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Odds-Are-Good #5
Catfished in Craig
Tony moved to small, remote Craig, Alaska, three years ago in the hopes of disappearing from his uncle's mob associates in northern New Jersey. But Alaska ain't home. And he misses the Jersey girls he grew up with. On behalf of all the "plain Janes" in the world, Tessa answers Tony's personal ad, intending to teach its cocky, conceited author an important he ain't all that. But something about Tony draws her in. And when she finds herself (and her 3-year-old daughter) in danger, she flees to Craig to disappear with Tony. Now, Craig may be remote, but it's still in the U.S. ... Tony and Tessa won't be able to stay hidden forever. When their pasts catch up with them, difficult choices will need to be made, and a deep love that once seemed unlikely might not be enough to save the day.
- GenresRomance
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2021
20 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Katy Regnery
116 books4,273 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Regnery has a heart for smart romance featuring strong women and decent men. Almost exclusively self-published, Katy claims authorship of over 60 titles, including three RITA® finalists. Translated into French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Turkish, Katy has sold over 1.8 million books worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
January 17, 2022
4.5 Finding Peace Stars
* * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
I am a huge fan of this series and when Katy Regnery decided to do something a little different, I was all in. Catfished in Craig takes a different look at those living in Alaska and why, while still keeping with the theme of looking for a mate through the magazine, Odds Are Good.
Tony's reason for being in Alaska's Craig is to hide from his past in New Jersey. But as the saying goes, you can take the guy out of New Jersey but never get the "Jersey" out of the guy. Tony has successfully established his place as a contractor and friendly fella with the small community. He has "worked" his way through all of the single women and finds himself missing his beloved "Jersey Girls". He is actually lonely and decides to place an ad in the magazine.
The only problem with the ad is it truly describes what Tony wants and how he thinks, shallow. Well, there is one phrase that hits at the heart, that he wants to take care of the person who answers his ad.
Tessa is a "Jersey Girl" who fell into the trap of loving a man who was not in love with her. She was his "side, hidden woman" because she wasn't the perfect model type he was wanting to be seen with. She ended up having his child, ending the relationship. He did provide a check every month but he never admitted to his family he had a kid.
Tessa happens to see Tony's ad and is annoyed by his way of asking for a mate. It brings back all the pain she experienced as a hidden side person. She decides she will teach Tony a lesson and respond.
Tony gets lots of responses but the one that catches his eye is Tessa's. They start an email/text relationship and when Tony asks for a pic, Tessa sends her cousin's. You see, Tony is picture-perfect looking for a picture-perfect mate, only. He is self-absorbed, bragging about how hot he is and how he wants a hot mate. They start to have a surprising connection causing Tony to ask for a phone call. It is during that phone call, things between the two change. Feelings get hurt and the contacts end.
Then the worst thing happens for Tessa. When her daughter's father is killed, this throws Tessa and she makes the mistake of going to the funeral. That the man did not admit he had a kid actually was good for Tessa because the man was with the mob. Yup, the pretty man who she couldn't say no to was part of the family who ran her part of Jersey.
This scares Tessa and causes her to make the most important decision of her life. She goes where no one would know where she is, Craig, Alaska. This is the hook and oh, the story really takes off from there.
This story was out of the usual Regnery style. It was engaging in its own way, though there were times where I wasn't as sure about some of the dialogue and character actions. The choices made weren't mine so that was the reason for my rating. Otherwise, as all the other reviews state, this was solid fun, a bit dark, romance to enjoy.
Single in Sitka (Odds-Are-Good, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Nome-o Seeks Juliet (Odds-Are-Good, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Fairbanks Affair (Odds-Are-Good, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My Valdez Valentine (Odds-Are-Good, #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Kodiak Lumberjack (Odds-Are-Good, #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Catfished in Craig (Odds-Are-Good, #6)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Dr. Dan in Ketchikan (Odds-Are-Good, #7)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Odds-Are-Good Boxed Set
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
I am a huge fan of this series and when Katy Regnery decided to do something a little different, I was all in. Catfished in Craig takes a different look at those living in Alaska and why, while still keeping with the theme of looking for a mate through the magazine, Odds Are Good.
Tony's reason for being in Alaska's Craig is to hide from his past in New Jersey. But as the saying goes, you can take the guy out of New Jersey but never get the "Jersey" out of the guy. Tony has successfully established his place as a contractor and friendly fella with the small community. He has "worked" his way through all of the single women and finds himself missing his beloved "Jersey Girls". He is actually lonely and decides to place an ad in the magazine.
The only problem with the ad is it truly describes what Tony wants and how he thinks, shallow. Well, there is one phrase that hits at the heart, that he wants to take care of the person who answers his ad.
Tessa is a "Jersey Girl" who fell into the trap of loving a man who was not in love with her. She was his "side, hidden woman" because she wasn't the perfect model type he was wanting to be seen with. She ended up having his child, ending the relationship. He did provide a check every month but he never admitted to his family he had a kid.
Tessa happens to see Tony's ad and is annoyed by his way of asking for a mate. It brings back all the pain she experienced as a hidden side person. She decides she will teach Tony a lesson and respond.
Tony gets lots of responses but the one that catches his eye is Tessa's. They start an email/text relationship and when Tony asks for a pic, Tessa sends her cousin's. You see, Tony is picture-perfect looking for a picture-perfect mate, only. He is self-absorbed, bragging about how hot he is and how he wants a hot mate. They start to have a surprising connection causing Tony to ask for a phone call. It is during that phone call, things between the two change. Feelings get hurt and the contacts end.
Then the worst thing happens for Tessa. When her daughter's father is killed, this throws Tessa and she makes the mistake of going to the funeral. That the man did not admit he had a kid actually was good for Tessa because the man was with the mob. Yup, the pretty man who she couldn't say no to was part of the family who ran her part of Jersey.
This scares Tessa and causes her to make the most important decision of her life. She goes where no one would know where she is, Craig, Alaska. This is the hook and oh, the story really takes off from there.
This story was out of the usual Regnery style. It was engaging in its own way, though there were times where I wasn't as sure about some of the dialogue and character actions. The choices made weren't mine so that was the reason for my rating. Otherwise, as all the other reviews state, this was solid fun, a bit dark, romance to enjoy.
Single in Sitka (Odds-Are-Good, #1)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Nome-o Seeks Juliet (Odds-Are-Good, #2)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Fairbanks Affair (Odds-Are-Good, #3)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My Valdez Valentine (Odds-Are-Good, #4)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Kodiak Lumberjack (Odds-Are-Good, #5)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Catfished in Craig (Odds-Are-Good, #6)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Dr. Dan in Ketchikan (Odds-Are-Good, #7)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Odds-Are-Good Boxed Sethttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
January 14, 2022
Not sure if this is a 2.5 or a 3 star read but here ya go.
I’ve really enjoyed most of these books within the series,.... this one? Not so much. It was okay. Fell flat on many things. I can usually get a pretty good picture in my mind of characters. Or for the most part can get some idea based on their descriptions and how they act on the page. I just couldn’t with these two. They read so different from how they were described. And I get that’s on me as a reader, however it took me out of the story so many times that it disrupted the flow and made me so confused.
It could’ve been really good. And it won’t stop me from reading other books within the series, since I’ve been loving them so far.
There were small parts that I did enjoy but they were very small and very few.
Don’t you hate when you want to love a book and it falls flat?
I’ve really enjoyed most of these books within the series,.... this one? Not so much. It was okay. Fell flat on many things. I can usually get a pretty good picture in my mind of characters. Or for the most part can get some idea based on their descriptions and how they act on the page. I just couldn’t with these two. They read so different from how they were described. And I get that’s on me as a reader, however it took me out of the story so many times that it disrupted the flow and made me so confused.
It could’ve been really good. And it won’t stop me from reading other books within the series, since I’ve been loving them so far.
There were small parts that I did enjoy but they were very small and very few.
Don’t you hate when you want to love a book and it falls flat?
October 20, 2021
4 "Well, I did not expect that." Stars!
This book was going along being a easy read. Both main characters were annoying in their own way, but I was still interested because even though they were annoying, I still liked them. I could see the potential for a good "change of heart/ mend your bad ways/ reformed manwhore", maybe "forced proximity" type of contemporary romance. Then BAM! This bad boy took a serious turn to the Dark Side. Whoa! I was not ready and did not expect any of what happen toward the end. But it sure did bump this one up from like 2 1/2 stars to 4 stars.
I guess what I'm saying is, wait for it! Happy reading!
This book was going along being a easy read. Both main characters were annoying in their own way, but I was still interested because even though they were annoying, I still liked them. I could see the potential for a good "change of heart/ mend your bad ways/ reformed manwhore", maybe "forced proximity" type of contemporary romance. Then BAM! This bad boy took a serious turn to the Dark Side. Whoa! I was not ready and did not expect any of what happen toward the end. But it sure did bump this one up from like 2 1/2 stars to 4 stars.
I guess what I'm saying is, wait for it! Happy reading!
October 20, 2021
I am loving this series but this book is a total stand alone !I am such a fan of Katy's writing and she certainly did not disappoint with Tony and Tessa.
Tony is a man that escaped a bit of trouble in New Jersey. He has now built a life for himself in a remote town in Alaska. Unfortunately the ratio of men to women is 5 to 1 and so that leads him to place an ad looking for companionship. This man was not on my list of favorites in the beginning but Katy certainly has a way of redeeming her characters. He was arrogant, shallow and kind of a jerk.
Tessa is a single mom in New Jersey. She sees the ad and begins chatting with Tony but she soon realizes that she is not what he is looking for. When she finds herself needing to flee with her daughter the first place that comes to mind is Alaska and Tony. This couple is sassy, sweet, and their story is filled with so many twists and turns that I never say coming. I fell in love with Tessa, Tony and that little sweetie Gia !
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Tony is a man that escaped a bit of trouble in New Jersey. He has now built a life for himself in a remote town in Alaska. Unfortunately the ratio of men to women is 5 to 1 and so that leads him to place an ad looking for companionship. This man was not on my list of favorites in the beginning but Katy certainly has a way of redeeming her characters. He was arrogant, shallow and kind of a jerk.
Tessa is a single mom in New Jersey. She sees the ad and begins chatting with Tony but she soon realizes that she is not what he is looking for. When she finds herself needing to flee with her daughter the first place that comes to mind is Alaska and Tony. This couple is sassy, sweet, and their story is filled with so many twists and turns that I never say coming. I fell in love with Tessa, Tony and that little sweetie Gia !
~~Michele McMullen ~~
January 1, 2022
The last quarter of this year was a big ball of ahhhhhh. Which made reading hard as my brain just couldn't focus and writing reviews was impossible. However with that said I did read a few books and if I don't add them here I'll end up adding them to my TBR a dozen or two times because of my goldfish memory.
October 29, 2021
Always looking forward to Katy's book :)
I am huge fan of K. Regnery and this whole Odds-Are-Good series is seriously addicting. Catfished in Craig is another hit. I enjoyed the premise of this story… Tony moved to remote small town Alaska to hide from his uncle’s mob associates in Jersey. Tony is not the only one with a little mob trouble… Tessa’s baby daddy died unexpectedly and she found herself in a little trouble with the mob from his side of the family as well. Tessa answered Tony’s personal and gave him more than a tongue lashing but unexpectedly she ended up in Alaska needing a little help from Tony. How is Tessa going to face Tony after she taught him a lesson? Perhaps she has to be someone else for a little while until she is out of danger. Unfortunately, Tessa was not able to stay hidden for long and the past caught up with them :0 Hold on to your seats people because it is going to be one heck of a roller coaster ride!!! I enjoyed the characters – Tessa is a single mom, she is sweet but has a sassy side. I had a hard time with Tony at first – I didn’t know what to think of him. He is jaded, skeptical, a little bit of a jerk but of course he totally redeemed himself All the twists and turns and the ending was perfect. Catfished in Craig has a little bit of everything – unique plot, enemies-to-lovers, mafia family, heat, suspense and HEA. Not my most favorites of this series but still very entertaining read!
I am huge fan of K. Regnery and this whole Odds-Are-Good series is seriously addicting. Catfished in Craig is another hit. I enjoyed the premise of this story… Tony moved to remote small town Alaska to hide from his uncle’s mob associates in Jersey. Tony is not the only one with a little mob trouble… Tessa’s baby daddy died unexpectedly and she found herself in a little trouble with the mob from his side of the family as well. Tessa answered Tony’s personal and gave him more than a tongue lashing but unexpectedly she ended up in Alaska needing a little help from Tony. How is Tessa going to face Tony after she taught him a lesson? Perhaps she has to be someone else for a little while until she is out of danger. Unfortunately, Tessa was not able to stay hidden for long and the past caught up with them :0 Hold on to your seats people because it is going to be one heck of a roller coaster ride!!! I enjoyed the characters – Tessa is a single mom, she is sweet but has a sassy side. I had a hard time with Tony at first – I didn’t know what to think of him. He is jaded, skeptical, a little bit of a jerk but of course he totally redeemed himself All the twists and turns and the ending was perfect. Catfished in Craig has a little bit of everything – unique plot, enemies-to-lovers, mafia family, heat, suspense and HEA. Not my most favorites of this series but still very entertaining read!
October 18, 2021
On the run from some mafioso, hiding in a remote town in Alaska, two hotheaded Jersey people and one adorable little girl, what could possibly go wrong? In this book Tony is hiding out in Craig for some time now and is missing home, is lonely wants some female companionship. He comes off as this arrogant, pig headed man that thinks he is God’s gift and looks mean more than anything in the opposite sex. When he puts and ad looking for his next adventure Tessa finds it and is instantly disgusted by it. Tessa lives in Jersey, is a single mom, she loves her Gia more than anything but when she decides to catfish Tony she doesn’t think he will be more than the arrogant jerk he is yet she finds him as more. After a bad day Tessa goes off on Tony and really lays into him so much so that she feels guilty, Tony hates her now, and I wasn’t liking her much more than Tony at this point. When Tessa goes on the run away from some mafiosos also she heads straight for Tony and Tony plays along until he finds out who she running from. They argue, they see the good in each other, but for some reason I just couldn’t like them fully until later on. Maybe I was stuck in my head how they continually talked maybe its me but I’m pretty sure not all New Jersey people speak like that all the time and I couldn’t stop thinking of Snooky and The Jersey Shore cast, it was distracting for a little bit loI then the more I read I got over it. I loved the soft side that both Tony and Tessa had towards Gia, she was what they needed to get them out of their heads and be down to earth people. She’s boojie, hotheaded, outspoken, she’s a great mother and he’s a pigheaded narcissist with a heart of gold, eventually they both realize that they were too quick to judge each other and start to take deeper looks within themselves. When they finally let barriers down they work together to stay safe and we see their true selves which deep down are beautiful. The suspense part had me intrigued wondering what would happen and with some twists I was glued. For all their flaws these characters ended up sticking with me and I ended up loving them and their story.
October 15, 2021
While this is listed as part of a series, it is a stand-alone novel. Although, I do recommend reading the others just because they are all very enjoyable romances set in Alaska. I have to say I started off not liking Tony and I had no idea where the author was going with this story initially. But after only reading the first chapter, I was hooked and didn't want to put the book down! And thankfully, once you get to know Tony a little bit better, you can't help but root for Tony and Theresa to get their HEA. Another great romance by Katy Regnery!
October 12, 2021
Catf in Craig by K. Regnery is book five in the Odds-Are-Good Series. Every book is about another couple and can be read as a stand-alone.
Tony And Tessa are both of italian heritage, grew up in New Jersey, both part of an italian community, a big family. But circumstances brought first Tony, then Tessa to Alaska.
THis book is not like the other stories in this series. CiC is kind of a mafia romance, kind of not, difficult to describe without giving the story away.
Just so much, someone has to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure a hea-ish.
After starting reading this great story, I couldn't put it doen anymore. I read the whole book, cover to cover, in one sitting and highly recommend this action packed, drama filled story.
Tony And Tessa are both of italian heritage, grew up in New Jersey, both part of an italian community, a big family. But circumstances brought first Tony, then Tessa to Alaska.
THis book is not like the other stories in this series. CiC is kind of a mafia romance, kind of not, difficult to describe without giving the story away.
Just so much, someone has to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure a hea-ish.
After starting reading this great story, I couldn't put it doen anymore. I read the whole book, cover to cover, in one sitting and highly recommend this action packed, drama filled story.
October 25, 2021
Catfished in Craig by Katy Regnery is the newest novel about Alaska and finding romance using personal ads. The book, while well written and interesting, had two main characters that were not my cup of tea. I did not like their attitudes; Tony was so focused on superficial attributes and Tessa was focused on making someone pay for her baby’s father’s attitude. What was slightly redeeming was how both realized that the other really was their mate.
Tony was looking for a girlfriend who met some superficial attributes. He didn’t just mention it in the personal ad, but spoke about it again and again on the phone to Tessa. I did not like him and wanted Tessa to be all done with him.
Tessa was a Jersey girl who definitely was not happy with her life. She had a daughter she adored, but wasn’t really keen on her job. Her parents were moving away and the family that was left were not very helpful. I understand in her frustration why she contacted Tony and I more understand why she treated him the way she did. What I wasn’t prepared for was her baby’s father’s family and their focus on finding her. I think Tessa is lucky Tony took her in. I was glad the lies came out and they started to really be decent to each other, until - well they were found.
Catfished in Craig really was a mixed bag of a novel. I liked the storyline and the realizations at the end, but the characters - especially at the beginning were not good. I enjoy reading novels by Katy Regnery. This novel really is good and not good at the same time.
Tony was looking for a girlfriend who met some superficial attributes. He didn’t just mention it in the personal ad, but spoke about it again and again on the phone to Tessa. I did not like him and wanted Tessa to be all done with him.
Tessa was a Jersey girl who definitely was not happy with her life. She had a daughter she adored, but wasn’t really keen on her job. Her parents were moving away and the family that was left were not very helpful. I understand in her frustration why she contacted Tony and I more understand why she treated him the way she did. What I wasn’t prepared for was her baby’s father’s family and their focus on finding her. I think Tessa is lucky Tony took her in. I was glad the lies came out and they started to really be decent to each other, until - well they were found.
Catfished in Craig really was a mixed bag of a novel. I liked the storyline and the realizations at the end, but the characters - especially at the beginning were not good. I enjoy reading novels by Katy Regnery. This novel really is good and not good at the same time.
October 16, 2021
4.5⭐
Oh, how I miss Kate Regnery's books. This was such an amazing read I finished it in just one sitting. Though I have to say, Tony started out as a shallow and arrogant a-hole. So I didn't have the best impression of him. But as the story progresses, he saw his wrong ways and what he's missing, he really steps up. I loved how he is with both Tessa and Gia. Their story definitely took an unexpected turn but it was a great story.
Oh, how I miss Kate Regnery's books. This was such an amazing read I finished it in just one sitting. Though I have to say, Tony started out as a shallow and arrogant a-hole. So I didn't have the best impression of him. But as the story progresses, he saw his wrong ways and what he's missing, he really steps up. I loved how he is with both Tessa and Gia. Their story definitely took an unexpected turn but it was a great story.
October 20, 2021
I love each book in this series. I love the Alaskan setting, I love the characters, and I love the fact that each story is quite different from the others. This latest novel is no exception.
”On behalf of all plain Janes in the world, jerks like him deserve to be taught a lesson, I think. And I’m just the girl to teach it.”
Tony Silvestri has been living his quiet life in remote Craig, Alaska, for a fair number of years. He’s made a good life and is pretty content. The only thing he’s missing is companionship of a beautiful, hot, young thing! The pickings are slim in Craig, so he resorts to placing a personal ad. He’s excited to connect with a sexy Jersey girl. Unfortunately, he’s completely blindsided by her when she rips into him about his superficial preferences.
”She’s not my type, and yet she’s gotten under my skin in the two days I’ve known her. I like her. I genuinely like her.”
Tessa Rinaldi thought she’d teach Mr Paradise a lesson. She thought she’d stand up for all the frumpy, dumpy girls in the world. She thought wrong. She felt terrible for what she said to Tony. As a single mother to cute little Gia, she’s lonely herself. When a tragedy puts her on someone’s unsavoury radar, she has no choice but to flee. The safest place she could think of? Craig, Alaska, where she’s about to throw herself on the mercy of the one guy who despises her.
”I need to feel her. I need to know – in this moment in time, if not forever – she belongs to me, and I belong to her.”
This was such a fab story! Tony comes across as such a douche to begin with, but under that hot exterior and superficial desires, he was pretty real. A guy who felt deeply, had his fears, but had integrity and the conscience to do the right thing. I adored how much he stepped up for Tessa and Gia, and I was excited about his confusion over how Tessa made him feel. She was nothing like his usual type but she was everything he didn’t realise he was looking for. Tessa was a spitfire! LOL. She might seem like a doormat, when you think about her previous relationship, but she was pretty sassy and sexy. She was never down on herself or how she looked, and actually had a heap of self-confidence and gutsiness. She was comfortable in her own skin. I thoroughly enjoyed this story – it was humorous, sexy, and tense, with some very tender moments.
Blog: https://readingwillingable.blogspot.c...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R3P67NP...
”On behalf of all plain Janes in the world, jerks like him deserve to be taught a lesson, I think. And I’m just the girl to teach it.”
Tony Silvestri has been living his quiet life in remote Craig, Alaska, for a fair number of years. He’s made a good life and is pretty content. The only thing he’s missing is companionship of a beautiful, hot, young thing! The pickings are slim in Craig, so he resorts to placing a personal ad. He’s excited to connect with a sexy Jersey girl. Unfortunately, he’s completely blindsided by her when she rips into him about his superficial preferences.
”She’s not my type, and yet she’s gotten under my skin in the two days I’ve known her. I like her. I genuinely like her.”
Tessa Rinaldi thought she’d teach Mr Paradise a lesson. She thought she’d stand up for all the frumpy, dumpy girls in the world. She thought wrong. She felt terrible for what she said to Tony. As a single mother to cute little Gia, she’s lonely herself. When a tragedy puts her on someone’s unsavoury radar, she has no choice but to flee. The safest place she could think of? Craig, Alaska, where she’s about to throw herself on the mercy of the one guy who despises her.
”I need to feel her. I need to know – in this moment in time, if not forever – she belongs to me, and I belong to her.”
This was such a fab story! Tony comes across as such a douche to begin with, but under that hot exterior and superficial desires, he was pretty real. A guy who felt deeply, had his fears, but had integrity and the conscience to do the right thing. I adored how much he stepped up for Tessa and Gia, and I was excited about his confusion over how Tessa made him feel. She was nothing like his usual type but she was everything he didn’t realise he was looking for. Tessa was a spitfire! LOL. She might seem like a doormat, when you think about her previous relationship, but she was pretty sassy and sexy. She was never down on herself or how she looked, and actually had a heap of self-confidence and gutsiness. She was comfortable in her own skin. I thoroughly enjoyed this story – it was humorous, sexy, and tense, with some very tender moments.
Blog: https://readingwillingable.blogspot.c...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R3P67NP...
October 15, 2021
*5 stars*
You know, sometimes you have these kind of stories that you just love reading from beginning until end and this one was just that! Not to mention it gripped me in the right ways. I loved not only the two leading characters Tony and Tessa but also the daughter that was written into it that made my heart melt. I could say so many things about this book and just hope this review does it the justice it deserves. Can't say how much I've adored reading it and even got teary-eyed when one chapter started happening and I just didn't know how it would turn out. I've loved this series and can't wait to see what's next in store.
Tony moved to Craig trying to maintain his distance from his old life but feels lonely. He's quite the catch but also has a shallowness over him that isn't really attractive. But while it may seem that he's only about the looks, there's something hidden underneath that just hasn't been discovered yet by the right woman. When he puts an ad in the town's paper, he gets in touch with Tessa but it doesn't turn out as he expected.... Tessa's life hasn't really turned out how she planned but she'll do anything to keep her daughter safe from harm and will do all to protect her. When everything she knew is about to change for the worse, she does what she can and runs to Craig, hoping for a better life. With false pretenses and Tony not really knowing who she truly is, Tessa hopes he'll keep her and her daughter safe. The more they get to know each other, the more Tessa seems to see another side to Tony. Their relationship evolves and Tony finally realises what's really important in life. But danger is lurking closer than they think and both their pasts will collide in a way they never thought would happen. Will they stand a chance and in the end be safe from harm?...
You know, sometimes you have these kind of stories that you just love reading from beginning until end and this one was just that! Not to mention it gripped me in the right ways. I loved not only the two leading characters Tony and Tessa but also the daughter that was written into it that made my heart melt. I could say so many things about this book and just hope this review does it the justice it deserves. Can't say how much I've adored reading it and even got teary-eyed when one chapter started happening and I just didn't know how it would turn out. I've loved this series and can't wait to see what's next in store.
Tony moved to Craig trying to maintain his distance from his old life but feels lonely. He's quite the catch but also has a shallowness over him that isn't really attractive. But while it may seem that he's only about the looks, there's something hidden underneath that just hasn't been discovered yet by the right woman. When he puts an ad in the town's paper, he gets in touch with Tessa but it doesn't turn out as he expected.... Tessa's life hasn't really turned out how she planned but she'll do anything to keep her daughter safe from harm and will do all to protect her. When everything she knew is about to change for the worse, she does what she can and runs to Craig, hoping for a better life. With false pretenses and Tony not really knowing who she truly is, Tessa hopes he'll keep her and her daughter safe. The more they get to know each other, the more Tessa seems to see another side to Tony. Their relationship evolves and Tony finally realises what's really important in life. But danger is lurking closer than they think and both their pasts will collide in a way they never thought would happen. Will they stand a chance and in the end be safe from harm?...
October 17, 2021
(Received an ARC and voluntarily reviewing)
I was excited to read this book mainly because I love the premise of people getting to know each other through texting or chatting online. There's just something really intimate about it. While I enjoyed that part of the story very much, I wasn't prepared for the ensuing roller coaster that the story took me on. At times it got scary and there was some violence that was a little jarring to say the least, but it made the ending even more emotional when I finally got to it.
I'm sorry that my review is so vague. I don't want to give anything away. I'll just say that if the book gets too dark at any point, stay with it. There's a light at the end of the tunnel.
This series is completely standalone. None of the stories are connected (apart from being set in Alaska and involving personal ads) and none of the characters are recurring. You need no prior knowledge of anything to read this book.
I was excited to read this book mainly because I love the premise of people getting to know each other through texting or chatting online. There's just something really intimate about it. While I enjoyed that part of the story very much, I wasn't prepared for the ensuing roller coaster that the story took me on. At times it got scary and there was some violence that was a little jarring to say the least, but it made the ending even more emotional when I finally got to it.
I'm sorry that my review is so vague. I don't want to give anything away. I'll just say that if the book gets too dark at any point, stay with it. There's a light at the end of the tunnel.
This series is completely standalone. None of the stories are connected (apart from being set in Alaska and involving personal ads) and none of the characters are recurring. You need no prior knowledge of anything to read this book.
October 20, 2021
I started this book thinking “no no no”… what is Katy doing writing about such an awful “Hero”. I was hoping he wouldn’t be the main character as quite frankly I thought he was awful…. Then again so did Tessa!
Slowly but surely he won me round and I was hooked to the story. With a fantastic story line this one had me turning the pages with speed.
I loved this story, the characters and of course little Gia!
A lovely little read.
4.5 Stars
Slowly but surely he won me round and I was hooked to the story. With a fantastic story line this one had me turning the pages with speed.
I loved this story, the characters and of course little Gia!
A lovely little read.
4.5 Stars
October 20, 2021
Catfished in Craig is a standalone story set in Alaska as part of the Odds Are Good series. It is single mom, opposites attract, maybe even a bit enemies to lovers story.
I absolutely loved the way this story played out and it is a new favorite in this awesome series!
-5 Stars-
My full review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I absolutely loved the way this story played out and it is a new favorite in this awesome series!
-5 Stars-
My full review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 16, 2021
This is part of a series of standalone novels that do not have to be read in order and don't have overlapping storylines. The common denominator is that the couples meet via the Odds Are Good Magazine. So you don't need to read the other books to read this one, though the rest of this series is great.
Now to be honest, I wasn't so sure about Tony to start. Katy has a great history of redeeming characters, but Tony started pretty shallow. I also had a hard time discerning if the New Jersey dialogue was stereotyping in its writing or if it's true to reality, since I'm from California, not NJ.
BUT the story really grew on me. I didn't know what to expect! Tessa and Tony's interactions, their storyline, and all the twists and turns, hooked me. I didn't want to put it down. Tessa and Tony's relationship grew and developed in a beautiful way. And little Gia was a treat.
Now to be honest, I wasn't so sure about Tony to start. Katy has a great history of redeeming characters, but Tony started pretty shallow. I also had a hard time discerning if the New Jersey dialogue was stereotyping in its writing or if it's true to reality, since I'm from California, not NJ.
BUT the story really grew on me. I didn't know what to expect! Tessa and Tony's interactions, their storyline, and all the twists and turns, hooked me. I didn't want to put it down. Tessa and Tony's relationship grew and developed in a beautiful way. And little Gia was a treat.
October 12, 2021
Coming to Apple, B&N and Kobo from Oct 13-15 and to Amazon(and KU!) on Oct 17!!
October 28, 2021
NO FAT CHICKS ALLOWED?? THE HERO WAS A TURNOFF !!
"Some of 'em should probably lay off the sauce. Most of 'em should lay off the french fries. And the deal breaker? A lot of 'em have kids. ~~ Tony about women
"Men. They're all pigs." ~~ Tessa about men
Some things just aren't funny -- like fat-shaming. I hate saying this, and don't get me wrong because I’ve loved this author for years -- like, heartbreaking Unloved and the enchanting It's You duet -- and will continue to do so. She doesn't have an unkind bone in her body. The rest of the series was great, but this book, not so much, even though I love a good underdog story, especially one involving girl power and a lovable heroine with so many cards stacked against her. I’m not supposed to hate the "H" or agree with the "h" that he’s a pig. Yeah, I know that Jersey boy Tony is a vain pretty boy, Italian mob guy -- so stereotypical that his picture should appear next to the phrase “fuhgedabahdit”. I get it. I get him. He’s still a pig. Why? He’s a judgey 33 year old goombah seeking a 21 year old beauty/live-in booty call to take care of. She has to be perfect looking because Tony’s a shallow, clueless, narcissist only interested in women’s looks. Oh, and he’s hiding out in bumfuck Alaska because of family mob crap. No one will come looking for him there, so he’s got a sweet gig as a handy man/contractor.
But it’s lonely in the boonies. There aren't many women. None that are up to “Tony standards”. Especially, for a second go-round. So he advertises for a live-in babe, but it’s Jersey girl hairdresser Tessa who answers the call to teach that pig the lesson he deserves in a catfishing scheme. I was down for it as Tony falls for all her hype, until she cuts him loose before he can send her money to come live with him. When her life takes a drastic turn, she needs somewhere to go. Where better than taking Tony up on his offer. But, Tessa’s a plain-Jane, really fat girl, and single mommy with a sweet daughter Gia. All the things that make Tony run for the hills, and she knows it.
The beginning was hilarious, especially their inner thoughts about what they really think of each other. Tessa’s just as judgmental as Tony even though they’re extreme physical opposites. The catfishing scheme hooked me, as she takes gullible Tony for a ride even though he’ll never lay eyes on her. It was hard to believe he was such a sucker, but he deserved every bit of her deception. They actually have so much in common, and she’d be perfect for him … IF she just looked entirely different and had no baggage (i.e., Gia). So, you see where this story is headed when she shows up unannounced to hide at Tony’s house and catfishes him all over again by pretending to be Tessa’s cousin, and not the actual Tessa.
I know Tony’s got a major makeover in store for him but it's too uphill for me, and Tessa’s about to learn not to have such low self-esteem and value who she is, as she is. You go girl. But I wasn’t expecting them to be such extreme physical opposites that I couldn’t buy into the romance even in fiction. Yes, I know that beauty is more than skin deep. It's obvious what happens after I DNF’d, and this isn't about taking up arms in support of our fat-shamed sisters, although yes, I do feel that way.
The turn-off was more personal, not political correctness. Tessa is very short, very fat, and very plain. How do I believe this story? She’s the antithesis of female perfection to believe that that superficial, physically perfect Tony would do a complete 360 and fall for her. But she's just as much about looks as he is, so pot meet kettle. I’d like to think they'd really connect, but I'm not buying it. I was so ambivalent about only him (not Tessa), and then he kept forgetting his Jersey accent – he only said “youse” for emphasis, but said “you” the rest of the time. Doesn't work that way author. Tessa’s physical description went overboard to make a point, and Tony was as demeaning about women and women with kids as you can imagine. He was distasteful and once the humor died after she showed up in Alaska, the immediate reality of the situation sank in and I was done with him and the story. I hated that Tessa was even in that situation, no matter how hard he may fall for her later. The situation just struck me wrong and I felt bad for her. The connection wasn't there for me. I'll wait for KR's next book.
"Some of 'em should probably lay off the sauce. Most of 'em should lay off the french fries. And the deal breaker? A lot of 'em have kids. ~~ Tony about women
"Men. They're all pigs." ~~ Tessa about men
Some things just aren't funny -- like fat-shaming. I hate saying this, and don't get me wrong because I’ve loved this author for years -- like, heartbreaking Unloved and the enchanting It's You duet -- and will continue to do so. She doesn't have an unkind bone in her body. The rest of the series was great, but this book, not so much, even though I love a good underdog story, especially one involving girl power and a lovable heroine with so many cards stacked against her. I’m not supposed to hate the "H" or agree with the "h" that he’s a pig. Yeah, I know that Jersey boy Tony is a vain pretty boy, Italian mob guy -- so stereotypical that his picture should appear next to the phrase “fuhgedabahdit”. I get it. I get him. He’s still a pig. Why? He’s a judgey 33 year old goombah seeking a 21 year old beauty/live-in booty call to take care of. She has to be perfect looking because Tony’s a shallow, clueless, narcissist only interested in women’s looks. Oh, and he’s hiding out in bumfuck Alaska because of family mob crap. No one will come looking for him there, so he’s got a sweet gig as a handy man/contractor.
But it’s lonely in the boonies. There aren't many women. None that are up to “Tony standards”. Especially, for a second go-round. So he advertises for a live-in babe, but it’s Jersey girl hairdresser Tessa who answers the call to teach that pig the lesson he deserves in a catfishing scheme. I was down for it as Tony falls for all her hype, until she cuts him loose before he can send her money to come live with him. When her life takes a drastic turn, she needs somewhere to go. Where better than taking Tony up on his offer. But, Tessa’s a plain-Jane, really fat girl, and single mommy with a sweet daughter Gia. All the things that make Tony run for the hills, and she knows it.
The beginning was hilarious, especially their inner thoughts about what they really think of each other. Tessa’s just as judgmental as Tony even though they’re extreme physical opposites. The catfishing scheme hooked me, as she takes gullible Tony for a ride even though he’ll never lay eyes on her. It was hard to believe he was such a sucker, but he deserved every bit of her deception. They actually have so much in common, and she’d be perfect for him … IF she just looked entirely different and had no baggage (i.e., Gia). So, you see where this story is headed when she shows up unannounced to hide at Tony’s house and catfishes him all over again by pretending to be Tessa’s cousin, and not the actual Tessa.
I know Tony’s got a major makeover in store for him but it's too uphill for me, and Tessa’s about to learn not to have such low self-esteem and value who she is, as she is. You go girl. But I wasn’t expecting them to be such extreme physical opposites that I couldn’t buy into the romance even in fiction. Yes, I know that beauty is more than skin deep. It's obvious what happens after I DNF’d, and this isn't about taking up arms in support of our fat-shamed sisters, although yes, I do feel that way.
The turn-off was more personal, not political correctness. Tessa is very short, very fat, and very plain. How do I believe this story? She’s the antithesis of female perfection to believe that that superficial, physically perfect Tony would do a complete 360 and fall for her. But she's just as much about looks as he is, so pot meet kettle. I’d like to think they'd really connect, but I'm not buying it. I was so ambivalent about only him (not Tessa), and then he kept forgetting his Jersey accent – he only said “youse” for emphasis, but said “you” the rest of the time. Doesn't work that way author. Tessa’s physical description went overboard to make a point, and Tony was as demeaning about women and women with kids as you can imagine. He was distasteful and once the humor died after she showed up in Alaska, the immediate reality of the situation sank in and I was done with him and the story. I hated that Tessa was even in that situation, no matter how hard he may fall for her later. The situation just struck me wrong and I felt bad for her. The connection wasn't there for me. I'll wait for KR's next book.
November 9, 2021
Pov: male & female
Main characters: Tony & Tessa
Minor characters: Gia (her daughter), Santo(head of a mob family/Gias grandpa),
My thoughts:
I did not love this one. It seemed so out of character with the rest of the series. I didn’t love the Italian accents and phrases. It seemed so purposely thrown in that it was unnatural. I hated the way Tony talked about Tessas looks. Even after he realizes he likes her, he’s still sort of demeaning.
It just wasn’t a great story for me. Everything seemed to move so quickly but nothing was expanded on. The characters mention their feelings are moving fast, but we don’t really see any examples of their feelings for each other.
Synopsis:
Tony was raised by his aunt and uncle in New Jersey after his parents died in a car accident. His uncle was in charge of a local mob. They weren’t a huge mob and they didn’t kill anyone, but they did threaten and beat people up.
Another mob, run by Santo, wanted to take over Tony’s family mob and ended up killing his uncle. Tony ran and ended up in hiding in Alaska. He knew if Santo found him he’d be killed.
He becomes a carpenter in Alaska and is lonely. There aren’t a ton of women in his town so he puts an ad in a magazine requesting a young hot girl who wants to meet him. He knows he’s a catch and that any girl would be lucky to be with him.
Tessa was born and raised in New Jersey. She’s always been short and a little chubby, so guys overlooked her. In high school the mob bosses son, Giancarlo, noticed her. They started sleeping together, but he wanted to keep it a secret. She was ok with it because she felt special that she caught his eye.
Years pass and she ends up pregnant. She has the baby, but Giancarlo still wants nothing to do with her publicly. He breaks it off but agrees to give her $1000 a month as long as she doesn’t tell anyone he’s the father. She agrees to the deal and raises Gia alone.
When Gia is 4 Tessa hates the deal. She hates that Gia doesn’t have a father, and that Giancarlo is in the mob. That she isn’t good enough for him and she’s a secret.
She sees Tony’s ad in the magazine and thinks he’s shallow just like Giancarlo. She decides to answer the ad and make Tony fall for her, then destroy him.
She answers the ad and they hit it off. He asks for a photo and she sends one of her cousin. He thinks she’s beautiful. They talk all the time and really like each other. He comments on her being beautiful all the time. After 2 weeks she finally snaps and tells him he’s a shallow person. That he’s not a good person and she hopes he does better.
He’s shocked and doesn’t understand what happened. He really liked her and starts to wonder if he really is a shallow bad person.
She feels awful about what she did. She does think Tony is shallow, but he didn’t deserve her taking out her frustrations with Giancarlo and her life out on him.
One day Giancarlo is murdered. Tessa is shocked and feels awful that Gia will never know her dad. She decides to go to the funeral. While paying her respects, Santo notices Gia and realizes she’s Giancarlos daughter. He demands Tessa bring Gia to his house later.
Tessa takes Gia and runs. She knows Santo would take Gia from her so she leaves town. She has no where to go, but she remembers Tony saying how remote his town was so she decides to go there and hide.
She meets an older couple on the ferry into town and asks if they can give her and Gia a ride to Tony’s house. The couple assumes she’s family and she lies and says they’re cousins.
She shows up at Tony’s house and he’s confused. He plays along pretending to be cousins until the couple leave. She tells him she’s cousins with the girl he was texting and she had to get out of town quickly. He knows she’s running from something and decides to let her and Gia stay.
She gets a job in town and tries to be as helpful as possible, because she knows she and Gia are inconveniencing him. He and Gia hit it off and become fast friends.
She cooks dinner nightly and it reminds him of home. Everyday he looks forward to getting home to them. He realizes he’s attracted to her. She’s attracted to him but knows she’s not his type.
She knows Gia needs a father in her life so she decides to start dating. Tony’s friend comes over for dinner and he and Tessa hit it off. Tony hates it and is jealous. His friend wants to ask her out and Tony can’t object because they’re “family.” Tessa explains that she wants to find someone for Gia and he understands.
The next day his friend comes by to ask her out. She’s decided to find a nice girl for Tony. She meets a girl in town and realizes Tony’s friend likes her. She asks him and he admits he does but she doesn’t like him back, that she’s hung up on Tony. She tells him she and Tony aren’t cousins. That she had to leave town because her ex’s family was going to take Gia. His friend tells her they should pretend to date to make Tony and the girl jealous.
After dinner one night Tessa thanks tony for being so good to her and Gia. She tells him he’s a good man. He’s overcome and kisses her. She pulls away and asks him to babysit because she’s going out with his friend. He’s angry. She wants him to fight for her because she knows he’s used to getting what he wants from women. She doesn’t want him to think of her like a conquest and get bored with her once he has her.
She goes on the “date” with his friend and he hates it. He gets drunk and searches for her online. He figures out she lied to him and was the girl he had been texting. He gets drunk and passes out before she gets home.
When she gets home she sees his computer and knows he knows who she is. She feels awful for lying and knows he won’t want anything to do with her anymore, so she takes Gia and goes to his friends house.
He wakes up in the morning and sees their stuff is gone. He’s angry and worried. He goes to church and Tessa shows up.
They talk and she tells him everything. He’s angry, but he understands. He tells her he’s attracted to her and wants to be with her. That he wants her and Gia to come back to him. He takes her home and they have sex. She agrees to move back.
They become a couple and it’s wonderful. They both fall in love with each other, but are afraid to tell each other. They worry it’s too soon.
A few months later Santo shows up at his house and beats Tony and takes Tessa and Gia. He threatens to kill Tessa if Tony shows up in New Jersey. He threatens to kill Tony if Tessa doesn’t do what he wants.
Santo takes Tessa and Gia back to his house and tells his wife that Tessa and Giancarlo had secretly gotten married and Gia is their granddaughter. His wife is thrilled.
His wife spoils Gia and Gia loves the attention, but she’s scared of Santo. Tessa refuses to let Gia out of her sight because she’s scared someone might hurt her. She realizes the wife doesn’t really know how bad Santo is.
They’re both miserable without each other.
On New Years Santo throws a big party, but Tessa doesn’t let Gia go. Santo is furious, because his wife planned tons of events with Gia in mind. He demands Tessa go to the party and threatens Tony if she doesn’t. Gia is scared and Tessa yells at him that they won’t do what he says. He’s furious and hits her. His wife shows up and Tessa explains what happened. That Gia is scared of him and will never feel safe around them. His wife plays it all down.
Tony gets a call from Santos wife. She asks if he’s serious about Tessa and Gia, even though Gias dad killed his uncle. He tells her he loves them and will wait for them.
A few weeks later it’s their anniversary and Santo demands she and Gia go to the dinner. Santo gives a toast to his wife. His wife tells him he’s a terrible person and he cost her their son. She tells Tessa to take Gia and leave and kills Santo before killing herself. Tessa runs off and finds out his wife arranged for her to go back to Tony.
They get back to Alaska and Tony asks her to marry him. She says yes.
3 years later they’re married with a baby on the way.
Main characters: Tony & Tessa
Minor characters: Gia (her daughter), Santo(head of a mob family/Gias grandpa),
My thoughts:
I did not love this one. It seemed so out of character with the rest of the series. I didn’t love the Italian accents and phrases. It seemed so purposely thrown in that it was unnatural. I hated the way Tony talked about Tessas looks. Even after he realizes he likes her, he’s still sort of demeaning.
It just wasn’t a great story for me. Everything seemed to move so quickly but nothing was expanded on. The characters mention their feelings are moving fast, but we don’t really see any examples of their feelings for each other.
Synopsis:
Tony was raised by his aunt and uncle in New Jersey after his parents died in a car accident. His uncle was in charge of a local mob. They weren’t a huge mob and they didn’t kill anyone, but they did threaten and beat people up.
Another mob, run by Santo, wanted to take over Tony’s family mob and ended up killing his uncle. Tony ran and ended up in hiding in Alaska. He knew if Santo found him he’d be killed.
He becomes a carpenter in Alaska and is lonely. There aren’t a ton of women in his town so he puts an ad in a magazine requesting a young hot girl who wants to meet him. He knows he’s a catch and that any girl would be lucky to be with him.
Tessa was born and raised in New Jersey. She’s always been short and a little chubby, so guys overlooked her. In high school the mob bosses son, Giancarlo, noticed her. They started sleeping together, but he wanted to keep it a secret. She was ok with it because she felt special that she caught his eye.
Years pass and she ends up pregnant. She has the baby, but Giancarlo still wants nothing to do with her publicly. He breaks it off but agrees to give her $1000 a month as long as she doesn’t tell anyone he’s the father. She agrees to the deal and raises Gia alone.
When Gia is 4 Tessa hates the deal. She hates that Gia doesn’t have a father, and that Giancarlo is in the mob. That she isn’t good enough for him and she’s a secret.
She sees Tony’s ad in the magazine and thinks he’s shallow just like Giancarlo. She decides to answer the ad and make Tony fall for her, then destroy him.
She answers the ad and they hit it off. He asks for a photo and she sends one of her cousin. He thinks she’s beautiful. They talk all the time and really like each other. He comments on her being beautiful all the time. After 2 weeks she finally snaps and tells him he’s a shallow person. That he’s not a good person and she hopes he does better.
He’s shocked and doesn’t understand what happened. He really liked her and starts to wonder if he really is a shallow bad person.
She feels awful about what she did. She does think Tony is shallow, but he didn’t deserve her taking out her frustrations with Giancarlo and her life out on him.
One day Giancarlo is murdered. Tessa is shocked and feels awful that Gia will never know her dad. She decides to go to the funeral. While paying her respects, Santo notices Gia and realizes she’s Giancarlos daughter. He demands Tessa bring Gia to his house later.
Tessa takes Gia and runs. She knows Santo would take Gia from her so she leaves town. She has no where to go, but she remembers Tony saying how remote his town was so she decides to go there and hide.
She meets an older couple on the ferry into town and asks if they can give her and Gia a ride to Tony’s house. The couple assumes she’s family and she lies and says they’re cousins.
She shows up at Tony’s house and he’s confused. He plays along pretending to be cousins until the couple leave. She tells him she’s cousins with the girl he was texting and she had to get out of town quickly. He knows she’s running from something and decides to let her and Gia stay.
She gets a job in town and tries to be as helpful as possible, because she knows she and Gia are inconveniencing him. He and Gia hit it off and become fast friends.
She cooks dinner nightly and it reminds him of home. Everyday he looks forward to getting home to them. He realizes he’s attracted to her. She’s attracted to him but knows she’s not his type.
She knows Gia needs a father in her life so she decides to start dating. Tony’s friend comes over for dinner and he and Tessa hit it off. Tony hates it and is jealous. His friend wants to ask her out and Tony can’t object because they’re “family.” Tessa explains that she wants to find someone for Gia and he understands.
The next day his friend comes by to ask her out. She’s decided to find a nice girl for Tony. She meets a girl in town and realizes Tony’s friend likes her. She asks him and he admits he does but she doesn’t like him back, that she’s hung up on Tony. She tells him she and Tony aren’t cousins. That she had to leave town because her ex’s family was going to take Gia. His friend tells her they should pretend to date to make Tony and the girl jealous.
After dinner one night Tessa thanks tony for being so good to her and Gia. She tells him he’s a good man. He’s overcome and kisses her. She pulls away and asks him to babysit because she’s going out with his friend. He’s angry. She wants him to fight for her because she knows he’s used to getting what he wants from women. She doesn’t want him to think of her like a conquest and get bored with her once he has her.
She goes on the “date” with his friend and he hates it. He gets drunk and searches for her online. He figures out she lied to him and was the girl he had been texting. He gets drunk and passes out before she gets home.
When she gets home she sees his computer and knows he knows who she is. She feels awful for lying and knows he won’t want anything to do with her anymore, so she takes Gia and goes to his friends house.
He wakes up in the morning and sees their stuff is gone. He’s angry and worried. He goes to church and Tessa shows up.
They talk and she tells him everything. He’s angry, but he understands. He tells her he’s attracted to her and wants to be with her. That he wants her and Gia to come back to him. He takes her home and they have sex. She agrees to move back.
They become a couple and it’s wonderful. They both fall in love with each other, but are afraid to tell each other. They worry it’s too soon.
A few months later Santo shows up at his house and beats Tony and takes Tessa and Gia. He threatens to kill Tessa if Tony shows up in New Jersey. He threatens to kill Tony if Tessa doesn’t do what he wants.
Santo takes Tessa and Gia back to his house and tells his wife that Tessa and Giancarlo had secretly gotten married and Gia is their granddaughter. His wife is thrilled.
His wife spoils Gia and Gia loves the attention, but she’s scared of Santo. Tessa refuses to let Gia out of her sight because she’s scared someone might hurt her. She realizes the wife doesn’t really know how bad Santo is.
They’re both miserable without each other.
On New Years Santo throws a big party, but Tessa doesn’t let Gia go. Santo is furious, because his wife planned tons of events with Gia in mind. He demands Tessa go to the party and threatens Tony if she doesn’t. Gia is scared and Tessa yells at him that they won’t do what he says. He’s furious and hits her. His wife shows up and Tessa explains what happened. That Gia is scared of him and will never feel safe around them. His wife plays it all down.
Tony gets a call from Santos wife. She asks if he’s serious about Tessa and Gia, even though Gias dad killed his uncle. He tells her he loves them and will wait for them.
A few weeks later it’s their anniversary and Santo demands she and Gia go to the dinner. Santo gives a toast to his wife. His wife tells him he’s a terrible person and he cost her their son. She tells Tessa to take Gia and leave and kills Santo before killing herself. Tessa runs off and finds out his wife arranged for her to go back to Tony.
They get back to Alaska and Tony asks her to marry him. She says yes.
3 years later they’re married with a baby on the way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2023
3.75 stars- rounded up to 4 for Goodreads. I think I would have actually given it a 4 if it wasn’t for the constant mention of Tessa being overweight/fat. It was shallow to hear, and it was repeated many more times than it needed to be. We get it bro, she’s not your type. Otherwise, the book was enjoyable. I think I am a bit bias because I’m Italian and there was a lot of Italian culture set in the book. This was a romance reveal subscription box book and I feel as if they nailed it when choosing this one for me. I’m glad for the happy ending, and sad for what Gia and Tessa had to endure towards the end.
January 23, 2024
Cute and sweet
Very enjoyable, I couldn't put it down. There was a few timeline and age mistakes but nothing big. It was between a funny meet cute alpha hole and a romantic suspense
Very enjoyable, I couldn't put it down. There was a few timeline and age mistakes but nothing big. It was between a funny meet cute alpha hole and a romantic suspense
October 23, 2021
4.5 stars. ❤
February 24, 2025
I loved the concept but not so much the follow through. I hated the MMC, especially the way he was so fatphobic. The shining star of this book was the little girl.
October 16, 2021
I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of Catfished in Craig and the views expressed are my honest opinions. This is the fifth book in the Odds-are-Good series by Katy Regnery.
At a little over five feet and with generous curves, Theresa ‘Tessa’ Rinaldi, a single mum from New Jersey considers herself a plain Jane next to her thin, willowy cousins. While on her lunch break, she comes across a personal ad in a discarded magazine in her cousin’s hair salon. Immediately, she thinks the writer of the ad as being a pig, just like the handsome Giancarlo, the father of her daughter Gia, who deems her a fun partner in secret but never acknowledged their relationship in public.
Memorizing the ad details, Tessa contacts Tony, the guy who put in the ad and was looking for a life partner to join him in Craig, Alaska where he is hiding from his uncle’s business associates. Following several texting sessions, Tony is smitten but Tessa fortifies her opinion of Tony being shallow and values people according to looks only. Thus, when they finally call each other, Tony’s careless comment describing someone else’s children as baggage detonates Tessa and the gives him a piece of her mind.
When a series of events makes Tessa and Gia flee Jersey, the only place which comes to mind and is very difficult to reach is Craig, Tony’s home. Taking care to hide their tracks, Tessa and Gia meet a kind elderly couple who kindly offer to drive them to Tony’s house after Tessa hurriedly blurts out that he is family. Leaving her no option but to accept, Tessa and Gia arrive at Tony’s doorstep. Will he oust them off his property as liars or will he find some compromise? Will Tony and Tessa swallow their pride and overcome the prejudice of their initial opinions to realize that they are, in fact, perfect for each other or will Tony’s neighbours prove to be the better companions?
Being a European, I enjoyed looking up the places mentioned in the book such as Craig, Newark and Bayonne and this is one of the reasons I look forward to books in this series. I found myself reading Tessa and Tony’s accented words out loud to get in the spirit of the book. Despite being a dark, mafia romance, there are several funny moments in the book, most of which surround Gia. She is the glue binding the family and the book.
While some stories are predicable, Ms. Regnery spins an original tale that the reader does not expect. However, when the reader fears that all hope is lost, an incredible plot twist rights the wrong in the story. Another must read!
At a little over five feet and with generous curves, Theresa ‘Tessa’ Rinaldi, a single mum from New Jersey considers herself a plain Jane next to her thin, willowy cousins. While on her lunch break, she comes across a personal ad in a discarded magazine in her cousin’s hair salon. Immediately, she thinks the writer of the ad as being a pig, just like the handsome Giancarlo, the father of her daughter Gia, who deems her a fun partner in secret but never acknowledged their relationship in public.
Memorizing the ad details, Tessa contacts Tony, the guy who put in the ad and was looking for a life partner to join him in Craig, Alaska where he is hiding from his uncle’s business associates. Following several texting sessions, Tony is smitten but Tessa fortifies her opinion of Tony being shallow and values people according to looks only. Thus, when they finally call each other, Tony’s careless comment describing someone else’s children as baggage detonates Tessa and the gives him a piece of her mind.
When a series of events makes Tessa and Gia flee Jersey, the only place which comes to mind and is very difficult to reach is Craig, Tony’s home. Taking care to hide their tracks, Tessa and Gia meet a kind elderly couple who kindly offer to drive them to Tony’s house after Tessa hurriedly blurts out that he is family. Leaving her no option but to accept, Tessa and Gia arrive at Tony’s doorstep. Will he oust them off his property as liars or will he find some compromise? Will Tony and Tessa swallow their pride and overcome the prejudice of their initial opinions to realize that they are, in fact, perfect for each other or will Tony’s neighbours prove to be the better companions?
Being a European, I enjoyed looking up the places mentioned in the book such as Craig, Newark and Bayonne and this is one of the reasons I look forward to books in this series. I found myself reading Tessa and Tony’s accented words out loud to get in the spirit of the book. Despite being a dark, mafia romance, there are several funny moments in the book, most of which surround Gia. She is the glue binding the family and the book.
While some stories are predicable, Ms. Regnery spins an original tale that the reader does not expect. However, when the reader fears that all hope is lost, an incredible plot twist rights the wrong in the story. Another must read!
October 16, 2021
4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Katy Regnery’s Odds Are Good series, set in Alaska is a definite must-read series for me, and book 5 Catfished in Craig is no exception.
I did not love Tony at first. He took awhile to warm up to, shallow and obsessed with looks, I wondered how will he redeem himself?
Tessa, having been burned in the past by a lover who deemed her not worthy of going public, is disgusted when she sees Tony’s personal ad in the Odds Are Good magazine. Particularly as he is looking for a young, slim, fit and gorgeous woman who takes care of herself.
Nevertheless, she makes contact and these two get to know one another, and when Tessa’s past catches up with her, she finds herself fleeing to Craig, to a man she thinks she can’t stand, but as they soon discover, have more in common than first thought.
Wonderfully written, Tony and Tessa, warmed their way into my heart as I devoured this book. Little Gia, Tessa’s 4 year old daughter, is a big part of the story and seeing the way Tony grows attached to them both is so heartfelt. Tony goes through a lot of personal growth, he was a character who you love to hate, but Katy Regnery did her best to turn him around and it’s safe to say he won me over! The author did a fantastic job of depicting real love and attraction being based upon more than initial looks and physical attributes. That chemistry and attraction is so much more than what you initially see, because once the chemistry is there, this book really heats up!
I loved reading about New Jersey and Jersey girls, and as always the scenery and life in Alaska fascinated me. This series has certainly taken us all over Alaska and I’m here for it! In saying that, Catfished in Craig can definitely be read as a stand-alone, though I have read all 5 books and enjoyed them all!
Some lovely (and not so lovely) secondary characters, the Mafia lifestyle and Italian food all add to the story to create an exciting contemporary romance that I highly recommend to new and familiar readers of Katy Regnery’s romance books. This one has steam and swearing, and is a great romance read all round!
Katy Regnery’s Odds Are Good series, set in Alaska is a definite must-read series for me, and book 5 Catfished in Craig is no exception.
I did not love Tony at first. He took awhile to warm up to, shallow and obsessed with looks, I wondered how will he redeem himself?
Tessa, having been burned in the past by a lover who deemed her not worthy of going public, is disgusted when she sees Tony’s personal ad in the Odds Are Good magazine. Particularly as he is looking for a young, slim, fit and gorgeous woman who takes care of herself.
Nevertheless, she makes contact and these two get to know one another, and when Tessa’s past catches up with her, she finds herself fleeing to Craig, to a man she thinks she can’t stand, but as they soon discover, have more in common than first thought.
Wonderfully written, Tony and Tessa, warmed their way into my heart as I devoured this book. Little Gia, Tessa’s 4 year old daughter, is a big part of the story and seeing the way Tony grows attached to them both is so heartfelt. Tony goes through a lot of personal growth, he was a character who you love to hate, but Katy Regnery did her best to turn him around and it’s safe to say he won me over! The author did a fantastic job of depicting real love and attraction being based upon more than initial looks and physical attributes. That chemistry and attraction is so much more than what you initially see, because once the chemistry is there, this book really heats up!
I loved reading about New Jersey and Jersey girls, and as always the scenery and life in Alaska fascinated me. This series has certainly taken us all over Alaska and I’m here for it! In saying that, Catfished in Craig can definitely be read as a stand-alone, though I have read all 5 books and enjoyed them all!
Some lovely (and not so lovely) secondary characters, the Mafia lifestyle and Italian food all add to the story to create an exciting contemporary romance that I highly recommend to new and familiar readers of Katy Regnery’s romance books. This one has steam and swearing, and is a great romance read all round!
October 16, 2021
Catfished in Craig is Katy Regnery’s newest release in her Odds are Good series. I’ve really missed Ms. Katy’s stories, and she most certainly hits the spot with Tony and Tessa’s (and Gia’s) story. Her writing touched my heart so deeply and so many times, I found myself needing to pause to clear the emotion and tears so I could keep going.
When Tony is first introduced, all I could think was that he was going to need a strong, confident woman to really make him see beyond the superficial world that is all he seemed to see…and enter Tessa. She’s had her fair share of dealing with a superficial man who never saw her as anything more than a secret “hook up” simply because Tessa didn’t come in his perceived to be perfect package. So when Tessa reads Tony’s personal ad, all she sees is his vain and self-worth attitude. But Tessa still can’t seem to ignore the temptation to respond to him. Despite the strong pull she feels as they get to know each other as they exchange texts, hurt from the past colors Tessa’s opinion of Tony. But when her world begins to crumble, she feels her only option is to escape to Craig and seek out Tony’s help. In spite of Tony’s self-limitation of seeing only the surface, he feels a deep connection with Tessa as well, and one he has never before experienced. As time passes, all he sees is a beautiful and strong woman and her daughter who fill the empty space in his heart and his life with joy. When both of their pasts collide, their world together is shattered. Will Tessa and Tony find a way to survive and return to each other’s arms and each other’s hearts?
Catchfished in Craig was an absolutely fantastic and beautiful love story, Ms. Regnery also included some uh-oh moments which really kicked up my pulse wondering how Tony and Tessa and Gia would find their way back to each other and the life they all deserve to share. Their story was just so touching and amazing and made my heart flutter with pure joy and love. Bravo Ms. Katy. You’ve done it again
When Tony is first introduced, all I could think was that he was going to need a strong, confident woman to really make him see beyond the superficial world that is all he seemed to see…and enter Tessa. She’s had her fair share of dealing with a superficial man who never saw her as anything more than a secret “hook up” simply because Tessa didn’t come in his perceived to be perfect package. So when Tessa reads Tony’s personal ad, all she sees is his vain and self-worth attitude. But Tessa still can’t seem to ignore the temptation to respond to him. Despite the strong pull she feels as they get to know each other as they exchange texts, hurt from the past colors Tessa’s opinion of Tony. But when her world begins to crumble, she feels her only option is to escape to Craig and seek out Tony’s help. In spite of Tony’s self-limitation of seeing only the surface, he feels a deep connection with Tessa as well, and one he has never before experienced. As time passes, all he sees is a beautiful and strong woman and her daughter who fill the empty space in his heart and his life with joy. When both of their pasts collide, their world together is shattered. Will Tessa and Tony find a way to survive and return to each other’s arms and each other’s hearts?
Catchfished in Craig was an absolutely fantastic and beautiful love story, Ms. Regnery also included some uh-oh moments which really kicked up my pulse wondering how Tony and Tessa and Gia would find their way back to each other and the life they all deserve to share. Their story was just so touching and amazing and made my heart flutter with pure joy and love. Bravo Ms. Katy. You’ve done it again
October 17, 2021
Catfished in Craig is the 5th book in the Odds Are Good series, but all the books in the series can be read as standalones.
Tony has fled New Jersey for Craig, Alaska, hiding from some mafia associates but now he’s missing Jersey something bad. He seems like a typical ‘Guido’ like we learned about from the “Jersey Shore”. He hasn’t changed in his time in Craig, he’s looking for a typical Jersey girl and puts an ad in a magazine looking for a woman who would drop everything to move to the middle of nowhere just to be with him.
Tessa thinks of herself as a plain Jane. She’s not as tall and thin as her cousins, but she really is beautiful. She’s mother to Gia, an adorable little girl who’s as feisty as her mom. Tessa happens to see Tony’s ad and has a fit because the ad has him coming across as a complete jerk and so Tessa has decided that she is going to Catfish him. Hence the title, Catfished in Craig. Through tests and phone calls Tony does fall for Tessa, but Tessa falls for Tony as well. When something happens and Tessa has to take Gia and flee, the only place she can think of to hide is with Tony. When she gets to Craig, will Tony take them in, or act like he doesn’t know them?
I love reading Katy Regnery’s stories! She always has a way of bringing the characters around, no matter how bad they seem. Honestly, I really didn’t like either character in the beginning. I felt that they were just stereotypes of the people that was on Jersey Shore, they weren’t real people. As the story moves on, they open up and we get to see the real Tony and Tessa and boy do they grow. Also, the story twists and turns more than a mountain road. Loved the story, and by the end, I loved Tony and Tessa as well.
**I received an ARC of this story and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Tony has fled New Jersey for Craig, Alaska, hiding from some mafia associates but now he’s missing Jersey something bad. He seems like a typical ‘Guido’ like we learned about from the “Jersey Shore”. He hasn’t changed in his time in Craig, he’s looking for a typical Jersey girl and puts an ad in a magazine looking for a woman who would drop everything to move to the middle of nowhere just to be with him.
Tessa thinks of herself as a plain Jane. She’s not as tall and thin as her cousins, but she really is beautiful. She’s mother to Gia, an adorable little girl who’s as feisty as her mom. Tessa happens to see Tony’s ad and has a fit because the ad has him coming across as a complete jerk and so Tessa has decided that she is going to Catfish him. Hence the title, Catfished in Craig. Through tests and phone calls Tony does fall for Tessa, but Tessa falls for Tony as well. When something happens and Tessa has to take Gia and flee, the only place she can think of to hide is with Tony. When she gets to Craig, will Tony take them in, or act like he doesn’t know them?
I love reading Katy Regnery’s stories! She always has a way of bringing the characters around, no matter how bad they seem. Honestly, I really didn’t like either character in the beginning. I felt that they were just stereotypes of the people that was on Jersey Shore, they weren’t real people. As the story moves on, they open up and we get to see the real Tony and Tessa and boy do they grow. Also, the story twists and turns more than a mountain road. Loved the story, and by the end, I loved Tony and Tessa as well.
**I received an ARC of this story and this is my honest and voluntary review.
October 23, 2021
CATFISHED IN GRAIG is the latest release in Katy Regnery's Series of lonely Alaskan men seeking a woman to keep them company. Since there is a shortage of available women in Alaska they seek one by placing an ad in Odds-Are-Good. This one has become my new favorite in the series. On-the-Run from the Mafia & a standalone romance. The personal ad below is placed by Tony. Who comes across as vain and very conceited.
LOOKING FOR PARADISE? SWM, 33,
Seeks SWF, 21-25. Let me take care of you.
I'm hot, rich, and single. You're single, fun, &
beautiful. Join me for island sunsets & walks on
the beach. Let's make memories to last forever.
Tony thinks he has found the perfect match in a woman named Theresa. Only he ends up heartbroken to find he has been Catfished. He doesn't even know what that means. His best friend explains, “A 'catfish' is someone who goes on line and makes a fake profile with a fake name, fake picture, and fake information. So you think you're talking to this supermodel.” Tony really is hurt over this mean deception. Then a woman pretending to be his cousin, with a four-year-old daughter, shows up at his home. She is in a dangerous situation. And before Tony knows what happened both their pasts will come knocking at his door, too. Life can take the worst situation you've ever had and turn it into the gift you never knew you wanted. Highly Recommend!
LOOKING FOR PARADISE? SWM, 33,
Seeks SWF, 21-25. Let me take care of you.
I'm hot, rich, and single. You're single, fun, &
beautiful. Join me for island sunsets & walks on
the beach. Let's make memories to last forever.
Tony thinks he has found the perfect match in a woman named Theresa. Only he ends up heartbroken to find he has been Catfished. He doesn't even know what that means. His best friend explains, “A 'catfish' is someone who goes on line and makes a fake profile with a fake name, fake picture, and fake information. So you think you're talking to this supermodel.” Tony really is hurt over this mean deception. Then a woman pretending to be his cousin, with a four-year-old daughter, shows up at his home. She is in a dangerous situation. And before Tony knows what happened both their pasts will come knocking at his door, too. Life can take the worst situation you've ever had and turn it into the gift you never knew you wanted. Highly Recommend!
October 18, 2021
While this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. I’m a huge Katy Regnery fan and I’m pulled into her books from the beginning. This is another beautiful example.
Tony has escaped New York to live a tranquil life in Craig, Alaska. He witnessed a horrific crime and needs a place to hide. Since there are more men than women, he places an ad looking for someone special. I must say he thinks highly of himself and I laughed at his arrogance from page one.
Tessa has a secret. One that she has kept for years, until her past threatens her future when they come face-to-face. To keep her and her daughter safe, she escapes to Craig. To Tony, who she met through his ad. Tessa isn’t his match at all, but yet she is.
I love seeing arrogant Tony getting knocked down a peg or two by what he first thought was a plain Jane. When their lives are threatened, I didn’t know what to expect next, but Katy never let me down. I think it was just what Tony needed to realize that no one is perfect, but Tessa is perfect for him. They are just what the other needed and are truly a perfect couple. I would love to have more of this series because I love these Alaskan men!
Tony has escaped New York to live a tranquil life in Craig, Alaska. He witnessed a horrific crime and needs a place to hide. Since there are more men than women, he places an ad looking for someone special. I must say he thinks highly of himself and I laughed at his arrogance from page one.
Tessa has a secret. One that she has kept for years, until her past threatens her future when they come face-to-face. To keep her and her daughter safe, she escapes to Craig. To Tony, who she met through his ad. Tessa isn’t his match at all, but yet she is.
I love seeing arrogant Tony getting knocked down a peg or two by what he first thought was a plain Jane. When their lives are threatened, I didn’t know what to expect next, but Katy never let me down. I think it was just what Tony needed to realize that no one is perfect, but Tessa is perfect for him. They are just what the other needed and are truly a perfect couple. I would love to have more of this series because I love these Alaskan men!
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