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Buchanan-Renard #14
Grace Under Fire
Michael Buchanan will need every bit of his extensive skill set when he appoints himself as bodyguard to a woman determined not to need one in this thrilling new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood.
Grace Isabel MacKenna has a hundred things to do today. Killing someone isn't one of them. It is supposed to be a quick visit to Boston for the Buchanan anniversary party, then on to Scotland to collect an inheritance. She checks into her hotel and then decides to go for a brisk walk. But after getting lost, she ends up with a wounded man stumbling into her arms—and his shooter coming after them both. When she fires back in self-defense, she doesn’t expect him to drop dead. After Isabel endures an interrogation by police, she is free to go, thanks to the Buchanans dispatching former Navy SEAL and now lawyer Michael Buchanan to assist her.
Isabel knows she should be grateful for Michael’s help, but since she’s harbored an extreme dislike for him for years, gratitude is difficult to muster. Michael has appointed himself her de facto guardian, and she’s stuck with him despite their constant bickering and sizzling attraction. Even when Isabel goes to Scotland to claim her inheritance, Michael follows her—but he isn’t the only thing she can’t shake. Mysterious threats against Isabel surface, and before they can deal with their growing feelings for each other, Michael and Isabel must first survive.
Grace Isabel MacKenna has a hundred things to do today. Killing someone isn't one of them. It is supposed to be a quick visit to Boston for the Buchanan anniversary party, then on to Scotland to collect an inheritance. She checks into her hotel and then decides to go for a brisk walk. But after getting lost, she ends up with a wounded man stumbling into her arms—and his shooter coming after them both. When she fires back in self-defense, she doesn’t expect him to drop dead. After Isabel endures an interrogation by police, she is free to go, thanks to the Buchanans dispatching former Navy SEAL and now lawyer Michael Buchanan to assist her.
Isabel knows she should be grateful for Michael’s help, but since she’s harbored an extreme dislike for him for years, gratitude is difficult to muster. Michael has appointed himself her de facto guardian, and she’s stuck with him despite their constant bickering and sizzling attraction. Even when Isabel goes to Scotland to claim her inheritance, Michael follows her—but he isn’t the only thing she can’t shake. Mysterious threats against Isabel surface, and before they can deal with their growing feelings for each other, Michael and Isabel must first survive.
448 pages, Paperback
First published July 19, 2022
1135 people are currently reading
13240 people want to read
About the author
Julie Garwood
151 books12.5k followersWith more than 35 million books in print and 26 NEW YORK TIMES bestsellers, Julie Garwood has earned a position among America's favorite fiction writers.
Born and raised in Kansas City, MO, Ms. Garwood attributes much of her success to growing up in a large family of Irish heritage. "The Irish are great storytellers who relish getting all of the details and nuances of every situation. Add in the fact that I was the sixth of seven children. Early in life, I learned that self expression had to be forceful, imaginative, and quick," says Ms. Garwood.
She began her writing career when the youngest of her three children entered school. After the publications of two young-adult books, she turned her talents to historical fiction. Her first novel, GENTLE WARRIOR, was published by Pocket Books in 1985. Since then, she has branched into other genres including contemporary romantic suspense. Today, her name appears regularly on the bestseller lists of every major publication in the country, and her books are translated into dozens of languages around the world. Her bestselling novel FOR THE ROSES was adapted for the HALLMARK HALL OF FAME television movie ROSE HILL.
Ms. Garwood lives in Leawood, KS and is currently working on her next novel.
Born and raised in Kansas City, MO, Ms. Garwood attributes much of her success to growing up in a large family of Irish heritage. "The Irish are great storytellers who relish getting all of the details and nuances of every situation. Add in the fact that I was the sixth of seven children. Early in life, I learned that self expression had to be forceful, imaginative, and quick," says Ms. Garwood.
She began her writing career when the youngest of her three children entered school. After the publications of two young-adult books, she turned her talents to historical fiction. Her first novel, GENTLE WARRIOR, was published by Pocket Books in 1985. Since then, she has branched into other genres including contemporary romantic suspense. Today, her name appears regularly on the bestseller lists of every major publication in the country, and her books are translated into dozens of languages around the world. Her bestselling novel FOR THE ROSES was adapted for the HALLMARK HALL OF FAME television movie ROSE HILL.
Ms. Garwood lives in Leawood, KS and is currently working on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 760 reviews
September 6, 2022
I am a little bit devastated I didn’t love this book, because it read and felt so dated. I don’t know what’s going on with Julie Garwood and/or her ghostwriter, but the writing just felt off, which is strange because I loved the last book in this series (which came out back in 2017!!!). Sadly, Grace Under Fire was a struggle to get through and it took me sooo long to finish.
We're on book 14 in the Buchanan-Renard series and this time it’s Michael Buchanan’s romance. He’s a former navy seal turned lawyer and he falls for his sister in law’s sister. Isabel is younger, just out of college, even though she acts like she’s 50, and during a long walk, she accidentally comes across a man who’s been shot, and the shooter going after them both. She kills the shooter and now she’s in the midst of a whole FBI mess. Michael becomes her protector and guardian, though there’s a crazy attraction between them that he tries to resist. There’s also a whole side plot with Isabel becoming a famous singer that I wasn't that into, because it felt... random, especially with Isabel trying to survive with a target on her back. I was most looking forward to the Scotland part that's mentioned in the blurb, but that takes place wayyy later than expected and by then I was pretty over the book. I just didn’t feel the romance much here.
*******
Julie Garwood comeback in 2022??????? 😭👏🏼👏🏼 AND this takes place in Scotland omg.
We're on book 14 in the Buchanan-Renard series and this time it’s Michael Buchanan’s romance. He’s a former navy seal turned lawyer and he falls for his sister in law’s sister. Isabel is younger, just out of college, even though she acts like she’s 50, and during a long walk, she accidentally comes across a man who’s been shot, and the shooter going after them both. She kills the shooter and now she’s in the midst of a whole FBI mess. Michael becomes her protector and guardian, though there’s a crazy attraction between them that he tries to resist. There’s also a whole side plot with Isabel becoming a famous singer that I wasn't that into, because it felt... random, especially with Isabel trying to survive with a target on her back. I was most looking forward to the Scotland part that's mentioned in the blurb, but that takes place wayyy later than expected and by then I was pretty over the book. I just didn’t feel the romance much here.
*******
Julie Garwood comeback in 2022??????? 😭👏🏼👏🏼 AND this takes place in Scotland omg.
July 20, 2022
okay. based on my rant to my book club i"m updating my review. And before all you diehard Garwoodians come at me, please know this: i've always loved Julie Garwood's books. Hers were the first romance novels I ever read as a young impressionable girl. I'll still read every book that comes out under her name. BUT COME THE HECK ON.
Okay - on to the review that will also have the occasional input from my fellow book club members, all who shall have a fun nickname to protect their anonymity. Also - probably spoilers ahead so read at your own risk. Since our book club tends to read and discuss books without any explicit sexy fun times, I gave a disclaimer that I needed to vent about something that may be r to x rated and those with delicate sensibilities may need to look away.
I confessed that at the young impressionable age of 12-13 I read my first smutty romance. (Shoutout to the parents that didn't censor my reading because I learned some THINGS.)
Seeking, perhaps, to soothe my apprehension at sharing such an appalling secret, a fellow book clubber that shall henceforth be referred to as Lizzo for the sole reason that she use this particular chat to introduce us all to Lizzo's I Love You Bitch song, says that her first was VC Andrews at roughly the same age.
I carry on - my first smutty book was The Gift by Julie Garwood. HOW I LOVED IT. The arranged marriage. Pirate ships. Scandals abound. Much deflowering. And like a child who has discovered her favorite blanket, I stuck with Julie Garwood. I have read every book she's ever written. They're my comfort reads. Her heroines are generally very likeable and not totally helpless twits. I loved her so much books that when playing with my Barbies (because again, 12-13), I would name my Barbies after her characters.
Another lovely book clubber, to be known henceforth as Jennifer Garner because the actress of the same name played the heroine of a Julie Garwood novel that was made into a Hallmark movie, GETS IT. She's like, "YES, FOR THE ROSES IS MY GO-TO"
So I continue, telling my beloved book club that I've stuck with Julie through thick and thin, from her transition away from historical romances with pirates and highlanders to contemporary romances featuring fbi agents and federal attorneys. But this book - this freaking book.
The heroine is a virgin. Fine - lots of people don't bang just for the sake of banging. But as she's being deflowered by the hero, who she doesn't tell she is a virgin, she has her very first ever 'climax' ever. and doesn't know what it is.
MA'AM.
My book clubbers and I have questions. The first is who still uses the word climax. Especially in a sex scene.
The second, from Lizzo, is what, she didn't climax in the shower when she was thirteen like normal people.
The third, also from Lizzo, is to inquire as to the age of the heroine. (in case it matters to you, fine reader of this review, she is a college graduate of 24ish who of course had a fake id, but never ever used it to procure alcohol BECAUSE OF COURSE SHE DOESNT)
A fourth, follow up question again from the ever insightful and curious Lizzo, is she had a climax from vaginal sex. Is this a romance or a comedy? (I did have an answer to this question, which is that as per usual, Julie's heroes are very giving and gave her a climax during oral before taking her to poundtown.)
And not so much a questions is a statement of fact from myself: EVERY TWENTY-FOUR YEAR OLD HAS HAD A CLIMAX AND MOST CERTAINLY KNOWS WHAT ONE IS. N
Another statement of fact from myself: her hero had to tell her what was happening to her because her climax scared her.
Book Club Member, John Denver, so named for reasons known to her, decides this is a very heroic thing of the hero to do.
I confess my disappointment in this Julie Garwood book. Because as a tween/teen who played with Barbies, Julie Garwood reads made me feel so sophisticated. She was no mere Harlequin romance writer. She was Julie Garwood.
Lizzo, concerned by all things age-related today, lets us know that Julie Garwood is now 76 years old.
John Denver ponders whether Julie has a ghost writer.
Lizzo says yes - this feels like a man wrote it.
With regards to her the age comment, I said you know, she did grow up in Catholic Schools, maybe she is going back to her roots. John Denver speaks knowingly of purity culture and ponders whether Julie was as traumatizes as she was.
Jennifer Garner is icked out and comes out of the gate hard with the question of who is this fantasy for because 'Im so untouched, I havent even touched myself, and only the touch of a big strong man can awaken my sexuality" is a total male fantasy.
I felt the need to explain my commitment to finishing this book which was basically - This is not my Julie. this has to get better. But no, this heroine is a total Mary Sue. She's a total baller with a handgun. She's described as a 'Greek Goddess' by the surgeon pulling a bullet out of her arm that she never complained about. She can sing to the extent that she becomes a celebrity overnight. She befriends total strangers everywhere she does. Her one fatal flaw is that she......wait for it........is a terrible driver. And this fatal flaw is actually something that saved her life later.
At which point every member of the book club agrees that a GHOST-WRITING-MAN WROTE THIS BOOK.
I take a moment to think about this. And it makes sense. Because previously beloved male heroes from prior books call a background female character ( who exists only as a foil to our Mary Sue Heroine and to stir up angst) a bitch. This feels very out of character for these previously established heroes as well as out of character for Julie.
Julie, we still love ya. But we still have MANY questions.
Okay - on to the review that will also have the occasional input from my fellow book club members, all who shall have a fun nickname to protect their anonymity. Also - probably spoilers ahead so read at your own risk. Since our book club tends to read and discuss books without any explicit sexy fun times, I gave a disclaimer that I needed to vent about something that may be r to x rated and those with delicate sensibilities may need to look away.
I confessed that at the young impressionable age of 12-13 I read my first smutty romance. (Shoutout to the parents that didn't censor my reading because I learned some THINGS.)
Seeking, perhaps, to soothe my apprehension at sharing such an appalling secret, a fellow book clubber that shall henceforth be referred to as Lizzo for the sole reason that she use this particular chat to introduce us all to Lizzo's I Love You Bitch song, says that her first was VC Andrews at roughly the same age.
I carry on - my first smutty book was The Gift by Julie Garwood. HOW I LOVED IT. The arranged marriage. Pirate ships. Scandals abound. Much deflowering. And like a child who has discovered her favorite blanket, I stuck with Julie Garwood. I have read every book she's ever written. They're my comfort reads. Her heroines are generally very likeable and not totally helpless twits. I loved her so much books that when playing with my Barbies (because again, 12-13), I would name my Barbies after her characters.
Another lovely book clubber, to be known henceforth as Jennifer Garner because the actress of the same name played the heroine of a Julie Garwood novel that was made into a Hallmark movie, GETS IT. She's like, "YES, FOR THE ROSES IS MY GO-TO"
So I continue, telling my beloved book club that I've stuck with Julie through thick and thin, from her transition away from historical romances with pirates and highlanders to contemporary romances featuring fbi agents and federal attorneys. But this book - this freaking book.
The heroine is a virgin. Fine - lots of people don't bang just for the sake of banging. But as she's being deflowered by the hero, who she doesn't tell she is a virgin, she has her very first ever 'climax' ever. and doesn't know what it is.
MA'AM.
My book clubbers and I have questions. The first is who still uses the word climax. Especially in a sex scene.
The second, from Lizzo, is what, she didn't climax in the shower when she was thirteen like normal people.
The third, also from Lizzo, is to inquire as to the age of the heroine. (in case it matters to you, fine reader of this review, she is a college graduate of 24ish who of course had a fake id, but never ever used it to procure alcohol BECAUSE OF COURSE SHE DOESNT)
A fourth, follow up question again from the ever insightful and curious Lizzo, is she had a climax from vaginal sex. Is this a romance or a comedy? (I did have an answer to this question, which is that as per usual, Julie's heroes are very giving and gave her a climax during oral before taking her to poundtown.)
And not so much a questions is a statement of fact from myself: EVERY TWENTY-FOUR YEAR OLD HAS HAD A CLIMAX AND MOST CERTAINLY KNOWS WHAT ONE IS. N
Another statement of fact from myself: her hero had to tell her what was happening to her because her climax scared her.
Book Club Member, John Denver, so named for reasons known to her, decides this is a very heroic thing of the hero to do.
I confess my disappointment in this Julie Garwood book. Because as a tween/teen who played with Barbies, Julie Garwood reads made me feel so sophisticated. She was no mere Harlequin romance writer. She was Julie Garwood.
Lizzo, concerned by all things age-related today, lets us know that Julie Garwood is now 76 years old.
John Denver ponders whether Julie has a ghost writer.
Lizzo says yes - this feels like a man wrote it.
With regards to her the age comment, I said you know, she did grow up in Catholic Schools, maybe she is going back to her roots. John Denver speaks knowingly of purity culture and ponders whether Julie was as traumatizes as she was.
Jennifer Garner is icked out and comes out of the gate hard with the question of who is this fantasy for because 'Im so untouched, I havent even touched myself, and only the touch of a big strong man can awaken my sexuality" is a total male fantasy.
I felt the need to explain my commitment to finishing this book which was basically - This is not my Julie. this has to get better. But no, this heroine is a total Mary Sue. She's a total baller with a handgun. She's described as a 'Greek Goddess' by the surgeon pulling a bullet out of her arm that she never complained about. She can sing to the extent that she becomes a celebrity overnight. She befriends total strangers everywhere she does. Her one fatal flaw is that she......wait for it........is a terrible driver. And this fatal flaw is actually something that saved her life later.
At which point every member of the book club agrees that a GHOST-WRITING-MAN WROTE THIS BOOK.
I take a moment to think about this. And it makes sense. Because previously beloved male heroes from prior books call a background female character ( who exists only as a foil to our Mary Sue Heroine and to stir up angst) a bitch. This feels very out of character for these previously established heroes as well as out of character for Julie.
Julie, we still love ya. But we still have MANY questions.
August 24, 2022
the setup…
Grace Isabel MacKenna (she goes by Isabel) has graduated from college and spends one last night partying with friends at a karaoke bar before she leaves for Scotland to collect her inheritance. She plans to stop in Boston first to attend a Buchanan family anniversary celebration, her sister Kate’s in-laws. She has an amazing karaoke moment that later becomes viral. But, that’s only eclipsed by what happens after she arrives in Boston and takes what was supposed to be s short walk around her hotel before meeting up with her sister. She loses her way, suddenly in an unfamiliar area with almost no one around and a man stumbling towards her. As they fall to the ground, another man appears and takes a shot at her. Isabel is given the gun held by the wounded man holding onto her and fires back, killing the shooter.
the heart of the story…
It’s been five years since the last book in this series was released so I was pretty excited for this one. The Buchanan clan is a large one (eight siblings) with most somehow connected to law enforcement and their stories were special. The youngest, Michael, is a Navy SEAL, who is ending his naval career and is in town for the celebration. He’s dispatched to help Isabel but they have a rocky history stemming from their last encounter at Kate’s wedding. I liked where I thought this was going to go but from the onset, I was underwhelmed with their characters’ behaviors. There was a lot to like about both of them but together they came across as immature and often just plain insensitive towards each other. The romance was a fail for me. But! The mystery element was extremely interesting, especially when it becomes clear that Isabel is the target and why. The trip to Scotland was also a high point of the story as the descriptions were vividly presented, making me feel as if I was actually there.
the narration…
This was my first time with the narrator and I really enjoyed her performance, especially her command of Scottish accents. Her tone is warm, distinctions clear and she made this a good listening experience.
the bottom line…
Despite my issues with the romance and its tedium, the mystery and suspense elements were strong enough to make this an enjoyable listening experience. The reasons behind the attempt on Isabel’s life were complicated and took some time to unravel, especially by whom and why. The story really takes off when it transitions to Scotland. The side situation involving her viral karaoke moment added originality and an intriguing layer to the story. I loved reconnecting with all of the Buchanans and getting updates about characters I cared about. I’m glad I chose to listen to the story as it made the experience even better. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Grace Isabel MacKenna (she goes by Isabel) has graduated from college and spends one last night partying with friends at a karaoke bar before she leaves for Scotland to collect her inheritance. She plans to stop in Boston first to attend a Buchanan family anniversary celebration, her sister Kate’s in-laws. She has an amazing karaoke moment that later becomes viral. But, that’s only eclipsed by what happens after she arrives in Boston and takes what was supposed to be s short walk around her hotel before meeting up with her sister. She loses her way, suddenly in an unfamiliar area with almost no one around and a man stumbling towards her. As they fall to the ground, another man appears and takes a shot at her. Isabel is given the gun held by the wounded man holding onto her and fires back, killing the shooter.
the heart of the story…
It’s been five years since the last book in this series was released so I was pretty excited for this one. The Buchanan clan is a large one (eight siblings) with most somehow connected to law enforcement and their stories were special. The youngest, Michael, is a Navy SEAL, who is ending his naval career and is in town for the celebration. He’s dispatched to help Isabel but they have a rocky history stemming from their last encounter at Kate’s wedding. I liked where I thought this was going to go but from the onset, I was underwhelmed with their characters’ behaviors. There was a lot to like about both of them but together they came across as immature and often just plain insensitive towards each other. The romance was a fail for me. But! The mystery element was extremely interesting, especially when it becomes clear that Isabel is the target and why. The trip to Scotland was also a high point of the story as the descriptions were vividly presented, making me feel as if I was actually there.
the narration…
This was my first time with the narrator and I really enjoyed her performance, especially her command of Scottish accents. Her tone is warm, distinctions clear and she made this a good listening experience.
the bottom line…
Despite my issues with the romance and its tedium, the mystery and suspense elements were strong enough to make this an enjoyable listening experience. The reasons behind the attempt on Isabel’s life were complicated and took some time to unravel, especially by whom and why. The story really takes off when it transitions to Scotland. The side situation involving her viral karaoke moment added originality and an intriguing layer to the story. I loved reconnecting with all of the Buchanans and getting updates about characters I cared about. I’m glad I chose to listen to the story as it made the experience even better. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
May 21, 2022
ARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review Grace Under Fire.
Julie Garwood is my all time favorite author, especially her Historical's. I enjoy her contemporary romances but in all honesty her best work are her Historical's, which I really miss.
This was part romance, part suspense/mystery combined. This was a good contemporary romance. But I was left with wanting a little more in the romance department.
Isabel has graduated college and is at a crossroads in her life on what direction she wants to go. She has always loved music, writing and some singing. But she made a promise to her mom before she died that she would put that all on hold and get a degree. Her mother felt that her love for music wouldn't really provide for her future, so Isabel honored her Mom's wishes.
Isabel had also just inherited an estate in Scotland from an Uncle that came with some stipulations for inheriting the place. The Uncle wasn't endeared to the family and Isabel was considering giving the estate sale to charity. She was planning on taking a trip to visit Scotland with her sister.
Isabel was also going to attend a family party before her trip. Her sister's in-law's family, who she loves, were planning an anniversary party for their parents and Isabel was invited. She was looking forward to seeing everyone, but not one in particular individual, Michael Buchanan. They're relationship was tenuous. They were paired off in the bridal party for her sister's wedding to Michael's brother. And let's just say that there was definitely some tension between the two, I call it what it was and say attraction and sexual tension. Neither "liked" the other and they didn't really get along that well. But they definitely left a lasting impression on each other. So all that to say Isabel wasn't looking forward to seeing HIM again.
Isabel heads to Boston and check's in a hotel to rest before the party. She takes a long walk as she has a lot on her mind about her future and music. She has decided she is going to pursue her love of music and her main focus will be writing songs. On her long walk on a particular trail Isabel witnesses a attempted murder as well as assisting that hurt individual. That is really the premises of the mystery suspense part of the story. And this is the beginning of Michael and Isabel's reacquaintance. Michael was in the military, navy seal, and is now a lawyer. So he was alerted about Isabel's situation and decided to come assist her.
This is the beginning of their journey to HEA. Both in the past were attracted to each other but Micheal at the time was aware of the season that both were in. Especially Isabel who was in college and felt she wasn't really ready or able to have a relationship. And Michael wasn't sure if he was either. So now that the two reconnect we see the struggle each has with their attraction and the progress and evolution of their love for each other. Michael was more hesitant and cautious while Isabel was more open to them being together.
I loved these two together, they were opposites and so complimented each other. Micheal was my ultimate idea of a hero and Isabel was my absolute favorite type of heroine. Michael was alpha, smart, protective and stubborn. Isabel was smart, sweet, kind, quirky and fun.
Side note here, Isabel has talent. She can sing, write songs/music and is beautiful. So part of the story is her journey to becoming famous. And Michael is now in the process of a career change of joining the FBI. So each is also going through new career and life changes too. So cute takes to the story is Isabel's driving, which is adds some fun and cute moments to the story. And the family dynamic's is absolutely my favorite moments in the book. The brothers interaction and the sister's moments together are absolute gold in my humble opinion.
I really loved these two together, but I do have some point that I found disappointing. And I'll address here. The first is the beginning of the story didn't flow smoothly. It was choppy and a little hard to follow, especially the scene with the attempted murder, that was the most disoriented of all. My other issue and this is something that makes me a little sad is the depth of the writing for Isabel and Michael love story. I felt it could have been much more in-depth with more heart and emotion written into it. Part of me understands that she threw a mystery/suspense portion into the story but I think it took away from and distracted from their love story. It could have been given more depth and emotion and this would have been a major winner. I have to say it again but I miss her historical romances as JG has such a gifting on writing beautiful, rich love stories. But hence I digress. The last portion of the story with the solving of the mystery of who's trying to kill Isabel was also murk and jumbled, very difficult to follow.
Age:
H-28
h-23
But all in all this was an nice and enjoyable read and would definitely recommend.
Julie Garwood is my all time favorite author, especially her Historical's. I enjoy her contemporary romances but in all honesty her best work are her Historical's, which I really miss.
This was part romance, part suspense/mystery combined. This was a good contemporary romance. But I was left with wanting a little more in the romance department.
Isabel has graduated college and is at a crossroads in her life on what direction she wants to go. She has always loved music, writing and some singing. But she made a promise to her mom before she died that she would put that all on hold and get a degree. Her mother felt that her love for music wouldn't really provide for her future, so Isabel honored her Mom's wishes.
Isabel had also just inherited an estate in Scotland from an Uncle that came with some stipulations for inheriting the place. The Uncle wasn't endeared to the family and Isabel was considering giving the estate sale to charity. She was planning on taking a trip to visit Scotland with her sister.
Isabel was also going to attend a family party before her trip. Her sister's in-law's family, who she loves, were planning an anniversary party for their parents and Isabel was invited. She was looking forward to seeing everyone, but not one in particular individual, Michael Buchanan. They're relationship was tenuous. They were paired off in the bridal party for her sister's wedding to Michael's brother. And let's just say that there was definitely some tension between the two, I call it what it was and say attraction and sexual tension. Neither "liked" the other and they didn't really get along that well. But they definitely left a lasting impression on each other. So all that to say Isabel wasn't looking forward to seeing HIM again.
Isabel heads to Boston and check's in a hotel to rest before the party. She takes a long walk as she has a lot on her mind about her future and music. She has decided she is going to pursue her love of music and her main focus will be writing songs. On her long walk on a particular trail Isabel witnesses a attempted murder as well as assisting that hurt individual. That is really the premises of the mystery suspense part of the story. And this is the beginning of Michael and Isabel's reacquaintance. Michael was in the military, navy seal, and is now a lawyer. So he was alerted about Isabel's situation and decided to come assist her.
This is the beginning of their journey to HEA. Both in the past were attracted to each other but Micheal at the time was aware of the season that both were in. Especially Isabel who was in college and felt she wasn't really ready or able to have a relationship. And Michael wasn't sure if he was either. So now that the two reconnect we see the struggle each has with their attraction and the progress and evolution of their love for each other. Michael was more hesitant and cautious while Isabel was more open to them being together.
I loved these two together, they were opposites and so complimented each other. Micheal was my ultimate idea of a hero and Isabel was my absolute favorite type of heroine. Michael was alpha, smart, protective and stubborn. Isabel was smart, sweet, kind, quirky and fun.
Side note here, Isabel has talent. She can sing, write songs/music and is beautiful. So part of the story is her journey to becoming famous. And Michael is now in the process of a career change of joining the FBI. So each is also going through new career and life changes too. So cute takes to the story is Isabel's driving, which is adds some fun and cute moments to the story. And the family dynamic's is absolutely my favorite moments in the book. The brothers interaction and the sister's moments together are absolute gold in my humble opinion.
I really loved these two together, but I do have some point that I found disappointing. And I'll address here. The first is the beginning of the story didn't flow smoothly. It was choppy and a little hard to follow, especially the scene with the attempted murder, that was the most disoriented of all. My other issue and this is something that makes me a little sad is the depth of the writing for Isabel and Michael love story. I felt it could have been much more in-depth with more heart and emotion written into it. Part of me understands that she threw a mystery/suspense portion into the story but I think it took away from and distracted from their love story. It could have been given more depth and emotion and this would have been a major winner. I have to say it again but I miss her historical romances as JG has such a gifting on writing beautiful, rich love stories. But hence I digress. The last portion of the story with the solving of the mystery of who's trying to kill Isabel was also murk and jumbled, very difficult to follow.
Age:
H-28
h-23
But all in all this was an nice and enjoyable read and would definitely recommend.
February 11, 2024
02/10/2024 - In the year 2022 when this book was published, I was tiffed that it took Julie Garwood so long to get this book published. No one knew the this would be her last book. A Goodreads group I'm in is reading this series but since it has only been a year and a half since I first read this book, I wasn't going to reread it so soon. I'm glad I changed my mind. The homecoming of the whole Buchannan clan was wonderful, and the love story of Michael and Isabel is typical Julie Garwood. Michael is a love em and leave em type and Isabel was one of Garwood's more quirky heroines. She didn't do what others wanted her to do and that was sometimes good and sometimes bad, but it was all Isabel. I loved this story as much this time around and I did when I first read it. I am so sad that this was Garwood's last book. I can see seeds for other books throughout and I'm so sad she didn't get to write them.
07/24/2022 - Five years since her last book is way, way too long to wait. I love all the Buchanans, all the way back to her characters from her Historicals (Brodick Buchannan, sigh). I love having her tie this one back to the Highlands of Scotland, the site of so many of her Historical-Romance books. I have so missed Julie Garwood. She can write a romance with suspense like no other author. Her characters are wonderful, and it was fun seeing a lot of them this time around.
Bonehead and dumbass are just two of the words Isabel MacKenna uses to describe Michael Buchanan. Impulsive and spacy is what can be used to describe Isabel, because she tends to space out and at very bad times too. Being in a spacy zone is what got her in the middle of a shoot-out where she had to kill a man to save herself and a victim. Oil and water don't mix, but with Isabel and Michael they are highly combustible.
Michael isn't quite sure what to do about Isabel. She doesn't fit in his life plans at all, and Michael is a very plan and goal orientated kind of guy. He has been attracted to Isabel since his brother's wedding years ago, now she is in Boston for his parent's anniversary party and in a heap of trouble. What is a guy to do, but try and protect her, even if it's from herself?
Isabel knows that Michael dislikes her, intensely, but she will just have to ignore him, attend the party and then go to Scotland to claim her inheritance from a nasty great-uncle. What she will do with Glen MacKenna, she really doesn't know. One thing she knows for sure she isn't about to sell it to the Patterson Group who have done nothing but pester her about selling.
When Isabel becomes an internet sensation, gets noticed by an international music star and kills a man in self-defense, her life will never be the same. Michael has his hands full keeping her safe and wanting to keep her close for other sexy reasons but finding out who wants her dead is the most important issue of all.
07/24/2022 - Five years since her last book is way, way too long to wait. I love all the Buchanans, all the way back to her characters from her Historicals (Brodick Buchannan, sigh). I love having her tie this one back to the Highlands of Scotland, the site of so many of her Historical-Romance books. I have so missed Julie Garwood. She can write a romance with suspense like no other author. Her characters are wonderful, and it was fun seeing a lot of them this time around.
Bonehead and dumbass are just two of the words Isabel MacKenna uses to describe Michael Buchanan. Impulsive and spacy is what can be used to describe Isabel, because she tends to space out and at very bad times too. Being in a spacy zone is what got her in the middle of a shoot-out where she had to kill a man to save herself and a victim. Oil and water don't mix, but with Isabel and Michael they are highly combustible.
Michael isn't quite sure what to do about Isabel. She doesn't fit in his life plans at all, and Michael is a very plan and goal orientated kind of guy. He has been attracted to Isabel since his brother's wedding years ago, now she is in Boston for his parent's anniversary party and in a heap of trouble. What is a guy to do, but try and protect her, even if it's from herself?
Isabel knows that Michael dislikes her, intensely, but she will just have to ignore him, attend the party and then go to Scotland to claim her inheritance from a nasty great-uncle. What she will do with Glen MacKenna, she really doesn't know. One thing she knows for sure she isn't about to sell it to the Patterson Group who have done nothing but pester her about selling.
When Isabel becomes an internet sensation, gets noticed by an international music star and kills a man in self-defense, her life will never be the same. Michael has his hands full keeping her safe and wanting to keep her close for other sexy reasons but finding out who wants her dead is the most important issue of all.
June 19, 2022
DNF @ 20%.
I could not deal with the 2 MCs, she’s all of 22, a virgin (because OF COURSE she is), he’s a 28 y.o. former Navy Seal turned lawyer, she’s flighty and forever making up songs in her head, gets lost in a city (Boston) new to her and ends up shooting a man dead (he deserved it…I guess??) and then doesn’t tell anyone for hours that she has a FUCKING BULLET WOUND (she was literally planning on going back to the hotel and having the concierge help her get some medical help) and then when the MMC lets her drive as a way to distract her, she drives so recklessly because, you guessed it, she was composing another song in her head. I can’t with this child. She isn’t ready for a HEA, she’s barely qualified to have a drivers license.
Also, the MMC comes from a family of cops and FBI agents and I just cannot with that right now.
I could not deal with the 2 MCs, she’s all of 22, a virgin (because OF COURSE she is), he’s a 28 y.o. former Navy Seal turned lawyer, she’s flighty and forever making up songs in her head, gets lost in a city (Boston) new to her and ends up shooting a man dead (he deserved it…I guess??) and then doesn’t tell anyone for hours that she has a FUCKING BULLET WOUND (she was literally planning on going back to the hotel and having the concierge help her get some medical help) and then when the MMC lets her drive as a way to distract her, she drives so recklessly because, you guessed it, she was composing another song in her head. I can’t with this child. She isn’t ready for a HEA, she’s barely qualified to have a drivers license.
Also, the MMC comes from a family of cops and FBI agents and I just cannot with that right now.
July 19, 2022
**Happy Publication Day**
ETA: This is my 250th eGalley!
Publication Date: 19th July 2022
4 Stars
One Liner: An entertaining read
Of all the things Grace Isabel McKenna can do, she didn’t expect to kill a man by shooting him between the eyes. Her short visit to Boston for the Buchanan anniversary party turns into a police investigation. The unexpected developments delay her Scotland trip to claim her inheritance and bring the infuriating Michael Buchanan back into her life.
Michael is a navy SEAL and a lawyer- Isabel’s lawyer until the case is solved. Neither of them is happy about the arrangement, but Michael knows he will do anything to keep Isabel safe. The attraction between grows just as the case gets complicated. Isabel’s trip to Scotland puts her life at risk. Michael follows her, but can they unearth the criminal intent on getting rid of Isabel? What about their feelings for each other? The duo has a lot to deal with.
The story comes from the third person POV.
My Views
This is the 14th book in the series and can be read as a standalone. However, knowing a little backstory will make it more enjoyable. Slow Burn has Kate and Dylan’s story, where Isabel is first introduced. Isabel is Kate’s younger sister. Reading Murder List (Regan & Alec’s story) might be a good idea.
Reading the book made me realize an important point. The book will get two different ratings based on whether I consider it a standalone or a part of a popular series. But since I read around 65-70% of the books in the series, I chose to rate it based on the series template.
Here’s why:
• Alpha hero
• A charming heroine (will come to this later)
• Hot and flawless bodies
• A family full of FBI agents, judges, business owners, etc.
• Steamy romance (2ish level)
• Recurring characters (quite a few)
These can make a book a hit or flop, depending on the reader and how they perceive the elements. It worked great for me because I expect these elements from this series.
The beginning is a bit choppy and messy, probably coz mine is an ARC with an uncorrected proof. I remember how the other books began, and I'm hoping this will be polished to that level.
The pacing is also a bit slow, which could be because of the plotline. It has many things going on and off. There’s also some info about the Buchanan couples for new readers.
The suspense takes its own sweet time to unravel, which is how it is in the other books. I could pretty much guess when things would go for the last punch.
Michael and Isabel have good chemistry, and their banter was fun to read. However, I felt there could have been a deeper connection between them. There was enough material for it.
Michael is headstrong or dumbass, as Isabel calls him. He’s got flaws but makes a decent impression. Maybe not as much as Dylan or Alec (or Nick or Noah)… you get the point.
Now Isabel… she’s 23 and has just graduated, so maybe I can forgive her for being a bit stupid. From what I remember, Isabel seems to be the weakest (or not strong enough) female lead in the series. It could be because she was under Kate and Dylan’s care, but she’s not what I’d call a Garwood heroine.
However, the book has comic relief, thanks to Isabel’s driving skills. She’d ace it in Indian traffic (you know if you know). Her driving plays a vital role in the story, and I love how it is incorporated into the plot.
The mystery is also a bit weak in this one. It kind of pales out (but the comic relief might just save it if you have a twisted sense of humor). Still, the mystery could have been better.
I love revisiting some of the previous characters from the series (it can be confusing if you don’t know them). They made the book so much better.
To sum up, Grace Under Fire is an entertaining and enjoyable read. Just go with the flow in this one and then read the previous ones in the series.
Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #GraceUnderFire
*****
ETA: I got this! Still can't believe it, but woo hoo!
***
Almost zero chances of my wish getting approved on NG (it's Berkeley!), but I'm gonna cross my fingers and keep hoping.
ETA: This is my 250th eGalley!
Publication Date: 19th July 2022
4 Stars
One Liner: An entertaining read
Of all the things Grace Isabel McKenna can do, she didn’t expect to kill a man by shooting him between the eyes. Her short visit to Boston for the Buchanan anniversary party turns into a police investigation. The unexpected developments delay her Scotland trip to claim her inheritance and bring the infuriating Michael Buchanan back into her life.
Michael is a navy SEAL and a lawyer- Isabel’s lawyer until the case is solved. Neither of them is happy about the arrangement, but Michael knows he will do anything to keep Isabel safe. The attraction between grows just as the case gets complicated. Isabel’s trip to Scotland puts her life at risk. Michael follows her, but can they unearth the criminal intent on getting rid of Isabel? What about their feelings for each other? The duo has a lot to deal with.
The story comes from the third person POV.
My Views
This is the 14th book in the series and can be read as a standalone. However, knowing a little backstory will make it more enjoyable. Slow Burn has Kate and Dylan’s story, where Isabel is first introduced. Isabel is Kate’s younger sister. Reading Murder List (Regan & Alec’s story) might be a good idea.
Reading the book made me realize an important point. The book will get two different ratings based on whether I consider it a standalone or a part of a popular series. But since I read around 65-70% of the books in the series, I chose to rate it based on the series template.
Here’s why:
• Alpha hero
• A charming heroine (will come to this later)
• Hot and flawless bodies
• A family full of FBI agents, judges, business owners, etc.
• Steamy romance (2ish level)
• Recurring characters (quite a few)
These can make a book a hit or flop, depending on the reader and how they perceive the elements. It worked great for me because I expect these elements from this series.
The beginning is a bit choppy and messy, probably coz mine is an ARC with an uncorrected proof. I remember how the other books began, and I'm hoping this will be polished to that level.
The pacing is also a bit slow, which could be because of the plotline. It has many things going on and off. There’s also some info about the Buchanan couples for new readers.
The suspense takes its own sweet time to unravel, which is how it is in the other books. I could pretty much guess when things would go for the last punch.
Michael and Isabel have good chemistry, and their banter was fun to read. However, I felt there could have been a deeper connection between them. There was enough material for it.
Michael is headstrong or dumbass, as Isabel calls him. He’s got flaws but makes a decent impression. Maybe not as much as Dylan or Alec (or Nick or Noah)… you get the point.
Now Isabel… she’s 23 and has just graduated, so maybe I can forgive her for being a bit stupid. From what I remember, Isabel seems to be the weakest (or not strong enough) female lead in the series. It could be because she was under Kate and Dylan’s care, but she’s not what I’d call a Garwood heroine.
However, the book has comic relief, thanks to Isabel’s driving skills. She’d ace it in Indian traffic (you know if you know). Her driving plays a vital role in the story, and I love how it is incorporated into the plot.
The mystery is also a bit weak in this one. It kind of pales out (but the comic relief might just save it if you have a twisted sense of humor). Still, the mystery could have been better.
I love revisiting some of the previous characters from the series (it can be confusing if you don’t know them). They made the book so much better.
To sum up, Grace Under Fire is an entertaining and enjoyable read. Just go with the flow in this one and then read the previous ones in the series.
Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #GraceUnderFire
*****
ETA: I got this! Still can't believe it, but woo hoo!
***
Almost zero chances of my wish getting approved on NG (it's Berkeley!), but I'm gonna cross my fingers and keep hoping.
July 12, 2022
Finally, what I’ve been waiting for for five long years! A new Julie Garwood book! *Insert swooning here*
Julie Garwood writes humorous romantic suspense like no other author. I absolutely love her style and her voice, and this book has numerous nail-bitingly suspenseful parts and gut-bustingly hilarious bits.
This novel is quite lengthy, and as a result, we don’t get just the suspense and romance plotlines, but we also get a lot of backstory into the heroine, Isabel, and her love of music. I really loved this plotline, and it provided a nice beginning to the story, which eventually grew more and more suspenseful as the book progressed. That said, while we get a bit of insight into Michael’s past, I would have liked for that to have been fleshed out more. I don’t quite remember the details of the previous books, so maybe we should remember more about him from those–but this is a standalone, so I would expect a bit more digging into his history in this book.
Isabel and Michael have amazing chemistry. They seem to despise each other at first, and their witty banter is top-notch humour. Michael is swoon-worthy, and his tendency to jump to conclusions adds quite a bit of well-placed humour to the story, but these little scenes also have him (unintentionally) demonstrating how he truly feels about Isabel.
Garwood sure weaves a good yarn, and even the humorous parts have a purpose. There’s a running gag earlier on in the book that actually plays a critical part in the climax of the novel. Brilliant!
While I loved the book and the plot, some of the technology-related stuff did make me grimace. A 23-year-old would not be putting the sole copy of their songs on a flash drive. As a 30-year-old, I barely use flash drives, and everything these days is on the cloud. A 23-year old either wouldn’t back it up at all, or she would have it sync with iCloud or OneDrive or Dropbox or something similar.
This book also revisits many of the couples from previous books. While I don’t quite remember the details of their suspenseful love stories, I was so delighted that the family reunion gave us a chance to see these couples in their happily ever afters. This alone was worth waiting five years for!
I recommend this book if you love a lighter romantic suspense novel that has a lot of substance and humour!
*Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the arc to review!*
This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
Book Blog | Instagram | TikTok | Website | Twitter
My 2022 Reading Challenge
Julie Garwood writes humorous romantic suspense like no other author. I absolutely love her style and her voice, and this book has numerous nail-bitingly suspenseful parts and gut-bustingly hilarious bits.
This novel is quite lengthy, and as a result, we don’t get just the suspense and romance plotlines, but we also get a lot of backstory into the heroine, Isabel, and her love of music. I really loved this plotline, and it provided a nice beginning to the story, which eventually grew more and more suspenseful as the book progressed. That said, while we get a bit of insight into Michael’s past, I would have liked for that to have been fleshed out more. I don’t quite remember the details of the previous books, so maybe we should remember more about him from those–but this is a standalone, so I would expect a bit more digging into his history in this book.
Isabel and Michael have amazing chemistry. They seem to despise each other at first, and their witty banter is top-notch humour. Michael is swoon-worthy, and his tendency to jump to conclusions adds quite a bit of well-placed humour to the story, but these little scenes also have him (unintentionally) demonstrating how he truly feels about Isabel.
Garwood sure weaves a good yarn, and even the humorous parts have a purpose. There’s a running gag earlier on in the book that actually plays a critical part in the climax of the novel. Brilliant!
While I loved the book and the plot, some of the technology-related stuff did make me grimace. A 23-year-old would not be putting the sole copy of their songs on a flash drive. As a 30-year-old, I barely use flash drives, and everything these days is on the cloud. A 23-year old either wouldn’t back it up at all, or she would have it sync with iCloud or OneDrive or Dropbox or something similar.
This book also revisits many of the couples from previous books. While I don’t quite remember the details of their suspenseful love stories, I was so delighted that the family reunion gave us a chance to see these couples in their happily ever afters. This alone was worth waiting five years for!
I recommend this book if you love a lighter romantic suspense novel that has a lot of substance and humour!
*Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the arc to review!*
This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
Book Blog | Instagram | TikTok | Website | Twitter
My 2022 Reading Challenge
August 23, 2022
Available on Audible: 🎧
Audible link: https://www.audible.com/pd/Grace-Unde...
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Grace Isabel McKenna aka Isabel has finally graduated collage and is days away from her 21st Birthday when she’ll finally inherit land in Scotland left to her by her Great Uncle Compton McKenna. But, first she’ll be going to Boston for a Buchanan Anniversary Celebration before going to Scotland to claim her inheritance “Glen McKenna” in the Highlands.
When she arrives in Boston and checks into her hotel, she decides to go for a walk to clear her head. Isabel has a habit of getting lost in her thoughts and now unfortunately she’s hopelessly lost! As she attempts to find her way back to her hotel a wounded man stumbles into her arms and as she catches him he hands her his gun, just as another man attempts to shot her she takes aim and fires, killing the man, saving her life and that of the wounded stranger.
Naturally, she calls her brother-in-law Dylan Buchanan to say she killed a man and needs a lawyer. Dylan sends his brother Michael Buchanan a former Navy SEAL and now a Lawyer. Michael and Isabel don’t really get along, Michal has always rubbed her the wrong way but Isabel decides to “tolerate” him because she needs help.
As the story progresses, we find out that Isabel is in grave danger. There is a valid threat on Isabel’s life, unfortunately Isabel isn’t aware of the threat and leaves Boston for Scotland before anyone is able to stop her. Michael decides to appoint himself as her protector and follows her to Scotland to find out who wants Isabel dead and make sure she stays alive.
I loved this book!!! I love Michael & Isabel, I love their romance, their bickering which is fun & will put a smile on your face, and Isabel’s driving skills OMG they are LAUGH OUT LOUD funny!!!! I also loved that we get to catch-up with Kate & Dylan, Theo & Michelle, Alac & Regan, Nick & Laurent, and Noah & Jordan.
Lastly, we meet a couple Buchanan cousins “the four wild MacAlister” brothers. Sebastian, Gavin, Hunter, and Gabriel MacAlister. I’m intrigued and hoping there will be a spin-off series!!!!
*ARC provided by Publisher/Author via NetGalley for my honest review.
January 28, 2024
Reread 2024 for a group series buddy read. - After rereading, my opinion stands. This may be my favorite book in the series. I'm so sorry there won't be anymore due to the passing of Author Julie Garwood. She will be sorely missed.
Grace Isabel MacKenna is headed to Scotland to claim an inheritance from a distant uncle when she stops off in Boston to attend the Buchanan’s anniversary party. Isabel's sister Kate is married to Dylan Buchanan who is brother to the very sexy, irritating Michael Buchanan, a man she avoids at all cost. They met briefly at Kate and Dylan's wedding and in Isabel's eyes, he treated her like she had the plague. Well, two can play that game! Isabel has some time on her hands so she's absentmindedly wandering around Boston when she finds herself caught up in a shootout . . . and she ends up killing a man in order to save another. Well dang. That wasn't on her agenda for the day. Now she's being questioned by the police and much to her chagrin, the Buchanan family has sent ex-SEAL and lawyer Michael Buchanan to protect and represent her. And there he stands in all his broody, sexual glory, glaring at her. Could this day get any worse? Apparently so when it becomes clear Isabel is a target. Now why in the world would anyone want sweet, shy, petite Isabel MacKenna dead? And why has her nemesis Michael appointed himself as her protector? Let the games begin.
Julie Garwood has rendered another fast paced, impossible to put down addition to the Buchanan-Renard-and now McKenna series. Grace Under Fire is book fourteen, but can absolutely be read as a standalone which I can attest to. However, I can say with certainty that I will be backing up and starting this series from book one in order to meet and get to know this family from the beginning. The sexual tension and banter between Isabel and Michael are off the charts as is the humorous dialogue - it's priceless. Yes, this book is romance suspense, but the crazy family dynamics and continued chaos and insane scenes make it a laugh out loud story also. What a combo! I enjoyed every single page of Grace Under Fire and was actually sorry to see it end. Highly recommended to fans of romance suspense and good, humorous romance.
Many thanks to Berkley Publ. for an arc of this book and for the invitation to join the book tour. My Stop is July 18, 2022.
Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews
Grace Isabel MacKenna is headed to Scotland to claim an inheritance from a distant uncle when she stops off in Boston to attend the Buchanan’s anniversary party. Isabel's sister Kate is married to Dylan Buchanan who is brother to the very sexy, irritating Michael Buchanan, a man she avoids at all cost. They met briefly at Kate and Dylan's wedding and in Isabel's eyes, he treated her like she had the plague. Well, two can play that game! Isabel has some time on her hands so she's absentmindedly wandering around Boston when she finds herself caught up in a shootout . . . and she ends up killing a man in order to save another. Well dang. That wasn't on her agenda for the day. Now she's being questioned by the police and much to her chagrin, the Buchanan family has sent ex-SEAL and lawyer Michael Buchanan to protect and represent her. And there he stands in all his broody, sexual glory, glaring at her. Could this day get any worse? Apparently so when it becomes clear Isabel is a target. Now why in the world would anyone want sweet, shy, petite Isabel MacKenna dead? And why has her nemesis Michael appointed himself as her protector? Let the games begin.
Julie Garwood has rendered another fast paced, impossible to put down addition to the Buchanan-Renard-and now McKenna series. Grace Under Fire is book fourteen, but can absolutely be read as a standalone which I can attest to. However, I can say with certainty that I will be backing up and starting this series from book one in order to meet and get to know this family from the beginning. The sexual tension and banter between Isabel and Michael are off the charts as is the humorous dialogue - it's priceless. Yes, this book is romance suspense, but the crazy family dynamics and continued chaos and insane scenes make it a laugh out loud story also. What a combo! I enjoyed every single page of Grace Under Fire and was actually sorry to see it end. Highly recommended to fans of romance suspense and good, humorous romance.
Many thanks to Berkley Publ. for an arc of this book and for the invitation to join the book tour. My Stop is July 18, 2022.
Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews
April 5, 2023
A man wrote this book.
June 18, 2022
Read to 40% and then started skipping.
I’m a huge fan of romantic suspense, so I was beside myself when I was pitched a new to me author. Even more so when I saw such high reviews.
Isabel and Michael have potential. She’s sweet and naive. He’s crunchy and protective. Instead of the push and pull I expected, it was long inner monologues detailing what she was wearing or the hole in a windbreaker or the mani/pedi she got. The family seems loving, but sort of controlling. No one asks or listens to what Isabel says she wants.
Plot wise, it was not really romance or suspense. I didn’t get any of the tension that I was looking for with this set up and the relationship was bland. I was especially annoyed that Isabel thought she was a “turning into a slut” and “nymphomania” for liking the kissing.
I could not settle into this writing and I think that was the biggest struggle. It was mostly told from Isabel’s POV, but then there would be a paragraph or page in Michael’s. Everything felt really disjointed.
Overall, this cover and synopsis had everything I could have wanted, but sadly didn’t deliver. Clearly from the reviews I’m in the minority.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I’m a huge fan of romantic suspense, so I was beside myself when I was pitched a new to me author. Even more so when I saw such high reviews.
Isabel and Michael have potential. She’s sweet and naive. He’s crunchy and protective. Instead of the push and pull I expected, it was long inner monologues detailing what she was wearing or the hole in a windbreaker or the mani/pedi she got. The family seems loving, but sort of controlling. No one asks or listens to what Isabel says she wants.
Plot wise, it was not really romance or suspense. I didn’t get any of the tension that I was looking for with this set up and the relationship was bland. I was especially annoyed that Isabel thought she was a “turning into a slut” and “nymphomania” for liking the kissing.
I could not settle into this writing and I think that was the biggest struggle. It was mostly told from Isabel’s POV, but then there would be a paragraph or page in Michael’s. Everything felt really disjointed.
Overall, this cover and synopsis had everything I could have wanted, but sadly didn’t deliver. Clearly from the reviews I’m in the minority.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
October 3, 2022
This is a well-written, entertaining, steamy, contemporary romantic suspense novel. It has intrigue, humor, some laugh out loud moments, supportive and loving family, twists and turns and a happily ever after ending. It is an excellent addition to Ms. Garwood's outstanding Buchanan series and can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. Ms. Garwood's loyal readers will appreciate the appearance of characters from the other entries in this series.
November 9, 2022
i know this is fiction but damn this book is borderline ridiculous
after I awhile I just started laughing because is this supposed to be a comedy...I checked.. no it isn't!! it is supposed to be a suspense novel...
the amount of stupidity the main girl does only in first 20% of the book is too much I can't take it no more...
some of the things she did:
- she does karaoke like a superstar apparently she want to do music but she promise her mother she will get a degree first, talk about out of touch sentiment but I guess I can take it so moving on...but also if music is your blood at least you sing around your friends how come no one of her closest friend knew she loves music and can sing, something you love so much you can't turn off and on like that, anyway moving on
- she complains about money when she literally just inherited land in Scotland
-she is not like other girls
- goes to wander around Boston and goes so far from her ritzy hotel to the bad side of town where she ends up in the middle of shooting and after police officer before he dies gives her a gun she shoots a bad guy, one shot between the eyes
- off course she is so stressed she can't talk but she can shoot perfectly
- after all the ordeal she "remembers" to mention that she has a bullet in her arm, I repeat she has a bullet in her arm....
after that I lost all hope for this book ...
I refuse to accept that Julie Garwood wrote this
I refuse to accept that a woman wrote this
after I awhile I just started laughing because is this supposed to be a comedy...I checked.. no it isn't!! it is supposed to be a suspense novel...
the amount of stupidity the main girl does only in first 20% of the book is too much I can't take it no more...
some of the things she did:
- she does karaoke like a superstar apparently she want to do music but she promise her mother she will get a degree first, talk about out of touch sentiment but I guess I can take it so moving on...but also if music is your blood at least you sing around your friends how come no one of her closest friend knew she loves music and can sing, something you love so much you can't turn off and on like that, anyway moving on
- she complains about money when she literally just inherited land in Scotland
-she is not like other girls
- goes to wander around Boston and goes so far from her ritzy hotel to the bad side of town where she ends up in the middle of shooting and after police officer before he dies gives her a gun she shoots a bad guy, one shot between the eyes
- off course she is so stressed she can't talk but she can shoot perfectly
- after all the ordeal she "remembers" to mention that she has a bullet in her arm, I repeat she has a bullet in her arm....
after that I lost all hope for this book ...
I refuse to accept that Julie Garwood wrote this
I refuse to accept that a woman wrote this
maybe
September 14, 2022I just wish Julie Garwood would return to Historical Romance. *sigh* 😔
July 19, 2022
NetGalley arc
Where do I begin? I must admit that I couldn't believe my luck when my request was approved for this ARC.
It is been a year since I haven't read a Julie Garwood book and this story just reminded me why I love her books and writing so much.
Grace under fire is number 14 in the series. It can intimidate for someone new to start a series, but this one can be easily read as a standalone.
Throughout the story, we get glimpses into other character’s life from previous books and it all works out like a well-oiled machine. I would say there's no surprise in there as well.
It starts with a bang, and it catches your attention in seconds.
What was supposed to be a fun time with friends, becomes a police investigation.
Here comes the hero, Michael, one that completely stole my heart and made me have a stupid smile on my face throughout the book.
Isabelle is a fresh graduate and while she is still young and brings a lot of the new culture references, I found her entertaining and a heroine that can grow on you but by bit.
Their story starts slowly and keeps at the slow burn towards the end, sprinkled with some open doors scenes and all that build up tension I love in a romance book.
There are quite a few suspenseful scenes, as the cover shows as well.
Beautiful suspenseful romance story that many readers will enjoy immensely.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy
Where do I begin? I must admit that I couldn't believe my luck when my request was approved for this ARC.
It is been a year since I haven't read a Julie Garwood book and this story just reminded me why I love her books and writing so much.
Grace under fire is number 14 in the series. It can intimidate for someone new to start a series, but this one can be easily read as a standalone.
Throughout the story, we get glimpses into other character’s life from previous books and it all works out like a well-oiled machine. I would say there's no surprise in there as well.
It starts with a bang, and it catches your attention in seconds.
What was supposed to be a fun time with friends, becomes a police investigation.
Here comes the hero, Michael, one that completely stole my heart and made me have a stupid smile on my face throughout the book.
Isabelle is a fresh graduate and while she is still young and brings a lot of the new culture references, I found her entertaining and a heroine that can grow on you but by bit.
Their story starts slowly and keeps at the slow burn towards the end, sprinkled with some open doors scenes and all that build up tension I love in a romance book.
There are quite a few suspenseful scenes, as the cover shows as well.
Beautiful suspenseful romance story that many readers will enjoy immensely.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy
September 2, 2023
The first sentence of the book begins, “Isabel Mackenna had a hundred things to do today, killing someone wasn’t one of them.”
And yet, during the course of the story – the beginning of the story, to be exact, that is what ends up happening.
I truly wanted to love this novel.
There were likable characters.
It had all the makings of a good mystery with a shooting – why did it happen?
Who were these people?
How will this turn out?
Even Twists.
But the biggest question of all: Did I miss somewhere that the author was a romance novelist?
The majority of the story was devoted more about a romance between the main character and the guy who she seems to have the most conflicts with – of course! Right? Right.
So, this was a skip read, because more than anything, as a reader we wanted to know how the crime was resolved.
In that way, it was interesting, perhaps unexpected, but, really?
That’s how it happened?
So, if you like to watch a girl grow up into her own, do well, and live happily ever after, maybe this story will work for you?
Oh, and the crime gets resolved.
And yet, during the course of the story – the beginning of the story, to be exact, that is what ends up happening.
I truly wanted to love this novel.
There were likable characters.
It had all the makings of a good mystery with a shooting – why did it happen?
Who were these people?
How will this turn out?
Even Twists.
But the biggest question of all: Did I miss somewhere that the author was a romance novelist?
The majority of the story was devoted more about a romance between the main character and the guy who she seems to have the most conflicts with – of course! Right? Right.
So, this was a skip read, because more than anything, as a reader we wanted to know how the crime was resolved.
In that way, it was interesting, perhaps unexpected, but, really?
That’s how it happened?
So, if you like to watch a girl grow up into her own, do well, and live happily ever after, maybe this story will work for you?
Oh, and the crime gets resolved.
February 10, 2024
Grace Isabel McKenna is taking a trip to Scotland to collect her inheritance; but first she stops in Boston to attend a Buchanan Anniversary Party. Upon arriving in Boston, she decides to go for a walk. Isabel ends up in the middle of a shootout in the street, and eventually ends up in police custody. Michael Buchanan, a lawyer and Navy SEAL, helps Isabel through the interrogation. They've met before when her sister married his brother a couple of years ago. They did not hit it off then and it doesn't look like anything has changed. When Isabel flies to Scotland, Michael is hot on her trail because he believes she is in danger. Credible threats have been made against her and Michael is determined to bring her back home alive.
I have to say I'm happy that this is the last book in Julie Garwood's Buchanan-Renard Romantic Suspense series. It took me nine days to slog through this book. I ended up skimming parts of it. The last few books in the series have felt like the author is cutting and pasting the same hero and heroine into these stories. All she had to do was change the names. This one was even worse since the romance was terrible. There was absolutely no chemistry between Isabel and Michael. There was no character development as the story progressed. Suddenly they were in love...the end.
I really couldn't stand Isabel. That character was ridiculous. She sings a song at a party which someone records. Suddenly she is a viral sensation that everyone in the world just loves. Popular singers want to duet with her. Isabel is also impossibly beautiful, compared to a Greek Goddess a couple of times. Isabel tends to drift off into her own mind while she is composing songs. This happens as she wanders Boston and ends up in a bad part of the city. An injured man falls into her arms during a shootout. She ends up saving his life. After hours in police custody, Isabel is released and finally admits she was shot, and the bullet is still in her arm. Who would do that? This is just the beginning of her idiotic behavior. Isabel's rambling inner monologues made me want to throw the book against the wall.
The suspense portion of the story finally picked up when Isabel traveled to Scotland. Someone is claiming her inheritance, Glen McKenna, as his own. I found it hard to believe that a bully can claim to be the rightful heir with no proof, and everyone just goes along with him. He wants Isabel out of the picture so he can take over.
I know I'm in the minority about this book, but I just can't stand a naive nitwit of a heroine. I also find it hard to believe that Julie Garwood wrote this book. My rating: 1.5 Stars.
I have to say I'm happy that this is the last book in Julie Garwood's Buchanan-Renard Romantic Suspense series. It took me nine days to slog through this book. I ended up skimming parts of it. The last few books in the series have felt like the author is cutting and pasting the same hero and heroine into these stories. All she had to do was change the names. This one was even worse since the romance was terrible. There was absolutely no chemistry between Isabel and Michael. There was no character development as the story progressed. Suddenly they were in love...the end.
I really couldn't stand Isabel. That character was ridiculous. She sings a song at a party which someone records. Suddenly she is a viral sensation that everyone in the world just loves. Popular singers want to duet with her. Isabel is also impossibly beautiful, compared to a Greek Goddess a couple of times. Isabel tends to drift off into her own mind while she is composing songs. This happens as she wanders Boston and ends up in a bad part of the city. An injured man falls into her arms during a shootout. She ends up saving his life. After hours in police custody, Isabel is released and finally admits she was shot, and the bullet is still in her arm. Who would do that? This is just the beginning of her idiotic behavior. Isabel's rambling inner monologues made me want to throw the book against the wall.
The suspense portion of the story finally picked up when Isabel traveled to Scotland. Someone is claiming her inheritance, Glen McKenna, as his own. I found it hard to believe that a bully can claim to be the rightful heir with no proof, and everyone just goes along with him. He wants Isabel out of the picture so he can take over.
I know I'm in the minority about this book, but I just can't stand a naive nitwit of a heroine. I also find it hard to believe that Julie Garwood wrote this book. My rating: 1.5 Stars.
July 27, 2022
Julie Garwood has been one of my favorite authors ever since I was about sixteen years old and picked up Rebellious Desire. The Lions Lady and Ransom rank as two of my all time favorite stories that I love to read over and over again. My copies are tattered and worn with the covers falling off they are so well loved. Which is why it hurts me so much that I simply could not finish Grace Under Fire. I never imagined that a book written by an author that I’ve adored for so long could be one that wouldn’t hold my attention, but that was the case with this book. And it didn’t take me much contemplation to figure out why.
Back when I was a fresh-faced, innocent young reader quickly devouring historical romance novels, I loved to read about the fresh-faced, innocent young heroines who captured the attention of a strong, dominant man who would could protect them and keep them safe. The heroine’s attempts at self sufficiency always were well meaning, but they would fall short and the hero needed to swoop in and rescue them from ridiculous situations of their own making.
As I got older, I still loved the strong hero but I guess that a part of me wanted to read about women that were strong too. I wanted to see women that weren’t cluelessly bumbling along in their own attempts at independence and were just endearingly cute things to protect. I wanted romance that seemed grounded in reality, not a campy farce. My expectations changed. The author’s writing did not. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Julie Garwood has a wildly successful career that has spanned decades and has created stories and characters that readers, including myself, love and cherish. But for me, the older I get, I’m finding that the characters who have not evolved are getting harder to read.
In Grace Under Fire, Michael is an overachiever. As an attorney and Navy SEAL and not yet in his 30s, he’s a strong, intelligent man, and I have to wonder what would attract and keep his interest in a woman who is portrayed like Isabel. She is an innocent college graduate returning to her brother-in-law’s family estate, and she’s an odd duck. She composes songs in her head and becomes so distracted that she is able to walk for miles to a strange part of town without realizing where she is. She’s a menace on the road, oblivious to her surroundings, and yet somehow a crack shot with a gun. Her internal monologue is stilted and naïve and it made me truly wonder how she survived as long as she did.
At one point in my journey as a reader, I think I would have devoured this story, happy to see friends and characters I haven’t seen in a while. But as I’ve matured and grown my tastes as a reader have changed as well. When I read historical romances, I loved the formal conversations and details of every dress and waistcoat worn. Now, I found the dialogue didn’t reflect how people truly spoke, and I cared less about the intricacies of the torn jacket Isabel was wearing and more about the intellectual challenge she presented to Michael. I so wish I would have been more gripped by this book enough to want to complete it. But just like Isabel, my mind wandered too much while I was reading to force myself to complete the story.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Back when I was a fresh-faced, innocent young reader quickly devouring historical romance novels, I loved to read about the fresh-faced, innocent young heroines who captured the attention of a strong, dominant man who would could protect them and keep them safe. The heroine’s attempts at self sufficiency always were well meaning, but they would fall short and the hero needed to swoop in and rescue them from ridiculous situations of their own making.
As I got older, I still loved the strong hero but I guess that a part of me wanted to read about women that were strong too. I wanted to see women that weren’t cluelessly bumbling along in their own attempts at independence and were just endearingly cute things to protect. I wanted romance that seemed grounded in reality, not a campy farce. My expectations changed. The author’s writing did not. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Julie Garwood has a wildly successful career that has spanned decades and has created stories and characters that readers, including myself, love and cherish. But for me, the older I get, I’m finding that the characters who have not evolved are getting harder to read.
In Grace Under Fire, Michael is an overachiever. As an attorney and Navy SEAL and not yet in his 30s, he’s a strong, intelligent man, and I have to wonder what would attract and keep his interest in a woman who is portrayed like Isabel. She is an innocent college graduate returning to her brother-in-law’s family estate, and she’s an odd duck. She composes songs in her head and becomes so distracted that she is able to walk for miles to a strange part of town without realizing where she is. She’s a menace on the road, oblivious to her surroundings, and yet somehow a crack shot with a gun. Her internal monologue is stilted and naïve and it made me truly wonder how she survived as long as she did.
At one point in my journey as a reader, I think I would have devoured this story, happy to see friends and characters I haven’t seen in a while. But as I’ve matured and grown my tastes as a reader have changed as well. When I read historical romances, I loved the formal conversations and details of every dress and waistcoat worn. Now, I found the dialogue didn’t reflect how people truly spoke, and I cared less about the intricacies of the torn jacket Isabel was wearing and more about the intellectual challenge she presented to Michael. I so wish I would have been more gripped by this book enough to want to complete it. But just like Isabel, my mind wandered too much while I was reading to force myself to complete the story.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
July 25, 2022
Isabel MacKenna is in Boston for the Buchanan’s anniversary party, the in-laws of her sister, Kate and while walking around the city she runs into a man shot and bleeding with his attacker in hot pursuit and when he starts shooting, Isabel quickly reacts and ends up killing him.
Michael Buchanan, Isabel’s least favorite of the Buchanan clan, is sent to assist and represent her with the police and from then on sticks to her like glue when it seems there is still a threat out for Isabel. Which is surprising considering Michael seemed to steer clear of her every time she was around.
Michael kept his distance from Isabel because she was so young, just entering college, and gorgeous. Now seeing her several years later that same reason doesn’t apply but of course he doesn’t want a relationship. Tough to keep his hands to himself when she’s so tempting. He should let someone else watch over her, but he can’t keep away.
There was never a dull moment in Grace Under Fire with a new danger or threat around every corner and the romance was engaging, as well. Michael and Isabel had a fun push and pull between them, and sizzling chemistry. I had to laugh every time Isabel got behind the wheel, her driving skills could turn anyone’s hair white from fright! I enjoyed all the places they “visited” from Boston and the private Buchanan retreat at Nathan’s Bay to Scotland and all the little towns there.
Grace Under Fire was the second book I’ve read in this long running series, and I really enjoyed it!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
Michael Buchanan, Isabel’s least favorite of the Buchanan clan, is sent to assist and represent her with the police and from then on sticks to her like glue when it seems there is still a threat out for Isabel. Which is surprising considering Michael seemed to steer clear of her every time she was around.
Michael kept his distance from Isabel because she was so young, just entering college, and gorgeous. Now seeing her several years later that same reason doesn’t apply but of course he doesn’t want a relationship. Tough to keep his hands to himself when she’s so tempting. He should let someone else watch over her, but he can’t keep away.
There was never a dull moment in Grace Under Fire with a new danger or threat around every corner and the romance was engaging, as well. Michael and Isabel had a fun push and pull between them, and sizzling chemistry. I had to laugh every time Isabel got behind the wheel, her driving skills could turn anyone’s hair white from fright! I enjoyed all the places they “visited” from Boston and the private Buchanan retreat at Nathan’s Bay to Scotland and all the little towns there.
Grace Under Fire was the second book I’ve read in this long running series, and I really enjoyed it!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2022
She's back! Many, many years ago, I finally acquiesced to my mom's hounding to try a historical romance book. Yes, I was under the delusion about "those" books. The book she handed me to try was "The Secret." I had to acknowledge (not for the first time) that my mom was right. And, that was that. I never looked back. Fortunately, my mom had every single Julie Garwood book up to that date for me to devour. I was in heaven. Julie Garwood was the author who introduced me to historical romance and her historical romances are still my all time favorites.
Her contemporary romances were either hit or miss with me. Maybe I was still angry that she stepped away from her historicals. Why was she writing these when she always knocked her historicals out of the park? I wasn't alone. But, because Julie's name was on the cover, I bought it.
I am happy to say that "Grace Under Fire" has all the charm, humor and fun found in her historicals. The main character, Isabel, is just adorable. As a matter of fact, throughout the book I kept trying to put my finger on who Isabel reminded me of. Then, it hit me. Judith from "The Secret." As far as our hero, Michael Buchanan, he was exactly like his famous ancestor, Brodick Buchanan from "The Secret/Ransom." Ah, yes, I was in heaven again. That "spark" has been kindled with this book. A really fun contemporary/mystery romance. I loved it!
Her contemporary romances were either hit or miss with me. Maybe I was still angry that she stepped away from her historicals. Why was she writing these when she always knocked her historicals out of the park? I wasn't alone. But, because Julie's name was on the cover, I bought it.
I am happy to say that "Grace Under Fire" has all the charm, humor and fun found in her historicals. The main character, Isabel, is just adorable. As a matter of fact, throughout the book I kept trying to put my finger on who Isabel reminded me of. Then, it hit me. Judith from "The Secret." As far as our hero, Michael Buchanan, he was exactly like his famous ancestor, Brodick Buchanan from "The Secret/Ransom." Ah, yes, I was in heaven again. That "spark" has been kindled with this book. A really fun contemporary/mystery romance. I loved it!
August 6, 2022
I read book 12 of this series and really liked it. So when book 14 came up I had high hopes. It turns out that book 12 (Fast Track) was nothing like the rest of the series, I don't even know if it has any of the same characters.
It's ;possible that the aspects of this story are just the "romance" tropes I don't like (enemies to lovers, for one) so I tried to like it, but it drove me nuts from the minute Michael entered the picture. Isabel is an amazing person, clearly, and very special. Meanwhile her sister and brother in law's family are hugely overbearing and keep trying to control her in literally every way. Michael is hot and cold, then appears to be taking her virginity (what college graduate doesn't know what an orgasm is? On her own body?), then leaves for the next day, then is hanging out with his former girlfriend? THEN the family has an *anniversary party for their parents* and not only is Isabel forced to entertain all the guests because she met a celebrity (aren't they at all interested in celebrating the couple?) but the next day they're all hung over? At their parents' anniversary party?
By the way, Isabel has the chance to date a huge celebrity (and supposedly *every other guy she ever comes in contact with*) but she'd give it all up (I assume, I'm not finishing the book) to date an older man whose family takes over her life and took her virginity so carelessly? I've read Kindle Unlimited books that are less offensive.
Sorry, NetGalley, I really tried to like this one, but it's just not happening.
It's ;possible that the aspects of this story are just the "romance" tropes I don't like (enemies to lovers, for one) so I tried to like it, but it drove me nuts from the minute Michael entered the picture. Isabel is an amazing person, clearly, and very special. Meanwhile her sister and brother in law's family are hugely overbearing and keep trying to control her in literally every way. Michael is hot and cold, then appears to be taking her virginity (what college graduate doesn't know what an orgasm is? On her own body?), then leaves for the next day, then is hanging out with his former girlfriend? THEN the family has an *anniversary party for their parents* and not only is Isabel forced to entertain all the guests because she met a celebrity (aren't they at all interested in celebrating the couple?) but the next day they're all hung over? At their parents' anniversary party?
By the way, Isabel has the chance to date a huge celebrity (and supposedly *every other guy she ever comes in contact with*) but she'd give it all up (I assume, I'm not finishing the book) to date an older man whose family takes over her life and took her virginity so carelessly? I've read Kindle Unlimited books that are less offensive.
Sorry, NetGalley, I really tried to like this one, but it's just not happening.
July 20, 2022
Ms. Garwood. May I call you Julie? Julie sweetie what the fuck was this?
This was the most wattpad y/n tradionally published book I’ve ever read. And I read (and loved) The Love Hypothesis.
The heroine is the prettiest girl you’ve ever seen, the best singer you’ve ever heard, and is capable shooting a man right between the eyes while still giving the “aw shucks, I’m not a hero anyone would’ve done it” act. By the way, she has one night where she can’t sleep and then she’s just casually throwing around “btw I killed a man” like it’s her fun fact during an ice breaker activity. I’ve read monster romance more realistic.
Speaking of realistic, the hero went to law school, got in the Navy SEALS, and medically discharged all by the tender age of 28.
They spend all their time bickering until they’re kissing each other. Then they push each other away. Rinse and repeat.
I had to stop reading when a famous musician saw her viral video and invited her to join him on stage at his next show. Just one quick practice and they should be good to go. When she shows up his whole staff stops and stares because she’s just so gorgeous. The famous guy also asks her out because off course he does.
I had to DNF after that (around 40%). This was supposed to be a romantic suspense and besides the opening scene (btw she killed a man! tehe 🤭) it was all filler. Between that and the two main characters being both unlikable and too good to be true, I was not having fun.
This was the most wattpad y/n tradionally published book I’ve ever read. And I read (and loved) The Love Hypothesis.
The heroine is the prettiest girl you’ve ever seen, the best singer you’ve ever heard, and is capable shooting a man right between the eyes while still giving the “aw shucks, I’m not a hero anyone would’ve done it” act. By the way, she has one night where she can’t sleep and then she’s just casually throwing around “btw I killed a man” like it’s her fun fact during an ice breaker activity. I’ve read monster romance more realistic.
Speaking of realistic, the hero went to law school, got in the Navy SEALS, and medically discharged all by the tender age of 28.
They spend all their time bickering until they’re kissing each other. Then they push each other away. Rinse and repeat.
I had to stop reading when a famous musician saw her viral video and invited her to join him on stage at his next show. Just one quick practice and they should be good to go. When she shows up his whole staff stops and stares because she’s just so gorgeous. The famous guy also asks her out because off course he does.
I had to DNF after that (around 40%). This was supposed to be a romantic suspense and besides the opening scene (btw she killed a man! tehe 🤭) it was all filler. Between that and the two main characters being both unlikable and too good to be true, I was not having fun.
July 25, 2022
DNF at 27%. Oh my god, is this book bad. Isabel is such a Mary Sue, and I want to slap the ever-loving hell out of her. Everything is trite and cliche and just awful.
October 8, 2022
2.5 rounded up bc Julie Garwood is an author I’ve read for years. This was ok. I have always liked the Buchanan clan—all of them. But the story is a bit silly. Girl visiting a strange town wanders into a situation where a dying man thrusts a gun into her hand just as someone starts shooting at her. So she shoots him between the eyes. Ok. It could happen, I guess. But this is all tied to an inheritance in Scotland that has resulted in her being put in a “kill list.” So an assassin from Scotland managed to find her while she was wandering around lost in a strange town? No.
Many things about this book made me think a mental “yeah, right.” But Isabel and Michael were mostly a cute couple. It’s fine for a quick read but nothing special.
Many things about this book made me think a mental “yeah, right.” But Isabel and Michael were mostly a cute couple. It’s fine for a quick read but nothing special.
July 23, 2022
I truly wanted to love this book and as much as it saddens me to say, this was a lackluster and disappointing read. The story was missing that old spark ignited with each of the others in this series. Still got a kick out of catching up with the wonderful Buchanan family and don't regret the purchase -- even though I'm definitely in the minority with my rating.
The intrigue and suspense fell flat and far less thrilling than was expected -- at times resembling a Keystone Cops-ish episode. Oh, there were those "Garwood" moments of catchy banter and laughable remarks exchanged between characters. Isabel and Michael were not particularly well developed or especially likable main characters. Their growing attraction didn’t feel comfortable or have much zing. There were never what I would label "relaxed moments" between the two.
I did, however, enjoy the jaunt across Scotland and the driving "mishaps" with the less than believable excuses!
Heartbreaker with Nick Buchanan and Laurant – the first book out of 14 total in what became one of my favorite series -- remains my favorite today.
The intrigue and suspense fell flat and far less thrilling than was expected -- at times resembling a Keystone Cops-ish episode. Oh, there were those "Garwood" moments of catchy banter and laughable remarks exchanged between characters. Isabel and Michael were not particularly well developed or especially likable main characters. Their growing attraction didn’t feel comfortable or have much zing. There were never what I would label "relaxed moments" between the two.
I did, however, enjoy the jaunt across Scotland and the driving "mishaps" with the less than believable excuses!
Heartbreaker with Nick Buchanan and Laurant – the first book out of 14 total in what became one of my favorite series -- remains my favorite today.
June 27, 2022
Well, talk about a heart-racing adrenaline-filled kind of read. Grace Under Fire by Julie Garwood will have the reader running as fast as Grace McKenna and Michael Buchanan are when it comes to trying to solve the mystery within. Garwood has an innate ability to keep you invested and anxious for what’s to come at the end of every chapter. I love this long-running series and being able to visit past characters and get peaks into stories to come. It’s a fantastic read, especially for summer. Grab those beach bags and fill them full of Garwood books.
~Tanja
*Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group via Netgalley for sharing this title with me.
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~Tanja
*Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group via Netgalley for sharing this title with me.
Follow me on
Instagram✿Twitter✿Facebook✿Pinterest✿TikTok
July 20, 2022
Enjoyable addition to the series. I found Isabel to be likable and endearing. Her driving infamy was hilarious, thank goodness she's a fictional character. Michael wasn't my favorite hero but I liked him. His and Isabel's story was interesting and entertaining. I think my favorite part was the time in Scotland.
July 26, 2022
Oh dear, where to start... The chemistry between the two protagonists seems to be reduced to permanently lusting after each other. The rest is a ticking off a list of things that don't have anything to do with the main plot:
- ridiculous from Karaoke to Superstar in 5 days scenario (check)
- HE thinks she accepted a proposal from her best friend and freaks out (check)
- bitchy ex girlfriend who claims (without any particular reason) to be engaged to him and SHE freaks out (check)
- continuous summary of the rather tiresome family who of course knew from the beginning that HE and SHE ar meant for each other (check)
- permanently having sex while declaring all the time that they really don't want "hanky panky" (not my words!)
And really: The plot, where a random criminal claims property in Scotland for himself and terrorizes everybody who disagrees, might work in Mrs. Garwood's medieval settings, but not today. Whatever they tell you in the US - Scotland isn't a lawless wasteland with roaming warlords plundering with impunity (until a gorgeous muscular US American citizen comes and and shows the clueles local police, what fists are for of course).
- ridiculous from Karaoke to Superstar in 5 days scenario (check)
- HE thinks she accepted a proposal from her best friend and freaks out (check)
- bitchy ex girlfriend who claims (without any particular reason) to be engaged to him and SHE freaks out (check)
- continuous summary of the rather tiresome family who of course knew from the beginning that HE and SHE ar meant for each other (check)
- permanently having sex while declaring all the time that they really don't want "hanky panky" (not my words!)
And really: The plot, where a random criminal claims property in Scotland for himself and terrorizes everybody who disagrees, might work in Mrs. Garwood's medieval settings, but not today. Whatever they tell you in the US - Scotland isn't a lawless wasteland with roaming warlords plundering with impunity (until a gorgeous muscular US American citizen comes and and shows the clueles local police, what fists are for of course).
September 2, 2022
I really, really wish Garwood wouldn’t sacrifice logic so often to slant things into humor or drama. Ok, it’s a joke that Isabel is a bad driver. Not just a bad driver, a horrifically bad driver. But…how is she oblivious to that? Her passengers screaming she could ignore as over dramatic, but sideswiping objects, knocking side mirrors off her vehicle…does that not seem odd? And it turns out she needed glasses and has bad depth perception - let me tell you, if her vision was that bad, she would know it. For that matter, if she’s nearsighted, how did she see the face of the redhead at a distance? I understand driving worse when someone is holding a gun on you, but she seemed to blame all of it on the fact that she should drive on the opposite side, and her reckless driving was just normal for her. She was irritated that the villain kept screaming at her and distracting her. I’m not sure how she didn’t get shot, since she hit every pothole in the world. Yet it never occurred to her to drive elsewhere than instructed. Heck, she eventually rammed one bad guy with the car, at speed, sending him over a cliff, and he could still shoot at them minutes later. How is this possible?
It mentions that one of the Buchanans was forced to sleep on a queen mattress and his feet hung off even when sleeping diagonal…but a queen is 80”! How tall is he?! Her solicitor in Scotland thought it was more logical to tell his friend to follow her around Boston rather than try to connect to her by phone…or maybe he could call her sisters? And he didn’t follow up with his friend after he didn’t hear back?
Quite frankly, I was impatient with Isabel. She seemed pretty dumb, apparently getting distracted by lyrics to the point that when she’s driving or walking, she’s completely oblivious to her surroundings. Then she’d leave her phone off or not check her messages until it was too late. She would argue about why she didn’t need a bodyguard as if she had completely forgotten everything bad that happened before.
Let’s be real. Even if someone went viral, they’re not that recognizable IRL. I don’t care how famous you are, people (women especially) do not look the same when dolled up on camera as they do in person. And XO sounded like an idiot by making it seem like he wanted to marry her. Now she’s…going to be in some concerts with him, but otherwise be just a song writer? What?
While it’s nice for her to donate Glen MacKenna, what happens to the tenants? Are they allowed to rent still?
The romance sucked. Michael keeps dumping her callously and regretting it, yet not communicating with her at all. There are such things as phones, but he couldn’t bother to call.
Maybe two stars is unfair because I did enjoy it enough to finish. It’s just that all the little things added up as I was writing this.
It mentions that one of the Buchanans was forced to sleep on a queen mattress and his feet hung off even when sleeping diagonal…but a queen is 80”! How tall is he?! Her solicitor in Scotland thought it was more logical to tell his friend to follow her around Boston rather than try to connect to her by phone…or maybe he could call her sisters? And he didn’t follow up with his friend after he didn’t hear back?
Quite frankly, I was impatient with Isabel. She seemed pretty dumb, apparently getting distracted by lyrics to the point that when she’s driving or walking, she’s completely oblivious to her surroundings. Then she’d leave her phone off or not check her messages until it was too late. She would argue about why she didn’t need a bodyguard as if she had completely forgotten everything bad that happened before.
Let’s be real. Even if someone went viral, they’re not that recognizable IRL. I don’t care how famous you are, people (women especially) do not look the same when dolled up on camera as they do in person. And XO sounded like an idiot by making it seem like he wanted to marry her. Now she’s…going to be in some concerts with him, but otherwise be just a song writer? What?
While it’s nice for her to donate Glen MacKenna, what happens to the tenants? Are they allowed to rent still?
The romance sucked. Michael keeps dumping her callously and regretting it, yet not communicating with her at all. There are such things as phones, but he couldn’t bother to call.
Maybe two stars is unfair because I did enjoy it enough to finish. It’s just that all the little things added up as I was writing this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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