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Notorious #3
The Saint
The key to life is no emotional entanglements. No relationships. No family. Just work.
Everything was going according to my plan until a beautiful pregnant woman I’ve never seen before claims the baby she’s carrying is mine, creating a scandal that puts everything I’ve worked for in jeopardy.
Zoe is quirky and wild and unpredictable and now we’re going on fake dates just to calm the storm she created. The more time I spend with her, the more she challenges what I thought I wanted.
The more I know her, the more I want her.
Until these fake dates aren’t so fake anymore and it’s not just my career on the line.
It’s my heart.
Everything was going according to my plan until a beautiful pregnant woman I’ve never seen before claims the baby she’s carrying is mine, creating a scandal that puts everything I’ve worked for in jeopardy.
Zoe is quirky and wild and unpredictable and now we’re going on fake dates just to calm the storm she created. The more time I spend with her, the more she challenges what I thought I wanted.
The more I know her, the more I want her.
Until these fake dates aren’t so fake anymore and it’s not just my career on the line.
It’s my heart.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2010
41 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Molly O'Keefe
108 books2,138 followersThis author is also published under: M. O'Keefe.
Molly O'Keefe has always known she wanted to be a writer (except when she wanted to be a florist or a chef and the brief period of time when she considered being a cowgirl). And once she got her hands on some romances, she knew exactly what she wanted to write.
She published her first Harlequin romance at age 25 and hasn't looked back. She loves exploring every character's road towards happily ever after.
Originally from a small town outside of Chicago, she went to university in St. Louis where she met and fell in love with the editor of her school newspaper. They followed each other around the world for several years and finally got married and settled down in Toronto, Ontario. They welcomed their son into their family in 2006, and their daughter in 2008. When she's not at the park or cleaning up the toy room, Molly is working hard on her next novel, trying to exercise, stalking Tina Fey on the internet and dreaming of the day she can finish a cup of coffee without interruption.
Molly O'Keefe has always known she wanted to be a writer (except when she wanted to be a florist or a chef and the brief period of time when she considered being a cowgirl). And once she got her hands on some romances, she knew exactly what she wanted to write.
She published her first Harlequin romance at age 25 and hasn't looked back. She loves exploring every character's road towards happily ever after.
Originally from a small town outside of Chicago, she went to university in St. Louis where she met and fell in love with the editor of her school newspaper. They followed each other around the world for several years and finally got married and settled down in Toronto, Ontario. They welcomed their son into their family in 2006, and their daughter in 2008. When she's not at the park or cleaning up the toy room, Molly is working hard on her next novel, trying to exercise, stalking Tina Fey on the internet and dreaming of the day she can finish a cup of coffee without interruption.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 28, 2012
Carter is the oldest brother, the one in politics and he has stayed away from his family for the most part for ten years and it is not out of shame but out of love and to protect them. His mother came back into his life and to protect his sister from her, he lied for his mother in court and stayed away from family, he misses them terribly, now his life is in chaos again because his mother is back and her paying someone to talk to him has brought him in hot-water.
Zoe is five months pregnant and broke and without insurance, so when a woman pays her thousand dollars to get Carter alone she does it, she doesn't think it is wrong but what she didn't count on was a reporter, who somehow made Carter the father of her baby. So, when Carter comes to her asking her to pretend to be his date, she agrees, she owes him.
I liked the book, poor Carter was so controlled and pushed from all angles and then Zoe came into his life, the timing couldn't be the worse, he is planning on running for mayor, his mother is back and a reporter is hell bent to get him, but for the first time Carter is prepared to run head on for love. Zoe is a bit more wary because of her mother who raised her alone and won't stop harping about motherhood. I suspected from the start that Zoe used a donor so that part didn't come as a shock to me, her baby was planned and I liked that. The book didn't have a perfect solution, Carter's deception was exposed and he quit the race but this kind of freed him from his mother and guilt and let him be near family.
Zoe is five months pregnant and broke and without insurance, so when a woman pays her thousand dollars to get Carter alone she does it, she doesn't think it is wrong but what she didn't count on was a reporter, who somehow made Carter the father of her baby. So, when Carter comes to her asking her to pretend to be his date, she agrees, she owes him.
I liked the book, poor Carter was so controlled and pushed from all angles and then Zoe came into his life, the timing couldn't be the worse, he is planning on running for mayor, his mother is back and a reporter is hell bent to get him, but for the first time Carter is prepared to run head on for love. Zoe is a bit more wary because of her mother who raised her alone and won't stop harping about motherhood. I suspected from the start that Zoe used a donor so that part didn't come as a shock to me, her baby was planned and I liked that. The book didn't have a perfect solution, Carter's deception was exposed and he quit the race but this kind of freed him from his mother and guilt and let him be near family.
October 17, 2010
The conclusion to O'Keefe's Notorious O'Neills trilogy has a hero and heroine I found appealing and a sigh-perfect epilogue, but overall it lacked the satisfying sense of wholeness that prompted me to give the first two books in the series five stars. I think it was Nora Roberts who compared writing a category romance to performing Swan Lake in a phone booth. To use NR's analogy, O'Keefe left me shouting brava at her execution of the ballet in her first two books but applauding politely and regretting the limits of the stage after the third. For the first time, I felt the story was too big for the format.
Carter falls for Zoe too quickly for my taste, and the potential in other relationships is never fulfilled. Both H/H have mother problems. One of the things I liked best about the book was that, while we see flashes of regret and tenderness in Carter's mother, there is no miraculous transformation. But Carter's recovery from her betrayal just seemed too fast to ring true. The same thing holds true for Zoe's relationship with her mother. Realization and repentance on the mother's part was too neat. Zoe's best friend and his partner are interesting characters, but I'm not sure what purpose they served in this novel other than to give Zoe a gay friend. If I sound unduly harsh, keep in mind that my expectations were very high for this book, and my frustration with it stems from my engagement with the characters. I liked the book; I just wanted more story.
Regardless of my disappointment in Carter's story, I'm sold on O'Keefe as a writer. I'll be glomming her backlist and looking for her new books. And I do love that epilogue!
Carter falls for Zoe too quickly for my taste, and the potential in other relationships is never fulfilled. Both H/H have mother problems. One of the things I liked best about the book was that, while we see flashes of regret and tenderness in Carter's mother, there is no miraculous transformation. But Carter's recovery from her betrayal just seemed too fast to ring true. The same thing holds true for Zoe's relationship with her mother. Realization and repentance on the mother's part was too neat. Zoe's best friend and his partner are interesting characters, but I'm not sure what purpose they served in this novel other than to give Zoe a gay friend. If I sound unduly harsh, keep in mind that my expectations were very high for this book, and my frustration with it stems from my engagement with the characters. I liked the book; I just wanted more story.
Regardless of my disappointment in Carter's story, I'm sold on O'Keefe as a writer. I'll be glomming her backlist and looking for her new books. And I do love that epilogue!
May 24, 2020
Another winner in this last book of the the Notorious series. I loved it. So twisty and turny it kept me guessing throughout the whole story and I didn't know what would actually happen, nor did I see that ending coming!
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
April 28, 2020
What a way to conclude the notorious O'Neill family story.
Big brother, Carter, has always been regarded as the goodie two shoes of the family. Escaping Bonne Terre, to put distance between himself and his families notorious history so he can pursue his political career.
Determined to find a crack in Carter O'Neill's shiny armor, a slimy reporter is determined to break a news story that will send O'Neill packing.
The unimaginable happens at a town meeting. A pregnant woman stands on a chair and insinuates that Carter is the father. He's never seen her in his life.
This is a really fun ride and wraps the entire family together in a big bow.
Big brother, Carter, has always been regarded as the goodie two shoes of the family. Escaping Bonne Terre, to put distance between himself and his families notorious history so he can pursue his political career.
Determined to find a crack in Carter O'Neill's shiny armor, a slimy reporter is determined to break a news story that will send O'Neill packing.
The unimaginable happens at a town meeting. A pregnant woman stands on a chair and insinuates that Carter is the father. He's never seen her in his life.
This is a really fun ride and wraps the entire family together in a big bow.
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May 22, 2020
ARC for honest review with no compensation 4.5 stars
The Saint is book 3 and the final book in the Notorious series by Molly O’Keefe and what a way to end the series!
Carter O’Neill, political candidate running for office has kept his distance from his family, his hometown and the secrets. While holding a town meeting a woman stands to question him and makes it seem as if he is the father of the baby she is carrying...he’s never seen her before in his life, but a sleazy reporter who’s out looking for anything scandalous on him write he’s a “Dead beat Dad” in the hopes of destroying his credibility...
What happens next will keep you on your seat’s edge...scandal, secrets, small town drama, missing jewels, love of family, betrayal and maybe finding a love that helps reunite a family forever...
The Saint is book 3 and the final book in the Notorious series by Molly O’Keefe and what a way to end the series!
Carter O’Neill, political candidate running for office has kept his distance from his family, his hometown and the secrets. While holding a town meeting a woman stands to question him and makes it seem as if he is the father of the baby she is carrying...he’s never seen her before in his life, but a sleazy reporter who’s out looking for anything scandalous on him write he’s a “Dead beat Dad” in the hopes of destroying his credibility...
What happens next will keep you on your seat’s edge...scandal, secrets, small town drama, missing jewels, love of family, betrayal and maybe finding a love that helps reunite a family forever...
July 21, 2020
This is the last book in this series, and in all three, I never really felt it, you know. The deep connection the author was going for; any depth to the characters at all or even of the plot. It all felt superficial and underdeveloped to me. I only knew they were in love because the author said so. I couldn't feel it, not with all their continual conflict, with each other and with themselves.
Then, in each book, while they were broke up, they all suddenly come to a realization of one kind or another, and BOOM, they're ready to commit forever. No need to actually talk shit out to resolve anything.
At one point in the book, Zoe says of Carter, "He hides himself. He's there, and then he's not. He's a lot of work." That's how I felt about reading this series. The continual back and forth, hot and cold, on both mc's parts, every single interaction between them (which was a theme throughout all three books) was fucking exhausting! I did a lot of sighing in exasperation.
(Just a little side note~ I was utterly pissed that nothing happened to the skeevy reporter!)
Then, in each book, while they were broke up, they all suddenly come to a realization of one kind or another, and BOOM, they're ready to commit forever. No need to actually talk shit out to resolve anything.
At one point in the book, Zoe says of Carter, "He hides himself. He's there, and then he's not. He's a lot of work." That's how I felt about reading this series. The continual back and forth, hot and cold, on both mc's parts, every single interaction between them (which was a theme throughout all three books) was fucking exhausting! I did a lot of sighing in exasperation.
(Just a little side note~ I was utterly pissed that nothing happened to the skeevy reporter!)
May 11, 2020
This is the last book in the series about the Notorious O'Neils and focuses on Carter, the eldest brother. Carter is running for Mayor of Baton Rouge and is holding a meeting on cleaning up politics and the neighborhood when a beautiful pregnant woman stands on a chair claiming that he is the father of her unborn baby. With the headlines in the local paper claiming "Deadbeat Deputy Daddy", Carter decides to change public opinion and tells Zoe that she has to pretend to be his girlfriend to improve his image. Without realizing it, Carter and Zoe begin to have feelings for each other and as those feelings deepen, both share secrets from their past. When Carter's secret goes public a few days later, it threatens to bring down everything he worked for and he is devastated thinking that Zoe betrayed him. Can she convince him she had nothing to do with this? And can Carter overcome the ice around his heart and see a future with Zoe? Great ending to the series.
August 6, 2012
This was, by far, the best one of the Notorious O'Neill's trilogy. If Ms O'Keefe had taken the extra time, she could have made this a novel. It had all the nuances and suspense of a novel and there were many, many ways to take the different plotlines. This is only the 3rd book of Ms O'Keefe's that I have read, but it makes me want to search out her other books to see how she has improved her writing.
November 2, 2013
It was time for a romance story. It was good but nothing special but it did it's purpose for the day.
April 15, 2020
I devoured all three books in this series as quickly as I could get my hands on them. I'm not a speed reader but I tore through them. The Saint was as intriguing as the first two.
Again we have a seriously complex hero. As an O'Neill we expect nothing less. On the surface Carter is almost perfect. He's seriously dedicated to his job as mayor pro-tem for Baton Rouge. He's worked had, obtained his law degree, helped clean up after a seriously corrupt administration and kept his nose clean. Like all the O'Neills there much more to him than his public imagine. His sordid past was all based on the best intentions though he's crossed a huge line trying to protect his siblings from their wreck of a mother.
The meet-cute between Carter and Zoe is great - priceless! Zoe's so sweet and working so hard to get her life in order before her baby is born. She's passionate about her dance school and teaching and Carter can't resist her.
Of course, Carter has to screw things up and it takes some real work to make things right with Zoe. Not all of his other mistakes can be made right and he ends up forced into a new life but he makes the best of it and wins back his soul mate and my heart soared when it all came right.
Again we have a seriously complex hero. As an O'Neill we expect nothing less. On the surface Carter is almost perfect. He's seriously dedicated to his job as mayor pro-tem for Baton Rouge. He's worked had, obtained his law degree, helped clean up after a seriously corrupt administration and kept his nose clean. Like all the O'Neills there much more to him than his public imagine. His sordid past was all based on the best intentions though he's crossed a huge line trying to protect his siblings from their wreck of a mother.
The meet-cute between Carter and Zoe is great - priceless! Zoe's so sweet and working so hard to get her life in order before her baby is born. She's passionate about her dance school and teaching and Carter can't resist her.
Of course, Carter has to screw things up and it takes some real work to make things right with Zoe. Not all of his other mistakes can be made right and he ends up forced into a new life but he makes the best of it and wins back his soul mate and my heart soared when it all came right.
June 1, 2020
After the first two books in this series, I couldn’t wait for Carter’s story, and I was not disappointed! Carter has a promising career in politics, and is hoping to be the next mayor. He’s worked hard to keep the notorious O’Neill secrets deeply buried, but when pregnant Zoe Madison shows up at a town hall and insinuates that Carter got her pregnant, everything in Carter’s carefully planned out life takes a nose dive. I loved this book, it was full of humor and sass, some heartache, and a whole lot of tenderness with Carter falling hard for Zoe. Absolutely hated Jim, the guy was a jerk, but Phillip and Ben were adorable. All of the O’Neill’s make an appearance in this last book of the series which makes for a pretty great ending, very touching and definitely a few tears. As with the first two books, this is very well written and definitely keeps the reader engaged. Can’t wait to see what this author has in store for us next!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
April 29, 2020
Carter O'Neill has been the successful firstborn. With his law degree, he moved to Baton Rouge and took up city politics and is now Mayor pro-tem and plans to run for Mayor next year. But he never visits his family in Bonne Terre and lives a lonely life constantly working for the good of his city. While holding a town hall type meeting at a community center, he is flabbergasted when a pixie-like woman stands up on a chair and accuses him of disappearing on her pregnant self. To Zoe's surprise, he thinks the way to overcome the bad press will be to have a few fake dates. He had best be careful! He finds he enjoys the 37-year-old dancer too much. Next thing he knows they are having to deal with each other's families and revealing their deepest secrets. This book was the third and last of The Notorious O'Neills.
April 11, 2020
Carter was a tough nut to crack, and the thing was, nobody could crack that for him, only he could. And it took him the entire book to realize that, stubborn, stubborn man. He is so lucky that he crossed paths, well, chair yelling, with Zoe, because she brought all the joy he needed into his life. She showed him how to love, how to be happy, how to share your life, with someone. Not because of what you can give them, or they can give you, but because it makes you happy. In the end, Carter figured that out, and got his HEA, with his love for Zoe, and his family back together!
April 11, 2020
This is the conclusion to this series and I loved each book. Will being one of the Notorious O’Neil’s affect his becoming a mayor? Loved how quickly Carter is charmed by Zoe. He’s never really had a friend, and becomes close with her and even opens up. But who betrays him? Had some tears at one point. We finally find out what happens with the stolen gems too. It’s a very heartwarming story,love the sense of family even with the terrible ways their parents were. Loved their happy ever after. I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy and I highly recommend this book.
May 6, 2020
This book was just so good! I have enjoyed all the books in this series but this book; ah this book just stole my heart. Maybe that is because I seem to have a soft spot for gatekeepers and that description fit Carter to a t. I loved Carter and Zoe and simply adored these two as a couple. Their story will give you a major case of "the feels" and have you feeling happy, swoony, melty and even maybe a bit teary. The storyline offers up an entertaining combo of emotions, drama, sweetness, humor, secrets, twists and discoveries. Of my own accord I am posting a sincere review.
May 22, 2020
What a fantastic conclusion to this family’s story!
I loved Carter and Zoe’s story! They are just fantastic together. I loved how they meet, the buildup of their relationship, and how they help each other so much with getting past their past hurts. They are so fun together and I truly enjoyed this story and the emotions it brought out. The epilogue is so heartwarming and it was beautiful to see how everything came together.
I loved this Notorious O’Neill’s trilogy! I’m sad to see it end but excited to see what Molly O’Keefe brings us next.
I loved Carter and Zoe’s story! They are just fantastic together. I loved how they meet, the buildup of their relationship, and how they help each other so much with getting past their past hurts. They are so fun together and I truly enjoyed this story and the emotions it brought out. The epilogue is so heartwarming and it was beautiful to see how everything came together.
I loved this Notorious O’Neill’s trilogy! I’m sad to see it end but excited to see what Molly O’Keefe brings us next.
April 15, 2020
We finally get Carter’s story here, the last O’Neill. Carter has met his match in Zoe, she makes him feel, makes him happy and brings light into his life, things he never thought he needed. His career has been everything to him, but when Zoe entered his life that all changed. Can he give up his dreams for the life he didn’t know he wanted and follow his heart or will he pick his career over love? I received a copy of this book.
May 30, 2020
Excellent
Excellent read that wraps up the Notorious series. This is Carter's story and it will absolutely leave you with a smile. Carter is determined to shed the shadows his criminal family has cast over is life. He lives by a plan and no where in that plan leaves room for a woman like Zoe. Well best laid plans and all that... I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series.
Excellent read that wraps up the Notorious series. This is Carter's story and it will absolutely leave you with a smile. Carter is determined to shed the shadows his criminal family has cast over is life. He lives by a plan and no where in that plan leaves room for a woman like Zoe. Well best laid plans and all that... I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series.
April 22, 2020
I absolutely loved this last book in this trilogy! Zoe stands on a chair and demands that Carter O’Neill is the father of her baby! My favorite—it is during a press interview and he is seeking political office. What is a man supposed to do? Date her of course! I truly loved this book! Spend time with the Notorious O’Neills—you will not be sorry! 5 stars
May 6, 2020
The last in the series and my favorite of the three! You can’t help but love the instant chemistry of carter and Zoe. They truly balance each other out and are perfect for one another. Add in the cast from the previous 2 bks and it just makes this series that much more special!
October 30, 2020
Best out of three
Found this book to be the best read out of the three. Not because it tied everything up but because of carter and Zoe and their journeys with family and themselves. Only criticisms are that Vanessa and Jim didn’t get a tie up or complete finish.
Found this book to be the best read out of the three. Not because it tied everything up but because of carter and Zoe and their journeys with family and themselves. Only criticisms are that Vanessa and Jim didn’t get a tie up or complete finish.
May 17, 2020
The final story about the notorious O'Neil family. Everything comes to a lovely end with all the answered questions.
June 2, 2020
This was a great series! I loved Carter's story, and the twists in the stories were not what I expected.
July 5, 2020
Molly O"Keefe is one of my favorite authors.This book is third in this series of bestsellers. I have been reading her books for a long time and the Saint is one of the best..
October 20, 2020
Good book
This book is a little different, the we can't love each other takes a different approach. It's still there but handled differently.
This book is a little different, the we can't love each other takes a different approach. It's still there but handled differently.
May 15, 2020
Oh, what an ending!
The thing I love most about interwoven stories that focus on different characters each book is exactly that. A new couple to get to know, and the existing mystery to develop, and eventually be solved.
This book was particularly special in that Carter, the self appointed father figure of the family, the one who has pushed so far away from his siblings to protect them, finally gets his own slice of happiness.
And in the most unlikely way, nonetheless. I really enjoyed the instant connection between he and Zoe. Especially how much her pregnancy was a non-issue for him. Both characters had complex relationships with their own parental figures, if in completely opposite ways, and both characters had a lot of lessons to teach the other.
All of the Notorious O’Neills had a lot of growing to do, mostly with their own perceptions of themselves and their family, but Carter, I feel, really came through farthest in terms of his ability to see all that he’d sacrificed, and in the end for nothing.
Another heartfelt story about blood ties, and small town drama, where (almost) everyone finally gets the life they deserve in the end.
The thing I love most about interwoven stories that focus on different characters each book is exactly that. A new couple to get to know, and the existing mystery to develop, and eventually be solved.
This book was particularly special in that Carter, the self appointed father figure of the family, the one who has pushed so far away from his siblings to protect them, finally gets his own slice of happiness.
And in the most unlikely way, nonetheless. I really enjoyed the instant connection between he and Zoe. Especially how much her pregnancy was a non-issue for him. Both characters had complex relationships with their own parental figures, if in completely opposite ways, and both characters had a lot of lessons to teach the other.
All of the Notorious O’Neills had a lot of growing to do, mostly with their own perceptions of themselves and their family, but Carter, I feel, really came through farthest in terms of his ability to see all that he’d sacrificed, and in the end for nothing.
Another heartfelt story about blood ties, and small town drama, where (almost) everyone finally gets the life they deserve in the end.
October 13, 2020
The Saint may just be my favorite from this revamped trilogy. Molly O'Keefe gets to the heart of the matter quickly as the last sibling of the Notorious O'Neill's, oldest brother Carter, has his world turned upside down by the sweet and selfless Zoe Madison. Carter is used to facing issues head-on as his past toughened him up for his current run for Mayor. But Zoe sets him on a new course and it's wild from start to finish.
O'Keefe finally lets us in on the truth of the stolen gems, as she gives Carter a chance to be with his estranged family all the while he's falling head over heels with the adorable Zoe. The man has a ton on his plate but I loved how he could allow himself to let loose a bit even when he was dead set against it. He's such a good guy and I felt his exhaustion at trying to be the strong one, fighting a losing battle against a slimy reporter and the sad excuse he has for a mother in Vanessa.
Happily, despite all the mayhem, deep-held secrets and a bit of heartbreak, Zoe seems to be the right kind of security Carter has always needed but didn't know he truly wanted. Both are a bit lost at times but together they are incredibly strong and meant to be.
The epilogue brought me to tears as O'Keefe gives us the ending all three O'Neill siblings deserved and I was left smiling huge once again.
5 solid stars!
O'Keefe finally lets us in on the truth of the stolen gems, as she gives Carter a chance to be with his estranged family all the while he's falling head over heels with the adorable Zoe. The man has a ton on his plate but I loved how he could allow himself to let loose a bit even when he was dead set against it. He's such a good guy and I felt his exhaustion at trying to be the strong one, fighting a losing battle against a slimy reporter and the sad excuse he has for a mother in Vanessa.
Happily, despite all the mayhem, deep-held secrets and a bit of heartbreak, Zoe seems to be the right kind of security Carter has always needed but didn't know he truly wanted. Both are a bit lost at times but together they are incredibly strong and meant to be.
The epilogue brought me to tears as O'Keefe gives us the ending all three O'Neill siblings deserved and I was left smiling huge once again.
5 solid stars!
March 25, 2015
This was the last book of her O'Neill family series (there are 3). Read them in order if you dive in! I enjoyed the books (only read the last two because I didn't realize it was a series until too late, and I do not like going back in time....). Good plots, loveable and sympathetic characters, nice Epilogue at end of third book that gave closure. I recommend this series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews