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The Mixed Six-Pack #3
Third Party
A dog gone video game drove them apart. Can a virtual reality add-on of the same game get them kissing each other's faces again?
★★★★★
"Danika Bloom books have now hit 'don't need to know about the book, just need to get it!' status in my TBR lists." ~Amazon reviewer
Josh Rhodes has finally made his mark in the gaming world, an investor threw him a bone and bought his family-friendly dog game for millions. After years of living on ramen noodles he finally feels ready to ask his longtime girlfriend, Paige to marry him.
Paige Verbeck-Reid has only ever loved one man, Josh Rhodes. And as happy as she is for his success, with her own career as a dog trainer floundering, his massive success has her on the run: she’s seen what happens when a woman is financially dependent on a man. She gets stuck. Stays when she should leave.
As Josh’s success breeds more digital dogs and an exploding population of dollars in his bank account, he fears Paige will never come home. When Nana forces the pair to finish a Christmas present they made for her two years earlier, Paige has to resolve what she believes with what she feels.
Will their decade-long love stay in the dog house, or can they train their emotions to learn new commands?
~~~
Third Party is a stand-alone in the steamy, Mixed Six-Pack contemporary romance series. If you like witty banter, grandma matchmakers, quirky family dynamics and pet lover, steamy romance, you’ll adore Danika Bloom’s emotional love story. No cheating and a guaranteed HEA.
Buy Third Party to experience the grip of commitment today!
★★★★★
"Danika Bloom books have now hit 'don't need to know about the book, just need to get it!' status in my TBR lists." ~Amazon reviewer
Josh Rhodes has finally made his mark in the gaming world, an investor threw him a bone and bought his family-friendly dog game for millions. After years of living on ramen noodles he finally feels ready to ask his longtime girlfriend, Paige to marry him.
Paige Verbeck-Reid has only ever loved one man, Josh Rhodes. And as happy as she is for his success, with her own career as a dog trainer floundering, his massive success has her on the run: she’s seen what happens when a woman is financially dependent on a man. She gets stuck. Stays when she should leave.
As Josh’s success breeds more digital dogs and an exploding population of dollars in his bank account, he fears Paige will never come home. When Nana forces the pair to finish a Christmas present they made for her two years earlier, Paige has to resolve what she believes with what she feels.
Will their decade-long love stay in the dog house, or can they train their emotions to learn new commands?
~~~
Third Party is a stand-alone in the steamy, Mixed Six-Pack contemporary romance series. If you like witty banter, grandma matchmakers, quirky family dynamics and pet lover, steamy romance, you’ll adore Danika Bloom’s emotional love story. No cheating and a guaranteed HEA.
Buy Third Party to experience the grip of commitment today!
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2020
89 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Danika Bloom
24 books252 followersDanika Bloom writes small-town (and small city) rom-coms where love gets wonderfully weird and family is whoever shows up with snacks during your breakdown. She's obsessed with the bizarre little rituals couples develop—because honestly, isn't declaring your feelings through origami made from grocery receipts more romantic than basic flower delivery?
When she's not writing stories about found families and the beautifully strange ways people connect, she's probably taste-testing a new baked good recipe her retired husband has made to lure her from her office.
Join my Bloom'n email list to get news about ARC opportunities, new releases, and other love&stuff.
Find my books on Amazon
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When she's not writing stories about found families and the beautifully strange ways people connect, she's probably taste-testing a new baked good recipe her retired husband has made to lure her from her office.
Join my Bloom'n email list to get news about ARC opportunities, new releases, and other love&stuff.
Find my books on Amazon
Follow me on BookBub
Say hello to me on Instagram
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
December 5, 2020
Danika Bloom has written a 5-star book. This book will have you from the first page to the last page just to find out what Paige and Josh will do. This is the story about Paige and Josh. Paige and Josh were a couple until a job for Paige came between them and they split up. Now two years later she is back home and he doesn't know it. Paige goes to see Josh's Nana and ends up taken Ranger, Nana's dog for a walk. Josh is on his way to Nana's house and he sees a dog that looks like Ranger so he has the driver stop. When Josh calls Ranger's name, he comes to him and he wonders how he got out. He starts to walk back to Nana's house when Paige yells "Stop." As Paige gets closer, she sees that it is Josh and she is shocked to see him. The last time they talked, Josh told her not to come back home, he was done. She had insecurities about money and she did not want someone to take care of her. She needed a way to take care of herself in case something happened. Paige and Josh end up spending time together and the feelings Josh had for Paige start coming back. He thought that he had gotten over her but he was wrong. Paige has never gotten over Josh.
Can Paige and Josh work out what was wrong and start fresh?
This was a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Can Paige and Josh work out what was wrong and start fresh?
This was a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 6, 2020
Josh and Paige were best friends who fell in love. But it was important to Paige to be able to take care of herself and having a job would provide the security she needed. Putting the job ahead of Josh didn’t go over well and they split up as she left.
After a couple years, Paige came home and stops in to see Josh’s Nana. Walking Nana’s dog for her hastens the meeting with Josh who hadn’t known she was home. Will they get their priorities straight? Will they realize how they still feel about each other? Can they give their love a second chance?
Lots of emotions swirl around in this one. Communication is key to relationships. Have they learned that important fact to understanding what happened before and how to make it better going forward?
After a couple years, Paige came home and stops in to see Josh’s Nana. Walking Nana’s dog for her hastens the meeting with Josh who hadn’t known she was home. Will they get their priorities straight? Will they realize how they still feel about each other? Can they give their love a second chance?
Lots of emotions swirl around in this one. Communication is key to relationships. Have they learned that important fact to understanding what happened before and how to make it better going forward?
December 8, 2020
There are just so many good things to love about this book. Paige's mixed up/combined words. Appreciations - what a great idea, to end the day with one thing that you're grateful for in the other person, an affirmation for grounding before a hard conversation. The fact that Paige and Josh don't dwell so much on what happened between them in the past, but instead go right to that hard conversation, trying to figure out how to move forward together. Nana - this wonderful woman is filled with love, and strong enough to keep her six grandsons and their father in line (most of the time), and refuses to let go of Paige and Josh as a couple. The book is just a wonderful read, a story of forgiveness and second chances, in both romance and family.
December 7, 2020
This is the third book in the Mixed Six Pack series. It’s a steamy, second chance holiday romance. You can read this book as a standalone, but I think it’s much better if you read the series in order. This series is about brothers, so you’ll be seeing previous books characters show up in this one. This book took my emotions on a little bit of a ride. Josh and Paige’s story broke my heart. They’re as different as night and day when it comes to many things. Josh comes from money and Paige’s mom barely has two nickels to rub together. All Josh wants to do is marry the woman he loves and live happily ever after. Paige has a very messed up outlook on life thanks to her father. She runs off when Josh’s video game makes him rich so she can “prove” that she can take care of herself. Josh hurt and heartbroken tells her to not bother coming home. It’s obvious she’s never trusted him so what’s the point if she can’t trust him to not be like her father then they’re never going to make it as a couple. Josh tries to move on by his heart is still with Paige. She’s home to visit her mom for the holidays and try to convince her to move to London. Can Josh and Paige find their way back to each other or are they going to break each other’s hearts again?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 5, 2020
Josh and Paige had a life together till Josh made it big. Paige couldn't handle the fact that Josh wanted to look after her, which was wrong way of thinking but she couldn't help it.
The chemistry was certainly there but the dynamic was ruined once money and uncertainty come into it.
I liked the drama behind the scenes and the tension just overloaded the story which moved it along nicely. This was a great book with multi layers. Very well written and a complexity that was natural for me as reader.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The chemistry was certainly there but the dynamic was ruined once money and uncertainty come into it.
I liked the drama behind the scenes and the tension just overloaded the story which moved it along nicely. This was a great book with multi layers. Very well written and a complexity that was natural for me as reader.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 10, 2020
Brings another party to the mixed six-pack
Paige, a dog trainer, has an unexpected run in with Josh, an online game developer and her ex-fiancé, when she comes home from London for the holidays two years after seeing him last. As the story progresses bridges are shakily mended, a back-up plan is never far away, and things get blown out of the water before a full reconciliation occurs. Danika Bloom’s Third Party brings another party to the mixed six-pack brothers. Now if only Adam, Morgan, and Chris can join the happily settled mixed six pack brothers.
I received a free copy of the book from the author via Booksprout. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Paige, a dog trainer, has an unexpected run in with Josh, an online game developer and her ex-fiancé, when she comes home from London for the holidays two years after seeing him last. As the story progresses bridges are shakily mended, a back-up plan is never far away, and things get blown out of the water before a full reconciliation occurs. Danika Bloom’s Third Party brings another party to the mixed six-pack brothers. Now if only Adam, Morgan, and Chris can join the happily settled mixed six pack brothers.
I received a free copy of the book from the author via Booksprout. I had the opportunity to review or not.
December 6, 2020
I received an ARC of this book from Booksprout and this is my honest review.
I absolutely loved this book. I have already read the first 2 books in the series so I know I love Danika’s writing. This book blew me away, it was so well written and I loved Paige and Josh and their second chance romance. I also totally fell in love with Josh’s Nana, she reminded me so much of my own late Nan. From the opening page to the last one I was fully invested and I can’t wait for the next book in the spring.
I absolutely loved this book. I have already read the first 2 books in the series so I know I love Danika’s writing. This book blew me away, it was so well written and I loved Paige and Josh and their second chance romance. I also totally fell in love with Josh’s Nana, she reminded me so much of my own late Nan. From the opening page to the last one I was fully invested and I can’t wait for the next book in the spring.
November 10, 2020
This book gave me all the feels. Josh and Paige working through their past hurts to, uh, come together again was a wonderful ride. The sex scenes were over-the-top steamy and packed a punch since the characters had such emotional intimacy.
Only issue I had with Third Party is I now want to adopt 17 dogs and move to Lily Valley, where Josh's brother Nick and his girlfriend Sophie (from First In) live. Ha!
I was a beta reader on this novel.
Only issue I had with Third Party is I now want to adopt 17 dogs and move to Lily Valley, where Josh's brother Nick and his girlfriend Sophie (from First In) live. Ha!
I was a beta reader on this novel.
November 27, 2020
*I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Wonderful holiday romance with complex characters and a fascinating family. The characters have unusual jobs which I really enjoyed reading about. Also, as a Canadian, it's so nice to read a novel set in Canada :D
Wonderful holiday romance with complex characters and a fascinating family. The characters have unusual jobs which I really enjoyed reading about. Also, as a Canadian, it's so nice to read a novel set in Canada :D
November 28, 2020
Wow! I ended up reading this book in one sitting - I could not put it down.
I loved the story of Paige and Josh and was so happy to go along on their second-chance journey.
Honestly, Danika Bloom books have now hit "don't need to know about the book, just need to get it" status in my TBR lists.
The friendships, families, hopes, dreams, concerns, fears, are all so real. Danika has a unique gift to make all her scenes and characters' thoughts and traits so real. I feel their pain. I feel their sadness. I feel their struggles. Most of all, I cheer along with them when things go right and I always love and appreciate a happily ever after - especially one that is so well-deserved!
I always learn something new - whether it is a Hero/Heroine's hobby or career - I always feel like I've learned true details and insights after reading Danika's books - I can tell she puts in the research and work to get the details right.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved the story of Paige and Josh and was so happy to go along on their second-chance journey.
Honestly, Danika Bloom books have now hit "don't need to know about the book, just need to get it" status in my TBR lists.
The friendships, families, hopes, dreams, concerns, fears, are all so real. Danika has a unique gift to make all her scenes and characters' thoughts and traits so real. I feel their pain. I feel their sadness. I feel their struggles. Most of all, I cheer along with them when things go right and I always love and appreciate a happily ever after - especially one that is so well-deserved!
I always learn something new - whether it is a Hero/Heroine's hobby or career - I always feel like I've learned true details and insights after reading Danika's books - I can tell she puts in the research and work to get the details right.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 6, 2020
Paige returns to her home town and encounters Josh the man she had not seen for two years.
Paige left town two years before to make a success of her dream to be a dog trainer when she got a job working on a series handling the dogs used. She left her boyfriend Josh saying it would only be a few months by when it reached a years and she had signed another contract he breaks up with her. Now a year later she returns home and goes to visit his grandmother who everyone calls Nana Josh turns up and it seems that Nana is trying to get them back together. Can they get past the hurts and the hang up that have caused the problem for the last two years.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Paige left town two years before to make a success of her dream to be a dog trainer when she got a job working on a series handling the dogs used. She left her boyfriend Josh saying it would only be a few months by when it reached a years and she had signed another contract he breaks up with her. Now a year later she returns home and goes to visit his grandmother who everyone calls Nana Josh turns up and it seems that Nana is trying to get them back together. Can they get past the hurts and the hang up that have caused the problem for the last two years.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 7, 2020
Wow! I ended up reading this book in one sitting. I just couldn’t put it down. At all. I absolutely loved this book and is my favourite in this fantastic series. From the opening pages to last one I was fully invested with these characters and their journey to their HEA. I don’t even look at the book blurb for this author anymore, I just preorder her books to hit my kindle, so I can read them straight away as I know I’m in for a fantastic treat with her books. So what are you waiting for, go grab your copy today. Happy reading everyone!!
November 23, 2020
*GASP*
A couple that... COMMUNICATES? What kind of sorcery?
Paige & Josh had a very VERY long road to an HEA, and it was a bit dodgy there for a bit, but luckily, the put on their adulting pants and worked things out.
I love the family dynamic in this series, seeing the brothers from books past as well as speculating on what’s next for this bunch.
Definitely a good read!
A couple that... COMMUNICATES? What kind of sorcery?
Paige & Josh had a very VERY long road to an HEA, and it was a bit dodgy there for a bit, but luckily, the put on their adulting pants and worked things out.
I love the family dynamic in this series, seeing the brothers from books past as well as speculating on what’s next for this bunch.
Definitely a good read!
December 5, 2020
Wonderful story with high school sweethearts Josh and Paige who broke up when he became wealthy and she broke off their engagement leaving them both heartbroken for two years until with the help of grandmother get back together. Loved this well written book and loved the characters especially the grandmother.
December 6, 2020
This is a sweet (with some steam) new adult love story about figuring out what you want and learning forgiveness and trust. A great addition to the Mixed Six Pack series by author Bloom that takes the reader into the heart of the Rhodes extended family in time for the holidays.
I received an early ARC copy of this book.
I received an early ARC copy of this book.
December 8, 2020
This was an emotional rollercoaster. There was humor, sadness, anger, etc. But the truth I saw was two people who really loved each other just didn't really hear each other. So, does Josh and Paige have a chance? Can they get back together and reconcile? Remember if you want to read a book you can't put down, you have to pick it up first.
December 5, 2020
This is a great second chance romance for Josh and Paige. This is a story about learning to trust again and to opening their hearts again. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 4, 2020
A great book about second chances and it's about Josh and Paige.
After a few years apart, they get back together.
I like the characters and the chemistry is there too.
Because they have been apart for a while and now together again they both
have to solve a lot of problems. The story is full of drama and passion and steamy scenes. But also beautifully written and also close to home, think we can empathize with the story of Josh and Paige, in short, a great book about second chances.
This book is definitely recommended !!!
I received a Advance Review Copy of this book through Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
After a few years apart, they get back together.
I like the characters and the chemistry is there too.
Because they have been apart for a while and now together again they both
have to solve a lot of problems. The story is full of drama and passion and steamy scenes. But also beautifully written and also close to home, think we can empathize with the story of Josh and Paige, in short, a great book about second chances.
This book is definitely recommended !!!
I received a Advance Review Copy of this book through Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
December 31, 2020
This was a great second chance romance!! I loved Josh and Paige! They had so much hurt and lost love and came so far from their time apart and seeing them learn about not only themselves but each other made you have all the feels. I very much enjoyed the holiday aspect of it too and can’t wait for the next Rhodes story!!
December 5, 2020
A fantastic well written emotional second chance romance. This captivating storyline has drama, steam, laugh out loud and verge of tears moments as they work thru past hurts. The characters are interesting, passionate, and undeniable chemistry in a smooth flowing entertaining story. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC.
November 22, 2020
Paige and Josh reunite for the holidays after 2 years apart. They work through a lot of their issues. Good book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 5, 2020
The story about Paige and Josh. This really was an amazing second chance romance. I really liked it, I read it in one sitting. You seriously cannot go wrong with this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 9, 2020
The third book in The Mixed Six-Pack series a well written story with a very good storyline, the story flowed smoothly from page to page. I enjoyed reading Josh Rhodes and Paige's second chance story.
December 22, 2020
I enjoyed Josh & Paige's book. It was an entertaining read with twists. Hot chemistry. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
December 6, 2020
Third Party is a sweet second-chance romance. This is the third book in the series, each can be read as a standalone as each one following a different Rhodes brother. This one follows Josh and Paige.
Josh and Paige were engaged until it all went to hell and Josh has decided to call it quits. Fast forward a year and, with the help of Josh's Nana, they found their way back into each other's lives. They are still very much in love, but past insecurities are difficult to over come.
Third Party is at times very emotional read. I was just rooting for Josh and Paige to sort through their issues so they get back together, because it was obvious that they were perfect for each other. I love how neither of them moved on or even have a fling the entire time they were broken up. It really shows how deeply they loved each other.
I adored Josh. He was just so easy to like. I love how he always tried to put Paige first, and how patient he was with her once they reunited. He was always there to support her to follow her dream, like she has supported him to follow his. I liked Paige, even though she sometimes acted before she thought things through. Thankfully, once she cooled down and had time to think, she realised that she overreacted and then tried to fix it.
Paige and Josh resumed their relationship pretty fast and things were almost too perfect, to the point where I expected the second shoe to drop. But besides few minor hiccups, the couple remained strong until the very end. It was beautiful to witness them giving their relationship another shot, each making an effort to make the relationship work this time round.
*ARC provided through BookSprout in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Josh and Paige were engaged until it all went to hell and Josh has decided to call it quits. Fast forward a year and, with the help of Josh's Nana, they found their way back into each other's lives. They are still very much in love, but past insecurities are difficult to over come.
Third Party is at times very emotional read. I was just rooting for Josh and Paige to sort through their issues so they get back together, because it was obvious that they were perfect for each other. I love how neither of them moved on or even have a fling the entire time they were broken up. It really shows how deeply they loved each other.
I adored Josh. He was just so easy to like. I love how he always tried to put Paige first, and how patient he was with her once they reunited. He was always there to support her to follow her dream, like she has supported him to follow his. I liked Paige, even though she sometimes acted before she thought things through. Thankfully, once she cooled down and had time to think, she realised that she overreacted and then tried to fix it.
Paige and Josh resumed their relationship pretty fast and things were almost too perfect, to the point where I expected the second shoe to drop. But besides few minor hiccups, the couple remained strong until the very end. It was beautiful to witness them giving their relationship another shot, each making an effort to make the relationship work this time round.
*ARC provided through BookSprout in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
December 1, 2020
Danika has done it again! Her third book in the Mixed Six-Pack Series is as lovely as the first two. Her writing style brings you right in and you can't help but fall in love with her characters.
Josh and Paige grew up very differently, but that didn't stop them from becoming friends, then lovers, and then engaged. However, those differences caused a major misunderstanding and everything fell apart. It's been a year since the engagement was called off and each still loves the other. Can they find their common ground and work through their differences to find their happy ever after? They sure can, if his Nana has anything to say about it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Josh and Paige grew up very differently, but that didn't stop them from becoming friends, then lovers, and then engaged. However, those differences caused a major misunderstanding and everything fell apart. It's been a year since the engagement was called off and each still loves the other. Can they find their common ground and work through their differences to find their happy ever after? They sure can, if his Nana has anything to say about it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 11, 2020
Danika Bloom teases us with the play on words throughout Third Party.
The story opens with Paige. To spend Christmas with her mother, she has returned to Vancouver from London, after a two-year absence. The rain in Vancouver, so different from London, fills our senses.
Paige is ambivalent about an invitation from Nana to visit. Nana is her ex’s grandmother whose home of sixty years stands proud and grand, as it has for a hundred years, in an area of stately old homes close to the University Endowment Lands. Paige used to walk Nana’s dog, Ranger, there. He was the first of hundreds of dogs she trained. Ranger’s fur, fresh from the groomers, and Nana’s signature perfume bring back happy memories of the eight years she had been basically a part of Josh’s family.
The point of view is carried throughout by Paige and Josh, but third parties have their own agendas – especially Nana. She is the Obi-Wan Kenobi of the Rhodes family dynamic, but she cannot control the negative influences others have on Paige and Josh.
Having been raised by her mother alone from a young age, Paige’s fear of abandonment had unexpectedly been resurrected by Josh’s newfound wealth. Paige left for Europe to seek independent financial security amid gold-digger accusations.
Josh, on the other hand, is less complex. If he isn’t working 24/7 on his virtual game development, he is missing Paige and measuring every relationship by her standard. His ego was wounded by her sudden flight, just when he was finally able to support her the way she had supported him. When she decided to stay abroad for a second year, he broke off their engagement in a huff.
During Paige’s visit, they are thrown together at every turn. She and Josh play this emotionally taxing cat and mouse game, falling into familiar habits and irresistible sexual encounters, but unable to express their inner fears and conflicts.
Danika frustrates us with their fragile psyches, but takes us sensually from the kitchen to the bedroom and the two-person shower. She weaves a web of unspoken words and hidden deeds that keep Paige striving toward an elusive dream for financial security and Josh wallowing in limbo with his secrets.
You know Danika Bloom promises an HEA ending, but the getting there? That will keep you reading. I cannot tell you more about the Third Party, but to say: it’s a frustrating, exciting, maddening, and exhilarating journey to get there.
I received a free ARC copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story opens with Paige. To spend Christmas with her mother, she has returned to Vancouver from London, after a two-year absence. The rain in Vancouver, so different from London, fills our senses.
Paige is ambivalent about an invitation from Nana to visit. Nana is her ex’s grandmother whose home of sixty years stands proud and grand, as it has for a hundred years, in an area of stately old homes close to the University Endowment Lands. Paige used to walk Nana’s dog, Ranger, there. He was the first of hundreds of dogs she trained. Ranger’s fur, fresh from the groomers, and Nana’s signature perfume bring back happy memories of the eight years she had been basically a part of Josh’s family.
The point of view is carried throughout by Paige and Josh, but third parties have their own agendas – especially Nana. She is the Obi-Wan Kenobi of the Rhodes family dynamic, but she cannot control the negative influences others have on Paige and Josh.
Having been raised by her mother alone from a young age, Paige’s fear of abandonment had unexpectedly been resurrected by Josh’s newfound wealth. Paige left for Europe to seek independent financial security amid gold-digger accusations.
Josh, on the other hand, is less complex. If he isn’t working 24/7 on his virtual game development, he is missing Paige and measuring every relationship by her standard. His ego was wounded by her sudden flight, just when he was finally able to support her the way she had supported him. When she decided to stay abroad for a second year, he broke off their engagement in a huff.
During Paige’s visit, they are thrown together at every turn. She and Josh play this emotionally taxing cat and mouse game, falling into familiar habits and irresistible sexual encounters, but unable to express their inner fears and conflicts.
Danika frustrates us with their fragile psyches, but takes us sensually from the kitchen to the bedroom and the two-person shower. She weaves a web of unspoken words and hidden deeds that keep Paige striving toward an elusive dream for financial security and Josh wallowing in limbo with his secrets.
You know Danika Bloom promises an HEA ending, but the getting there? That will keep you reading. I cannot tell you more about the Third Party, but to say: it’s a frustrating, exciting, maddening, and exhilarating journey to get there.
I received a free ARC copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
November 18, 2020
I'm in love with this beautiful, lyrical, emotionally honest second-chance romance!
Paige and Josh are high-school sweethearts, who broke their engagement after eight years together and are now, two years later, back in each other's lives and wondering if there's any chance they can fix what was broken.
The writing here was so very beautiful, with both Josh and Paige choosing gut-wrenching, honest dialogue over nursing pride and hurt feelings. As a result, it could well serve as a Relationship 101 course for any young couple who is needing a little instruction in communication. The conflicts are real and important, but underneath it all there's never any doubt that these two are soul mates, deeply in love with each other and desperate to find a way to make it all work out.
This book includes more of the whole Rhodes family than either of the earlier two books did, and I absolutely loved it. Their Christmas family get-together was the stuff of legends, and the HEA that followed was everything I was hoping for.
The crowning glory of this lovely story is the inspirational wedding ceremony. Adapted from Celtic handfasting traditions, this fresh approach highlighted the power of cooperation, the importance of family, and the joy of true love. It's a must-read for anyone who loves romance.
I sighed a few times, I laughed a lot, and I teared up once or twice, too. This is my favorite book from this author, and I highly recommend it. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Paige and Josh are high-school sweethearts, who broke their engagement after eight years together and are now, two years later, back in each other's lives and wondering if there's any chance they can fix what was broken.
The writing here was so very beautiful, with both Josh and Paige choosing gut-wrenching, honest dialogue over nursing pride and hurt feelings. As a result, it could well serve as a Relationship 101 course for any young couple who is needing a little instruction in communication. The conflicts are real and important, but underneath it all there's never any doubt that these two are soul mates, deeply in love with each other and desperate to find a way to make it all work out.
This book includes more of the whole Rhodes family than either of the earlier two books did, and I absolutely loved it. Their Christmas family get-together was the stuff of legends, and the HEA that followed was everything I was hoping for.
The crowning glory of this lovely story is the inspirational wedding ceremony. Adapted from Celtic handfasting traditions, this fresh approach highlighted the power of cooperation, the importance of family, and the joy of true love. It's a must-read for anyone who loves romance.
I sighed a few times, I laughed a lot, and I teared up once or twice, too. This is my favorite book from this author, and I highly recommend it. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
December 15, 2020
With this 3rd part of the Rhodes brothers, Danika Bloom has put together another great book. Josh and Paige's story came across as very believable and realistic.
The gap between rich and poor is one that Paige can't overcome. Where Josh comes from a well-heeled home, Paige only knows the struggle to put food on the table every day. When Josh sells his computer game which he has developed, and has even more money to spend, it feels like she has done nothing to enjoy this money. She feels like she didn't contribute anything to this wealth. To prove herself as a woman who can take care of herself, she takes a job in London and leaves Josh in Canada. It takes her longer than thought to prove herself and Josh ends their long-distance relationship. Both can't take their lives to move on after the breakup and they continue to miss each other. But starting over doesn't seem to work either, the obstacle of money continues to play a big role for Paige
Both characters appealed to me in which I could imagine and feel the point of view of both. Also, the struggles that both feel are so realistically described where they know they still love each other. But how do they get closer? I loved Paige with her great love for all things dog and funny dialogues arise when she links characteristics of people to dog breeds. And Josh. What a big heart that man has! The love he feels for Paige is one every woman dreams of.
A story about love and the struggle to overcome your own fears. A story with humor, human reactions but above all LOVE
The gap between rich and poor is one that Paige can't overcome. Where Josh comes from a well-heeled home, Paige only knows the struggle to put food on the table every day. When Josh sells his computer game which he has developed, and has even more money to spend, it feels like she has done nothing to enjoy this money. She feels like she didn't contribute anything to this wealth. To prove herself as a woman who can take care of herself, she takes a job in London and leaves Josh in Canada. It takes her longer than thought to prove herself and Josh ends their long-distance relationship. Both can't take their lives to move on after the breakup and they continue to miss each other. But starting over doesn't seem to work either, the obstacle of money continues to play a big role for Paige
Both characters appealed to me in which I could imagine and feel the point of view of both. Also, the struggles that both feel are so realistically described where they know they still love each other. But how do they get closer? I loved Paige with her great love for all things dog and funny dialogues arise when she links characteristics of people to dog breeds. And Josh. What a big heart that man has! The love he feels for Paige is one every woman dreams of.
A story about love and the struggle to overcome your own fears. A story with humor, human reactions but above all LOVE
December 12, 2020
“Third Party” by Danika Bloom is part of ‘The Mixed Six-Pack’ series, and features Josh, the video game developer, who has fought for the past two years to get over his first and only love, Paige. Her temporary return for the holidays evokes feelings he’d thought long-dead, as well as rekindles the conflict that forced them apart in the first place.
This adult contemporary romance is a lovely second-chance tale, and it does a great job of connecting to the series while standing alone with no problem. I love to get glimpses of characters from previous stories, so it was wonderful that the previous two couples made cameo appearances. The secondary characters give depth to the story and Nana provides some lighthearted moments as she meddles to bring these two stubborn people to their senses. I love the idea of the video game and appreciated the multi-level conflicts that are addressed throughout the story. One of the things I like most about the books in this series is the realism that acknowledges that life can be messy and complicated and sometimes awkward. I look forward to reading about the other brothers in this series
This adult contemporary romance is a lovely second-chance tale, and it does a great job of connecting to the series while standing alone with no problem. I love to get glimpses of characters from previous stories, so it was wonderful that the previous two couples made cameo appearances. The secondary characters give depth to the story and Nana provides some lighthearted moments as she meddles to bring these two stubborn people to their senses. I love the idea of the video game and appreciated the multi-level conflicts that are addressed throughout the story. One of the things I like most about the books in this series is the realism that acknowledges that life can be messy and complicated and sometimes awkward. I look forward to reading about the other brothers in this series
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