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No Guts, No Glory #3
The Older Woman
NO GUTS, NO GLORY...
Or so paratrooper Captain Cal Doyle believed. But seduce tough-talking Nurse Katherine Meehan, who'd tended to him after his copter crash? Impossible! True, they were now next-door neighbors--yet they were years apart. And while Kate had survived breast cancer, Cal had barely survived hell....
So just because Cal caught Kate crying in the rain...and her fussy feline cozied up to him...and the church ladies started matchmaking...and Kate suddenly looked so damn desirable--were those any reasons for a wounded warrior to woo a reluctant older woman? Besides, between Kate's stubborn defenses and Cal's mule-headed machismo, could these two survivors...survive each other?
Or so paratrooper Captain Cal Doyle believed. But seduce tough-talking Nurse Katherine Meehan, who'd tended to him after his copter crash? Impossible! True, they were now next-door neighbors--yet they were years apart. And while Kate had survived breast cancer, Cal had barely survived hell....
So just because Cal caught Kate crying in the rain...and her fussy feline cozied up to him...and the church ladies started matchmaking...and Kate suddenly looked so damn desirable--were those any reasons for a wounded warrior to woo a reluctant older woman? Besides, between Kate's stubborn defenses and Cal's mule-headed machismo, could these two survivors...survive each other?
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
9 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl Reavis
53 books37 followersAKA Cinda Richards
Former public health nurse, now award-winning romance novelist, Cheryl Reavis, describes herself as a "late bloomer." Her Silhouette Special Edition™, A CRIME OF THE HEART, reached millions of readers in Good Housekeeping magazine and won the Romance Writers of America's coveted RITA award the year it was published. She has also won the RITA award for her Harlequin-Silhouette novels, PATRICK GALLAGHER'S WIDOW, THE PRISONER, and THE BRIDE FAIR. BLACKBERRY WINTER, THE BARTERED BRIDE and a Berkley novel, PROMISE ME A RAINBOW, have been RITA award finalists. She has received numerous awards from Romantic Times magazine.
Her award-winning literary short stories have appeared in The Crescent Review, The Bad Apple, The Mosaic, The Sanskrit, Laurels, The Emrys Journal and Writer's Choice.
Publishers Weekly described her Berkley single-title novel, PROMISE ME A RAINBOW, as "...an example of delicately crafted, eminently satisfying romantic fiction."
Former public health nurse, now award-winning romance novelist, Cheryl Reavis, describes herself as a "late bloomer." Her Silhouette Special Edition™, A CRIME OF THE HEART, reached millions of readers in Good Housekeeping magazine and won the Romance Writers of America's coveted RITA award the year it was published. She has also won the RITA award for her Harlequin-Silhouette novels, PATRICK GALLAGHER'S WIDOW, THE PRISONER, and THE BRIDE FAIR. BLACKBERRY WINTER, THE BARTERED BRIDE and a Berkley novel, PROMISE ME A RAINBOW, have been RITA award finalists. She has received numerous awards from Romantic Times magazine.
Her award-winning literary short stories have appeared in The Crescent Review, The Bad Apple, The Mosaic, The Sanskrit, Laurels, The Emrys Journal and Writer's Choice.
Publishers Weekly described her Berkley single-title novel, PROMISE ME A RAINBOW, as "...an example of delicately crafted, eminently satisfying romantic fiction."
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 3, 2019
This book, completely from the H’s pov has a very sweet, composed and deep-waters feel to it and moves just as slowly.
Two battered-but-not–beaten people find love with each other in the most unusual of circumstances and spaces.
He is a soldier recovering from serious injuries, and she’s the nurse who’s overseen his slow and difficult recovery in the hospital. That’s all in the past and nothing’s happened between them till here.
Now they are neighbors. The book opens when the H, Cal starts residing with the h’s neighbor, Mrs. Bee on the h’s recommendation. Cal, with lot of free time on his hands spends his time watching Kate, the h come and go.
Kate is older and apparently has a boyfriend while Cal’s recovering from a broken heart as Rita (the h of the previous book) has married her man and moved on.
Kate’s possessive and interfering sisters and Mrs. Bee’s club ladies make up for the sec characters. It's Mrs. Bee who pushes and prods these two along on the path to love.
The book and the romance move along at a very unhurried pace. The characters are all nice but none as well developed as Cal but then without any peek into Kate’s mind, her thoughts and emotions were a little difficult to comprehend.
Two battered-but-not–beaten people find love with each other in the most unusual of circumstances and spaces.
He is a soldier recovering from serious injuries, and she’s the nurse who’s overseen his slow and difficult recovery in the hospital. That’s all in the past and nothing’s happened between them till here.
Now they are neighbors. The book opens when the H, Cal starts residing with the h’s neighbor, Mrs. Bee on the h’s recommendation. Cal, with lot of free time on his hands spends his time watching Kate, the h come and go.
Kate is older and apparently has a boyfriend while Cal’s recovering from a broken heart as Rita (the h of the previous book) has married her man and moved on.
Kate’s possessive and interfering sisters and Mrs. Bee’s club ladies make up for the sec characters. It's Mrs. Bee who pushes and prods these two along on the path to love.
The book and the romance move along at a very unhurried pace. The characters are all nice but none as well developed as Cal but then without any peek into Kate’s mind, her thoughts and emotions were a little difficult to comprehend.
October 24, 2015
THE OLDER WOMAN refers to Nurse Kate Meehan. She helped 'Specialist 4' Cal Doyle survive a helicopter crash after performing a mission. He was only one of two survivors. At the opening of the story the other man, Lt. McGraw, had just married Cal's female roommate and someone he thought he was in love with.
The soldier is now Kate's next door neighbor. She is an older, stable no-nonsense woman who has a few heartaches of her own. Cal turns the tables and attempts to be there for her after she is dumped by her boyfriend.
A friendship develops but Cal soon wants more. Kate is leery and encourages Cal to find someone his own age. He is 32 and she is roughly nine years older than him. He isn't concerned about the matter but she worries it could cause problems.
This older Silhouette has the romance build slowly. Cal and Kate are damaged, both inside and out. The author, a former nurse herself, helps mold these two people with realism. With some interesting secondary characters, the story moves along at a fair pace. Predictable in some ways, it was a sweet and gentle romance.
The soldier is now Kate's next door neighbor. She is an older, stable no-nonsense woman who has a few heartaches of her own. Cal turns the tables and attempts to be there for her after she is dumped by her boyfriend.
A friendship develops but Cal soon wants more. Kate is leery and encourages Cal to find someone his own age. He is 32 and she is roughly nine years older than him. He isn't concerned about the matter but she worries it could cause problems.
This older Silhouette has the romance build slowly. Cal and Kate are damaged, both inside and out. The author, a former nurse herself, helps mold these two people with realism. With some interesting secondary characters, the story moves along at a fair pace. Predictable in some ways, it was a sweet and gentle romance.
June 22, 2011
I enjoyed The Older Woman, it was a very subtle book.
Calvin Doyle is still recovering from the injuries he received in the crash and the death of his friends, he was a para-trooper. He still has trouble in walking and has pains and he is still a bit upset over his friend's Rita's marriage, since he wanted more than friendship with her.
His nurse Kate got him a place to live and he is living a mundane life, trying to escape church-ladies and then slowly there is his growing interest in Kate. The book is slow and completely in Cal's voice. He goes to find out what is wrong when he sees Kate sitting in the rain and her boyfriend making an exit. He asks her to take him to have some steak and beer as a friend, and seeing her in a dress has all kinds of thoughts.
Kate is very reserved, Cal has to pry things out of her but we find out that she has reasons, she has had terrible judgment when it comes to men and is also a cancer survivor besides trying to be the peace-maker in the family. She tells him no to going out again even as friends but an almost kiss and one of her sister's walking in, calls for a family dinner at Kate's place that finally ends in a kiss.
Kate respected Cal and never tries to mock his limitations instead she gives him space and lets him try to do things on his own but calls him on it when he over-strains himself. Cal tells her that their age gap and what her family thinks doesn't matter and even though he falls for her, he doesn't tell her since he doesn't want to spook her.
I would have enjoyed Kate's point of view in the book as well. I liked Cal and Kate they are human, no super-heroes or alphas, the book was pretty grounded in real life.
Rating 3.5
Calvin Doyle is still recovering from the injuries he received in the crash and the death of his friends, he was a para-trooper. He still has trouble in walking and has pains and he is still a bit upset over his friend's Rita's marriage, since he wanted more than friendship with her.
His nurse Kate got him a place to live and he is living a mundane life, trying to escape church-ladies and then slowly there is his growing interest in Kate. The book is slow and completely in Cal's voice. He goes to find out what is wrong when he sees Kate sitting in the rain and her boyfriend making an exit. He asks her to take him to have some steak and beer as a friend, and seeing her in a dress has all kinds of thoughts.
Kate is very reserved, Cal has to pry things out of her but we find out that she has reasons, she has had terrible judgment when it comes to men and is also a cancer survivor besides trying to be the peace-maker in the family. She tells him no to going out again even as friends but an almost kiss and one of her sister's walking in, calls for a family dinner at Kate's place that finally ends in a kiss.
Kate respected Cal and never tries to mock his limitations instead she gives him space and lets him try to do things on his own but calls him on it when he over-strains himself. Cal tells her that their age gap and what her family thinks doesn't matter and even though he falls for her, he doesn't tell her since he doesn't want to spook her.
I would have enjoyed Kate's point of view in the book as well. I liked Cal and Kate they are human, no super-heroes or alphas, the book was pretty grounded in real life.
Rating 3.5
May 4, 2021
I've read a few other books by this author - historicals - and I really liked them, but I didn't know she wrote contemporary romance till I saw this at the local used book store. I needed a book for a challenge with an older woman/younger man romance, so I grabbed it. I'm really glad I did! This was an excellent story about two adults who've had some hard knocks in life but keep going. It wasn't at all depressing but also didn't imply that love makes everything sweetness and light. I really liked Cal and Kate. He's a seriously injured paratrooper and she's a nurse. The minor characters were great and added some real fun to the book. (I have to say the cover doesn't do the book justice.) I'll definitely be looking for more of this author's book, whenever the setting.
NB - It didn't hurt that my DH was a Navy man who died at age 49. And our song was "I'll be Seeing You". Read it and you'll understand. :)
NB - It didn't hurt that my DH was a Navy man who died at age 49. And our song was "I'll be Seeing You". Read it and you'll understand. :)
August 25, 2017
Every time I open another of Ms Reavis' books, I think there is no way this one can be as good as the last. And so far, every time I've been wrong. This is such a touching, moving love story. I suspect that I will be back to read it again - probably more than once. There are thousands of books out there, many of them really great stories, but not all of them stay with you. I could give you a recap of the plot, but I'm sure others have already done so. But I am going to say, DO BUY THIS BOOK and you won't regret it. You will fall in love with Calvin Doyle and ache with him, for both the pain of his healing body and for the yearning of his heart. You'll love Kate Meehan, too, for her strength, and the vulnerability she tries so hard to hide. Thank you Ms Reavis for another heartwarming, story that actually made me cry - I don't cry at weddings and there aren't many books that bring me to tears ether, but this one did.
December 4, 2013
I just finished this book as part of the Blogger Bundle IX and I really liked it.
Usually this is where I complain about something then praise something else, but I can't really pinpoint anything that stood out as particularly annoying or noteworthy. It was just a good book. Bugs Doyle was perfectly adorable. Maybe that's it. Bugs was my "type." He's the kind of guy I would moon over if I was wont to do that sort of thing. I understood Kate's reluctance. I could relate to her.
I read the entire book in less than 24 hours, but it wasn't that I couldn't put it down. I just didn't want to put it down. This book was the literary equivalent of a Snuggie. Comfy and warm and once I was wrapped up in it, I didn't want to get up. Not even for a Diet Coke. That's saying something.
Usually this is where I complain about something then praise something else, but I can't really pinpoint anything that stood out as particularly annoying or noteworthy. It was just a good book. Bugs Doyle was perfectly adorable. Maybe that's it. Bugs was my "type." He's the kind of guy I would moon over if I was wont to do that sort of thing. I understood Kate's reluctance. I could relate to her.
I read the entire book in less than 24 hours, but it wasn't that I couldn't put it down. I just didn't want to put it down. This book was the literary equivalent of a Snuggie. Comfy and warm and once I was wrapped up in it, I didn't want to get up. Not even for a Diet Coke. That's saying something.
June 12, 2012
Great book--not a word wrong. It also may be the only romance I've read that was entirely in the guy's POV.
July 4, 2017
Cheryl Reavis built this story with one voice - the entirety of the book with the POV belonging to Hero Cal "Bugs" Doyle. No nonsense, to the point, and well done.
I'm in favor of one POV throughout a story. I was glad that the author made him believable and hero-worthy. The hero put himself out there with the heroine - didn't make a fuss, didn't pull any macho stuff - just a nice guy with heart.
4 stars.
I'm in favor of one POV throughout a story. I was glad that the author made him believable and hero-worthy. The hero put himself out there with the heroine - didn't make a fuss, didn't pull any macho stuff - just a nice guy with heart.
4 stars.
September 24, 2020
This was an unusual and rather touching story. It was done entirely from the here’s POV which I found disappointing. The huge emphasis on the age gap puzzled me when I discovered Cal was 32 and Kate was 40. What’s the big deal?
Kate was pretty much a mystery for most of the book and her behaviour was hard to understand because we were never really given insight into her point of view. I think if the author had alternated POVs that would have helped the book come to life.
I must say though that Cal really came to life and his strength of character was tangible. A good read but oddly disappointing. The ending was so fast that I almost missed it!
Kate was pretty much a mystery for most of the book and her behaviour was hard to understand because we were never really given insight into her point of view. I think if the author had alternated POVs that would have helped the book come to life.
I must say though that Cal really came to life and his strength of character was tangible. A good read but oddly disappointing. The ending was so fast that I almost missed it!
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February 13, 2026I'm not gonna rate this bcz I have mix feeling. It has everything I love:
💖 Reverse age gap
💖 Calm non horny Fmc
💖 Mmc fall first and chase her
💖 All in Mmc POV
But the writing isn't for me. And there's some boring scene and it takes lots of chapters . Too bad I really want to like this one.
💖 Reverse age gap
💖 Calm non horny Fmc
💖 Mmc fall first and chase her
💖 All in Mmc POV
But the writing isn't for me. And there's some boring scene and it takes lots of chapters . Too bad I really want to like this one.
October 29, 2017
Dec 2013 - A quality easy going romantic read, whats interesting is that its presented mostly from a guy's prospective, with all the typical insecurities of falling in love and not knowing if its returned, but from his point of view (not hers). Her being older doesn't seem like a big part of the plot, not sure why the author even put title emphasis on it, there is lots of other good drama going on throughout the book. Doyle's character is very well formed, an honorable, southern boy mannered soldier, an ex playboy in a bad spot. I loved his earthy way of thinking, very straightforward and gutsy. Some good quotes in that novel.
Oct 2017 - A sweet story, one of my old faves that I reread, two good people who have had their share of suffering and trust issues, get thrown together for a good ending. Love the Uncle and his Irish pub. Not as well written as her historicals, full of cliches and dorky humor.
Oct 2017 - A sweet story, one of my old faves that I reread, two good people who have had their share of suffering and trust issues, get thrown together for a good ending. Love the Uncle and his Irish pub. Not as well written as her historicals, full of cliches and dorky humor.
August 1, 2010
This was a very cute book with a nice, solid plot and good characters. The best part about it is that it is entirely from the hero's perspective. Unusual and it works well.
April 30, 2022
Esa portada no transmite bien que esto es una novela preciosa de amor cotidiano entre personas auténticas. Cheryl Reavis es una de esas autoras de novelitas genéricas que merecen la pena porque tiene algo especial. El capitán Cal Doyle es un paracaidista que se está recuperando de una lesión. La enfermera Katherine Meehan le atendió en el hospital y ahora resulta que es su vecina. Los dos andan «de rebote», frustrados en sus amores precedentes, y tienen que seguir adelante. ¿Qué mejor que recurrir a esta persona atractiva que tiene al lado y a la que cae bien? Destacaría el personaje de Cal, un soldado callado, adorable, que sabe ser amigo de la heroína y que la ama tal cual es, sin tonterías, dispuesto a aceptar lo que ella pueda darle. Creo que el talento de Reavis radica en saber contarte una historia de amor, en doscientas páginas, realista, entre personas de carne y hueso, con problemas como los que podemos tener tú o yo.
Crítica extensa, en mi blog.
Crítica extensa, en mi blog.
July 30, 2019
A love worth keeping
Cal is suffering a lot of pain. Learning to walk again is just part of it. He has a growing interest in the next door neighbor Kate, the nurse who pushed and pulled him to get back on his feet. Now all he wants to do is give his heart to Kate. Will she give him her heart in return? A hero who's a sweetheart with a heart of gold. True romance!
Cal is suffering a lot of pain. Learning to walk again is just part of it. He has a growing interest in the next door neighbor Kate, the nurse who pushed and pulled him to get back on his feet. Now all he wants to do is give his heart to Kate. Will she give him her heart in return? A hero who's a sweetheart with a heart of gold. True romance!
August 22, 2021
3.5 rounded up. I think many would truly enjoy this. It's humble, down to earth, and I think this is one of those romances that could actually happen in some alternate universe. However, I don't always read romance for real life...
February 17, 2020
I really loved this one.
December 12, 2016
4 1/2 stars.
This book had SO much going for it. Doyle is in his early 30s, recovering from a horrendous helo accident that killed some of his best friends and left him, after nearly a dozen surgeries, with varying amounts of pain, scars and the necessity of using a cane to walk. Meehan is a nurse, a breast cancer survivor, and wary of men. She's also Doyle's next door neighbor.
The book is told entirely from the hero's POV, something of a rarity in a romance novel let alone a Silhouette, and makes for some humorous scenes with Doyle and his landlady, Mrs. Bea. Not to mention the Church Ladies. I wish more authors would attempt the all-male POV; I should specify not New Adulty male POV or Billionaire With Angst male POV. Just Regular Adult male POV.
There's no "evil doer". No Big Bad Guy Doyle must save Meehan (or Mrs. Bea) from - although Doyle does show his mettle in Uncle Patrick's bar. Just two adults working through their feelings and learning to trust each other.
There's a bit of May-December or December-May thing going on beacuse Meehan is older than Doyle. This is where it lost the 1/2 star for me. A big deal is made of Doyle being a Specialist in the Army. At 32, Doyle would be the oldest Specialist in the Army (unless he enlisted at 28 or so and that's not made clear). I thought I was going to have to go back and reread the bit about his age thinking I'd confused his age with Meehan's but later Doyle mentions Meehan's 40th birthday celebration at the hospital. A minor misstep but annoying IMO.
This book had SO much going for it. Doyle is in his early 30s, recovering from a horrendous helo accident that killed some of his best friends and left him, after nearly a dozen surgeries, with varying amounts of pain, scars and the necessity of using a cane to walk. Meehan is a nurse, a breast cancer survivor, and wary of men. She's also Doyle's next door neighbor.
The book is told entirely from the hero's POV, something of a rarity in a romance novel let alone a Silhouette, and makes for some humorous scenes with Doyle and his landlady, Mrs. Bea. Not to mention the Church Ladies. I wish more authors would attempt the all-male POV; I should specify not New Adulty male POV or Billionaire With Angst male POV. Just Regular Adult male POV.
There's no "evil doer". No Big Bad Guy Doyle must save Meehan (or Mrs. Bea) from - although Doyle does show his mettle in Uncle Patrick's bar. Just two adults working through their feelings and learning to trust each other.
There's a bit of May-December or December-May thing going on beacuse Meehan is older than Doyle. This is where it lost the 1/2 star for me. A big deal is made of Doyle being a Specialist in the Army. At 32, Doyle would be the oldest Specialist in the Army (unless he enlisted at 28 or so and that's not made clear). I thought I was going to have to go back and reread the bit about his age thinking I'd confused his age with Meehan's but later Doyle mentions Meehan's 40th birthday celebration at the hospital. A minor misstep but annoying IMO.
February 3, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. It was told entirely from the POV of the hero. I felt the author did a real good job making the male voice totally believable. It was very cleanly written with only the necessary words not a lot of angsty thinking even though the man was barely able to walk and was recovering from war injuries. Definitly will be checking out more by this author. Solid plot, no huh? moments.
December 31, 2025
Still a favorite. I like Calvin. There's a really big error, though. The book cover describes Calvin as an army captain, but in the story he's a sergeant. Big difference there!
June 1, 2021
Oh, how I love this book.
December 7, 2013
Nicely done romance, with the bonus of presenting the story from the hero's pov. I liked seeing the stages of falling in love from Cal's side.
September 5, 2016
Four stars
This story is different to most in that it is told from the male point of view. I enjoyed this book.
This story is different to most in that it is told from the male point of view. I enjoyed this book.
September 25, 2009
Modern
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews