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Hammond Brothers #3
Once Burned
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here
Henry and Lindsay have both been burned in love, and a no-strings-attached fling is the perfect balm… but what happens when the attraction refuses to fade?
Lindsay Miller has sworn off men until her son is old enough not to be hurt when her relationships fail. But a casual romp with willing cowboy Henry Hammond on her kid-free vacation to see her best friend married off isn’t out of the question. And Henry has ideas about how to remind her that she’s more than a tired, struggling single mother.
Crushed after learning that his son isn’t his, Henry is drowning his sorrows when Lindsay boldly introduces herself. They hatch a plan to show each other a good time—one week of heart-soothing fun, then back to their separate lives. Stubbornly independent but vulnerable, Lindsay is an intoxicating breath of fresh air, and even after she’s gone, Henry can’t get her out of his heart. This could be the real deal, but can he prove that she and her son are more than a rebound family for him?
A NOTE ON THE CONTENT: The NORTHSTAR ROMANCES are contemporary romances and contain sensual scenes and mild profanity that may be unsuitable for sensitive readers.
Henry and Lindsay have both been burned in love, and a no-strings-attached fling is the perfect balm… but what happens when the attraction refuses to fade?
Lindsay Miller has sworn off men until her son is old enough not to be hurt when her relationships fail. But a casual romp with willing cowboy Henry Hammond on her kid-free vacation to see her best friend married off isn’t out of the question. And Henry has ideas about how to remind her that she’s more than a tired, struggling single mother.
Crushed after learning that his son isn’t his, Henry is drowning his sorrows when Lindsay boldly introduces herself. They hatch a plan to show each other a good time—one week of heart-soothing fun, then back to their separate lives. Stubbornly independent but vulnerable, Lindsay is an intoxicating breath of fresh air, and even after she’s gone, Henry can’t get her out of his heart. This could be the real deal, but can he prove that she and her son are more than a rebound family for him?
A NOTE ON THE CONTENT: The NORTHSTAR ROMANCES are contemporary romances and contain sensual scenes and mild profanity that may be unsuitable for sensitive readers.
382 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2015
403 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Suzie O'Connell
43 books134 followersSuzie O'Connell grew up in a small town on the Kitsap Peninsula in Western Washington, but has called the mountains and valleys of Western Montana home for well over a decade. She has been writing stories since she was old enough to know how (the first she can recall was penciled in the second grade, about the mouse who went to the sea) and completed her first novel, Summer Angel, before she graduated from high school. After high school, tired of the endless rain, she attended college at the University of Montana-Western and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Writing. She is currently working on a Masters of Education and teaches high school English.
Suzie considers herself to be a rather quirky individual with ecclectic tastes in music, movies and books. She listens to just about anything, including pop, rock, country and techno and her favorite movies range from Grumpy Old Men to Lord of the Rings to Moulin Rouge to Pirates of the Caribbean. When it comes to reading, she prefers fantasy, science fiction, romance and literary fiction.
She firmly believes it's healthy to laugh at yourself, that best friends are worth far more than their weight in gold, and that home truly is where the heart is.
When she isn't writing, teaching or studying, Suzie enjoys playing in the mountains with her husband Mark, their daughter Maddie and their energetic golden retriever Reilly. She is also a hobby photographer, specializing in landscapes.
Suzie considers herself to be a rather quirky individual with ecclectic tastes in music, movies and books. She listens to just about anything, including pop, rock, country and techno and her favorite movies range from Grumpy Old Men to Lord of the Rings to Moulin Rouge to Pirates of the Caribbean. When it comes to reading, she prefers fantasy, science fiction, romance and literary fiction.
She firmly believes it's healthy to laugh at yourself, that best friends are worth far more than their weight in gold, and that home truly is where the heart is.
When she isn't writing, teaching or studying, Suzie enjoys playing in the mountains with her husband Mark, their daughter Maddie and their energetic golden retriever Reilly. She is also a hobby photographer, specializing in landscapes.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 30, 2017
Once Burned totally pulled on my heartstrings because it touches on the biggest issue I have in my life - trust. Yet again Suzie pulls you into Henry and Lindsay's story so easily. Once I'd finished I thought that part of the Northstar stories were complete but I've now found that there's to be another - Last Surrender. That's on my list of immediate purchases when it available. Just might have to read all the books again! What an wonderful idea!
November 29, 2016
Great Reading
The North star "Romance Books" are excellent light reading with delightful characters and interesting plots. "Once Burned" is no exception. Each book details the life of a different North star resident and how he/she finds his/her life partner.
The North star "Romance Books" are excellent light reading with delightful characters and interesting plots. "Once Burned" is no exception. Each book details the life of a different North star resident and how he/she finds his/her life partner.
January 14, 2016
Great
I loved this story. The love in the family is just great. Such Love between Lindsey and Henry was amazing. Great ending. A follow to this book would be nice.
I loved this story. The love in the family is just great. Such Love between Lindsey and Henry was amazing. Great ending. A follow to this book would be nice.
February 24, 2021
Reading Suzie O’Connell’s Northstar series captured me from the first. Her books are always a learning experience. As always, her beautifully developed characters are well-raised and their parents teach by example. Once Burned does not disappoint.
Henry “Cutie pie” Hammond maintains a tight rein on his emotions but it has always been quick to flair. He is poleaxed by his girlfriend's admission and subsequent proof. He remedies the problem by immediately heading home to his family’s Lazy H Ranch in Wyoming. Single, working mom Lindsay “Gorgeous” Miller has been burned so many times it’s a miracle she doesn’t go up in flames. Her backstory leaves her tentative a best, defensive always. Henry manages to break through her barriers with patience and understanding. She breaks down his belligerent nature with her good humor and good sense.
This book is the story of their deep friendship that grows into devotion and trust, two elements missing from all of their previous relationships. Henry manages to win the confidence of Linds’ often wayward 8-year-old son and her supportive parents.
I highly recommend this addition to Ms. O'Connell's outstanding Northstar series.
Henry “Cutie pie” Hammond maintains a tight rein on his emotions but it has always been quick to flair. He is poleaxed by his girlfriend's admission and subsequent proof. He remedies the problem by immediately heading home to his family’s Lazy H Ranch in Wyoming. Single, working mom Lindsay “Gorgeous” Miller has been burned so many times it’s a miracle she doesn’t go up in flames. Her backstory leaves her tentative a best, defensive always. Henry manages to break through her barriers with patience and understanding. She breaks down his belligerent nature with her good humor and good sense.
This book is the story of their deep friendship that grows into devotion and trust, two elements missing from all of their previous relationships. Henry manages to win the confidence of Linds’ often wayward 8-year-old son and her supportive parents.
I highly recommend this addition to Ms. O'Connell's outstanding Northstar series.
January 11, 2023
Single mom Lindsay is in Northstar, Montana for her friend’s wedding. Henry is back home after finding out that his baby isn’t really his son. Both are looking for a diversion and agree to a no-strings attached week. But at the end, they realize they both want more. Can they handle it though? Both characters were a little too perfect. It was an enjoyable story though. Some of the characters seemed familiar, and it wasn’t until halfway through the book that I realized that I had already read the previous book in the series, which is about Henry’s twin brother and Lindsay’s friend, who also met at the same wedding, and whose story unfolds at about the same time as this one.
May 1, 2018
This review is a reminder to myself not to waste my time buying this book. I read the excerpt of the book at the end of another book I read by this author. A man is living with a woman, hoping that the child she says is his actually is. The kid isn't his, he's leaving because he's only been staying because of the child. The Heroine of the book is in town to take part in a wedding and is thinking about having a fling while she's in town. Then there's her son that she talks to on the phone that is a complete disrespectful brat. Nope, these are not the kinds of things I like to read about.
August 1, 2018
Fantastic series and a must read for all fans of Robyn Carr's Virgin River series! I am thoroughly immersed in Suzie O'connell's Northstar series, to the point that I haven't taken the time to review the other three books I've read in this wonderful series. I've been so eager to get to another book in the series as soon as I've finished reading one. I've been binge reading and each book is as good or better than the one before it. Each book can stand alone, but trust me, you won't be able to stop at just one!
February 2, 2023
Love that Cowboy
A sweet saga of a mother stretched thin and feeling lost and left behind after all her friends have been moving on with their lives and more able to a provide a successful living for themselves. While she works as waitress barely making ends meet for herself and her child. She goes to a friends wedding and falls in Love with the Montana sky and surrounding beauty including a mixed up lonely cowboy. They get together and find a way to solve their problems. A very relaxing read I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
A sweet saga of a mother stretched thin and feeling lost and left behind after all her friends have been moving on with their lives and more able to a provide a successful living for themselves. While she works as waitress barely making ends meet for herself and her child. She goes to a friends wedding and falls in Love with the Montana sky and surrounding beauty including a mixed up lonely cowboy. They get together and find a way to solve their problems. A very relaxing read I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
January 10, 2021
An Overflow
It was hard to give Book 5 a four star review. The story line was great but it was difficult to read while the main character was whining. This was to me a combination of Book 4 that over flowed into Book 5. So parts of this book was a review of book 4 and very slowly evolved into book 5. I did like Henry.
It was hard to give Book 5 a four star review. The story line was great but it was difficult to read while the main character was whining. This was to me a combination of Book 4 that over flowed into Book 5. So parts of this book was a review of book 4 and very slowly evolved into book 5. I did like Henry.
February 10, 2021
A nice story but a little to much for me. It was a story of two people who just couldn’t deal with problems proactively and thus move along with their lives. In my mind the book could have ended about 3/4th of the way through the book. Had Lindsey ever heard of going to court to get Max to pay child support and maintenance. Anyway, keep reading if you want
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2021
Besides being confusing because Twice Shy, a story about Aaron, happened during the same time period I just could not like this heroine. The dialogue sounded like a script from a not so good Hallmark program, leaving little to emotions and little to endear me to these characters. I've mostly enjoyed this series but the women have some true quirky behavior. What bride has her two best friends stay for a week after her wedding and then goes on a honeymoon?! What ex girlfriend and ex close friend demand to come crash a family Christmas and get away with it?
September 21, 2022
Oh my god Lindsay STOP BADMOUTHING YOUR EX TO YOUR CHILD. It's not cool. Tell your therapist or your friends but stop laying your adult troubles on your 8-year old and feeling justified! Also, Max kinda has a point about what if the kid gets hurt playing football. Finally: MAJOR side-eye to the "Asian-inspired menu" Lindsay made. That's like saying "European-inspired menu".
September 24, 2022
Enjoyable
The book was a cautious getting to trust each other romance. The H/h were introspective and their being in tune with each other was a little unbelievable but it’s fiction.
The book was long. I did enjoy reading about the close knit family and the ranch but everyone was just too perfect at times. There were sex scenes.
The book was a cautious getting to trust each other romance. The H/h were introspective and their being in tune with each other was a little unbelievable but it’s fiction.
The book was long. I did enjoy reading about the close knit family and the ranch but everyone was just too perfect at times. There were sex scenes.
November 8, 2022
Double angsty, but also sweet…
Henry and Lindsay have baggage out the kazoo, but they also have open hearts. As they go over their thoughts in their heads we get to experience it with them. The valley and small town of Northstar are as much a character in this tale and the descriptions almost make you feel like you are there. Though a little slow this is a good read.
Henry and Lindsay have baggage out the kazoo, but they also have open hearts. As they go over their thoughts in their heads we get to experience it with them. The valley and small town of Northstar are as much a character in this tale and the descriptions almost make you feel like you are there. Though a little slow this is a good read.
March 14, 2021
A delightful addition to the North Star books and filled with interesting characters some from previous books which is like visiting with old friends. I am always happy to read a book by this Author. Recommended.
October 3, 2022
Moving on to something great
This was a very interesting romance story of two who did not anything serious. Little did they know they were leafing to something very serious. Great read!
This was a very interesting romance story of two who did not anything serious. Little did they know they were leafing to something very serious. Great read!
November 14, 2023
Loved it
Loved this story and characters. Loved the respect this family and couple has for each other.
Sometimes it is hard not to let your feelings and emotions override your hearts desires, taking a step back can help you decide what is best for you and your family.
Loved this story and characters. Loved the respect this family and couple has for each other.
Sometimes it is hard not to let your feelings and emotions override your hearts desires, taking a step back can help you decide what is best for you and your family.
April 28, 2021
Other than quite a few typos I really enjoyed it.
Want to read
September 5, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/5/2022)! 🎁
October 13, 2022
sweet read
What I’d consider a sweet story with lots of feel good factor in it. Laboured on a tad too much on both the exes but ultimately a feel good romance,
What I’d consider a sweet story with lots of feel good factor in it. Laboured on a tad too much on both the exes but ultimately a feel good romance,
March 26, 2018
I love every book by Suzie O'Connell! They are always great reads.
December 9, 2017
It was an ok book
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews