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Winston Brothers #5

Say No To Joe?

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You met Joe Winston in Lori Foster's Wild. Now, the Winston brothers' seductive, bad-boy cousin is back and up against a woman who's immune to his considerable charms...or so it seems...

Irresistible Force--Meet Immovable Object

Joe Winston has a routine with he exists; they swoon; roll credits. With his smoldering looks, macho style, and irrepressible charm, Joe can have any woman--except the one he really wants. Secretly, Luna Clark may lust after Joe, but she's made it clear that she's too smart to fall for him. He can just keep holding his breath, thank you very much. But now, Luna's inherited two kids who need more than she alone can give in a small town that seems hell-bent on driving them away. She needs someone to help out. . .someone who can't be intimidated...someone just like Joe. Becoming an instant family wasn't exactly what Joe had in mind, but hey, it's a start, and you can't blame a guy for trying every angle.

After all, where there's a Joe, there's a way...straight into a woman's heart.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2003

189 people are currently reading
1961 people want to read

About the author

Lori Foster

339 books11.7k followers
Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St. Martin’s, Harlequin, Silhouette, Samhain, and Berkley/Jove. She is currently published with HQN.

Lori hosts a very special annual “Reader & Author” event in West Chester, Ohio. Proceeds from the event have benefited many worthy causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, the Animal Adoption Foundation, The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina bifida and cerebral palsy, and The One Way Farm, Children’s Home.

Each year Lori donates all proceeds from one book to charity. You can see the benefit romance books here: http://lorifoster.com/benefit-books/

Career Highlights
•In 2001, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Series Romantic Fantasy.

•In 2002, Lori’s book Too Much Temptation was the top-selling romance title for Amazon books.

•In 2003, Say No To Joe was the second “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title for Waldenbooks.

•In 2004, Lori Foster was a clue in the New York Times crossword puzzle.

•In 2004, The Secret Life of Bryan was the “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title for the BGI group.

•In 2005, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Contemporary Romance.

•In 2006, Jude’s Law was the “Bestselling Romantic Comedy” romance title for the BGI group.

•In 2007, Lori launched a new “urban fantasy” series under the name L.L. Foster. See more on her “dark side” at www.llfoster.com.

•In 2007, Causing Havoc was among Amazon’s Top Ten Editor’s picks in Romance.

•In 2008, Hard to Handle made #2 on The New York Times.

•In 2009, Servant: The Acceptance was Amazon’s #1 Editors’ Pick in Romance.

•In 2010, Lori was a clue in the USA Today Quick Cross puzzle.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
Profile Image for Mindy Lou's Book Review.
2,997 reviews799 followers
February 17, 2019
This was one of the most entertaining books and I absolutely loved it! The beginning had me fooled. I'm not a huge fan of the ultimate player who thinks marriage is worse than jail. The beginning was focused on Joe's playboy ways a bit too much, but once Luna asked for Joe's help, I was pleasantly surprised to see how much Joe was gone for Luna. The story just got better and better from there.

Luna is being asked to take over guardianship of her 14 and 9 year old cousins that she didn't even know about. Since their single mom passed away, they've been passed from one relative to another. Luna has been informed there is some issues with the children and the townsfolk so she asks Joe to come with her temporarily to help get things settled. Joe is a former policeman, turned bounty hunter, turned bodyguard. If anyone can deal with any trouble to come along it's Joe.

I can't really say enough how much I loved this story. I love small town settings because you get a lot of side characters that play a small but noticeable part in the story. Add in kids who just need someone to love them and I was a goner. Joe, a former playboy, becoming a protector and all domesticated was just icing on the cake.

This author had me loving these people in the story so much that I had to go see if any of them have their own book. I'm so excited to see she does, especially Jamie Creed. I'm not sure if his book can hold up to the hype of his character in this book, but I'm not wasting time to go find out.
Profile Image for Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads).
775 reviews1,265 followers
July 24, 2017
This was the first book I read by Lori foster,one of the ladies at my library knew I loved romance books and she picked it out for me and the rest is history!!! I loved this book so much that I started ordering all her books!! Lori foster is my fave contemporary writer all her books are awesome.Her men are all alpha and hot as hell!!! She also writes damn good erotica too and I'm very picky with that genre it has to have a great storyline. Check her out if you haven't read any of her books,their all awesome!!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,512 reviews86 followers
July 20, 2017
ARC received for review

This is a reprint of a 2003 book, and as far as I can tell hasn't been updated. Joe buys the kids a VCR and tapes. Very sweet romance between Luna and Joe with some intrigue and action and a little angst. Very sweet kids who've had a rough time that you will just fall in love with. There's a bunch of other peeps who I think have had stories or will. Jamie Creed is spooky.
Profile Image for Erika ♥OwlwaysReading♥.
389 reviews154 followers
March 4, 2019
“The wisest people in the world are the ones who know they’ll make mistakes, especially when dealing with kids.”


For the Low Angst Love’s (LAL) book of the month (February) challenge I choose “Say No to Joe”, based on a recommendation from Mindy here on GR. And Mindy… you did not leave me astray. I absolutely fell in love with Joe, Luna, Willow, & Austin. I even enjoyed the side characters (Bryan, Scott, Jamie, and Julie Rose), and I’m hopeful for their HEA books as well.

What a FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC read! This is my first book from Lori Foster. Why have I not picked up one of her books before? I couldn’t tell ya... And it’s to my own detriment, because her writing style and story development it my kinda medicine.

Joe is 100% alpha male and 100% swoon worthy.

“Austin skipped beside him toward the body shop entrance. ‘Women worry, huh? That’s why we kiss ‘em goodbye.’ ‘Yep. They worry.’ Joe put a hand on his head. ‘Plus it’s just nice kissing them.’ ”

We start out with Joe playing opossum…



…in order to escape the unwanted attention from two women, while looking like the “cat had mauled, killed, and then dragged [him] in.” Having been snuck up on and blindsided by a two-by-four, our unlucky hero starts off in less than stellar conditions.



And in comes Luna...

“How little you know about women, my boy. They’re all terrifying, but Luna more so than the rest. I knew the day I met her that my bachelor days were numbered”

...playing "The Wife" in order to scare the unwanted visitors away.

"She stared with contrived contempt at both women, raised her chin in disdain, and uttered with complete absurdity and unrivaled fiction, 'I'm his wife. Get out.' "



So before you start getting the wrong impression about the 2 women trying to wake Joe up in the beginning, know that our hero is and has been 100% Luna’s since the day he saw her umm… tushy.



Just kidding. Just kidding. Luna intrigued him from the very start. But that’s not why she’s there.

Luna’s very distant cousin, having passed away two years ago, has left two kids. No one knows who their father is, and no one, not even their Aunt, wants to accept the responsibility as guardian. The children, being threatened with abandonment and foster care, only have their distant relative Luna to keep them from the system. Not only do they need a guardian, but they are struggling within the small community from which they live in. Since their mother’s passing, they have endured constant harassment from various neighbors. Because of the trouble the kids find themselves in, Luna has decided to hire Joe, with his resume as a policeman, bodyguard, bounty hunter, private detective, and etc.

Joe, hoping to spend some alone time with Luna, as well as help her and the kids with their troubles, happily accepts her offer free of charge. What Joe (and Luna) thought would be temporary, soon starts to grow on him. He finds that the domestic life suites him, and Luna and the kids well… He can’t imagine life without them. Watching the former badass playboy succumb to the natural chores/responsibilities that are involved when having a family is a real treat ;)

And the kids! Gosh the kids!!! I fell in love with Willow & Austin just as much as Joe and Luna. If I could, I would take Luna’s place and mother the toots outa them! They just needed stability, reliability, and of course… LOVE! The whole atypical family dynamic really made this book one heck of an entertaining read.

What a joy. WHAT A JOY! I hope you give this one a try, and see how Joe and Luna overcome the obstacles/challenges handed down to them. You wont be able to resist highlighting most of the book while trying to discretely laugh out loud in public places.



Overall Rating → 5 “Saying yes to Joe Winston-it has to be one of the smartest things I’ve ever done.” STARS*****
Price is Right? →
Love Triangle? →
Cheating? →
Angst Level: High, Medium, Low →
Heat/Language Level: Rated G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17 →
HEA →
Page Turner? → Yes
Would I recommend? → YES!
Would I re-read? → YES!
Would I read more from this author? → YES! This book was magic. I’m curious if Lori Foster’s other books are just as good.



“He said any man can father a child, but only a special man can be a dad.”





_____________________________________________________________
$1.99 now on Amazon 1/27/19 (normally $7.99)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...

Mindy recommends this one to those of us in L.A.L....
***Blindly pushes "1-Click" button***




This reminds me of one of my fav book ever Sustained (The Legal Briefs, #2) by Emma Chase . I'm really really really really really really excited :D
Profile Image for Floripiquita.
1,474 reviews168 followers
December 30, 2018
Pufffff. Menuda castaña pilonga. El prota masculino es de traca y ese horrendo tatuaje ya ni te cuento. Es un NO para mí y eso que la serie Mercenarios de la misma autora me gustó mucho (sobre todo los 2 primeros libros).
Profile Image for Carvanz.
2,379 reviews897 followers
January 26, 2019
What a wonderfully perfect read! I dug into this one at a time when everything around me was feeling very dark and heavy and this book absolutely gave to me exactly what I needed. From the moment this hero meets the heroine he knows he wants her, but doesn’t claim it’s love, and remains celibate until he finally has her 3 months later. He was possessive and jealous and above all protective of her and the children she has gained custody of.

This heroine was the perfect balance of independent, feisty, and vulnerable. I loved how she stood up to the hero without being obnoxious or over the top with it. She wasn’t trying to prove anything to anyone. Her absolute honesty with the children and the hero shined through and I found it so refreshing.

I absolutely loved everything about this book and I can’t wait to continue on with the series!

Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Profile Image for ❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️.
1,045 reviews322 followers
August 3, 2025
5 I Wouldn’t Say No To Joe! Stars

One of my favorites now is now available in audio!!
https://www.audible.com/pd/Say-No-to-...

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Joe Winston is a ex Cop and present day Bounty Hunter and Bodyguard. Joe, lover of all women is infatuated with free spirited Luna (The Moon Goddess) who works for his cousin Zane’s wife, we first meet Joe in Wild and while it’s not necessary to read Wild first, I highly recommend it!

Luna finds herself needing Joe’s help, she’s been named as guardian of her deceased cousins two children Willow and Austin. Unfortunately there is trouble in the kids hometown and it looks as though someone is intentionally causing trouble for these poor orphaned children. There are town secrets and it’s up to Joe to keep Luna and the children safe from a unknown threat. Joe wants Luna.....but is he ready for family life and commitments? And how long can Luna say no to Joe?

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Profile Image for Belle.
607 reviews564 followers
June 1, 2018
4.5/5

Loved this book. It was exactly what I needed, light and adorable with a dash of emotional romance. I loved the relationship that Joe and Luna created with the children and the added mystery made this book addictive.

I loved that Luna wasn't the usual dainty female. She was unique and tough and didn't take shit from anybody. I had a distinct dislike for Joe throughout the beginning of the book, he was sexist and frustrating but as the story progressed and the children were introduced his character began to improve and mellow.

The side characters were amazing, I loved the added dimension they created. There was an air of almost psychic powers with Jamie knowing when and why people were arriving and the kick ass Alyx was amazing, my only complaint was that we didn't see more of her (I'm hoping Lori will put out a novel based on her and the sheriff *sighs*)

Lori Foster knows how to write a good romance story, I haven't read a book of hers that I haven't fallen in love with.
Profile Image for UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish.
1,097 reviews1,760 followers
own-need-to-read
May 4, 2016
I see this is lending enabled for Kindle. Would anyone be willing to lend it to me?

Thanks for the lend, Michelle!! *hugs*
Profile Image for Becky.
331 reviews145 followers
April 16, 2018
Say No to Joe? By Lori Foster
Actual Rating: 3 stars

The good:
- The hero, Joe, was seemingly pretty loyal to Luna, the heroine, once they got together
- The kids were cute, if a little cardboard-ish
- I enjoyed the brief glimpses of Alyx, Joe’s sister

The bad:
- I was confused whether or not Joe had been celibate after meeting Luna. He claimed he didn’t want any other women, but he’d clearly gone out on at least one date with Amelia and there were two ladies in his house when Luna showed up (which STILL confuses me...).
- Casual sexism. Lots of comments about “real men” and some weirdly snide mentions of Luna being a feminist early on. WTF?
- Yet another manwhore hero. Yawn.
- OW bashing. For some reason, Joe repeatedly says the other women he dated were vain and shallow, and that was why he never wanted to settle down with them. Except he straight up acknowledges earlier in the book that he doesn’t want marriage or kids and other women have tried and failed to get him to settle down. I don’t see why Foster can’t just have him admit that he wasn’t ready at that point for marriage but is now. Why does it have to be the other women’s fault?

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Profile Image for Katie Utterly Unashamed.
826 reviews194 followers
March 26, 2021
You know what I love about this author? She doesn't need to put a ton of useless shit that doesn't make sense in her books to make them "better". She doesn't need to throw in tons of drama and angst. She can just write a book that keeps you pulled in by the natural progression and fun characters. She always has a hint of mystery in her books that makes you want to get to the end. And her books are timeless. You forget that you are reading a book that is 15+ years old.

This is no different.

I love me a playboy gone good-boy when he finds the girl he wants, even when he doesn't realize what he wants from her.

Luna is a free spirit who has a mad crush on Joe, but won't go there because he is said playboy. But when she finds out she has two unknown cousins who need a guardian she steps up and brings Joe along to help make sure the trouble surrounding the kids doesn't get worse.

This is one of those comfort reads that no matter your mood you can get pulled into and leave happy. There is no angst, no "in relationship" drama, but don't worry there is trouble coming from different directions.

Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with a Foster book when you need a good easy read.





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Profile Image for Cami.
1,662 reviews76 followers
January 6, 2020
Sorry, this just didn’t sit well with me through most of the book. I felt as if there were a lot of contradictions. Plus for probably the first 50% of the book I was really confused. I kind of felt as if I came in, in the middle of the book verses starting from the beginning. I did finally gather that this is a spinoff of another series by Lori Foster so maybe since I didn’t read that series it caused me to be a bit lost.

I’ve enjoyed some of Lori’s current books but I think maybe ones that were written so long ago aren’t my thing.
Profile Image for Anita.
2,646 reviews218 followers
July 26, 2017
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

"Say No to Joe" is a reissue of an early Lori Foster book from 2003 and stands the test of time quite well. It is a warm, funny, sexy romp that your will really enjoy, a romance with humor and a touch of mystery/suspense - I LOVE IT!! Joe Winston is a cousin to the Winston Brothers. We met him in "Wild". We also met Luna in that book too.

Luna's family is not close, to say the least. Her cousin died 2 years and left 14 year old Willow and 9 year old Austin orphans. Other relatives have tried, and failed, to be their guardians and there seems to be some trouble with the townspeople too. Luna is next in line to try and handle the kids and the situation. Fearing trouble with the townspeople, she tries to hire Joe to help with the situation. Joe has his own reasons to make himself scares for a period of time and agrees to go along as long as Luna understands he really, really wants her.

Luna and Joe have chemistry, but Luna does not want to give in to it. They were followed when they left Joe's and what that will mean for Luna and the kids is part of the mystery.
Profile Image for Didka.
191 reviews
November 24, 2017
Харесвам другата поредица на авторката, издадена на БГ, но тази... Много добър сюжет, зле написана - хаотична, недобре изградени образи. В голяма част от времето имах усещането, че съм я почнала от средата и съм пропуснала въвеждащите страници, където авторът ни запознава с героите и живота им. Определено зле написана за мен.
Profile Image for Erin Kern.
Author 11 books163 followers
December 4, 2013
I first fell in love with Joe Winston when he made his appearance in the Winston Bros. series. He came in as the mysterious, bad older cousin who was able to catch the eye of Luna, a woman who's a polar opposite of him.

Personally I could not have found a better woman to fit Joe's alpha male, dominating personality. She's a little spit-fire who doesn't take any of Joe's Me-Tarzaan-You-Jane tendencies. The two of them have a chemistry that's tangible and burns the pages up.

Ms. Foster uses Joe to make a smooth transition from the Winston series to the Visitation series where she introduces other characters who are sure to have their own interesting stories. Ms. Foster is also one of those authors who flawlessly creates flawed yet irresistible males and women who are perfectly matched for them. She's always on my top must buy list for the quirky and sexually steamy stories she tells. This is a great buy for anyone who loves a great, sensual romance.

Erin Kern
author of Looking for Trouble
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,710 reviews1,038 followers
June 5, 2019
DnF

Not for me. Can not connect with any aspect of this book. Dragging. There is one part where i feel like reading parenting self help. The characters development also minimal. We know joe is perfect alpha male. Tough, loyal, sweet and good parent. Like he has no flaw.

The attraction between Joe and Luna is not explored or develop more. And the stalker part is cheesy.

2 stars
Profile Image for Peni.
4,814 reviews1 follower
December 21, 2024
I love that Lori Foster is being one of my favorite series to audio. Visitation, NC becomes a special place and Joe & Luna certainly are a terrific start. They are both introduced in the Winston series. They The chemistry they share scares Luna it is so strong. As two rather unusual individuals their story is one for the book, literally.
Profile Image for Cherry London.
Author 1 book83 followers
January 12, 2018
An entertaining and interesting surprise, if I do say so, a funny yet thrilling story with a mix of all things exciting such as love, attempted murder, and other hidden mysteries, these gave the story an enticing endearing quality, with an explosive and fiery chemistry between Joe and Luna. Their natural caring and love for the kids made them a star in my book, the lustful romance brewing between these two is electrifying and rather spicy. The situations the kids find themselves in is all due to certain individual's misconception, extreme prejudiced, lies and betrayal along with their misguided views. The characters of this story are wonderful, the storyline is excellent, and Willow and Austin are really cool kids, not forgetting Luna and Joe they make one crazy couple, this has been an absolute fun and gem of a story.
2,328 reviews
September 29, 2017
3.5 stars

This wasn't a bad book, but this one definitely wasn't my favorite book from Lori Foster. I just wasn't as compelled with this story like I have been with other books I have read in the past. Usually with her books I am immediately consumed and immersed in the world and the couple. Luna and Joe's romance really didn't do it for me not that they were a bad couple but I kept on comparing them to my favorite couples of Lori Foster's like Rowdy and Avery & Armie and Merissa, who I absolutely love and adore to pieces. I didn't love and adore Luna and Joe and their romance. Just something about them was off putting in the beginning and it took me awhile to warm up to them. In fact, it really took me awhile to get into the book. I was nearly a third in once the children came into then I started it a little bit more. I really liked seeing them become a family. I thought that was adorable. I also liked that the usual staple of Lori Foster was in the books was the mystery and suspense aspect, and though I may have not been on the edge of my seat like other books, I did appreciate that it was in there, though I will admit there was going on there with it coming from multiple sides. I think that was a big reason that the beginning was kind of overwhelming because that was more of the focus than the romance and the characters.

I was kind of disappointed with the character of Joe. He just came off as really brash and arrogant playboy that just had lust on the brain. Granted Armie and Rowdy were very much the same and very wicked but in them it was really charming and endearing plus I knew they hearts gold and more going beneath the surface and I loved them while with Joe at least for me his wicked ways were a turn off especially in how he spoke to Luna. I know this was suppose be their sexual attraction and banter, but I wasn't charmed by it. It was almost too over the top and too much. I get he was a rough and tough guy and that was his focus but he wasn't a turn on for me. What I did like about him the most was when his softer side showed and he acted like father to those kids than I could see his potential, though he still didn't quite do it for me.

I wasn't fond of Luna either really. I lied she had that big tender heart for those kinds, but I didn't like her harshness either. I get she didn't want to get hurt was fighting her feelings for Joe but I still was taken aback by her attitude. I needed to see more of that softer side when it came to him. I felt like she didn't really open up to him like she should have. She opened up to Willow emotionally but never him. I wanted to see her vulnerable to him and just expose all the wrong emotions that she experienced when dealing with him. And I also think she fought a little too hard against him in the beginning so that kind of turned me off for too. She just didn't endear me to her. She was a good person for sure but just I couldn't connect to her nor him nor the romance.

The romance was disappointing. It just wasn't that got wrenching raw, emotional story that I am usually looking for in romance novels. There wasn't a lot of angst. There was none of this will they won't they kind thing. It felt like forgone conclusion not all their romance aren't but with this one a particular it didn't keep me guessing or on my toes. In fact I just wanted them to get it over with and do it already because it was coming. It almost took too long. For me, it wasn't about anticipation, which is something I enjoy the most, it was just getting there. It felt like a slog. Granted I did like that they didn't just hop into bed right away and it took time for them to get closer and intimate, but there was no real excitement to it. It was kind of ho hum. And I also felt there could have been more emotional intensity between them than just intense lust. That was the prominent focus in their relationship instead of having the balance between the physical and the emotional. It was missing that compelling piece that would have me rooting for them. It was missing something. Did I believe they cared about each other? Yes. Love? Not so sure about that.

When the love scenes finally came, it was relief because it took so long to get there. But they did have some passionate moments between them and it certainly met their physical needs. Emotional needs? Probably but I didn't totally feel that. I felt it was more physical than anything. It was just a dam bursting. I did like when she pleasured him and was the only moment I could feel the emotional piece of the relationship. Other than that it was very much lust.

Overall, it wasn't the worst story I have ever read but neither was it my favorite. I just took me forever to get into the story and the characters. I wasn't thrilled with the characters nor love story. I wasn't compelled by it and felt times it drug on unnecessarily. I enjoy the children when they came on the scene and that was really when the story started to pick up for me. I liked seeing them become a new family. That was best part. I think if that was more of the story or if started like that I would have gotten into the story more quickly. I get the beginning was all set up and stuff but it was just too long. I know it was meant bring out the anticipation and sexual tension between them but it didn't work me. And Joe didn't work for me in the beginning. He was just too much. I didn't fall in love with them. He wasn't a bad character just didn't do it for me. The suspense and mystery though I was glad it was there, it was a little much because so much was going on and that became the focus instead of the romance. It was just an okay story for me with a few highlights thrown in here and there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Serena Miles.
1,460 reviews68 followers
February 14, 2017
Esta saga es de cinco libros, y de momento este es el que mas me ha gustado con diferencia, es un libro que engancha y muy facilito de leer

Joe... es que desde el libro anterior estaba loca por leer este, me ha encantado

Luna, me hubiera gustado que en este libro hubiera sido tan tan escentrica como en el anterior, pero tambien me ha gustado mucho

Los niños son estupendos, Andie me recordaba a mi hijo

Alyx, pues a mi la hermana no me ha gustado mucho, el que me gustaba mogollon es el poli, Scott

Jaime, tambien creo que tendria que tener libro, pero despues de tantos años creo que no va a ser
8.5/10
Profile Image for Janet.
3,326 reviews24 followers
September 15, 2020
My favorite book by Ms. Foster so far. I loved the way she hooked me in. The characters are wonderful. The dynamic between Joe and Luna is sizzling. I can't wait to read the others in this series.
Profile Image for Maura.
3,883 reviews113 followers
October 23, 2017
Joe Winston is a former bounty hunter who likes the ladies. Although he hasn't been able to get a certain lady, Luna out of his mind. She's probably the only woman who's ever rejected him and despite the attraction he knows she feels, she keeps on rejecting him. He wants nothing more than to get her in to bed and get all this attraction out of their systems, but she's hell bent on denying him. But she does need him...for his brawn and intimidation factor. Luna is the new guardian of her cousin's kids and for some reason, the townspeople where they live are causing problems for the two kids. So Luna asks Joe along to protect them and to find out whose causing trouble for them. This may put Luna into close quarters with Joe, who she wants more than her next breath, but she's not going to hand over her heart on a silver platter to a man who swears against commitment. But how long can she resist him?

This did not start out promisingly. Mostly that was because Joe is a misogynistic ass-grabber. Luna first introduces this bit of conflict and called him an ass-grabber, but I thought, maybe they got a bit hot and heavy and once he grabbed her ass she came to her senses and got all angry with him. Our hero wouldn't actually assault a woman would he? Apparently he would. As its told from Joe's point of view, they were flirting and when Luna turned around he couldn't stop himself from reaching out and taking a grab of her ass...completely unsolicited. Only later did he realize that her flirting with him wasn't particular attention being paid to him, just her flirty nature. As if it matters. So yeah. The hero touches the heroine inappropriately without permission and then I'm supposed to feel sympathy for his plight that he can't seduce Luna into bed? Was 2003 really that long ago? Fortunately, Joe matured himself up quite a bit and I was able to continue the story assuming that Joe learned his lesson.

So that unpromising start aside, this turned into a decent book. I did really like the fact that Luna is able to make Joe wait. In fact, it isn't until Joe is so damn smitten with Luna that he's ready to commit and trying to think up ways to get her on board with his plans that he finally gets to sleep with her. So that felt like some vindication from his earlier attitude. It was actually quite a relief. There's not so much relationship angst here - most of the tension in the story comes from the mystery of who is out to get the kids, when the person following Joe is finally going to get him and whether the kids are going to be okay. It's not the most suspenseful story - I was able to predict who was out to get the kids pretty early on (and why) but didn't see Bryan coming... The kids were also well written, as they weren't irritating and their ages were spot on with their behavior.
Speaking of the kids, the author reveals her buy in of gender stereotypes when she has the teacher praise the boy child for being awesome at math and praises the older girl child for being awesome at English. RME. As a teacher myself, that just got to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lynsey.
391 reviews25 followers
September 4, 2010
Wow. I can not tell you how much I love this series of books.

Lori Foster writes such great men. They are really manly, confident, protective and honourable - what real men should be. And Joe is number 1 in my opinion. I also love the women, they are all sassy in their different ways and have bag loads of gumption. Luna is my favourite so far.

I haven't read any of this series in order, but that hasn't spoilt it at all. In fact I've enjoyed piecing all the people together, and I love hearing more about them in later books.

From reading other reviews I had really high hopes for this book and wasn't at all disappointed, it was everything I had hoped for and more. I really enjoy the mixture of a suspense filed story, combined with a great romance. Of course, you know they will end up together, but that is the point of this sort of book. You are guarenteed a satisfying ending.

Whenever I read a Lori Foster, I am always swept away on a dreamy romantic cloud and I find it so hard to put her books down - going to sleep or to work is a real struggle.







Profile Image for Robin Loves Reading.
2,881 reviews450 followers
March 9, 2024
Oh my. It may have been years, but who can forget Joe? Love him. Truly Alpha male.
Profile Image for Mina.
14 reviews
January 29, 2023
Sentí el corazón alegre durante todo el libro. Me gustaba ver a Joe y a Luna, su química, cómo intentaban hacer de cuenta que no existía ninguna posibilidad de estar juntos, pero que los dos no se podían resistir al otro.
Joe no fue machista, ni controlador y no hubo ni una sola vez durante el libro que me hiciese sentir rechazo. Luna fue una maravilla, un personaje femenino decidido, leal y fuerte, que hace quererla automáticamente.
Lo que más me gustó fue toda la trama central de ver a dos personas como Luna y como Joe, dándose el trabajo de educar y contener a dos niños necesitados de amor como Austin y Willow.
Austin siendo revoltoso e inesperadamente tierno, pegándose a Joe en cada oportunidad posible y Willow, sabiéndose madura y permitiéndose poco a poco recuperar la alegría de ser adolescente y de explorar su primer enamoramiento; todo con la contención de dos personas tan maravillosas y cariñosas, que, en todo momento de la trama supieron contenerlos, escucharlos, ser pacientes con ellos y mimarlos tanto como necesitaban.
El romance fue hermoso, sexy cuando tuvo que serlo y la tensión física y emocional de los protagonistas fue increíble de atestiguar.
Cada vez que leo este libro me voy más y más contenta, con el alma alegre y tibia, sabiendo que nuevamente me hizo feliz una vez más.
Recomendado 10/10.
Profile Image for Isha Coleman.
8,918 reviews172 followers
October 29, 2017
Say No To Joe? (Visitation, North Carolina) by Lori Foster  
Say No To Joe has plenty of laughs and an abundance of heart. What does it take to build a family? Lori Foster is good at giving questions to ponder in her entertaining reads. What starts out as a battle of wills, evolves into a maturity of the heart. Luna and Joe have much to learn about each other. He's egotistical, she's uptight but when the chips are down, it's better to have someone in your corner. Family, laughter and happily ever after.
Profile Image for Dawn.
1,075 reviews51 followers
July 12, 2017
This is a re-release under a different cover but it is my first time reading this particular Lori Foster title and just like all her others this is fantastic!

This book about Joe and Luna is heart wrenching and comical. The story is a beautiful one where friendship becomes more and family stands up for one another. It has a bit of action in it as well. The characters are too funny and the situations they can find themselves in are too.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews

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