Unlikely Hero

The Flanagans #2

by Marta Perry

Executive assistant Claire Delany's experience with teens? Only when she'd been one. Yet somehow she was teaching a rowdy group of them how to apply for jobs. It wasn't her idea of a good time, but in exchange Pastor Brendan Flanagan would help her plan the wedding of her best friend and Brendan's cousin.

Claire had confused feelings about the handsome, opinionated Pastor Flanagan. She didn't want a family, or even religion. So why was she pouring out long-held-in feelings to Brendan? And why was he gaining a stronghold on her heart?

Genres: Love Inspired, Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian Romance, Christian

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2005

About the author

Marta Perry is a Pennsylvania-based author of over 35 novels, many of them inspirational romances. She uses her rural Pennsylvania life and her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage in writing her books, especially in her Pleasant Valley Amish series for Berkley Books and her new Amish-set suspense series for HQN Books.

Marta and her husband live in a centuries-old farmhouse in a quiet central Pennsylvania valley. They have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren, and when she's not busy writing her next book, she's usually trying to keep up with her gardening, baking for church events, or visiting those beautiful grandkids.

Reviews

[Mary Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marta Perry is one of my favorite romance writers. I have been reading her books for years. I enjoyed this novel about two people who have lots of unfinished baggage in their lives which prevents them from pursuing the relationship they both want. This is part of a series about a family involved in fire fighting. I have the next book ready to read.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian romance. Read the first in the series two years ago. Hope to find more in the future.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Unlikely Hero” is the story of the lone Flanagan man who isn’t a firefighter: chaplain Brendan Flanagan, cousin to Gabe and Ryan. He’s performing the wedding of Gabe and Nolie (whose story is found in “Hero in Her Heart”) but Nolie’s BFF Claire demands to be allowed to handle all the arrangements. It’s in her nature: she is an astute, intelligent, ladder-climbing corporate woman who works for Harvey Gray, an esteemed patron of the local church. Harvey isn’t thrilled that Brendan is working with inner-city youth at the church, but as Brendan points out, their town isn’t little; it’s a medium-sized city.

One teen in particular draws Brendan and Claire together: Stacy, a 16 year old runaway who’s living with her boyfriend Ted, who abuses her fairly regularly. She’s also pregnant. It’s a difficult situation for all involved: Brendan fears becoming like his father, who used violence to settle arguments; Claire was abused by a former boyfriend. They bond over Stacy’s situation with Ted as well as over the wedding planning.

The romance happens slowly and carefully, as required by two damaged people. Claire finds herself opening up to Brendan about her life. She also questions whether climbing the corporate ladder is worth it, which many people can relate to. Ted, to the author’s credit, isn’t written as a sadistic person but rather as a scared teenager who’s in way over his head. I’ve really enjoyed reading this series about the Flanagans, and this is one of the best in the series.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have ALWAYS LOVED Marta Perry's Flannagan family....I can't remember which of the Firefighting Flanagan family memebers stories I have already read.....But pastor and firefighter chaplin Brendan Flannaagan's story wasn't familiar when I raed it! Obviously Brendan and his other family members were from the other books in The Flannagan series....LOVED pastor Brendan. Claire Delany wasn't my FAVORITE heroine , 'AT FIRST.' She came of cold at first. Which, those kinds of heroine's and women in real ife are a turn-off. But, I quickly warmed to her by mid story. When she was friends with Pastor Brendan, working with the troubled teens (especially Stacy), and FULLY ensconced in the Flannagan Family....You can raed the individual Flannagan's stories without getting lost...But, to get the enjoyment of this really neat, warm, Christan, Irish, Firefighting family, you will want to end up reading EVERYONE'S story! Good book!

[Lena Morrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was interesting. I liked both Claire and Brendan, although they were very cliche characters. Claire was a very successful businesswoman with a troubled past. Brendan was a pastor was a difficult past as well. They undertook Nolie and Gabe's wedding as a project. Of course, they ending up falling in love. It was an okay story. The romance was very cheesy in some parts, but a lot of it was also pretty decent.

My complete thoughts on these romance novels are explained in my review for "Hero in Her Heart" by Marta Perry.

[Heather Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost didn't read this book because of the poor cover design, but my kids were sick and I couldn't get to the library. I had bought this at a secondhand store for a quarter so I figured, why not - and I'm really glad I did. This was a great story! Martha Perry is an excellent author and I always enjoy her books.

[Carolina Nazario · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would not say this book was bad, but I did not love it either. This is just not the type of book I read, so I couldn't not get into it. I assume this is how normal people feel when they read a book they like. The book had a nice and cute story, but there was no connection for me to the story.

[Hopie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but not great

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Ever After

[TheRLPL Rice Lake Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patron Review:
A very enjoyable, fast-paced story. Liked the emphasis on the family and values.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

LI--interesting. Focuses on teen girl being abused, helped by woman who was abused in the past.