It's New Year's Eve...and now or never for these two hearts
When a woman with no faith in love meets the quintessential nice guy determined to breach her mile-high walls, sparks fly as both fight a decidedly unwelcome but equally unavoidable attraction.
Steph Hargrove was a bombshell, a sexy, intrepid woman operating in the business world with guts, brains and daring. She was accustomed to going after whatever she wanted until a man she called friend betrayed her and the company she’d helped build—and nearly killed her in the process. Since that time, she’s been a shadow of the wild, wicked woman who’d carved a swath through her world.
Gavin O’Neill is an artisan with wood, a gardener, a restorer of battered homes and a savior of strays. When first he meets the wounded woman who postures as invincible and worldly, the sadness in her eyes draws him even more than her lush figure does. However she insists otherwise, he sees that she needs the kindness and friendship he can give to her while he’s waiting for the woman of his dreams, who will be small and soft and sweet, different in every way from the woman he keeps returning to see.
Yet while he’s not interested in the virago and she refuses to be nurtured, a potent attraction keeps them circling each other. And while they’re busy listing the reasons they’re unsuited, something powerful is growing between them.
New Year’s Eve is for lovers and new beginnings…will these two stubborn souls take the risk?
A letter to Rod Stewart resulting in a Cinderella birthday for her daughter sowed the seeds of New York Times and USAToday bestselling author Jean Brashear's writing career. A lifelong avid reader, at the age of forty-five with no experience and no training, she decided to see if she could write a book. It was a wild leap that turned her whole life upside down, but she would tell you that though she's never been more terrified, she's never felt more exhilarated or more alive. She's an ardent proponent of not putting off your dreams until that elusive 'someday'—take that leap now.
Over fifty published novels later, the five-time RITA finalist and RTBookReviews Career Achievement Award winner has accumulated a whole passel of war stories to swap and loves nothing better than talking writing and books with readers and fellow writers.
And she'd still take that leap, war wounds and all.
I am new to the works of Jean Brashear. This book is a part of a series, but can be read/listened to as a stand alone. I have not read any of the previous books, but I was able to get immediately into the story without any problems. Looks like I am going to be going back to catch up on the previous books. We get to learn about many of the couples from the previous books and this made me want to go back and learn their full story.
I enjoyed listening to this story. The narration was done nicely. Had a nice soothing voice and was easy to listen to.
The road to happiness has not been an easy one for Steph. She doesn't think love exists, especially not for her and she does not want that complication in her life. Her friends however, know what's best for Steph.... and damn them for being right!
Gavin is attracted to her Steph. He can't resist the challenge in making Steph his. He is determined to discover her softness that she hides. It doesn't matter to him that she's bound and determined keep her heart locked away. He will make her his, whether she likes it or not.
Sparks fly, tempers flare, snarkiness comes out and opposites attract. Steph fights her attraction to Gavin and does everything she can to resist to no avail. They have nothing in common. He's everything she never knew she wanted or needed. Gavin is patient, caring, yet determined to win Steph over.
Ms. Brashear writes characters with such depth and passion it’s difficult to pick favorites from her amazing books. And her dialogue ~ OMG, it’s all I can do to keep my stomach together, from laughing so much. All I can say is, she doesn’t just hit it out of the park with Be My Midnight Kiss. She hits it into the next county and beyond.
I fell in love with Steph Hargrove and Gavin O’Neill, created perfectly in the mind of such a creative soul. Two more opposite personalities could never imagine they would mesh so beautifully, but that they do.
Steph, with her high powered job as an executive for Jackson Gallagher’s Co. Enigma Games, can basically work anywhere, but she is torn between Sweetgrass Springs where many of her friends are and Austin where she feels less vulnerable. Running emotionally from a horrible situation, the last thing she is looking for is a relationship.
Gavin O’Neill, is blessed with brains and brawn and a heart so special you’ll never be the same after knowing him. Growing up in a large, loving family, he is looking for the same sweet dynamics to fulfill him.
Never in a million years, though, would they have expected to have an immediate and volatile reaction to each other when meeting at their friends Thanksgiving Dinner. Talk about sparks going off.
I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, then was too sad when I came to the end. So, I began reading it again. I highly recommend this amazing book. Kudos ~ Bravo!
Love takes time. Jean Brashear gets that. The beauty of a Brashear novel is that despite the complications of life, love finds a way. Be My Midnight Kiss brings a chance to hope, a time to heal and the prospect of happily ever after. For Steph the road to happiness has had many boulders, but Gavin won't let that stand in his way. On it's own, Be My Midnight Kiss is an inspiration, but add in narration by Eric G. Dove and he takes the story in a whole new direction. Either way Gavin and Steph are a treat.
I really enjoyed this story about finding love when you don’t believe in it, in a small town where everyone knows everyone’s business and gets right into the mix of it. Steph knows there are no lasting relationships all she has to do is look at her parents to know this is true. She is a very strong woman but at the same time weak. She isn’t about to let a man take over her life and tear her world apart. That is until Gavin walks in and turn her world upside down. He is so strong and knows just how to get to the lady. Oh he would love to find love and the woman of his dreams but it sure isn’t Steph. Gavin has been told she is a man eater, one nightstand only. He believes this for a while that is until he sees the real her and the pain she hides from everyone else. Gavin has one rule let the other men go, or he walks, she has one rule never giving up playing the field. When these two meet there are some very delightful baiting as they dance around each other demanding to have their way.
Mr. Dove’s narration he pulls you in with a very strong and powerful voice. There are no background noises or repeating of words just a wonderful delightful listen. If any breaks were taken I could not tell he just delivers a very clean, clear and power audio. His tones are outstanding you can feel the passion, excitement coming right out of your speakers. His male voices are a wonderful as his female. You always know who is talking and what they are feeling. His normal voice is just a delight to listen to as he gives you the facts pulling you in to a world that has gone crazy. You can tell he has put a lot of thought into each character the voices fit them so well. He gives just enough pause, to let what he just read sink in giving it a powerful impact on the listener. Mr. Dove knows how to pull you in taking you on a ride that will leave you holding your breath wanting to pull the characters out of the story to keep them safe. His Performance is one of the best narrators I have listened to. I know when I see his name it is going to be a wild exciting ride.
I thought the author gave a wonderful story that shows excitement, pain and just what bought that all about. There are a few stories inside of this story that really holds your attention making you want to go back and read their stories. I just loved the humor and how Gavin handled Steph. I would be just like her if he called me sweetheart in the tones he did. You will laugh and chuckled your way through, I found this to be a delightful listen that really pulled me in. I honestly didn’t want it to end I was having so much fun. I don’t know which one of them was more shocked at finding they fell in love with the opposite of what they thought they wanted. It was a wonderful listen that I couldn’t put down and plan to listen to it again. It is well worth your time. I do hope you will give this a listen.
Steph Hargrove is a driven executive with no family and no faith in love. Gavin O'Neill has spent his life surrounded by a large loving family and is looking for the perfect woman to start a family of his own. When the pair are thrown together by a well meaning friend, the two opposite personalities immediately spark. Even though Steph and Gavin know they're not right for each other, they can't resist their attraction.
This is book 12 of the The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs series, but Midnight Kiss can be read as a standalone. I haven't read any of the previous books but had no trouble telling how the families fit together. The steamy scenes weren't explicit and I'd consider it a clean read. It's a sweet read that spends time catching up with the past couples. The town of Sweetgrass is a character all its own!
I really liked and identified with Steph, and loved her close group of friends. Gavin took some time to warm up to, I can see how he would rub a girl like Steph the wrong way. If a guy patronized me, lectured me, told me he knew what was good for me, and called me by a different name because he didn't think my name suited me, I'd kick him to the curb too! Luckily the couple had great chemistry and Gavin finally came to his senses. It was a sweet read and I'd listen to more in the series!
I really enjoyed Eric Dove's narration. He performed voices for each character and accents when needed, and had a smooth voice that was a pleasure to listen to. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
BE MY MIDNIGHT KISS is the twenty-fifth book in the Texas Heroes series. This is actually the blending of four series set in Texas. It was the first book I have read in the series and I had no problem catching up on who was who as they related to this book. Of course, now I wish I had more from this series.
I loved how the other character’s stories were filled in. They were left open so that I felt an urge to read them, but not as if I was missing something vital to understand this one.
I enjoyed this story of opposites attracting and of friends who interfere but also move mountains. I loved the humor and the banter between Steph and Gavin. I loved Gavin’s morals and determination. I loved Steph’s strength and her vulnerability. I loved the challenge they proved to be for each other!
The story was well written, but it was also well-performed (audiobook).
Narration: This narrator knows what he’s doing! The voices are discernable. The timing is varied with proper pausing to allow the listener to absorb the story without sounding Shatner-like. I’d love to hear more works that he has read.
Note: I received this audiobook at no cost from Audiobookworm Promotion. While I was given this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: BE MY MIDNIGHT KISS Series: Texas Heroes #25 Series: The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs #12 Category /Genre: Contemporary Romance Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content Listenability: NSFW Received from: Jean Brashear (as an Audible gifted copy)
Be My Midnight Kiss by Jean Brashear is the latest addition to the Sweetgrass Springs, Texas, books. It is the story of Stephanie Hargrove and Gavin O'Neill. Stephanie, who was introduced in an earlier book, is still reeling from the past and Gavin, who is a friend of Stephanie's friends. Sparks fly, but Stephanie is not a fan of commitment, so she resists.
All of Jean Brashear's books are great to read. Her characters are, for the most part, wounded until they meet “the one” and the way the author brings them together is always fun for the reader. All of the books are standalone books, but the characters from Sweetgrass Springs always pop up in the new books.
If you enjoy a story with likable characters, good plots, a small town filled with gorgeous down home Texas cowboys (most of whom are not really cowboys), and loyal friendships, Sweetgrass Springs is the place to go.
I was given an ARC of Be My Midnight Kiss, I chose to leave this review. All impressions are my own.
This was an interesting change of pace. Meet Stephanie Hargrove, the girl who is wild and bounces from guy to guy. The guy, Gavin O’Neill, is a silent, strong type but not one for confrontation and only wants one woman. If he could just find that perfect woman, he would be content for life. She would be someone he could teach to cook, clean – you get the picture. A Stepford wife! Steph is never going to trust a man again and decides that they are only good for a few purposes, and she’s going to enjoy each one. Only once.
When the two of them are set up by a friend, they instantly figure out that they can never be more than acquaintances. But as life happens, even though he knew she wasn’t right for him, Gavin can’t get her off his mind. She can’t tolerate his calm and cool demeanor either.
Delightful story that proves that opposites can and do attract!
I was provided an ARC by the author for an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was promised or received for this review.
Gavin and Steph are a very unlikely match made by a friend, known for her group of "losers" she invites to her family celebrations. Neither Gavin nor Steph like each other and end the night with heated words. But Gavin pursues Steph, although she is adamant that she has no interest in a relationship with him. Gavin is a product of a loving family; Steph never knew love and doesn't believe in it. Even becoming friends is a battle.
I really liked this book , because it's not an easy romance. The sexual tension is high, but they don't jump into bed immediately. That's because they're too busy fighting for control of the relationship. Oh, how I wished so many times that I could get ahold of Steph and shake her! Of course, they do split up when they can't resolve issues.
I was most surprised by Gavin's "Aha Moment" near the end of the book. He evolved and Steph opened up.
Mr. Dove does an excellent job of narrating; he portrays both male and female voices equally well. He has a quite mellow voice.
I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I want to move to Sweetgrass Springs and bask in the love of this Texas town that warms my heart every time I visit. Gavin O'Neill has a gregarious nature and an abundant love of life that I found absolutely irresistible. He's a big man with a huge heart that's filled with compassion for town newcomer Steph Hargrove, a party girl who scoffs at marriage and prefers the anonymity of a one night stand. Gavin is attracted to her and he just can't resist the challenge of uncovering the softness Stephanie hides behind her antagonistic personality. She's bound and determined to spend her life alone while she keeps her heart locked away, but there's no way Stephanie can resist Gavin's Irish charm. I read a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed in my unsolicited and voluntary review are completely my own.
Be My Midnight Kiss is the 25th book in the Texas Heroes series by Jean Brashear and this book like all the others makes you want to find your own Sweetgrass Springs! !
Stephanie Hargrove is a partner with Jackson Gallagher in his company Enigma Games but has suffered a traumatic event and now trying to find her way back to the dynamic woman she was being a loner but not alone.
Gavin O’Neill is someone who has had love in his life with family and friends. He has always been a person who sees into people and tries to restore those who are wounded. When he meets Stephanie she is just such a person and wants to help her find her way back to life...but can these two totally opposites with off the charts attraction for each other find a way to their HEA or will Stephanie refuse his help and continue to just be alone??
I didn't like Steph, and then I did. The characters are so well written, that I completely got Steph's fear and Gavin's frustration. Neither of those things kept me from rooting for their HEA. Jean Brashear made her characters come alive. Stephanie's vulnerability stood out like a beacon, and you couldn't help but feel her pain. Gavin was strong, patient, and caring, but still able to stand up to Steph's sarcasm.
I enjoyed the secondary storyline with Michael and Laken, and getting to revisit the people of Sweetgrass.
On top of all of this, the book was funny. I spent so much time either laughing or smiling. This was definitely a feel good book. The wedding scene with Georgia and Maisie was too cute.
I have no problems recommending this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy.
An enjoyable romance! I got married on New Years Eve and am now a total sucker for anything with that theme, so I was instantly drawn to this even though I hadn't read the previous installments. I liked Steph and Gavin. They have chemistry right from the beginning, but Steph has been through a lot and is very resistant to a real romance. The plot was fun and kept me turning the pages quickly.
I also really enjoyed the subplot of Laken and Michael. I haven't read earlier installments of this series so I'm sure they probably have a book of their own, but it was fun meeting them and watching their relationship develop.
A very enjoyable read!
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Steph is strong, confident corporate executive. She does not do relationships...only flings. She does not believe in love and marriage after witnessing her parents’ disastrous union. However, all of her friends are married or about to be and the match making begins. She’s introduced to Gavin, a down-to-earth carpenter from TN. While the attraction is there, Steph will never allow herself to settle into a relationship for fear of hurting the other person. She and Gavin begin a cat m mouse game. Will Steph give in and give Gavin a chance, or will she push him away? This is a quick, sweet read. I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
Talk about two people so unsuited for each other that is a wonder they even managed to talk to each other. I didn't like Steph for quite a while, so self-centered bordering on mean, not sure how Gavin put up with it. I guess the heart doesn't care. Loved Gavin though, warm and protective, definite book boyfriend material. He broke down her defences and warms up her heart, giving her the courage to believe in love and HEA. - 4 stars I love Mr. Dove's voice, warm, versatile, he modulates it to fit the characters, the moods, the emotions. The more I listen to his work the more I want. - 5 stars
This was my first Jean Brashear's book. This is the book 12 in The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs, and book 25 in the Texas Heros Series. This is a standalone story. This opposites attract, and friends to lovers, is beautifully written, sweet and fun. Stephanie and Gavin are great characters. Gavin is handsome, protective, loving, and caring. Stephanie is beautiful, strong, but vulnerable. I love their slow burn story, and their happy ending. Eric G. Dove did a good job with the narration. I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobookworm Promotions. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
There was a lot going on here for this to be a short read/listen. I found that there were many, many couples to become attached to. There were many things going on. I did enjoy getting to know Steph and Gavin. Her reluctance to have a meaningful relationship. His need to help the lost, broken, strays.
There were fabulous couples, wedding, family gatherings, and connection, but this was not long enough to make that wanted connection to feel more. I also felt there was not enough of Steph and Gavin. It almost felt like they were the side story to something bigger.
You have two stories in one in Be My Midnight Kiss, Steph and Gavin and Laken and Michael. Both men are similar and both women are similar. Michael and Gavin are both very patient and yet very different. Michael accepts Laken as she is and doesn't need her to change which he is not looking for Laken to do. Gavin has the perfect picture that he wants and expects Steph to change to meet that picture. When you boil everything away Laken and Steph are scared. It was fun to see how the men and women of this story learn to comprise and learn acceptance. In my opinion this is a fun read.
Sweetgrass Springs creates magic for men and women. It seems that they are drawn there for one reason or another and end up falling in love and making a home there. Stephanie is a sophisticated Austin marketing executive, now working for Jackson's company and spending time in Sweetgrass. She likes to be in charge of her sex life since there really isn't a love life. When the other women try to talk her into giving a relationship a try, she scoffs. When she meets the man they want to match her up with, she is astonished. He's eye candy but completely opposite what she thinks she wants. Unfortunately for her assumptions, Gavin is really a great guy. There is going to be a kiss at midnight.
Steph was a loner by choice. Her best friend Laken was terrified of being in love. Two peas in a pod. Laken finally found the courage to admit her love. Steph was another matter. Gavin saw her and on a basic level he knew. He knew he would need patience to break through the shell she had around her heart. He was making progress but old habits reared their ugly head and she bolted. New Year's Eve is the promise of new beginnings. All it takes is a kiss at midnight. Loved it!
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
This was fantastic. I loved this book. It is a great addition to this wonderful series. I haven't been a fan of audiobooks but lately I thoroughly enjoy them. I can do so much more while listening to them. I just love reconnecting with characters from prior books. It is like saying hello to an old friend.
You can never go wrong when you pick up a book by Ms Brashear. This story gives us Steph Hargrove and Gavin O’Neill. These two are opposites but have a definite attraction. A bumpy road to be had. Will they be able to overcome their differences or will they be able to reach their HEA? A story that will keep you on your toes. I was gifted this copy. The opinions expressed are solely your own.
A really exciting, fun and sweet book. It is better to have read the ones before this one. I haven't so this review is off on this one book. It was enjoyable to read. It caught my attention from the first page and I couldn't put it down. No spoilers. This is one you really should read. I was given a review copy and voluntarily review it.
I have to say that of the hundreds of books I've read, yours have a tighter grip on me. So much so I don't like to reach the ending. You really had me worried about Stephanie and Gavin but you untied the Gordian Knot, and put them together. Thank you and now I will get another of your books, knowing already that it will be equally good or better!
Our hero is kind, gentle (until pushed too far), strong, and handsome. Our heroine is gorgeous, smart, and doesn't believe in love. And then the side story of Laken and Michael's steps to their wedding. Highly recommend.
This was just awesome. I loved how Gavin got her right from the start. He managed to get all her emotions and fears out to her attention to show her she was capable of love. As always the narration was terrific.
The last 2 books in this series was such a disappointment. Boring There are more stories to tell in that little Town. I loved Tank's, Jeanette's & quite a few more. That was what I wanted, some one to cheer for. Not what I got.
It was another wonderful Sweetgrass Springs Story. I loved this one with many of the characters involved in the story. It was a good read and i loved the story.
An interesting read. Gavin and Steph are an interesting couple who fight their attraction to each other. Once they realize they are attracted to each other, things change for the better.