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Hot Heroes #3
Love not Lost - Bedingungslos: Roman
She’s free from the confines of her father’s control.He’s the man hired to keep her out of trouble.For Braden Clark, getting paid to watch over a city girl on vacation seems too good to be true. She's hot as hell and determined to test her newfound boundaries, something he finds both sexy and arousing.Juliette Collins is eager to play and discover everything else she’s missed in her sheltered life—including the hot, muscular guy that seems to be everywhere she looks.But what happens when she discovers his secret? That he’s been paid to watch over her all along?* This book was formerly called Freed. No changes from original.
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First published July 10, 2018
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About the author
Carly Phillips
418 books9,793 followersNY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips is the queen of Alpha Heroes, at least according to The Harlequin Junkie Reviewer.. Carly married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her crazy dogs who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram pages. The author of over 75 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters and is now an empty nester. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as her first romance club pick. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
July 16, 2018
What can I say about the book Freed other than READ IT!!!! This is part of the Rosewood Bay series but is a standalone read like the others. The story is heartwarming and touching and gave all the good feels that I was looking for on a rainy day. I devoured this book in one sitting and loved all the characters and the quaint little beach town it was set in. Carly Phillips did an amazing job writing this hot sexy romance that kept me turning the pages. I’m looking forward to the next edition in the series Dream. Thumbs up for Freed with 5 stars to go with it.
Juliette Collins didn’t know that her father was keeping secrets from her until she found out that her mother was alive and that she had two sisters. With the need to put some distance between herself and her father, Juliette goes to Rosewood Bay to meet her new sisters. Juliette doesn’t know that the man she meets and finds extremely attractive was hired by her father to keep an eye on her. Braden Clark thinks he can keep watch over the beautiful Juliette Collins without crossing that professional line, but the more time he spends with her the more he loses his heart to her. Now Braden is at risk of losing a good paying client and losing the girl. Time is running out and Braden must choose which is more important.
Juliette Collins didn’t know that her father was keeping secrets from her until she found out that her mother was alive and that she had two sisters. With the need to put some distance between herself and her father, Juliette goes to Rosewood Bay to meet her new sisters. Juliette doesn’t know that the man she meets and finds extremely attractive was hired by her father to keep an eye on her. Braden Clark thinks he can keep watch over the beautiful Juliette Collins without crossing that professional line, but the more time he spends with her the more he loses his heart to her. Now Braden is at risk of losing a good paying client and losing the girl. Time is running out and Braden must choose which is more important.
July 18, 2018
Juliette came to Rosewood Bay seeking her lost family, and she had gotten so much more than she’d ever hope for. She found Braden Clark.
I’ve enjoyed the previous books in this series, featuring Juliette's, sisters Phoebe and Halley Ward, so getting Juliette’s story, I couldn’t wait. Although this was the third book in the series, it can definitely be read as a stand alone. But I encourage you to read the series first, this group is wonderful.
I did enjoy this one, it was sweet, predictable though. Doesn’t mean I didn’t love it, the writing this author does is so smooth, I love it. I definitely can’t wait for more to this lovely group. Pick this one upon release and if you haven’t yet, read Phoebe and Halley’s stories!!
I’ve enjoyed the previous books in this series, featuring Juliette's, sisters Phoebe and Halley Ward, so getting Juliette’s story, I couldn’t wait. Although this was the third book in the series, it can definitely be read as a stand alone. But I encourage you to read the series first, this group is wonderful.
I did enjoy this one, it was sweet, predictable though. Doesn’t mean I didn’t love it, the writing this author does is so smooth, I love it. I definitely can’t wait for more to this lovely group. Pick this one upon release and if you haven’t yet, read Phoebe and Halley’s stories!!
July 16, 2018
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Amazon US * Amazon UK
Freed is the third book in the Rosewood Bay series, and brings us to the third Ward sister. I have to say I was a little nervous about this one since we didn't know too much about Juliette other than that she was wealthy. I was honestly expecting someone a little stuck up so it was a pleasant surprise when that's not what we got from this character.
Juliette was going through something life changing, finding out she had sisters she never knew about, but she dealt with it as best she could. I really admired her strength to step out of her comfort zone and go meet her sisters. It was a far different character than I thought we were going to get but I'm so glad I was wrong because she was amazing.
I loved her with Braden and thought they were really the perfect couple. They fell into a relationship pretty easily and I enjoyed seeing that. There wasn't a ton of angst or things pushing them apart since their attraction wouldn't allow it. I liked the simplicity of them together and the fact that it allowed the whole story of them, and Juliette's sisters to blend together very well.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
Freed is the third book in the Rosewood Bay series, and brings us to the third Ward sister. I have to say I was a little nervous about this one since we didn't know too much about Juliette other than that she was wealthy. I was honestly expecting someone a little stuck up so it was a pleasant surprise when that's not what we got from this character.
Juliette was going through something life changing, finding out she had sisters she never knew about, but she dealt with it as best she could. I really admired her strength to step out of her comfort zone and go meet her sisters. It was a far different character than I thought we were going to get but I'm so glad I was wrong because she was amazing.
I loved her with Braden and thought they were really the perfect couple. They fell into a relationship pretty easily and I enjoyed seeing that. There wasn't a ton of angst or things pushing them apart since their attraction wouldn't allow it. I liked the simplicity of them together and the fact that it allowed the whole story of them, and Juliette's sisters to blend together very well.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2018
Freed is part of the Rosewood bay series but can be read as a standalone.
Having read the first two books in the Rosewood Bay series: Fearless and Breathe...which I enjoyed immensely, I was looking forward to reading Freed.
Juliette is a character one could easily love! She is sweet, caring and has a silent strength to her that is admirable.
Branden is hot! He is protective and gentle. I enjoyed reading the fact that their relationship was easy ...the flow was so natural.
Having said this, I must say this... It was a tad predictable. I feel like as I was reading the book, I kept having a sense of deja vu so that was a little off putting for me but besides that, an enjoyable read.
A solid 3.5 stars for Freed
For a sneak peak into the excerpt click link below:
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July 9, 2018
I finished this book a couple of days ago but haven't really been in the mood to write a review from scratch but seeing as my to do list is getting longer and longer here goes.
3.5 - 4 ★
The last Ward sister gets her book.
Juliette Collins has lived a sheltered life it has always been just her father and herself. Due to her father’s health she never flew the nest. Wanting to buy her father a bottle of wine for his birthday she takes a look in the safe for the wine book and finds more than she ever bargained for.
She has two sisters that she never knew about, her mother isn't dead, and she has been lied to for over twenty years.
To meet the family, she never knew she had she leaves New York to go to Rosewood Bay. Her father isn't impressed.
Even though Juliette led an isolated and sheltered life I really liked her. She wasn't a snob or stuck up, she is sweet, vulnerable and wants to enjoy life and at the age of 26 she is finally starting.
Braden Clark runs Clark Investigations after being a city cop he has come back to take over the company his father opened and to look after his father who is suffering from Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's is not an easy illness for both parties involved.
No job is too small for him so when a job comes along with it seems like easy money. But it isn’t feelings start to get involved. Whereas this is a sweet, sexy, touching and heartwarming read there was one thing that bothered me. Even a lie by omission is still a lie. Braden had enough time to tell her but chickened out every single time.
As he wrestles with his conscience every time he meets her he blows hot and cold and tries to keep his distance until Juliette calls him out on his bullshit and he just can’t stay away. I really liked these two together and although I am not really in a romance mood I still had a lot of fun with it. I love the writing as it is simple yet engaging and it just sucks you in.
I am so happy that this series is going to continue, and that Andi is getting her own HEA.
July 17, 2018
Rating: 3.5 - 4 stars
I enjoyed reading Freed. This is the third in a series but is a standalone and I came to this book as a new reader in the series.
I liked Juliette, she was kind and considerate but so naive, this is in no small part to her over protective (controlling) father, who let her think he was all that she had in the world because her mother had died. He deceived her and used his health to keep a tight rein on her. When she found out that her mother was alive and that she had two sisters and found the courage to leave her father and seek out her family he had her followed and monitored.
The private investigator that he hired- Braden Clark - felt attracted to Juliette the moment that he saw her picture and as the got to know each other, a relationship developed between them. Braden does step back and give Juliette as much privacy as possible and does not report her every little move to her father (in fact he reports the bare minimum) but still, it isn't great that she left her father's deceit only to find another man who was deceiving her from the beginning.
Braden is torn by wanting to spend time around Juliette, but also wanting her to have the chance to spread her wings for the first time in her life. Of course there is also the issue that his father is unwell and he doesn't want to be a burden and clip her wings before she has had chance to fly.
In time Braden and Juliette's relationship grows and the deceit weighs heavier on Branden. I can understand why Braden did not confess all upon meeting Juliette (and continued taking payment from her father) of course, he couldn't he needed the money and he didn't know her, she was an assignment. (His own father is unwell and will need to move into a care home and Braden knows he needs to finance that)
I did really enjoy seeing Juliette getting to know her wonderful sisters, Phoebe and Halley. She did not know about them but they knew about her and had missed having her in their lives. They were thrilled when she found them. Juliette didn't just gain a relationship with her sisters she gained a larger extended family who welcomed her into their lives. (I wish that I had read the sister's stories before this as they both have interesting back-stories)
I liked the relationships that Juliette developed over the course of the book and that this was more than a straight-forward romance.
I liked that Juliette took the opportunities to do new things and get to know herself while experiencing a life away from her oppressive father.
I did find the ending a little predictable and that is why Freed did not get a higher rating from me, however it was still an enjoyable, well written, relatively quick read.
Just to put this rating into perspective I enjoyed this enough to wish that I had read the previous books in this series and I do look forward to reading Dream. I really like the characters and how developed they are so I would still recommend this book.
Thanks to Carly Phillips and Social Butterfly PR for granting me an ARC copy of Freed. This is my honest review.
I enjoyed reading Freed. This is the third in a series but is a standalone and I came to this book as a new reader in the series.
I liked Juliette, she was kind and considerate but so naive, this is in no small part to her over protective (controlling) father, who let her think he was all that she had in the world because her mother had died. He deceived her and used his health to keep a tight rein on her. When she found out that her mother was alive and that she had two sisters and found the courage to leave her father and seek out her family he had her followed and monitored.
The private investigator that he hired- Braden Clark - felt attracted to Juliette the moment that he saw her picture and as the got to know each other, a relationship developed between them. Braden does step back and give Juliette as much privacy as possible and does not report her every little move to her father (in fact he reports the bare minimum) but still, it isn't great that she left her father's deceit only to find another man who was deceiving her from the beginning.
Braden is torn by wanting to spend time around Juliette, but also wanting her to have the chance to spread her wings for the first time in her life. Of course there is also the issue that his father is unwell and he doesn't want to be a burden and clip her wings before she has had chance to fly.
In time Braden and Juliette's relationship grows and the deceit weighs heavier on Branden. I can understand why Braden did not confess all upon meeting Juliette (and continued taking payment from her father) of course, he couldn't he needed the money and he didn't know her, she was an assignment. (His own father is unwell and will need to move into a care home and Braden knows he needs to finance that)
I did really enjoy seeing Juliette getting to know her wonderful sisters, Phoebe and Halley. She did not know about them but they knew about her and had missed having her in their lives. They were thrilled when she found them. Juliette didn't just gain a relationship with her sisters she gained a larger extended family who welcomed her into their lives. (I wish that I had read the sister's stories before this as they both have interesting back-stories)
I liked the relationships that Juliette developed over the course of the book and that this was more than a straight-forward romance.
I liked that Juliette took the opportunities to do new things and get to know herself while experiencing a life away from her oppressive father.
I did find the ending a little predictable and that is why Freed did not get a higher rating from me, however it was still an enjoyable, well written, relatively quick read.
Just to put this rating into perspective I enjoyed this enough to wish that I had read the previous books in this series and I do look forward to reading Dream. I really like the characters and how developed they are so I would still recommend this book.
Thanks to Carly Phillips and Social Butterfly PR for granting me an ARC copy of Freed. This is my honest review.
July 10, 2018
Juliette has only had her father in her life, losing her mother as a baby. It was just him and her. Being by his side since she was 18, attending business functions and being his beautiful daughter is her normal. Looking for the perfect birthday present for the father she worships turned up something she never thought she would find. Trying to find his favorite special wine, which the answer to that is in his safe, Juliette finds that not only is she NOT an only child, but she has two sisters she knew absolutely nothing about. Finding her whole life has been a complete lie, Juliette seeks to learn more about her sisters and leave her father's life of lies.
Once in Rosewood Bay where Juliette's sisters, Phoebe and Hailey live, Juliette meets and becomes close friends with Braden Clark. The one thing that she doesn't know about Braden, however, is that he is a Private Investigator hired by her father to keep tabs on her.
Braden knows he's playing with fire when he realizes that keeping tabs on Jukiette is not going as easily as planned. How is he going to complete the job when he knows that there is something between them that he more than wants to explore, job be forgotten?
Carly Phillips is one of my absolute favorite authors. I know diving into any of her books, I'm going to come out completely satisfied (usually with happy years) and get some hot loving in the read as well. This is the third book in the Rosewood Bay series and all three books have been amazing. I feel this one was my favorite. Juliette rode a roller coaster of emotions throughout this read, but she still was a strong heroine I loved. Braden was perfect for Juliette and watching the relationship flourish (in and out of the bedroom, hubba hubba) was well worth the read!!
July 23, 2018
“I’m going to get you alone, and when I do, all bets are off. I will have you, city girl.”
If you’re looking for a romance that makes you feel good all around, look no further than Carly Phillips’ Rosewood Bay series. This is a series of standalone romances, but I recommend each and ever one of them. The third standalone book in the series, FREED, captured my heart from the very beginning. I’ve been waiting for Juliette’s story ever since she was introduced in the storyline. I was curious about her and how she fit in this family and I was beautifully surprised by the welcoming she received from her sisters. It was a heartwarming and touching moment that I won’t forget.
FREED features Juliette Collins and Braden Clark. Sparks fly instantly! I loved it! The connection they had was special, and I could tell that right away. Braden might have had ulterior motives with Juliette, but the feelings that developed were all too real. He just needs to convince Juliette of that fact.
I loved these two characters to pieces! I ALWAYS fall in love with this author’s writing and with FREED, she just reminded me why. Sexy and sweet romance full of so much heart…that’s how I would describe Phillips’ work to a T. An easy-to-read love story, a beautiful page-turner, a remarkable happily ever after…FREED is all of that and MORE!
If you’re looking for a romance that makes you feel good all around, look no further than Carly Phillips’ Rosewood Bay series. This is a series of standalone romances, but I recommend each and ever one of them. The third standalone book in the series, FREED, captured my heart from the very beginning. I’ve been waiting for Juliette’s story ever since she was introduced in the storyline. I was curious about her and how she fit in this family and I was beautifully surprised by the welcoming she received from her sisters. It was a heartwarming and touching moment that I won’t forget.
FREED features Juliette Collins and Braden Clark. Sparks fly instantly! I loved it! The connection they had was special, and I could tell that right away. Braden might have had ulterior motives with Juliette, but the feelings that developed were all too real. He just needs to convince Juliette of that fact.
I loved these two characters to pieces! I ALWAYS fall in love with this author’s writing and with FREED, she just reminded me why. Sexy and sweet romance full of so much heart…that’s how I would describe Phillips’ work to a T. An easy-to-read love story, a beautiful page-turner, a remarkable happily ever after…FREED is all of that and MORE!
May 30, 2019
Because I'm reading this series back to back, I am able to detect a formula at work here. Basic parts, just change the details. Not bad as the story changes, slightly, but kinda boring overall. As with all romance you know there will be a Happily Ever After, you just don't know how the couple will get there. You don't even get the mystery of the journey with this series.
Juliette Collins is the baby sister who was sold to her father and never seen again while her two sisters, Phoebe and Halley, went into foster care. Juliette led a life of privilege and had every bump smoothed by a very over protective, rich father, never knowing that she had a whole other family who wondered what had happened to her. Well, she found out. Discovering a file in her father's safe leads her to Rosewood Bay and her sisters. Daddy Dearest is not happy and hires a Private Investigator to watch her.
Braden Clark knows from their first encounter that he is in trouble. Juliette is beautiful and is full of wonder at experiencing the world for the first time on her own. Watching all her firsts is nothing less than an aphrodisiac to him. He is at a loss trying to keep a professional distance and soon loses sight of the fact she is a job, a well paying job, a job he desperately needs.
Juliette Collins is the baby sister who was sold to her father and never seen again while her two sisters, Phoebe and Halley, went into foster care. Juliette led a life of privilege and had every bump smoothed by a very over protective, rich father, never knowing that she had a whole other family who wondered what had happened to her. Well, she found out. Discovering a file in her father's safe leads her to Rosewood Bay and her sisters. Daddy Dearest is not happy and hires a Private Investigator to watch her.
Braden Clark knows from their first encounter that he is in trouble. Juliette is beautiful and is full of wonder at experiencing the world for the first time on her own. Watching all her firsts is nothing less than an aphrodisiac to him. He is at a loss trying to keep a professional distance and soon loses sight of the fact she is a job, a well paying job, a job he desperately needs.
July 18, 2018
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
Freed by Carly Phillips is the third installment of the Rosewood Bay Series and can most definitely be read as a standalone but I would highly recommend you to read the first two books to get an idea of the three sisters.
When Julliette Collins discovers that she has two sisters, she goes out in search for them. Life as she knew it will be forever changed as she discovers her mother is still alive. As Juliette ventures out, she meets Braden Clark. Soon Braden and Juliette begins a sweet romance. But what happens when Juliette discovers Braden was just hired by her father to watch after her? Will Juliette be able to trust Braden with her heart?
Freed was a sweet, predictable romance but nonetheless this book wrapped up a series where three strong heroines are able to find their happiness, love, and family. So if you are looking for a romance that will leave you with a sense of peace, love and hope then this series is for you.
Carly Phillips
Freed by Carly Phillips is the third installment of the Rosewood Bay Series and can most definitely be read as a standalone but I would highly recommend you to read the first two books to get an idea of the three sisters.
When Julliette Collins discovers that she has two sisters, she goes out in search for them. Life as she knew it will be forever changed as she discovers her mother is still alive. As Juliette ventures out, she meets Braden Clark. Soon Braden and Juliette begins a sweet romance. But what happens when Juliette discovers Braden was just hired by her father to watch after her? Will Juliette be able to trust Braden with her heart?
Freed was a sweet, predictable romance but nonetheless this book wrapped up a series where three strong heroines are able to find their happiness, love, and family. So if you are looking for a romance that will leave you with a sense of peace, love and hope then this series is for you.
Carly Phillips
July 9, 2018
Juliette has been living in a bubble her whole life. She has been protected and has no real world experience; once she finds life altering news she is ready to spread her wings and fly. Braden was hired to watch out for Juliette and report back to her dad what is happen.
Juliette is finding out she can rely on herself and fall in love. Can love started on a lie survive?
This is a third in a series and can be read out of order with no issues.
Juliette is finding out she can rely on herself and fall in love. Can love started on a lie survive?
This is a third in a series and can be read out of order with no issues.
June 15, 2018
This was the third book in this series, and we finally meet the long lost baby sister, Juliette! This one was quite good!
Juliette Collins has been cossetted and over-protected by her single father for her entire life. He told her that her mother died when she was a baby, and she never questioned that fact. Until one day, she finds a private investigator's report in her father's office, showing her mother is alive, and she has 2 half-sisters she never knew existed. She's 26 years old, but she's never really left home. She let her father manipulate her using his heart condition to keep her by his side, doing his bidding. But, no more. She's going to visit the small beach town of Rosewood Bay, and meet her sisters and find out all that she's been missing in her life.
Braden Clark is a PI, and he enjoys his job. He inherited the business from his father, when his dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years earlier. He took on his best friend as a partner, and he's been trying to keep the business afloat, while still caring for his dad himself, for as long as he can. But, he knows the time is coming soon when it won't be safe for his father to be at home any longer, and he dreads putting him in a nursing home. Not to mention the financial implications. When a rich guy from NYC contacts Braden about keeping an eye on his daughter, who'll be in town for the summer, Braden thinks it'll be easy money. But, once he meets Juliette, and gets to know her, he doesn't know what to do about the predicament he finds himself in.
Braden and Juliette had great banter, and I loved their chemistry. They were instantly drawn to each other, and I enjoyed their connection. Typically, I'm not a big fan of a giant lie of omission between the main characters, especially about something so important. So, every time Braden didn't open his mouth and admit to Juliette that he was working for her father, it made me sadder. I understand why he didn't do it at first, but as soon as he started having any real feelings for her, he should have come clean immediately. Especially once he knew what her father's lies and manipulation had done to her life. I wanted to wring his neck about it. Juliette was naive, but she was also kind, and lovely, and really wanted a relationship with her sisters, and I enjoyed watching her come into her own. Overall they made a great couple.
I really enjoyed the easy relationship between the sisters. I love great friendships/sibling relationships in books, especially between strong female characters, and I thought this one was done very well. Phoebe and Halley had been missing Juliette their whole lives, and they never thought they'd see her again, so it was heartwarming watching them get to know each other, after seeing each of them find their own HEAs in the prior 2 books. They all really deserved their hard fought happiness.
I really enjoyed this book, and I'm very much looking forward to the 4th book, which will be about Andi, the sister of the hero from book 1. She's got a very interesting backstory, and I'm anticipating getting to know her better.
ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
Juliette Collins has been cossetted and over-protected by her single father for her entire life. He told her that her mother died when she was a baby, and she never questioned that fact. Until one day, she finds a private investigator's report in her father's office, showing her mother is alive, and she has 2 half-sisters she never knew existed. She's 26 years old, but she's never really left home. She let her father manipulate her using his heart condition to keep her by his side, doing his bidding. But, no more. She's going to visit the small beach town of Rosewood Bay, and meet her sisters and find out all that she's been missing in her life.
Braden Clark is a PI, and he enjoys his job. He inherited the business from his father, when his dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years earlier. He took on his best friend as a partner, and he's been trying to keep the business afloat, while still caring for his dad himself, for as long as he can. But, he knows the time is coming soon when it won't be safe for his father to be at home any longer, and he dreads putting him in a nursing home. Not to mention the financial implications. When a rich guy from NYC contacts Braden about keeping an eye on his daughter, who'll be in town for the summer, Braden thinks it'll be easy money. But, once he meets Juliette, and gets to know her, he doesn't know what to do about the predicament he finds himself in.
Braden and Juliette had great banter, and I loved their chemistry. They were instantly drawn to each other, and I enjoyed their connection. Typically, I'm not a big fan of a giant lie of omission between the main characters, especially about something so important. So, every time Braden didn't open his mouth and admit to Juliette that he was working for her father, it made me sadder. I understand why he didn't do it at first, but as soon as he started having any real feelings for her, he should have come clean immediately. Especially once he knew what her father's lies and manipulation had done to her life. I wanted to wring his neck about it. Juliette was naive, but she was also kind, and lovely, and really wanted a relationship with her sisters, and I enjoyed watching her come into her own. Overall they made a great couple.
I really enjoyed the easy relationship between the sisters. I love great friendships/sibling relationships in books, especially between strong female characters, and I thought this one was done very well. Phoebe and Halley had been missing Juliette their whole lives, and they never thought they'd see her again, so it was heartwarming watching them get to know each other, after seeing each of them find their own HEAs in the prior 2 books. They all really deserved their hard fought happiness.
I really enjoyed this book, and I'm very much looking forward to the 4th book, which will be about Andi, the sister of the hero from book 1. She's got a very interesting backstory, and I'm anticipating getting to know her better.
ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
July 10, 2018
In this third book of the series we meet Juliette, the third sister, who has spent all of her life shelter in her fathers home. When she learns that not only is her mother alive but that she has two half sisters she becomes upset with her father. Why would he lie to her and for so long, isn't she an adult? She confronts her father and decides that it is time that she steps out of the secure home she has always known and out into a world that she has never been. She sets off to Rosewood Bay to meet her sisters and to fly free of the restraints her father had always set for her. Her father, realizing that he couldn't stop her, decides to hire a P.I. to look out for her and report back to him on what she is doing. In steps Braden, who takes the job, but soon comes to see that there is more to Juliette and her situation. After having a chance meeting with Juliette Braden is hooked and just wants to get to know her better. As the days pass the two get to know each other better and Braden begins to feel guilty for continuing to take money from Juliette's father. Along the way Juliette is getting to know her sisters, she meets her mother, and starts to find herself. Meanwhile Braden is dealing with guilt issues, his fathers illness, and how to deal with his feelings. Will Braden tell Juliette the truth of how and why they met? Will Juliette be able to get past Braden's truth? This was such an endearing read, you can't help but root for the characters to fall in love and end up happy in the end. I truly love this series and the emotions that it evokes with each new book. I always laugh, cry, and smile throughout which tells me I'm reading a good book. I look forward to the next story set in this cozy town.
October 2, 2018
The mysterious third sister has finally arrived and we get to find out who she is and how she is going to work things out with her sisters. Of course as we know the sisters are longing to find their missing sibling, but Juliette only recently found out the secrets her father was having. Up until then she was living a very sheltered life and knew little of the world. After all the revelations she decided she had enough and moves in the same town her sisters live in order to slowly get to know them. There she meets a man who seems to be the one for her, but as you know is also hiding something from her. I couldn't fault him for that since he wanted the money to get his father in a good place in order to help him with his health issues. And he was a great guy. He supported Juliette when she needed him like for example when she met her sisters for the first time and he loved her which was enough for me. The book is not heavy on drama and it has a good pace. I was happy to see the main characters from the two previous books and I hope for another book in the series. I will not say that this is the best book in the series, but it's very good and I would recommend it.
July 10, 2018
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
Freed is the third installment of Carly Phillips Rosewood Bay series and it's another great addition to the series.
Juliette Collins has grown up as an only child with her father as her only parental figure. Even though Juliette is fully grown at twenty-six, she has stayed with her father to help him out after he had some heart issues. She manages his calendar and attends events with him when needed. When she needs a gift for her father's upcoming birthday, she goes to find his wine list in his safe, but stumbles upon a private investigators report that not only shows she has two half-sisters, but also that her mother has been alive her entire life after being told she died when Juliette was a baby. Knowing she's been lied to for years and needing to take control of her life, Juliette sets her sights on leaving New York and heading to Rosewood Bay in search of her sisters.
Braden Clark is in the protection business in Rosewood Bay. He and his partner have an active business and so when Braden is contacted about keeping tabs on a city girl who will be spending the summer in Rosewood Bay, he thinks it will be an easy assignment. What is it they say about easier said than done?! Braden quickly learns how sheltered Juliette has been, but he also learns what a wonderful person she is and he's drawn to her. As the two begin to spend more time together, he realizes he likes this girl for who she is and the fact that she is his "job" is going to likely cause big trouble in the end.
Braden and Juliette continue to get to know one another and lean on one another quite a bit. Both have things going on in their respective lives and the support they receive from one another is invaluable. I loved how patient both Braden and Juliette were. They are going through different things, but they both have reason to be patient and they both have it in spades. The question becomes will the things they are both dealing with independently going to threaten the blossoming relationship between the two?
As always, Carly Phillips tells a fantastic story and you get lost in the wonderful small towns she creates. She is always a one-click author for me and this book is no different. I definitely recommend picking this one up!
Freed is the third installment of Carly Phillips Rosewood Bay series and it's another great addition to the series.
Juliette Collins has grown up as an only child with her father as her only parental figure. Even though Juliette is fully grown at twenty-six, she has stayed with her father to help him out after he had some heart issues. She manages his calendar and attends events with him when needed. When she needs a gift for her father's upcoming birthday, she goes to find his wine list in his safe, but stumbles upon a private investigators report that not only shows she has two half-sisters, but also that her mother has been alive her entire life after being told she died when Juliette was a baby. Knowing she's been lied to for years and needing to take control of her life, Juliette sets her sights on leaving New York and heading to Rosewood Bay in search of her sisters.
Braden Clark is in the protection business in Rosewood Bay. He and his partner have an active business and so when Braden is contacted about keeping tabs on a city girl who will be spending the summer in Rosewood Bay, he thinks it will be an easy assignment. What is it they say about easier said than done?! Braden quickly learns how sheltered Juliette has been, but he also learns what a wonderful person she is and he's drawn to her. As the two begin to spend more time together, he realizes he likes this girl for who she is and the fact that she is his "job" is going to likely cause big trouble in the end.
Braden and Juliette continue to get to know one another and lean on one another quite a bit. Both have things going on in their respective lives and the support they receive from one another is invaluable. I loved how patient both Braden and Juliette were. They are going through different things, but they both have reason to be patient and they both have it in spades. The question becomes will the things they are both dealing with independently going to threaten the blossoming relationship between the two?
As always, Carly Phillips tells a fantastic story and you get lost in the wonderful small towns she creates. She is always a one-click author for me and this book is no different. I definitely recommend picking this one up!
July 9, 2018
It's not what you know that can prove the most dangerous, but the secrets you don't. Freed is one woman's journey to break away from all the negativity in her life and grab some happiness for herself. Along the way she discovers she never really knew herself at all. Carly Phillips inspires women with her gritty heroines and hard nosed heroes. Juliette is a princess locked in a gilded cage. Braden is no white knight, but he finds his true strength when he looks at the world through Juliette's innocent eyes. She makes him want to be a better man. He encourages her to be a braver woman. What happens when the fantasy of a happy ending hits a brick wall? An epic battle that will have you believing in the power of true love. Rosewood Bay is the place to go to find out what you were meant to be. It's not about the possessions one has, but strength of heart that guides the way. Love this series.
August 22, 2018
Just when I think the last book I’ve read by Carly Phillips will be my favorite, she writes another book that become my new favorite book. I swear I didn’t think I would fall in love with another of the Ward sisters the way I did with the first 2 books in the series, and I was so glad to see I was wrong. While Juliette is a Collins rather than a Ward like Phoebe and Halley, she is every bit a Ward from the moment she meets her sisters.
Juliette Collins really did have what seemed like the perfect life. Her father dotes on her and she has all the luxuries money can buy. My heart absolutely broke for Juliette when she discovered her father had not only known about her sisters and mother, but done everything in his power to keep them out of her life. I think I fell in love with Juliette when she not only confronted her father, and then decided to take back her life.
I loved Juliette decided to go to Rosewood Bay to meet her sisters. She is a bit unsure of herself in the beginning and finding her footing as she has never been on her own before. I loved that while she had no training to be a waitress, she jumped in and worked her hardest to work in the local coffee shop. I think Juliette's determination to live her new life to the fullest was one of the things I loved best about her.
I adored Braden Clark. He was such a yummy hero! He is a cop turned PI and moved back to his hometown to care for his aging father. How could you not fall head over heels for this guy?!?! Watching Braden care for his father Jonathan and try and keep him home as long as possible absolutely pulled at all of my heartstrings. My only issue was him keeping the secret that Juliette's dad had hired him to watch over her. I really felt like he should have been honest with her much sooner, but even with that error in judgment, I still loved him.
Juliette and Braden might have been a bit of a set up meeting thanks to him working for her father, but I felt their connection pretty much from the very beginning. I absolutely fell in love with them as a couple. Their chemistry was so freaking hot, and I loved that Braden totally let Juliette set the pace. Seriously sigh worthy romance between these two.
I really wish I could say I understood any of what Juliette's dad had been thinking by keeping her all to himself and even going to some pretty major extremes to try and get her to come back home. If there was ever a character who deserved the love of all her family members, it was Juliette and I loved she was strong enough to seek out her sisters and Aunt Joy and finally have a real family. I loved Halley, Phoebe, and Juliette had each other after totally having won the crap parents lottery with their mom and Juliette's dad.
Freed pulled me in from the very first page and I absolutely could not put this book down. I loved it so much I re-read it multiple times to experience this emotional and sexy romance all over again. I highly recommend both this book and the entire Rosewood Bay series to all contemporary romance fans.
Rating: 5 Stars (A)
Review copy provided by publisher
Juliette Collins really did have what seemed like the perfect life. Her father dotes on her and she has all the luxuries money can buy. My heart absolutely broke for Juliette when she discovered her father had not only known about her sisters and mother, but done everything in his power to keep them out of her life. I think I fell in love with Juliette when she not only confronted her father, and then decided to take back her life.
I loved Juliette decided to go to Rosewood Bay to meet her sisters. She is a bit unsure of herself in the beginning and finding her footing as she has never been on her own before. I loved that while she had no training to be a waitress, she jumped in and worked her hardest to work in the local coffee shop. I think Juliette's determination to live her new life to the fullest was one of the things I loved best about her.
I adored Braden Clark. He was such a yummy hero! He is a cop turned PI and moved back to his hometown to care for his aging father. How could you not fall head over heels for this guy?!?! Watching Braden care for his father Jonathan and try and keep him home as long as possible absolutely pulled at all of my heartstrings. My only issue was him keeping the secret that Juliette's dad had hired him to watch over her. I really felt like he should have been honest with her much sooner, but even with that error in judgment, I still loved him.
Juliette and Braden might have been a bit of a set up meeting thanks to him working for her father, but I felt their connection pretty much from the very beginning. I absolutely fell in love with them as a couple. Their chemistry was so freaking hot, and I loved that Braden totally let Juliette set the pace. Seriously sigh worthy romance between these two.
I really wish I could say I understood any of what Juliette's dad had been thinking by keeping her all to himself and even going to some pretty major extremes to try and get her to come back home. If there was ever a character who deserved the love of all her family members, it was Juliette and I loved she was strong enough to seek out her sisters and Aunt Joy and finally have a real family. I loved Halley, Phoebe, and Juliette had each other after totally having won the crap parents lottery with their mom and Juliette's dad.
Freed pulled me in from the very first page and I absolutely could not put this book down. I loved it so much I re-read it multiple times to experience this emotional and sexy romance all over again. I highly recommend both this book and the entire Rosewood Bay series to all contemporary romance fans.
Rating: 5 Stars (A)
Review copy provided by publisher
July 11, 2018
“They could be a good team, she thought, not in the least bit frightened off by the strong feelings she was developing for this special man.”
Juliette Collins, 26, lives with her father, a famous and successful banker, in a big city and has everything she needs at her fingertips. Until she finds out that not everything her father told her about her family is true.
Branden Clark, an only child, lives in Rosewood Bay, where he works as a private investigator and takes care of his father, who is in early stages of Alzheimer's. He just did not expect that, a brunette with beautiful blue eyes who he was hired to follow, could swing his heart.
Juliette's journey to Rosewood Bay is not just a journey in search of the true story of her family. It is a journey of freedom and self-discovery, where for the first time she will live on her own and discover her characteristics and abilities.
The plot is well developed and with some surprises throughout the narrative, which is short and fluid. The relationship of Juliette and her sisters is one of the book's strengths. Her summer plans with Branden are equally interesting.
Juliette's family gives her joy and disappointment in equal parts. Facts that make she thinks and rethinks her future and makes some difficult decisions. The end is that cliché, almost totally obvious and yet a delight to read.
Juliette Collins, 26, lives with her father, a famous and successful banker, in a big city and has everything she needs at her fingertips. Until she finds out that not everything her father told her about her family is true.
Branden Clark, an only child, lives in Rosewood Bay, where he works as a private investigator and takes care of his father, who is in early stages of Alzheimer's. He just did not expect that, a brunette with beautiful blue eyes who he was hired to follow, could swing his heart.
Juliette's journey to Rosewood Bay is not just a journey in search of the true story of her family. It is a journey of freedom and self-discovery, where for the first time she will live on her own and discover her characteristics and abilities.
The plot is well developed and with some surprises throughout the narrative, which is short and fluid. The relationship of Juliette and her sisters is one of the book's strengths. Her summer plans with Branden are equally interesting.
Juliette's family gives her joy and disappointment in equal parts. Facts that make she thinks and rethinks her future and makes some difficult decisions. The end is that cliché, almost totally obvious and yet a delight to read.
July 15, 2018
Juliette has been living in a bubble her whole life. She has been protected and has no real world experience; once she finds life altering news she is ready to spread her wings and fly. Braden was hired to watch out for Juliette and report back to her dad what is happen.
Juliette is finding out she can rely on herself and fall in love. Can love started on a lie survive?
This is a third in a series and can be read out of order with no issues.
Reviewed by: Alex L.
Juliette is finding out she can rely on herself and fall in love. Can love started on a lie survive?
This is a third in a series and can be read out of order with no issues.
Reviewed by: Alex L.
October 3, 2018
5 star review Freed (Rosewood Bay #3) by Carly Phillips
Book three in what has become one of my favourite series. I thoroughly enjoy Ms. Phillips writing style and Freed is no exception. Her characters are strong and easy to relate too and I particularly liked how she built the story up.
For years Juliette Collins has been isolated from the world, not knowing that she has sisters who have been searching for her. That is until she discovers a file on her father’s computer and she learns the shocking truth.Her father is dead set against her seeking out her sisters but Juliette has had enough, she wants, no needs, to know her siblings.
Braden Clark, a private investigator, has been employed to watch over Juliette by her over protective father. What he doesn’t count on is being attracted to his charge. The attraction growing between Juliette and Braden is strong and hard to ignore. Life is about to get complicated for these two.
What will happen when Juliette finds out the truth about who he really is? Will she be able to forgive his deception?
It was so nice to catch up on the previous two couples and see what is happening in their lives and it was heart warming to watch the love and relationship develop between Juliette and her sisters,Phoebe and Halley.
I truly felt for Braden and the struggle he has with a father suffering from Alzheimer's and the difficulties he has in trying to keep his business afloat and care for his father.
The chemistry between Juliette and Braden, their story romantic. I really liked both the main characters and found myself totally engrossed in their story.
Although a stand alone I do think you would enjoy reading book 1 Fearless as well. This series gets better and better and I cannot wait for the next book in the Rosewood Bay series.
Book three in what has become one of my favourite series. I thoroughly enjoy Ms. Phillips writing style and Freed is no exception. Her characters are strong and easy to relate too and I particularly liked how she built the story up.
For years Juliette Collins has been isolated from the world, not knowing that she has sisters who have been searching for her. That is until she discovers a file on her father’s computer and she learns the shocking truth.Her father is dead set against her seeking out her sisters but Juliette has had enough, she wants, no needs, to know her siblings.
Braden Clark, a private investigator, has been employed to watch over Juliette by her over protective father. What he doesn’t count on is being attracted to his charge. The attraction growing between Juliette and Braden is strong and hard to ignore. Life is about to get complicated for these two.
What will happen when Juliette finds out the truth about who he really is? Will she be able to forgive his deception?
It was so nice to catch up on the previous two couples and see what is happening in their lives and it was heart warming to watch the love and relationship develop between Juliette and her sisters,Phoebe and Halley.
I truly felt for Braden and the struggle he has with a father suffering from Alzheimer's and the difficulties he has in trying to keep his business afloat and care for his father.
The chemistry between Juliette and Braden, their story romantic. I really liked both the main characters and found myself totally engrossed in their story.
Although a stand alone I do think you would enjoy reading book 1 Fearless as well. This series gets better and better and I cannot wait for the next book in the Rosewood Bay series.
July 12, 2018
3.75 stars-
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 10, 2018
Fall for the missing Ward sister…
Juliette Collins is privileged and isolated from the world by her over-protective father. She thinks she knows the truth about her history until a file on her father’s computer reveals she has sisters she never knew about. A family she’s never met. Betrayed, she realizes there’s a life waiting for her outside the walls of her daddy’s New York City penthouse and Juliet is determined to live it. Against her father’s wishes, she heads to a small beach community to meet her siblings… and finds herself way out of her depth instead.
In the personal protection business, Braden Clark thinks nothing of taking on a job to watch over a city girl in town for the summer. If her father wants to know his daughter is safe, it’s no problem and an easy way of earning a paycheck. Except Braden doesn’t count on falling for the sheltered Juliette. Watching her experience her firsts, getting an apartment, finding a job, meeting up with her lost sisters, soon Braden’s brand of protection becomes a little too personal. He’s mixing business with pleasure and lying to a woman he’s coming to care deeply about.
Sexual attraction burns bright between them and Braden is by her side as she finds herself, her family, and what it means to love... but what happens when she discovers his secret? That he’s been paid to watch over her all along?
••••••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars-- FREED is the third instalment in Carly Phillips’ contemporary, adult ROSEWOOD BAY romance series focusing on the Ward sisters. This is missing Ward sister twenty-six year old Juliette Collins, and private investigator Braden Clark’s story line. FREED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Juliette and Braden) FREED follows Juliette Collins, the missing Ward sibling, as she searches for the sisters she knew nothing about. Raised by her over-protective father, following the death of her mother, Juliette has been sheltered her entire life until the day she reads her father’s file about her ‘not so dead’ mother, and the daughters (Juliette’s sisters) he abandoned years before. Heading to Rosewood Bay to meet Phoebe and Halley Ward, Juliette is unaware that her father, New York City investment banker Andrew Collins, has hired a private investigator to report back on the daughter of whom he is desperate to return home. Enter Braden Clark, former police officer and PI, and the man with whom Juliette will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Juliette and Braden, and the fall-out when Juliette learns the truth about her father’s ongoing betrayal, and the lie of omission by Braden Clark.
FREED is a story of betrayal, secrets and lies. From the proverbial frying pan into the fire, Juliette Collins discovers that the men in her life cannot be trusted. Naïve and isolated from the basic experiences of life Juliette Collins embarks on a bucket-list of activities beginning with the introduction to the sisters she never knew. Braden Clark struggles in the face of his father’s ever—increasing Alzheimer’s disease, a disease that is quickly destroying the man he once was. Falling for Juliette Collins was never in the plans but meeting the awkward, innocent and beautiful Juliette gave Braden a hope for a happily ever after.
The relationship between Juliette and Braden is off-limits due to the fact that Braden has been hired to spy on our heroine, reporting back to the father who has broken her heart. The attraction between Juliette and Braden is immediate but Braden’s pursuit of Juliette is an ongoing mix-up of signals for our story line heroine. The romance is fun, flirty and spicy. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
The wonderful secondary and supporting characters include Juliette’s sisters Phoebe (and Jake), Hally (and Kane) as well as the local florist Andrea ‘Andi’ Harmon; Juliette, Phoebe and Hally’s father Andrew; Braden’s struggling father Jonathan Clark, and their neighbor Lucy Mulligan. Andi and Kyle’s story line is next in DREAM, a departure from the Ward sister story lines.
FREED continues to focus on the daughter’s of New York City investment banker Andrew Collins, a man who abandoned his eldest children, and left them to suffer with a drug-addicted mother. Raised in the child-welfare system, Phoebe and Hally have battled the stigma of desertion, betrayal, and drug abuse to find their happily ever after without the aid of neglectful parents. FREED is an encouraging story of independence, with animated and playful characters. The struggle was limited to the lies and deception directed towards our story line heroine; the conflict resolution was a little too neat and clean for this reader.
Copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 10, 2018
Fall for the missing Ward sister…
Juliette Collins is privileged and isolated from the world by her over-protective father. She thinks she knows the truth about her history until a file on her father’s computer reveals she has sisters she never knew about. A family she’s never met. Betrayed, she realizes there’s a life waiting for her outside the walls of her daddy’s New York City penthouse and Juliet is determined to live it. Against her father’s wishes, she heads to a small beach community to meet her siblings… and finds herself way out of her depth instead.
In the personal protection business, Braden Clark thinks nothing of taking on a job to watch over a city girl in town for the summer. If her father wants to know his daughter is safe, it’s no problem and an easy way of earning a paycheck. Except Braden doesn’t count on falling for the sheltered Juliette. Watching her experience her firsts, getting an apartment, finding a job, meeting up with her lost sisters, soon Braden’s brand of protection becomes a little too personal. He’s mixing business with pleasure and lying to a woman he’s coming to care deeply about.
Sexual attraction burns bright between them and Braden is by her side as she finds herself, her family, and what it means to love... but what happens when she discovers his secret? That he’s been paid to watch over her all along?
••••••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars-- FREED is the third instalment in Carly Phillips’ contemporary, adult ROSEWOOD BAY romance series focusing on the Ward sisters. This is missing Ward sister twenty-six year old Juliette Collins, and private investigator Braden Clark’s story line. FREED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Juliette and Braden) FREED follows Juliette Collins, the missing Ward sibling, as she searches for the sisters she knew nothing about. Raised by her over-protective father, following the death of her mother, Juliette has been sheltered her entire life until the day she reads her father’s file about her ‘not so dead’ mother, and the daughters (Juliette’s sisters) he abandoned years before. Heading to Rosewood Bay to meet Phoebe and Halley Ward, Juliette is unaware that her father, New York City investment banker Andrew Collins, has hired a private investigator to report back on the daughter of whom he is desperate to return home. Enter Braden Clark, former police officer and PI, and the man with whom Juliette will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Juliette and Braden, and the fall-out when Juliette learns the truth about her father’s ongoing betrayal, and the lie of omission by Braden Clark.
FREED is a story of betrayal, secrets and lies. From the proverbial frying pan into the fire, Juliette Collins discovers that the men in her life cannot be trusted. Naïve and isolated from the basic experiences of life Juliette Collins embarks on a bucket-list of activities beginning with the introduction to the sisters she never knew. Braden Clark struggles in the face of his father’s ever—increasing Alzheimer’s disease, a disease that is quickly destroying the man he once was. Falling for Juliette Collins was never in the plans but meeting the awkward, innocent and beautiful Juliette gave Braden a hope for a happily ever after.
The relationship between Juliette and Braden is off-limits due to the fact that Braden has been hired to spy on our heroine, reporting back to the father who has broken her heart. The attraction between Juliette and Braden is immediate but Braden’s pursuit of Juliette is an ongoing mix-up of signals for our story line heroine. The romance is fun, flirty and spicy. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
The wonderful secondary and supporting characters include Juliette’s sisters Phoebe (and Jake), Hally (and Kane) as well as the local florist Andrea ‘Andi’ Harmon; Juliette, Phoebe and Hally’s father Andrew; Braden’s struggling father Jonathan Clark, and their neighbor Lucy Mulligan. Andi and Kyle’s story line is next in DREAM, a departure from the Ward sister story lines.
FREED continues to focus on the daughter’s of New York City investment banker Andrew Collins, a man who abandoned his eldest children, and left them to suffer with a drug-addicted mother. Raised in the child-welfare system, Phoebe and Hally have battled the stigma of desertion, betrayal, and drug abuse to find their happily ever after without the aid of neglectful parents. FREED is an encouraging story of independence, with animated and playful characters. The struggle was limited to the lies and deception directed towards our story line heroine; the conflict resolution was a little too neat and clean for this reader.
Copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
July 7, 2018
Phoebe's and Halley’s long lost sister, Juliette, stumbles upon information about the sisters she never knew she had when she enters her father's safe looking for his wine journal to buy him his favorite wine for his birthday. What she finds instead is that her father has lied to her for her entire life. Disgusted with her father's manipulation and eager to learn about her sisters, she leaves his luxurious Manhattan home and moves to Rosewood Bay. And as only a rich, controlling, helicopter parent would do, Juliette's father hires PI Braden Clark to keep tabs on Juliette while she lives in Rosewood Bay. Braden’s plan to befriend Juliette so he can stay close works well. Too well, when it goes far beyond professional and he starts to fall for her.
Phillips got it perfectly right with Juliette's character. She was sheltered and naïve but she was still a strong, determined, intelligent person who knew her own strengths and weaknesses. It takes a skilled author to create an affluent, cossetted heroine who is innocent and inexperienced without resorting to making her immature, self-centered and entitled, and I found myself enamored with Juliette and cheering for her from the very beginning. Juliette has a lot of challenges thrown at her beyond getting to know her sisters, having to deal with her estranged mother as well as crimes committed against her that originate from a shocking source. She handles it all with dignity, grace and fortitude – a far cry from the pampered, protected princess some might take her for.
Braden was the perfect complement for Juliette. Aside from his failing to disclose he was working for her father, that is. Although his natural tendency is to protect and fix, he’s really wonderful in supporting and encouraging Juliette while giving her room to grow and flourish. Of course their chemistry is off the charts and there are plenty of steamy scenes, but their friendship, emotional connection and the way they support and encourage each other is what makes the relationship extraordinary.
I really enjoyed Fearless and Breathe and was eager to dig into an early copy of Freed. Not only was the premise of Juliette's story fresh and unique, reconnecting with the other characters of Rosewood Bay felt like coming home. As only a talented wordsmith can do, Phillips creates a world any reader would love to live in with winning, endearing, realistic characters we would easily welcome into our circle of friends. Full of passion, emotion and feeling, Freed is a heartwarming, evocative read and not to be missed.
*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
Phillips got it perfectly right with Juliette's character. She was sheltered and naïve but she was still a strong, determined, intelligent person who knew her own strengths and weaknesses. It takes a skilled author to create an affluent, cossetted heroine who is innocent and inexperienced without resorting to making her immature, self-centered and entitled, and I found myself enamored with Juliette and cheering for her from the very beginning. Juliette has a lot of challenges thrown at her beyond getting to know her sisters, having to deal with her estranged mother as well as crimes committed against her that originate from a shocking source. She handles it all with dignity, grace and fortitude – a far cry from the pampered, protected princess some might take her for.
Braden was the perfect complement for Juliette. Aside from his failing to disclose he was working for her father, that is. Although his natural tendency is to protect and fix, he’s really wonderful in supporting and encouraging Juliette while giving her room to grow and flourish. Of course their chemistry is off the charts and there are plenty of steamy scenes, but their friendship, emotional connection and the way they support and encourage each other is what makes the relationship extraordinary.
I really enjoyed Fearless and Breathe and was eager to dig into an early copy of Freed. Not only was the premise of Juliette's story fresh and unique, reconnecting with the other characters of Rosewood Bay felt like coming home. As only a talented wordsmith can do, Phillips creates a world any reader would love to live in with winning, endearing, realistic characters we would easily welcome into our circle of friends. Full of passion, emotion and feeling, Freed is a heartwarming, evocative read and not to be missed.
*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
June 22, 2018
***4.5 Stars***
I must say that I really enjoy Freed. It was a quick, fun read that was surprisingly low on drama, considering all that I had expected to happen in it. I know I should never assume anything, but a long lost sister popping up and the guy you’re “seeing” is actually a “babysitter” hired by your over-protective father? You cannot tell me that you wouldn’t expect the angst to be coming out to play, but it didn’t really and I thoroughly enjoy it.
I loved Juliette. I really did. Despite being sheltered her entire life and never wanting for anything, she was far from being a rich, society brat. She was kind, compassionate and determined. Part of why I liked her so much was how she went about going to look for her sisters. She didn’t just go in guns blazing. It was more of a series of cautious leaps of faith that were practical while helping her break out of the cage she’d been in.
Braden was a really good man, and I don’t say this because there isn’t anything else to say about the man. He really was a good, solid human being. Family came first for him and though he had a lot weighing on his shoulders, he did his best to take it stride and not take it out on others. When he could get a minute to breath, he was funny, charming and smexy.
Juliette and Braden’s journey was a fun one, even with the whole ‘your dad hired me to watch you’ thing in the mix. It was sweet, smexy and there was a flow to their interactions from the start that I really liked. Things move relatively quickly, but it all just worked for me. The smexy was hot and they just got each other. When the truth comes out about Braden, I was pleasantly surprised with the path it took and am happy with how it all worked out in the end for them.
I got sucked in to this one from the start and simply enjoyed everything from Juliette & Braden’s romance to Juliette reuniting with her sisters and how all of the other things going on in this book worked out, especially the fact that Andi will be getting her own HEA. So, bring on Dream!
~ Copy provided via the author/RockStarLit PR & voluntarily reviewed
I must say that I really enjoy Freed. It was a quick, fun read that was surprisingly low on drama, considering all that I had expected to happen in it. I know I should never assume anything, but a long lost sister popping up and the guy you’re “seeing” is actually a “babysitter” hired by your over-protective father? You cannot tell me that you wouldn’t expect the angst to be coming out to play, but it didn’t really and I thoroughly enjoy it.
I loved Juliette. I really did. Despite being sheltered her entire life and never wanting for anything, she was far from being a rich, society brat. She was kind, compassionate and determined. Part of why I liked her so much was how she went about going to look for her sisters. She didn’t just go in guns blazing. It was more of a series of cautious leaps of faith that were practical while helping her break out of the cage she’d been in.
Braden was a really good man, and I don’t say this because there isn’t anything else to say about the man. He really was a good, solid human being. Family came first for him and though he had a lot weighing on his shoulders, he did his best to take it stride and not take it out on others. When he could get a minute to breath, he was funny, charming and smexy.
Juliette and Braden’s journey was a fun one, even with the whole ‘your dad hired me to watch you’ thing in the mix. It was sweet, smexy and there was a flow to their interactions from the start that I really liked. Things move relatively quickly, but it all just worked for me. The smexy was hot and they just got each other. When the truth comes out about Braden, I was pleasantly surprised with the path it took and am happy with how it all worked out in the end for them.
I got sucked in to this one from the start and simply enjoyed everything from Juliette & Braden’s romance to Juliette reuniting with her sisters and how all of the other things going on in this book worked out, especially the fact that Andi will be getting her own HEA. So, bring on Dream!
~ Copy provided via the author/RockStarLit PR & voluntarily reviewed
June 17, 2018
We finally get to meet the long lost sister Juliette Collins. She has led a very sheltered life, but a rich life. Her father manipulates, demands her time and keeps her in his own little bubble.
Juliette finds papers on her sisters that she never knew she had and she realizes her father has lied to her her whole life about her mother. She says it is the last straw and wants to live her life. So she makes her way to Rosewood Bay to find the family she never knew she had and maybe live a bit of a life along the way.
Braden Clark is hired by Juliette's father to keep an eye on his little girl. However Braden never thought that she was going to be a sweet, generous, loving person. Not your typical rich city girl at all. He doesn't know that she is more than just a pretty face and a job. She turns out to be so much more to him.
Juliette never thought she would be embraced by her sisters Phoebe and Halley so well and that they would have such an instant connection as sisters.
Of course mom makes her way back in thinking she has the chance to cash in, but little does she know that isn't the case at all. She is finally put into her place by the sisters.
Juliette and Braden have a strong, instant connection and it is hot!! I love these two and how they connected and seeing all the previous characters again too. It was almost love at first sight for these too, definitely lust for sure.
I can't wait to for Dream to come out and read all about Andi. Love this series! One of my favorites but a favorite author!
Juliette finds papers on her sisters that she never knew she had and she realizes her father has lied to her her whole life about her mother. She says it is the last straw and wants to live her life. So she makes her way to Rosewood Bay to find the family she never knew she had and maybe live a bit of a life along the way.
Braden Clark is hired by Juliette's father to keep an eye on his little girl. However Braden never thought that she was going to be a sweet, generous, loving person. Not your typical rich city girl at all. He doesn't know that she is more than just a pretty face and a job. She turns out to be so much more to him.
Juliette never thought she would be embraced by her sisters Phoebe and Halley so well and that they would have such an instant connection as sisters.
Of course mom makes her way back in thinking she has the chance to cash in, but little does she know that isn't the case at all. She is finally put into her place by the sisters.
Juliette and Braden have a strong, instant connection and it is hot!! I love these two and how they connected and seeing all the previous characters again too. It was almost love at first sight for these too, definitely lust for sure.
I can't wait to for Dream to come out and read all about Andi. Love this series! One of my favorites but a favorite author!
July 16, 2018
Posted on What I'm Reading
I was kind of excited for the chance to meet Juliette in Freed, and her sisters get a chance to meet her. It wasn't a bad read, but I felt that the story could have been longer. I have said that about all of them, but with Freed I felt that it was too short. However, I did like the story. We have Juliette who wants to get to know her other siblings that she didn't know about. Basically, we watch her break free from her father's control. This could have delved in a little deeper. Oh well. Of course she meets Braden who is working for her father, by keeping an eye on her.
You can see how this is going to play out here. However, there's a few things going on in Braden's life that makes him believe he's no good for her. However, she's willing to give Braden a chance, because he's the first real man that she's had a thing for.
Anyway, Freed is a fast read, but with a little slow beginning. Once we get to Rosewood the story starts to progress pretty fast and she starts to break free from her father's control. You would think she's some kind of rich, spoil girl, bur she has a good heart. It's a good read, but a little short. I can't wait for the next book.
Copy provided by author via RockStar PR
I was kind of excited for the chance to meet Juliette in Freed, and her sisters get a chance to meet her. It wasn't a bad read, but I felt that the story could have been longer. I have said that about all of them, but with Freed I felt that it was too short. However, I did like the story. We have Juliette who wants to get to know her other siblings that she didn't know about. Basically, we watch her break free from her father's control. This could have delved in a little deeper. Oh well. Of course she meets Braden who is working for her father, by keeping an eye on her.
You can see how this is going to play out here. However, there's a few things going on in Braden's life that makes him believe he's no good for her. However, she's willing to give Braden a chance, because he's the first real man that she's had a thing for.
Anyway, Freed is a fast read, but with a little slow beginning. Once we get to Rosewood the story starts to progress pretty fast and she starts to break free from her father's control. You would think she's some kind of rich, spoil girl, bur she has a good heart. It's a good read, but a little short. I can't wait for the next book.
Copy provided by author via RockStar PR
June 15, 2018
This is a beautiful story about a young woman who sets out to finding her family and ends up finding herself, love and the strength to free herself of everything that ever held her back from truly living her life. The story is so well written and the characters are wonderful.
Juliette grew up an only child and finds out at age 26 that she has 2 sisters she didn’t know about. She feels betrayed by her father and heads off to Rosewood Bay to find her sisters and ultimately her freedom.
She meets Braden there and feels an instant chemistry and connection to him and the feeling seems to be mutual. Unbeknownst to Juliette however, her father hired Braden to keep an eye on her while she is in town.
Juliette meets her sisters, Phoebe and Halley, and they are so thrilled to meet her and want her to be part of their lives. They all fall seamlessly into step with each other like a family. She grows to like it very much there.
As Braden and Juliette grow closer, he finds something in her he has never had before. He knows she is so much more than a job to him and he feels so guilty about this.
Will he tell her the truth? Will she be able to handle the truth? Will she leave all she has come to love because of more betrayal?
This is such a fantastic addition to this amazing series! I really look forward to Andi’s book next!
Juliette grew up an only child and finds out at age 26 that she has 2 sisters she didn’t know about. She feels betrayed by her father and heads off to Rosewood Bay to find her sisters and ultimately her freedom.
She meets Braden there and feels an instant chemistry and connection to him and the feeling seems to be mutual. Unbeknownst to Juliette however, her father hired Braden to keep an eye on her while she is in town.
Juliette meets her sisters, Phoebe and Halley, and they are so thrilled to meet her and want her to be part of their lives. They all fall seamlessly into step with each other like a family. She grows to like it very much there.
As Braden and Juliette grow closer, he finds something in her he has never had before. He knows she is so much more than a job to him and he feels so guilty about this.
Will he tell her the truth? Will she be able to handle the truth? Will she leave all she has come to love because of more betrayal?
This is such a fantastic addition to this amazing series! I really look forward to Andi’s book next!
July 12, 2018
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the third book in the series, and I would suggest that you really need to read the books in order. We know some of Juliette's early life from Phoebe and Halley's stories, and we know that they are very keen to find her too - that is, I think quite important, as it makes their attitude towards her arrival much easier to understand.
Obviously we know from the start the difficult position that Braden finds himself in, and it was easy to commiserate with him, as he struggled with how to explain everything. Carly Phillips is very good at ramping up the tension, and finding the perfect way to resolve it. Halley is the right sister to give the right advice, although I think that their aunt would have been a good person to speak to as well. I wish we had had more of her in this book, as she would have understood Juliette's upbringing well, and been supportive.
The other interesting character to consider is Juliette's father. His behaviour towards Juliette is initially overprotective, but seemingly caring, but by the end, we really do have to question his sanity. I found this rather ironic, and sad in the light of Braden's father's condition. Lots to think about there.
Clearly the chemistry between Braden and Juliette is off the charts, and it is really fun reading about them ticking off her wish list, in the most sensual of ways. I look forward to reading more about them in future installments - because thankfully, just because the sisters are reunited does not mean that there are not other people worthy of love in Rosewood Bay!
This is the third book in the series, and I would suggest that you really need to read the books in order. We know some of Juliette's early life from Phoebe and Halley's stories, and we know that they are very keen to find her too - that is, I think quite important, as it makes their attitude towards her arrival much easier to understand.
Obviously we know from the start the difficult position that Braden finds himself in, and it was easy to commiserate with him, as he struggled with how to explain everything. Carly Phillips is very good at ramping up the tension, and finding the perfect way to resolve it. Halley is the right sister to give the right advice, although I think that their aunt would have been a good person to speak to as well. I wish we had had more of her in this book, as she would have understood Juliette's upbringing well, and been supportive.
The other interesting character to consider is Juliette's father. His behaviour towards Juliette is initially overprotective, but seemingly caring, but by the end, we really do have to question his sanity. I found this rather ironic, and sad in the light of Braden's father's condition. Lots to think about there.
Clearly the chemistry between Braden and Juliette is off the charts, and it is really fun reading about them ticking off her wish list, in the most sensual of ways. I look forward to reading more about them in future installments - because thankfully, just because the sisters are reunited does not mean that there are not other people worthy of love in Rosewood Bay!
June 18, 2018
Finally, the baby sister Juliette’s book is here! I really enjoyed this one!
Juliette has been shielded from life by her father for 26 years now. It’s only the two of them, as her mother died when she was young, or so Juliette thought. Juliette finds a report from a private investigator showing that her mother, a drug addict, is alive and well AND that she has two sisters she never knew about! Now, Juliette is about to set out into the big, bad world and find her long lost family.
Braden is a private investigator dealing with a father who has Alzheimer’s on top of everything else. Throw in the fact the one person he’s supposed to be watching over is the one he’s falling in love with, life is about to get really messy!
I really enjoyed Freed! I love the banter and chemistry between Braden and Juliette and how they instantly connected. I love that Braden was dealing with something so very real, a parent with Alzheimer’s. I also enjoyed how all three sisters, Juliette, Halley and Phoebe got along and how their relationships grew as the story went on. I loved revisiting them and seeing where they are in life!
Juliette has been shielded from life by her father for 26 years now. It’s only the two of them, as her mother died when she was young, or so Juliette thought. Juliette finds a report from a private investigator showing that her mother, a drug addict, is alive and well AND that she has two sisters she never knew about! Now, Juliette is about to set out into the big, bad world and find her long lost family.
Braden is a private investigator dealing with a father who has Alzheimer’s on top of everything else. Throw in the fact the one person he’s supposed to be watching over is the one he’s falling in love with, life is about to get really messy!
I really enjoyed Freed! I love the banter and chemistry between Braden and Juliette and how they instantly connected. I love that Braden was dealing with something so very real, a parent with Alzheimer’s. I also enjoyed how all three sisters, Juliette, Halley and Phoebe got along and how their relationships grew as the story went on. I loved revisiting them and seeing where they are in life!
July 5, 2018
I loved Freed, book three in Carly Phillips’ Rosewood series. Juliette Collins is the missing sister, removed from her family by her father, after paying off her mother. Her wealthy, over-protective father kept her not only isolated from the world but hid the truth about Juliette’s mother and sisters. When she accidently finds a file revealing the truth Juliette feels betrayed and realizes she needs to experience the world outside her father’s penthouse. She is determined to move to the small beach community where her sisters live in order to meet them. Braden Clark has no problem watching over a city girl in town for the summer, except he doesn’t expect to fall for the beautiful Juliette. Mixing pleasure and work will has Braden to luing to the woman he cares deeply about.
Juliette and Braden share more than just a mutual attraction, they both care for their ill fathers. Juliette’s father, a rather controlling person, manipulated her to do his bidding, using his bad heart as an excuse. Juliette become stronger and learned to become independent as she was accepted by her sister and spent time with them, getting to know them. Braden’s father suffered from Alzheimer, worsening each day, needing constant supervision. I loved how supportive and understanding Juliette was concerning Braden’s father. Not to say that Braden wasn’t supportive of Juliette; he was at her side as she found herself, her family, and love. The elephant in the room was what would happen when Juliette discovers that Braden was paid to watch over her?
Ms. Phillips is a wonderful storyteller as demonstrated in this amazing story and the characters she created for it. I really enjoyed reading this book and had a lot of trouble putting it down. This is a great story with plenty of angst, tugging at the heartstrings, romance and some sexy time. I highly recommend this book to other readers and am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Juliette and Braden share more than just a mutual attraction, they both care for their ill fathers. Juliette’s father, a rather controlling person, manipulated her to do his bidding, using his bad heart as an excuse. Juliette become stronger and learned to become independent as she was accepted by her sister and spent time with them, getting to know them. Braden’s father suffered from Alzheimer, worsening each day, needing constant supervision. I loved how supportive and understanding Juliette was concerning Braden’s father. Not to say that Braden wasn’t supportive of Juliette; he was at her side as she found herself, her family, and love. The elephant in the room was what would happen when Juliette discovers that Braden was paid to watch over her?
Ms. Phillips is a wonderful storyteller as demonstrated in this amazing story and the characters she created for it. I really enjoyed reading this book and had a lot of trouble putting it down. This is a great story with plenty of angst, tugging at the heartstrings, romance and some sexy time. I highly recommend this book to other readers and am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
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