wanted her like a woman. Unfortunately for her, she didn't pick the best guy to start this I am woman here me roar thing. The things I loved reading about Liz was the stages of everything that she went though. She ran the gambit on her feeling towards Tate the whole book and also all the stages towards her stalker. She would be scared one moment and then she would get upset and not hide from him.
The book had lots of ups and downs. There was sweet and sexy times along with fun and banter. There was also suspense and drama so basically this book has everything!
Tate and Liz have been friends since elementary school. They were each others person without the romantic entanglements. They have remained loyal friends through it all. Until Liz finally realizes that Tate is never going to see her as a friend.
I liked the character of Tate. For some reason I could really understand him. He had completely put Liz in the friend zone and would not ever entertain anything else. That was why the first time he feels a little jealous he loses it. It was like to put blinders on to her. He knew she had interest in him but chose to ignore it.
Liz was a woman I could admire. She was sick of pining for Tate and decided that she wanted someone who wanted her like a woman. Unfortunately for her, she didn't pick the best guy to start this I am woman here me roar thing. The things I loved reading about Liz was the stages of everything that she went though. She ran the gambit on her feeling towards Tate the whole book and also all the stages towards her stalker. She would be scared one moment and then she would get upset and not hide from him.
The book had lots of ups and downs. There was sweet and sexy times along with fun and banter. There was also suspense and drama so basically this book has everything!
August 17, 2020
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: http://www.romancingthereaders.com/20...
I'm always happy when I'm starting a new series by Jennifer Ryan. I really enjoy her books and they always grab me from beginning to end. We already met this family in the Wild Rose Ranch series so we got a feel for them.
The first book in the series is about Tate and Liz. You've really got to love them. From a very young age, they set their sights on each other but just didn't really see it, or at least Tate didn't. I kinda don't blame him, he didn't want to lose that one person that meant the most to him.
But Liz knew what she wanted and hoped that someday she got it or should I say, him.
It wasn't easy at first, they did have to go from straight friendship to lovers but as they worked on it they because even closer. I think what made them even stronger was dealing with Liz's ex-boyfriend who turned out to be a stalker.
Tate and Liz had a few blips in their romance but most of that was due to a new relationship and the ex. Once they both realized that this is what they wanted they both went in headfirst and stood with each other.
Even though at times this story wasn't lighthearted what with the stalker and all there are some very humorous parts. I liked the way the family all acted like it was about time that they got together, even her family felt the same way.
This is a fun romance that takes you on a great ride. I'm looking forward to more of this family.
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ARC received for an honest review
I'm always happy when I'm starting a new series by Jennifer Ryan. I really enjoy her books and they always grab me from beginning to end. We already met this family in the Wild Rose Ranch series so we got a feel for them.
The first book in the series is about Tate and Liz. You've really got to love them. From a very young age, they set their sights on each other but just didn't really see it, or at least Tate didn't. I kinda don't blame him, he didn't want to lose that one person that meant the most to him.
But Liz knew what she wanted and hoped that someday she got it or should I say, him.
It wasn't easy at first, they did have to go from straight friendship to lovers but as they worked on it they because even closer. I think what made them even stronger was dealing with Liz's ex-boyfriend who turned out to be a stalker.
Tate and Liz had a few blips in their romance but most of that was due to a new relationship and the ex. Once they both realized that this is what they wanted they both went in headfirst and stood with each other.
Even though at times this story wasn't lighthearted what with the stalker and all there are some very humorous parts. I liked the way the family all acted like it was about time that they got together, even her family felt the same way.
This is a fun romance that takes you on a great ride. I'm looking forward to more of this family.
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
https://twitter.com/Romancingreader
ARC received for an honest review
June 10, 2020
So we meet Tate and Liz who are besti'es since young children, yet Liz in love with Tate and would like more and even although Tate may feel the same he will stay in the friend zone. Liz realizes it is time to move on and finds Clint a nice guy, or is he? Unexpectedly Clint turns into an abusive jerk an Tate is going to protect Liz while finally realize that he loves Liz. Clint goes nuts, he is a stalker, violent, and doesn't understand when woman say no.
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author...(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author...(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
March 31, 2022
Actual rating 4.5 ⭐! I really enjoyed this. This was a romantic suspense with HEA. RTC.
Trigger warnings: stalking, abuse, manipulation, attempted murder, light swearing
Trigger warnings: stalking, abuse, manipulation, attempted murder, light swearing
May 30, 2020
Liz and Tate have been best friends all their lives; however, Liz wants more and has decided to give up waiting for Tate to realize that they should go beyond friendship. Unfortunately, the guy she thinks might be a good alternative turns out to be a real creep so Tate must step in to help protect her.
While the plot was interesting to me, I thought that there was too much telling rather than showing in the writing. I never got a sense of why Liz was so attractive that Tate would love her or other guys want to be with her. And Liz and Tate repeat over and over their conversations wondering why someone would turn to violence and stalking if a woman turns him down. He’s a psycho - accept that and then figure out what to do. And Tate goes from not seeing her as a romantic partner to suddenly realizing he’s in love with her. He just seemed rather clueless. So it was hard for me to fully engage with their plight.
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.
While the plot was interesting to me, I thought that there was too much telling rather than showing in the writing. I never got a sense of why Liz was so attractive that Tate would love her or other guys want to be with her. And Liz and Tate repeat over and over their conversations wondering why someone would turn to violence and stalking if a woman turns him down. He’s a psycho - accept that and then figure out what to do. And Tate goes from not seeing her as a romantic partner to suddenly realizing he’s in love with her. He just seemed rather clueless. So it was hard for me to fully engage with their plight.
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.
September 4, 2020
I’m a voracious reader. I read on average 3-4 books a week. Because of that and the fact I don’t have unlimited expendable income, I’m fairly selective as to which authors I’ll pay for versus those whom I can download for free on Kindle Unlimited. Jennifer Ryan is one of the few authors I don’t hesitate to pay to download her books. Fortunately or unfortunately Ms. Ryan isn’t the most prolific author. For instance, the next book in this series isn’t due out until the end of March 2021. Which is easy on my wallet but also means I’ll have read 75 or more books before the next one in her McGraths series Love of a Cowboy is published and I’ll probably have forgotten much of the background information I’ve acquired from this book. Regardless, I’ve already pre-ordered it so I won’t miss it.
Waiting on a Cowboy is Jennifer Ryan’s first book in her The McGraths series which is a spinoff of her Wild Roses Ranch series based upon the lives and loves of four young women who were raised at the Wild Roses Ranch brothel in Nevada where their mothers work as prostitutes. In Tough Talking Cowboy, the final book in her Wild Roses series we met the McGraths as Adria the last of the Wild Roses to find her H.E.A. goes into business with Trinity McGrath and falls in love with her older brother Drake. So this series will revolve around the three remaining McGrath siblings, Tate, Declan and Trinity.
This is a friends to lovers trope. Tate McGrath and Liz have been BFFs since pre-school. They spent most of their free time together and even double dated in high school. Liz has always been in love with Tate but now in their mid to late twenties she’s tired of waiting on her cowboy to move her from the friend zone to something much more. In the back of his consciousness Tate has always been aware of Liz’s feelings for him but he’s chosen to ignore them because as with most friends to lovers tropes, he’s afraid if they take their friendship to the next level and it doesn’t work out, he’ll lose his best friend. Problem is, Liz feeling the need to put some distance between herself and Tate so she can get over her romantic feelings for him and move on has avoided him for the past six weeks. I like the fact that the author allowed not only Tate but also Liz despite her life long love of Tate to have some normal sexual experience for a woman her age with other men. She wanted both characters to come into their romantic relationship having had the time to experience relationships with others before committing to each other.
When the story opens Tate walks into the local bar to discover Liz with a date, Clint, whom she’s been seeing while she avoids Tate. When he approaches Liz she’s very cool to him and Clint is outright hostile and possessive of Liz. Tate has really never been happy when Liz was dating someone and he especially doesn’t like her with Clint. He’s feelings things he doesn’t want to put a name to. What’s really frustrating for me is that Tate’s older brother Declan spells it right out for him. Liz has always loved him but she’s a beautiful woman who isn’t going to spend her life waiting around for him to be the man she needs. She needs a man who will give her more than platonic love. A man who wants to warm her bed, marry her and raise a family with her. He tells Tate if he doesn’t want to be that man he needs to step aside and let her get on with her life. Despite that Tate still has his head up his ass wanting to keep the status quo where he seeks sexual pleasure and maybe even a long term relationship with other women while he keeps Liz as his BFF. Not because he isn’t attracted to Liz but because again, he doesn’t want to rock the boat and risk losing her as a friend. Fortunately with a little prodding from his big brother Declan and Liz and Clint, the reality of what he’s risking by trying to keep Liz in the friend zone and not try for more finally dawns on him. He decides to take the leap and tell Liz he wants to try to be more than just friends. Convincing Liz that this isn’t just his knee jerk reaction to her relationship with Clint and Tate wanting to keep Liz for himself is a hard sell. Made harder by the fact that Clint keeps putting seeds of doubt in her mind that Tate is just using or playing her.
Once Tate physically enters the picture Clint shows his obsessive, possessive, physically aggressive side. Liz quickly decides that whether or not she ends up with Tate, Clint is not who he seemed to be and not the one for her. What she hasn’t yet discovered is that Clint is a psychopath with a long history of emotionally and physical abusing women. This book is pretty much a primer for women on how they are sucked into and kept in an abusive relationship. Liz is not one of those women. Although Clint is clever enough to have her doubting her instincts and the red flags she sees early on, she quickly comes to realize he has serious issues and breaks it off with him. But being a psychopath Clint isn’t ready to give up. Much of this story is Tate and Liz trying to build their new relationship while fending off the distractions and threats Clint presents as he ramps up his campaign first to try and win Liz back and then later to punish her for rejecting him and in his demented eyes ruining his life. The law represented by a sympathetic detective is useless in protecting Liz and Tate from Clint. The tension mounts as Clint’s attacks escalate until the inevitable final confrontation.
Another great book by Ms. Ryan. There’s plenty of heart and romance, some steamy sexy and as always with her stories suspense and drama. Can’t wait for Declan’s book, Love of a Cowboy.
Waiting on a Cowboy is Jennifer Ryan’s first book in her The McGraths series which is a spinoff of her Wild Roses Ranch series based upon the lives and loves of four young women who were raised at the Wild Roses Ranch brothel in Nevada where their mothers work as prostitutes. In Tough Talking Cowboy, the final book in her Wild Roses series we met the McGraths as Adria the last of the Wild Roses to find her H.E.A. goes into business with Trinity McGrath and falls in love with her older brother Drake. So this series will revolve around the three remaining McGrath siblings, Tate, Declan and Trinity.
This is a friends to lovers trope. Tate McGrath and Liz have been BFFs since pre-school. They spent most of their free time together and even double dated in high school. Liz has always been in love with Tate but now in their mid to late twenties she’s tired of waiting on her cowboy to move her from the friend zone to something much more. In the back of his consciousness Tate has always been aware of Liz’s feelings for him but he’s chosen to ignore them because as with most friends to lovers tropes, he’s afraid if they take their friendship to the next level and it doesn’t work out, he’ll lose his best friend. Problem is, Liz feeling the need to put some distance between herself and Tate so she can get over her romantic feelings for him and move on has avoided him for the past six weeks. I like the fact that the author allowed not only Tate but also Liz despite her life long love of Tate to have some normal sexual experience for a woman her age with other men. She wanted both characters to come into their romantic relationship having had the time to experience relationships with others before committing to each other.
When the story opens Tate walks into the local bar to discover Liz with a date, Clint, whom she’s been seeing while she avoids Tate. When he approaches Liz she’s very cool to him and Clint is outright hostile and possessive of Liz. Tate has really never been happy when Liz was dating someone and he especially doesn’t like her with Clint. He’s feelings things he doesn’t want to put a name to. What’s really frustrating for me is that Tate’s older brother Declan spells it right out for him. Liz has always loved him but she’s a beautiful woman who isn’t going to spend her life waiting around for him to be the man she needs. She needs a man who will give her more than platonic love. A man who wants to warm her bed, marry her and raise a family with her. He tells Tate if he doesn’t want to be that man he needs to step aside and let her get on with her life. Despite that Tate still has his head up his ass wanting to keep the status quo where he seeks sexual pleasure and maybe even a long term relationship with other women while he keeps Liz as his BFF. Not because he isn’t attracted to Liz but because again, he doesn’t want to rock the boat and risk losing her as a friend. Fortunately with a little prodding from his big brother Declan and Liz and Clint, the reality of what he’s risking by trying to keep Liz in the friend zone and not try for more finally dawns on him. He decides to take the leap and tell Liz he wants to try to be more than just friends. Convincing Liz that this isn’t just his knee jerk reaction to her relationship with Clint and Tate wanting to keep Liz for himself is a hard sell. Made harder by the fact that Clint keeps putting seeds of doubt in her mind that Tate is just using or playing her.
Once Tate physically enters the picture Clint shows his obsessive, possessive, physically aggressive side. Liz quickly decides that whether or not she ends up with Tate, Clint is not who he seemed to be and not the one for her. What she hasn’t yet discovered is that Clint is a psychopath with a long history of emotionally and physical abusing women. This book is pretty much a primer for women on how they are sucked into and kept in an abusive relationship. Liz is not one of those women. Although Clint is clever enough to have her doubting her instincts and the red flags she sees early on, she quickly comes to realize he has serious issues and breaks it off with him. But being a psychopath Clint isn’t ready to give up. Much of this story is Tate and Liz trying to build their new relationship while fending off the distractions and threats Clint presents as he ramps up his campaign first to try and win Liz back and then later to punish her for rejecting him and in his demented eyes ruining his life. The law represented by a sympathetic detective is useless in protecting Liz and Tate from Clint. The tension mounts as Clint’s attacks escalate until the inevitable final confrontation.
Another great book by Ms. Ryan. There’s plenty of heart and romance, some steamy sexy and as always with her stories suspense and drama. Can’t wait for Declan’s book, Love of a Cowboy.
November 20, 2020
Waiting on a Cowboy is the first book in the McGrath series and the first I have read by this author. I fell in love with the characters from the beginning! Liz Scott had loved Tate McGrath since Kindergarten and had finally realized that she needed to move on. She was ready for a marriage and a future family. Tate knew Liz had feelings for him, but he was too scared to lose her as a friend to have a closer relationship with her. When Tate finally realizes that she wasn’t hanging around as much, he finally realized what he might be giving up with his fears. Liz thought she had found someone she could have a future with, only to realize that Clint was not all that he seemed. As Tate slowly starts to see Liz in a different light, Liz is being stalked by Clint and fears for her life. This was a fast-paced book and had a wonderful storyline. I really enjoyed being introduced to the McGrath family and look forward to future books by this author.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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December 2, 2022All I'm gonna say is.
I know If I just broke up with my loco ex, I would definitely rush into a relationship with my best friend( H) that just decided he liked me too.... after I've been pining away for him for multiple years and on the same day that I was assaulted by said ex...i.mean it's the only thing that makes sense🤦♀️ I would also immediately start referring to him as my boyfriend before we even went out on a date...yep this is exactly what I would do🤦♀️
*I won't rate because I DNF
I know If I just broke up with my loco ex, I would definitely rush into a relationship with my best friend( H) that just decided he liked me too.... after I've been pining away for him for multiple years and on the same day that I was assaulted by said ex...i.mean it's the only thing that makes sense🤦♀️ I would also immediately start referring to him as my boyfriend before we even went out on a date...yep this is exactly what I would do🤦♀️
*I won't rate because I DNF
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2020
I loved this amazing friends to lovers story and I'm excited it's the beginning of a new series. It's a nice sexy romance with a touch of suspense and action to keep things really interesting. Liz and Tate have great chemistry and you can't help but want them to get their HEA. This is a book for the must read list. I highly recommend it.
September 23, 2020
* I won this as a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Program. *
This was a fast fun read and the author grabs the readers attention from the very start. This is my first book by author Jennifer Ryan but it won't be my last!! I loved the characters, the story and the plot. The author grabs the readers attention from the very start and never lets it go!
This was a fast fun read and the author grabs the readers attention from the very start. This is my first book by author Jennifer Ryan but it won't be my last!! I loved the characters, the story and the plot. The author grabs the readers attention from the very start and never lets it go!
February 18, 2022
Best friends since elementary school, Tate and Liz come to a crossroad in their relationship. Should they risk losing a lifelong friendship with romance? And what about Liz’s recent started-out-okay-but-turned-into-a-jerk ex-boyfriend? The story was a bit preposterous for me but in true romance fashion, all’s well that ends well…
August 20, 2020
Waiting on a Cowboy
A very good book. Tate and Liz have known each other since they were in kindergarten. Liz has always known they belonged together, but Tate just knew she was his best friend. Now someone else is in the picture and things are changing everywhere. Jennifer Ryan did a great job with this one.
A very good book. Tate and Liz have known each other since they were in kindergarten. Liz has always known they belonged together, but Tate just knew she was his best friend. Now someone else is in the picture and things are changing everywhere. Jennifer Ryan did a great job with this one.
February 28, 2022
Be still my 💗
Wow!!! Knocked it out of the park yet again 😁. Swoonworthy cowboy, family, danger, suspense, all the feels...have I hooked you yet 😉. Trust me its oh so worth it!! What to do when the girl you've known and been BFF's with since diapers suddenly won't talk to you...the nerve 🤷🏻♀️. Oh yea, and maybe it makes you feel a certain kind of way? At the same time danger lurks around the corner. Will all be lost? Oodles of adrenaline and excitement to keep you turning page after page 😉. Dive into this epic read and don't look back!
Wow!!! Knocked it out of the park yet again 😁. Swoonworthy cowboy, family, danger, suspense, all the feels...have I hooked you yet 😉. Trust me its oh so worth it!! What to do when the girl you've known and been BFF's with since diapers suddenly won't talk to you...the nerve 🤷🏻♀️. Oh yea, and maybe it makes you feel a certain kind of way? At the same time danger lurks around the corner. Will all be lost? Oodles of adrenaline and excitement to keep you turning page after page 😉. Dive into this epic read and don't look back!
November 1, 2021
Waiting on a Cowboy is book one in the McGrath series by Jennifer Ryan. When Tate McGrath best friend Liz Scott was avoiding him, Tate wanted answers, so he tracked her down and found out she dating someone else. Tate started to realise that he loved Liz. Tate never thought he would lose his best friend, Liz, and when he found out she had a boyfriend, he woke up that he loved her. Liz always loved Tate, and she decided to give up on him and find another boyfriend. However, when the new boyfriend started to be violent, the first person she called was Tate. The readers of Waiting on a Cowboy will continue to follow Tate McGrath and Liz Scott to find out what happens.
Waiting on a Cowboy is the first book I have read by Jennifer Ryan. I enjoyed reading this book. Waiting on a Cowboy is well written and researched by Jennifer Ryan. I love Jennifer Ryan's portrayal of her characters and how they interacted with each other throughout this book. I like Jennifer Ryan description of the settings of Waiting on a Cowboy that allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Waiting on a Cowboy will understand the consequences of harassment on a person. Also, Waiting on a Cowboy will learn about running a day spa.
I recommend this book.
Waiting on a Cowboy is the first book I have read by Jennifer Ryan. I enjoyed reading this book. Waiting on a Cowboy is well written and researched by Jennifer Ryan. I love Jennifer Ryan's portrayal of her characters and how they interacted with each other throughout this book. I like Jennifer Ryan description of the settings of Waiting on a Cowboy that allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Waiting on a Cowboy will understand the consequences of harassment on a person. Also, Waiting on a Cowboy will learn about running a day spa.
I recommend this book.
July 27, 2020
WAITING ON A COWBOY is a fun easy read. The characters are well written and realistic. The setting in one that leaves you wanting to visit in real life. The story is a friends to not friends to lovers type of story. Liz and Tate are great characters. Liz knows what she wants but it finally ready to move on since she can't have that. Tate, her best friend, is finally ready to risk it all even losing his best friend. But is it too late? That question is probably the biggest theme to me of the story. When is it too late? When do you finally move on? I felt for Liz and her struggles and for Tate and his concerns. Watching these two find their way and dealing with the dangers now facing Liz.....well it was fun. It was a page-turning can't put down read. You want to know what comes next but at the same time you don't want the story to end. I am eager to connect with these characters again. I highly recommend WAITING ON A COWBOY to anyone who enjoys small town romances, cowboys, friends to lovers stories, and stories that will leave you smiling. I can't wait to read whatever Jennifer Ryan releases next. This is part of a series,The McGraths, this is book one. However, it is connected to another series, Wild Rose Ranch, by way of characters from that series being in WAITING ON A COWBOY. You will want to read Wild Rose Ranch series but you don't have to read it. You aren't lost if you haven't read it. I will warn once you read Jennifer Ryan you'll add her to your auto-buy list and want to read everything she's written. Highly Recommended!!!
August 11, 2020
I was excited to request and receive an advance reader copy of the first novel in the new McGrath series by Jennifer Ryan, since she pretty much had me at "Cowboy," since I'm an admitted fan of contemporary cowboy romances, as well as the friends-to-lovers trope. While I found Waiting on a Cowboy a fairly enjoyable and somewhat suspenseful read, there were a few issues that I found bothersome, and for those reasons, which I'll explain, I can only give it a 3.5 star rating.
The hero and heroine in this novel are Tate McGrath and Liz Scott, who've been best friends since kindergarten but never allowed themselves to move beyond the friend zone, although it's quite clear from the outset that Liz has always wanted more from Tate, who, my issue number one, seems both clueless and oblivious to the fact that although everyone in his family, her family, and their friends and relations could see that Liz was in love with him, it was as if Tate was wearing blinders when it came to his best and closest friend and her feelings for him.
I also had a problem with Liz. She's tired of waiting around for Tate, and so has had several less than thrilling experiences with other men over the years. She's currently dating a man named Clint, and when Tate spots her at the local bar, he confronts her and wants to know why he hasn't heard from Liz in 6 weeks, since they've been in constant touch with one another through the years. Liz wanted to know why it took him 6 weeks to notice that she'd absented herself from his life, and was fairly certain she'd made it really clear that to Tate that she was moving on, tired of waiting for him to see her as more than a friend, and when the new man in her life, Clint, gets between Tate and Liz, Tate doesn't like seeing her in another man's arms, is struck by jealousy, but does he do anything about it? Nope.
Liz has been dating Clint for a couple of months and has enjoyed his company, his wining and dining her, his charming her, and she's even had sex with him, but lately she's been aware that not only doesn't he appreciate her lifelong friendship with Tate, he actively urges her to end their friendship. She's also noticed and been annoyed by Clint's attempts to isolate and control her--he always has to know her whereabouts, who she is with and why, and he has even tried to separate her from girlfriends and co-workers, all of which are huge red flags, yet rather than dump him, she makes excuses for his behavior until he manhandles her, leaves bruises, and she tells him they're over. To say that Clint doesn't take rejection well is putting it mildly, and he once again tries to charm his way back into her life, but when he's thwarted, and when Tate finally begins to realize that his feelings for Liz are more than just friendship, Clint begins to stalk her. Yet through all of this, Liz hasn't reported him and his bizarre and creepy behavior to the police, although, after hearing a loud argument between Clint and Liz, her neighbor, Ava, has the good sense to call 911, and from that point, Clint's stalking takes on an even more sinister dimension when one of his former girlfriends sees them at lunch, and after Clint leaves, she gets up and warns Liz to keep him out of her life because of his controlling nature and the domestic abuse she suffered at his hands.
It seems that lately I've been reading a number of novels dealing with the issue of controlling and abusive men, and I usually have great empathy for the abuse victims, but I found myself growing annoyed when Liz allowed herself to keep being charmed by Clint, ready to forgive his odd behavior, while at the same time, not fully realizing the danger she was in, or noticing the fact that Tate was finally beginning to realize that his romantic feelings for Liz had deepened, even though it took confrontations with his siblings to make him see that what he'd felt for her for years had moved out of the friend zone long ago. As her relationship with Tate deepens, so too do the threats that Clint issues to Liz, but it takes an apparent murder for Liz to finally wake up to the true danger she's in.
While I eventually grew to like both Liz and Tate, and enjoyed watching their friendship heat up into love, I had a tough time dealing with how clueless both of them seemed to be about their feelings for one another, and the danger posed to both of them by Clint. Clint sends Liz flowers and she's all ready to forgive him and forget his controlling and abusive behavior, and there was simply too much waffling on her part for me to really like or understand her reasoning. Tate was equally clueless about his feelings for Liz for far too long, and his family had to keep reminding him that he obviously loved her and had for decades, but he didn't seem to be doing much about it for the longest time.
Yes, the tension and mounting suspense and danger in this novel heat up and so does the relationship between Liz and Tate, and although Clint's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and dangerous, for this reader, it just seemed to be much too little and far too late for Liz, Tate, and his family to really deal with the deadly threat Clint posed not only to Liz, but to the entire McGrath family. It also pointed out how slow and ineffective law enforcement has been and is in dealing with domestic abuse situations, stalking, and cyber-bullying, and the desperate need for legislators to do more to protect the victims of abuse. Since I know more than a few victims of domestic abuse personally, I will warn them of the triggers contained in this novel. It's a subject that desperately needs to be improved, and I'm glad to finally be seeing it addressed in romance novels, so kudos to Ms. Ryan for bringing attention to this subject matter.
Of course, there's the expected HEA ending in your future, since this is, after all, a romance novel, and a relatively enjoyable and well-written read, but I found that it just had a few too many missed opportunities for me to actually love it.
As stated at the outset, I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
The hero and heroine in this novel are Tate McGrath and Liz Scott, who've been best friends since kindergarten but never allowed themselves to move beyond the friend zone, although it's quite clear from the outset that Liz has always wanted more from Tate, who, my issue number one, seems both clueless and oblivious to the fact that although everyone in his family, her family, and their friends and relations could see that Liz was in love with him, it was as if Tate was wearing blinders when it came to his best and closest friend and her feelings for him.
I also had a problem with Liz. She's tired of waiting around for Tate, and so has had several less than thrilling experiences with other men over the years. She's currently dating a man named Clint, and when Tate spots her at the local bar, he confronts her and wants to know why he hasn't heard from Liz in 6 weeks, since they've been in constant touch with one another through the years. Liz wanted to know why it took him 6 weeks to notice that she'd absented herself from his life, and was fairly certain she'd made it really clear that to Tate that she was moving on, tired of waiting for him to see her as more than a friend, and when the new man in her life, Clint, gets between Tate and Liz, Tate doesn't like seeing her in another man's arms, is struck by jealousy, but does he do anything about it? Nope.
Liz has been dating Clint for a couple of months and has enjoyed his company, his wining and dining her, his charming her, and she's even had sex with him, but lately she's been aware that not only doesn't he appreciate her lifelong friendship with Tate, he actively urges her to end their friendship. She's also noticed and been annoyed by Clint's attempts to isolate and control her--he always has to know her whereabouts, who she is with and why, and he has even tried to separate her from girlfriends and co-workers, all of which are huge red flags, yet rather than dump him, she makes excuses for his behavior until he manhandles her, leaves bruises, and she tells him they're over. To say that Clint doesn't take rejection well is putting it mildly, and he once again tries to charm his way back into her life, but when he's thwarted, and when Tate finally begins to realize that his feelings for Liz are more than just friendship, Clint begins to stalk her. Yet through all of this, Liz hasn't reported him and his bizarre and creepy behavior to the police, although, after hearing a loud argument between Clint and Liz, her neighbor, Ava, has the good sense to call 911, and from that point, Clint's stalking takes on an even more sinister dimension when one of his former girlfriends sees them at lunch, and after Clint leaves, she gets up and warns Liz to keep him out of her life because of his controlling nature and the domestic abuse she suffered at his hands.
It seems that lately I've been reading a number of novels dealing with the issue of controlling and abusive men, and I usually have great empathy for the abuse victims, but I found myself growing annoyed when Liz allowed herself to keep being charmed by Clint, ready to forgive his odd behavior, while at the same time, not fully realizing the danger she was in, or noticing the fact that Tate was finally beginning to realize that his romantic feelings for Liz had deepened, even though it took confrontations with his siblings to make him see that what he'd felt for her for years had moved out of the friend zone long ago. As her relationship with Tate deepens, so too do the threats that Clint issues to Liz, but it takes an apparent murder for Liz to finally wake up to the true danger she's in.
While I eventually grew to like both Liz and Tate, and enjoyed watching their friendship heat up into love, I had a tough time dealing with how clueless both of them seemed to be about their feelings for one another, and the danger posed to both of them by Clint. Clint sends Liz flowers and she's all ready to forgive him and forget his controlling and abusive behavior, and there was simply too much waffling on her part for me to really like or understand her reasoning. Tate was equally clueless about his feelings for Liz for far too long, and his family had to keep reminding him that he obviously loved her and had for decades, but he didn't seem to be doing much about it for the longest time.
Yes, the tension and mounting suspense and danger in this novel heat up and so does the relationship between Liz and Tate, and although Clint's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and dangerous, for this reader, it just seemed to be much too little and far too late for Liz, Tate, and his family to really deal with the deadly threat Clint posed not only to Liz, but to the entire McGrath family. It also pointed out how slow and ineffective law enforcement has been and is in dealing with domestic abuse situations, stalking, and cyber-bullying, and the desperate need for legislators to do more to protect the victims of abuse. Since I know more than a few victims of domestic abuse personally, I will warn them of the triggers contained in this novel. It's a subject that desperately needs to be improved, and I'm glad to finally be seeing it addressed in romance novels, so kudos to Ms. Ryan for bringing attention to this subject matter.
Of course, there's the expected HEA ending in your future, since this is, after all, a romance novel, and a relatively enjoyable and well-written read, but I found that it just had a few too many missed opportunities for me to actually love it.
As stated at the outset, I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
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