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Sass and Steam #4
Beyond Repair
When life is a broken wreck, it takes a special kind of doctor to put the pieces back together.
Owen Cassidy’s life is in a shambles. His business is plagued by catastrophic malfunctions, a near-fatal attack has left him with a shoulder full of gears and wires, and the lady doctor who saved his life insists on bedrest over action. To make matters worse, she’s perpetually cheerful, utterly gorgeous, and entirely uninterested in him.
Dr. Eleanor Taylor has no intention of letting an obstinate, uncooperative tycoon ruin her hard work. Nora’s never been swayed by a handsome face, so desire is the last thing she expects to complicate the situation. But when she and Owen begin to bond, amorous feelings she’s rarely experienced—and doesn’t know how to handle—spark to life.
As Nora and Owen find themselves lost in a tangle of friendship and blazing passion, their enemy’s schemes become wilder and more dangerous. To escape with their lives and hearts intact, they’ll need all their wits, all their skills, and a relationship built on the deepest trust.
Owen Cassidy’s life is in a shambles. His business is plagued by catastrophic malfunctions, a near-fatal attack has left him with a shoulder full of gears and wires, and the lady doctor who saved his life insists on bedrest over action. To make matters worse, she’s perpetually cheerful, utterly gorgeous, and entirely uninterested in him.
Dr. Eleanor Taylor has no intention of letting an obstinate, uncooperative tycoon ruin her hard work. Nora’s never been swayed by a handsome face, so desire is the last thing she expects to complicate the situation. But when she and Owen begin to bond, amorous feelings she’s rarely experienced—and doesn’t know how to handle—spark to life.
As Nora and Owen find themselves lost in a tangle of friendship and blazing passion, their enemy’s schemes become wilder and more dangerous. To escape with their lives and hearts intact, they’ll need all their wits, all their skills, and a relationship built on the deepest trust.
- GenresSteampunk
342 pages, Paperback
Published February 22, 2022
21 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Stein
28 books169 followersAward-winning author Catherine Stein believes that everyone deserves love and that Happily Ever After has the power to help, to heal, and to comfort. She writes sassy, sexy romance set during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Her books are full of action, adventure, magic, and fantastic technologies.
Catherine lives in Michigan with her husband and three rambunctious kids. She loves steampunk and Oxford commas, and can often be found dressed in Renaissance Festival clothing, drinking copious amounts of tea.
Catherine lives in Michigan with her husband and three rambunctious kids. She loves steampunk and Oxford commas, and can often be found dressed in Renaissance Festival clothing, drinking copious amounts of tea.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 22, 2022
This is a super cute steampunk romance featuring sunshiney doctor Nora and grumpy millionaire Owen. Nora finds Owen wounded on the street, and since she’s a doctor she patches him up. Then she basically moves herself into his house because he won't stop doing things that jeopardize his recovery. This, in a totally logical turn of events (to Nora, at least), leads her into investigating who is sabotaging his business.
This is a long book with a lot of plot - but the real focus is the romance. It's a real pleasure to read about Owen and Nora falling for each other, especially since they both approach the courtship in unconventional ways. We both totally believed their love story and really enjoyed reading about it!
Note: although this is the 4th in a series, we both agree that it can be read as a standalone.
39-Word Summaries:
Meg: Nora finds a half-dead man on the street. Like any self-respecting biomechanical physician she grabs him & fixes him up just as good as new. Nora thinks she’s safe from his charms until he turns out to be … nice?
Laine: Nora gives Owen a mechanical arm to save his life and sticks around to 1) keep him from ruining her handiwork and 2) help figure out who shot him and why, even if he does NOT want her to.
This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy of the novel.
This is a long book with a lot of plot - but the real focus is the romance. It's a real pleasure to read about Owen and Nora falling for each other, especially since they both approach the courtship in unconventional ways. We both totally believed their love story and really enjoyed reading about it!
Note: although this is the 4th in a series, we both agree that it can be read as a standalone.
39-Word Summaries:
Meg: Nora finds a half-dead man on the street. Like any self-respecting biomechanical physician she grabs him & fixes him up just as good as new. Nora thinks she’s safe from his charms until he turns out to be … nice?
Laine: Nora gives Owen a mechanical arm to save his life and sticks around to 1) keep him from ruining her handiwork and 2) help figure out who shot him and why, even if he does NOT want her to.
This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy of the novel.
February 18, 2022
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC of this book from the gracious author herself. I'm not usually a romance fan, but I do enjoy the steampunk genre, so I was intrigued by the premise of this story. I was not disappointed! It's a locomotive of a tale that clips along at a fantastic pace, and has plenty of steam for the romance fans!
An independent and plucky biomechanologist by the name of Nora Taylor happens upon a severely wounded man in the streets (Owen Cassidy) and drags him back to her surgery to save his life and fix his shoulder with a mechanical replacement. This heralds the start of an unlikely friendship between the two: he the taciturn and singularly focused entrepreneur who doesn't believe in romantic attachments - she the unconventional and pioneering woman of means who doesn't really feel attraction to anyone. She joins him on the quest to uncover the culprit behind his attempted murder and along the way they explore the boundaries of their partnership.
It is fast paced, at times hilarious and heart warming, at others so steamy I quite needed a fan, and all in all a lot of fun! The characters are vivid and wonderfully eccentric. The villain is juicy, and there are sky pirates!! If that doesn't pique your interest, I don't know what will!
An independent and plucky biomechanologist by the name of Nora Taylor happens upon a severely wounded man in the streets (Owen Cassidy) and drags him back to her surgery to save his life and fix his shoulder with a mechanical replacement. This heralds the start of an unlikely friendship between the two: he the taciturn and singularly focused entrepreneur who doesn't believe in romantic attachments - she the unconventional and pioneering woman of means who doesn't really feel attraction to anyone. She joins him on the quest to uncover the culprit behind his attempted murder and along the way they explore the boundaries of their partnership.
It is fast paced, at times hilarious and heart warming, at others so steamy I quite needed a fan, and all in all a lot of fun! The characters are vivid and wonderfully eccentric. The villain is juicy, and there are sky pirates!! If that doesn't pique your interest, I don't know what will!
February 17, 2022
It is a marvellously entertaining read which is full of every imaginable thing you want in a book!
Owen Cassidy, a handsome wealthy yet stubborn tycoon is found injured by Nora, an unusual lady doctor with the kindest heart, calm and cheerful personality. Feeling it’s her duty to assist Owen with his biomechanics shoulder, Nora insists him stay and practise using his hand properly however Owen doesn’t like being told what he has to do thus he flees to St. Louis where his business runs and he resides, indeed Nora pursues him. Catastrophe after catastrophe comes towards Owen’s business and genius deductive Nora is determined to help and she will optimistically make the rigid Owen smile as she thinks they have befriended. When the situation is getting worse, an anonymous adversary abducts Nora in a boat and eventually her genius mind has suspected some of Owen’s trusted associates and they romantic wonderful albeit dangerous adventures begin.
I might be exaggeratingly telling you how smitten I was with Nora and Owen but it’s true. You will likely be finding Nora’s appearance less ladylike but I could imagine her being utterly beautiful with her blue-green eyes, short red hair, trousers and vast. Despite her age, she is totally inexperienced in sex and only has bookish knowledge therefore when she first feels strongly sexually attracted to Owen, she doesn’t know what to do or how to deal with the feeling. Meanwhile Owen, his unusual height has always been a problem within the story yet I could figure how attractive he must be. The more I turned the pages the more I was being immersed into their true characters and their adventures especially for its science, technologies and the airship!
Catherine Stein is an incredibly talented author, having completely immersive and imaginative writing that brought me into refreshingly science-fiction world that has steam car, kitten-dragon, and any other imaginary technologies I pondered. Beyond Repair is utterly entertaining, immersive and achingly romantic. To be frank I love everything within this book! Thank you, Catherine Stein, for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed.
Owen Cassidy, a handsome wealthy yet stubborn tycoon is found injured by Nora, an unusual lady doctor with the kindest heart, calm and cheerful personality. Feeling it’s her duty to assist Owen with his biomechanics shoulder, Nora insists him stay and practise using his hand properly however Owen doesn’t like being told what he has to do thus he flees to St. Louis where his business runs and he resides, indeed Nora pursues him. Catastrophe after catastrophe comes towards Owen’s business and genius deductive Nora is determined to help and she will optimistically make the rigid Owen smile as she thinks they have befriended. When the situation is getting worse, an anonymous adversary abducts Nora in a boat and eventually her genius mind has suspected some of Owen’s trusted associates and they romantic wonderful albeit dangerous adventures begin.
I might be exaggeratingly telling you how smitten I was with Nora and Owen but it’s true. You will likely be finding Nora’s appearance less ladylike but I could imagine her being utterly beautiful with her blue-green eyes, short red hair, trousers and vast. Despite her age, she is totally inexperienced in sex and only has bookish knowledge therefore when she first feels strongly sexually attracted to Owen, she doesn’t know what to do or how to deal with the feeling. Meanwhile Owen, his unusual height has always been a problem within the story yet I could figure how attractive he must be. The more I turned the pages the more I was being immersed into their true characters and their adventures especially for its science, technologies and the airship!
Catherine Stein is an incredibly talented author, having completely immersive and imaginative writing that brought me into refreshingly science-fiction world that has steam car, kitten-dragon, and any other imaginary technologies I pondered. Beyond Repair is utterly entertaining, immersive and achingly romantic. To be frank I love everything within this book! Thank you, Catherine Stein, for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed.
February 16, 2022
I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Beyond Repair is the fourth book in Catherine Stein’s Sass and Steam series. It can be read as a stand-alone, and there are few references to the previous books.
This one comes to a fabulously comedic start, with Owen waking up while healing from an injury and coming face-to-face with a spitfire lady doctor. Their early interactions as she stays with him to convalesce set the tone for their relationship beautifully, with him bristling at the newfangled tech that has saved his life and the company of the cheerful, but sharp-tongued doctor. While grumpy heroes and sunshine heroines aren’t often my cup of tea, I quite liked their dynamic together. They play well off each other, and I really liked seeing their banter-filled interactions translate into passion, and then perhaps something a bit more lasting. And the little meta in-jokes along the way as they went along for their adventure also add to the humor, like there’s an “only one bed” scene that had me chuckling because of how they remarked on it.
This book is a lot of fun, and I’d absolutely recommend it if you like steampunk romance (especially if you want books that have the aesthetics but aren’t too technical) or grumpy/sunshine romance.
Beyond Repair is the fourth book in Catherine Stein’s Sass and Steam series. It can be read as a stand-alone, and there are few references to the previous books.
This one comes to a fabulously comedic start, with Owen waking up while healing from an injury and coming face-to-face with a spitfire lady doctor. Their early interactions as she stays with him to convalesce set the tone for their relationship beautifully, with him bristling at the newfangled tech that has saved his life and the company of the cheerful, but sharp-tongued doctor. While grumpy heroes and sunshine heroines aren’t often my cup of tea, I quite liked their dynamic together. They play well off each other, and I really liked seeing their banter-filled interactions translate into passion, and then perhaps something a bit more lasting. And the little meta in-jokes along the way as they went along for their adventure also add to the humor, like there’s an “only one bed” scene that had me chuckling because of how they remarked on it.
This book is a lot of fun, and I’d absolutely recommend it if you like steampunk romance (especially if you want books that have the aesthetics but aren’t too technical) or grumpy/sunshine romance.
March 4, 2022
Stein is not messing around in this book! She brings it all. Past characters from previous books in the series, humor, adventure, and a whole bunch of spice.
This is by far the spiciest and the best book of the 4 in this series.
Nora is demisexual, which is such a unique perspective in historical romance novels. She is all brains and has been content with having no sexual desires for the rest of her life until she meets Owen, then it all slowly starts to change and you get to experience Nora learning and understanding her own sexuality, which did not disappoint.
Owen is the grumpy business man who feels like everything he has worked for is falling apart. Then Nora comes in and opens him up to more.
The adventure and mystery in this book was so well written it had me staying up way too late to know what happened next. And it came to a great conclusion.
I was laughing out loud to the puns (totally my sense of humor) and yelling, "stupid boys" a couple times. This book brings the sunshine/grump trope to a whole new level.
Recommending this book to steampunk lovers, sunshine/grump lovers, and historical romance readers.
This is by far the spiciest and the best book of the 4 in this series.
Nora is demisexual, which is such a unique perspective in historical romance novels. She is all brains and has been content with having no sexual desires for the rest of her life until she meets Owen, then it all slowly starts to change and you get to experience Nora learning and understanding her own sexuality, which did not disappoint.
Owen is the grumpy business man who feels like everything he has worked for is falling apart. Then Nora comes in and opens him up to more.
The adventure and mystery in this book was so well written it had me staying up way too late to know what happened next. And it came to a great conclusion.
I was laughing out loud to the puns (totally my sense of humor) and yelling, "stupid boys" a couple times. This book brings the sunshine/grump trope to a whole new level.
Recommending this book to steampunk lovers, sunshine/grump lovers, and historical romance readers.
February 5, 2022
Catherine Stein's books are a breath of fresh air, original, amusing and oh so entertaining!
It's 1906 and Owen Cassidy is a wealthy businessman who wakes up one day to find Dr. Nora Taylor has repaired his shattered shoulder with mechanical parts, much to his dismay. Despite the fact he wants nothing to do with the technology, or the tenacious Doctor, Dr. Taylor refuses to allow him to undo her hard work. She demands he allows her to work with him for three weeks while he strengthens and adjusts to the new shoulder. The two stubborn, headstrong people are soon pulled into an adventure and a romance, and we are taken on a magical ride with them. 4-1/2 entertaining stars!
Thank you Catherine Stein for giving me this ARC so I could read and review this delicious book.
It's 1906 and Owen Cassidy is a wealthy businessman who wakes up one day to find Dr. Nora Taylor has repaired his shattered shoulder with mechanical parts, much to his dismay. Despite the fact he wants nothing to do with the technology, or the tenacious Doctor, Dr. Taylor refuses to allow him to undo her hard work. She demands he allows her to work with him for three weeks while he strengthens and adjusts to the new shoulder. The two stubborn, headstrong people are soon pulled into an adventure and a romance, and we are taken on a magical ride with them. 4-1/2 entertaining stars!
Thank you Catherine Stein for giving me this ARC so I could read and review this delicious book.
March 10, 2022
A Fun Reading!! I'm still fairly new to the Romance Genre, and I enjoyed Catherine's story. Her narrative and character dialogues were smooth and kept the story moving, but were rich enough to create those wonderful word imagery constructions for the mind and the heart. The story has lots of good action and suspense, unique characters, tasteful erotica and heartfelt moments. There were also situations that brought a smile and laugh. I also loved the Steam Punk context. You can't go wrong with "Beyond Repair." Check it out!
March 9, 2022
What I especially love in Catherine Stein's books is the diversity of her queer content. This book is a beautiful example, depicting something that is very rarely (if ever) shown in books and I loved every single part of it. As much as i enjoyed the setting, the characters, the plot - the crazy villain may have been a bit over the top but gloriously so. And Red Beard? I am half in love already!
I can fully recommend this book and will gladly look out for more from this author!
I can fully recommend this book and will gladly look out for more from this author!
April 10, 2022
MY RATING GUIDE: Overall 3 Stars (certain aspects and sections a solid 4 and other sections a 2). I found the title and cover of BEYOND REPAIR attractive and eye-catching.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= THIS WAS OKAY/CUTE; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Missouri, 1906
Owen Cassidy/MMC, around 39, is a determined prospector who, at the age of 19, located a valuable ore source and developed it into a successful mining business. Owen has owned and operated the ore mining company ever since, upgrading and expanding it, becoming exceedingly wealthy until one day he awakens to discover one of his limbs has been severed from his body.
Dr Eleanor Taylor, Nora/FMC at age 37 is “the top biomechanologist in the country” and the doctor who reattaches Owen’s severed limb. When Nora tells Owen that his mutilated body was discovered laying among the debris in a dark, back street, the victim of several bullet wounds, he snarls at her. People tell Nora that she is too optimistic but she simply believes in unique possibilities and that a determined and focused effort will create positive differences in the world around her. Once Owen accepts his past injury and begins the necessary recuperation required, the question must be addressed: Who among his acquaintances or enemies might want him dead and out of the way, and who has been sabotaging the equipment at the mines?
I have read previous novels by Catherine Stein and enjoyed them and the “world” she has created. I was captivated by certain action scenes in BEYOND REPAIR but other portions of the book left me feeling disconnected.
What I didn’t like as much ~
1) I prefer my fiction “reads” to steer clear of politics and agendas - as I read to escape reality and be entertained. At times I felt a strong undercurrent of personal views, reducing my pleasure.
2) A certain amount of the story’s conflict stemmed from the characters’ joint unwillingness/inability to discuss their personal feelings. I dislike books with characters’ miscommunication/misunderstandings providing the conflict in the novel (and therefore unnecessary angst). I found myself wanting to slap both Owen and Nora a couple times so they would begin sharing their thoughts and communicate with each other! (something they were more than willing to do regarding other topics than their hearts or feelings). Thankfully, conflict was provided by other means as well (than just miscommunication) so my annoyance was somewhat minimized.
What I liked ~
1) I found the world building and certain settings fascinating, drawing me quickly into the story.
2) I need to like the qualities of the MCs in order to enjoy a book. Both main characters are determined, loyal, intelligent, interesting and honorable individuals, people with whom I could enjoy spending time.
3) I avoid novels with “studly” men or “beautiful” blushing, young misses - characters whose worth is seemingly based upon supposed admirable external values, especially unearned traits. I find it so tiresome. The main characters in BEYOND REPAIR are both “seasoned” by life and not perfect by society standards, rather they are imperfect individuals growing through life’s difficulties - I find them immensely more fascinating individuals because of it.
Memorable Quote ~
> “I’m not exactly in my prime after all.” Nora
> “Oh, yes you are. You very, very much are.” He didn’t want some barely-from-the-schoolroom girl. He wanted Nora. Owen
READER CAUTIONS - Due to the sexual content, this book is not for everyone, and not recommended to readers who prefer Clean fiction.
VIOLENCE - PG. Action - Adventure. Not dark or graphic.
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language and blasphemy is used.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Open door sexual intimacy occurs, a masturbation scene, steamy discussions, mention of bisexuality.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= THIS WAS OKAY/CUTE; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Missouri, 1906
Owen Cassidy/MMC, around 39, is a determined prospector who, at the age of 19, located a valuable ore source and developed it into a successful mining business. Owen has owned and operated the ore mining company ever since, upgrading and expanding it, becoming exceedingly wealthy until one day he awakens to discover one of his limbs has been severed from his body.
Dr Eleanor Taylor, Nora/FMC at age 37 is “the top biomechanologist in the country” and the doctor who reattaches Owen’s severed limb. When Nora tells Owen that his mutilated body was discovered laying among the debris in a dark, back street, the victim of several bullet wounds, he snarls at her. People tell Nora that she is too optimistic but she simply believes in unique possibilities and that a determined and focused effort will create positive differences in the world around her. Once Owen accepts his past injury and begins the necessary recuperation required, the question must be addressed: Who among his acquaintances or enemies might want him dead and out of the way, and who has been sabotaging the equipment at the mines?
I have read previous novels by Catherine Stein and enjoyed them and the “world” she has created. I was captivated by certain action scenes in BEYOND REPAIR but other portions of the book left me feeling disconnected.
What I didn’t like as much ~
1) I prefer my fiction “reads” to steer clear of politics and agendas - as I read to escape reality and be entertained. At times I felt a strong undercurrent of personal views, reducing my pleasure.
2) A certain amount of the story’s conflict stemmed from the characters’ joint unwillingness/inability to discuss their personal feelings. I dislike books with characters’ miscommunication/misunderstandings providing the conflict in the novel (and therefore unnecessary angst). I found myself wanting to slap both Owen and Nora a couple times so they would begin sharing their thoughts and communicate with each other! (something they were more than willing to do regarding other topics than their hearts or feelings). Thankfully, conflict was provided by other means as well (than just miscommunication) so my annoyance was somewhat minimized.
What I liked ~
1) I found the world building and certain settings fascinating, drawing me quickly into the story.
2) I need to like the qualities of the MCs in order to enjoy a book. Both main characters are determined, loyal, intelligent, interesting and honorable individuals, people with whom I could enjoy spending time.
3) I avoid novels with “studly” men or “beautiful” blushing, young misses - characters whose worth is seemingly based upon supposed admirable external values, especially unearned traits. I find it so tiresome. The main characters in BEYOND REPAIR are both “seasoned” by life and not perfect by society standards, rather they are imperfect individuals growing through life’s difficulties - I find them immensely more fascinating individuals because of it.
Memorable Quote ~
> “I’m not exactly in my prime after all.” Nora
> “Oh, yes you are. You very, very much are.” He didn’t want some barely-from-the-schoolroom girl. He wanted Nora. Owen
READER CAUTIONS - Due to the sexual content, this book is not for everyone, and not recommended to readers who prefer Clean fiction.
VIOLENCE - PG. Action - Adventure. Not dark or graphic.
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language and blasphemy is used.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Open door sexual intimacy occurs, a masturbation scene, steamy discussions, mention of bisexuality.
March 26, 2022
From the moment I started this deliciously entertaining book, I could not put it down.
Owen Cassidy and Dr. Eleanor Taylor are fabulous characters that com to life with Catherine Stein's beautifully descriptive writing.
Someone is out to sabotage Owen's business and possibly kill him, and Nora Taylor is determined to keep him alive, while exploring the sizzling chemistry between them.
Although Owen is abrupt, uncooperative, and stubborn when they first meet, he soon becomes completely captivated by this gorgeous, beautiful, outspoken, and incredibly talented woman.
As they begin to fall in love, they also begin a desperate bid to escape the villain who brought them together in the first place, so that they can have a future together.
Amusing, emotional, and passionate, Catherine Stein does it again with her clever conversations and descriptive writing which twists and turns in different directions in each chapter.
I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it.
Owen Cassidy and Dr. Eleanor Taylor are fabulous characters that com to life with Catherine Stein's beautifully descriptive writing.
Someone is out to sabotage Owen's business and possibly kill him, and Nora Taylor is determined to keep him alive, while exploring the sizzling chemistry between them.
Although Owen is abrupt, uncooperative, and stubborn when they first meet, he soon becomes completely captivated by this gorgeous, beautiful, outspoken, and incredibly talented woman.
As they begin to fall in love, they also begin a desperate bid to escape the villain who brought them together in the first place, so that they can have a future together.
Amusing, emotional, and passionate, Catherine Stein does it again with her clever conversations and descriptive writing which twists and turns in different directions in each chapter.
I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews