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Billionaire's Beach #3
Dirty Sexy Knitting
Conclusion to the trilogy that started with How to Knit a Wild Bikini and Unravel Me. Malibu & Ewe’s owner, Cassandra Riley, is about to turn thirty and wants to celebrate with her knitting club and her newfound half-sisters, Nikki and Juliet, in a big birthday extravaganza. But with Juliet on her honeymoon and Nikki with her fiancé, it seems everyone’s paired up-except for Cassandra. Until a series of near-death accidents causes Cassandra to run straight into the arms of the one man she's avoided most.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
September 24, 2021
Okay. So....
I was really pumped to read this book, honestly! The title was awesome, the synopsis sounded great and it all seemed like it would just fall into place... But I could not get into the story at all. The writing style didn't work with me and I just didn't... care. It was really sad, because this seemed like it would be the perfect book for me. As we all know, sometimes you just don't vibe with a book and that is what happened.
Overall, not a book for me! I just couldn't get into it. I did work my way through it... but I just don't have much love for it. Nothing was wrong with it... I just didn't work with the writing style. Plus, opening up on a drunk jerk who is the romantic interest just doesn't fit well with me.
I was really pumped to read this book, honestly! The title was awesome, the synopsis sounded great and it all seemed like it would just fall into place... But I could not get into the story at all. The writing style didn't work with me and I just didn't... care. It was really sad, because this seemed like it would be the perfect book for me. As we all know, sometimes you just don't vibe with a book and that is what happened.
Overall, not a book for me! I just couldn't get into it. I did work my way through it... but I just don't have much love for it. Nothing was wrong with it... I just didn't work with the writing style. Plus, opening up on a drunk jerk who is the romantic interest just doesn't fit well with me.
August 6, 2009
The third book in the series and I grudgingly say it was good.
Here's the thing - I hate it when an author takes cheap shots and easy outs. And this book had cheap shots and easy outs. Still - I have to say it was the best of the three books. There was action. There was danger. There was lots of syrupy bonding. There was sex. If Danielle Steel wrote a book with a vague knitting theme and uttered the word "Cock" rather than some weak euphamism and had under-developed characters then this really could have been one of hers. Although upon writing that I guess that makes no sense. I am just saying it was a little in that vein.
And if you like your books wrapped up in tight and VERY pregnant bow - than this is a book you will love. Honestly I finished it and was kinda barfing in my mouth a little. COME ON. REALLY?!?!
Here's the thing - I hate it when an author takes cheap shots and easy outs. And this book had cheap shots and easy outs. Still - I have to say it was the best of the three books. There was action. There was danger. There was lots of syrupy bonding. There was sex. If Danielle Steel wrote a book with a vague knitting theme and uttered the word "Cock" rather than some weak euphamism and had under-developed characters then this really could have been one of hers. Although upon writing that I guess that makes no sense. I am just saying it was a little in that vein.
And if you like your books wrapped up in tight and VERY pregnant bow - than this is a book you will love. Honestly I finished it and was kinda barfing in my mouth a little. COME ON. REALLY?!?!
June 5, 2009
I was deeply sleep deprived when I read this book, so that may be coloring my review.
I feel like Ridgway was going for more depth than she normally hits - Gabe is a troubled, troubled man that she's been setting up for two novels, and Marlys, the secondary plot carried over from Unravel Me, is no piece of cake herself - and just doesn't make her target.
I know this is romance - and Ridgway does some of the better stuff of the genre out there - but for multiple books, these characters have been nothing but heartache and hell on wheels. And, miraculously, some really great sex fixes both of their deep-seated issues? Just slightly off pitch.
But as for the series, I'd recommend it. The Epilogue tied out all three books so nicely that I read it twice and smiled the whole time.
I feel like Ridgway was going for more depth than she normally hits - Gabe is a troubled, troubled man that she's been setting up for two novels, and Marlys, the secondary plot carried over from Unravel Me, is no piece of cake herself - and just doesn't make her target.
I know this is romance - and Ridgway does some of the better stuff of the genre out there - but for multiple books, these characters have been nothing but heartache and hell on wheels. And, miraculously, some really great sex fixes both of their deep-seated issues? Just slightly off pitch.
But as for the series, I'd recommend it. The Epilogue tied out all three books so nicely that I read it twice and smiled the whole time.
August 23, 2021
DNF @ 178 pages. I picked this up at the library judging it by the cover and thinking it would be a light and fun romance. I didn't realize it was part of a series. I was so lost on characters and back stories and very little was explained. The romance was not wowing me and it was putting me in a slump, thus the DNF.
June 1, 2010
DIRTY SEXY KNITTING is a romance book that actually had more emotional depth than I was expecting to get. The “hero” of the book is Gabe. He’s the landlord/neighbor of the “heroine” Cassandra. Cassandra owns Malibu & Ewe, which is THE place to be if you’re into knitting. She’s also the one to call when some bartender needs to get Gabe out of their bar after another one of his benders. Cassandra has been taking care of Gabe for far too long and she’s frankly tired of picking up the broken pieces of a man she has really come to care about.
Cassandra’s thirtieth birthday is coming up and she’s decided to dramatically cut down the time she spends worrying about Gabe and taking care of him. Granted Gabe has had some pretty traumatic things happen to him with the loss of his wife and little girl to a drunk driver. But Cassandra wants to move on and stop pining for a man that is basically hopeless. Both of her half-sisters have found their happily-ever-after and Cassandra yearns for her own.
After Gabe’s latest bender he wakes up in Cassandra’s bed, naked, and without any memory of the night before. Now that Cassandra wants some space between them Gabe can’t help but wonder if he somehow took advantage of the closest friend he has. Gabe knows Cassandra deserves a great man in her life, someone way better than him, and yet he can’t find the strength to leave Cassandra alone.
Even though I had absolutely no previous knowledge of these characters or their stories I still found myself completely drawn into their lives. The range of issues in the story were realistic and emotionally compelling. I was drawn to both Gabe’s wounded but passionate personality and Cassandra’s nurturing strength. I was rooting for their romance to work and I loved their interactions together. There was also a secondary romance in the novel that was just as intriguing as Gabe and Cassandra’s. Marlys and Dean are from one of the previous novels in the series but there was a good enough description of their relationship and their previous actions to put all the pieces together.
Overall I absolutely loved the book! I did think the end of the story wrapped up too quickly and the epilogue was a big ole’ sugary bow placed on a present. The emotional depth I found in the entire novel just disappeared in the ending and epilogue. But it doesn’t matter – I still had a huge smile on my face when I closed the book. The only thing I’m worried about is going back to read the other two books and not enjoying them as much as I would have had I read the trilogy in the correct order. But I’m still going for it!!
Cassandra’s thirtieth birthday is coming up and she’s decided to dramatically cut down the time she spends worrying about Gabe and taking care of him. Granted Gabe has had some pretty traumatic things happen to him with the loss of his wife and little girl to a drunk driver. But Cassandra wants to move on and stop pining for a man that is basically hopeless. Both of her half-sisters have found their happily-ever-after and Cassandra yearns for her own.
After Gabe’s latest bender he wakes up in Cassandra’s bed, naked, and without any memory of the night before. Now that Cassandra wants some space between them Gabe can’t help but wonder if he somehow took advantage of the closest friend he has. Gabe knows Cassandra deserves a great man in her life, someone way better than him, and yet he can’t find the strength to leave Cassandra alone.
Even though I had absolutely no previous knowledge of these characters or their stories I still found myself completely drawn into their lives. The range of issues in the story were realistic and emotionally compelling. I was drawn to both Gabe’s wounded but passionate personality and Cassandra’s nurturing strength. I was rooting for their romance to work and I loved their interactions together. There was also a secondary romance in the novel that was just as intriguing as Gabe and Cassandra’s. Marlys and Dean are from one of the previous novels in the series but there was a good enough description of their relationship and their previous actions to put all the pieces together.
Overall I absolutely loved the book! I did think the end of the story wrapped up too quickly and the epilogue was a big ole’ sugary bow placed on a present. The emotional depth I found in the entire novel just disappeared in the ending and epilogue. But it doesn’t matter – I still had a huge smile on my face when I closed the book. The only thing I’m worried about is going back to read the other two books and not enjoying them as much as I would have had I read the trilogy in the correct order. But I’m still going for it!!
January 4, 2013
This book is something between a 3 and a 4 for me. In the end there were just too many, "WTF? No... really... WTF?!" moments for it to be a 4. The plot is pretty simple: Cassandra and Gabriel have spent the last two books arguing their way into a seduction. They finish the job in this book, and Gabriel, who is grieving for his dead daughter and wife, learns to love again. Here's the thing: Gabriel has been well-established as a hard-drinking A-hole (habits which he keeps up for a large portion of the book) and then all of the sudden, he falls in love and doesn't "need" to drink anymore?
Again I say: W. T. F.?
Did Ms. Ridgway not do any research at all on the psychology of alcoholics? Because it is an addiction after a while. I'm sorry, but you can't just cure it by love and sex. If you could, there would be a lot fewer alcoholics in the world and their spouses would be a lot more exhausted.
In addition to not buying the miraculous love cure, I was not a fan of the way the donor father story wrapped up.
I'm okay with jerk heroes who learn their lesson by the end of the book, but Gabriel's redemption just seemed too sudden, like the author thought, "Oh, crap, I have a deadline. How do I wrap this up?
Meanwhile, I liked Cassandra as a character, and have through the last two books. That really didn't change with this one. I wish she had stuck to her guns a little better and avoided Gabriel and his downward spiral a little better, but at the same time, it wouldn't have made sense for the character. I thought she was a little too good for the self-destructive, brooding Gabriel, but so did he so that was kind of okay.
All in all, not a bad book. I still liked Nikki's story the best of the three and thought Julia and Cassandra's stories let me down a little after that, but this wasn't bad by any stretch of the imagination. I was also glad to get a wrap-up to Julia's step-daughter's story (forget her name - Marys?) but a little like Gabriel, thought she got off a little too light. Also... amnesia? Really? I mean... REALLY?
Again I say: W. T. F.?
Did Ms. Ridgway not do any research at all on the psychology of alcoholics? Because it is an addiction after a while. I'm sorry, but you can't just cure it by love and sex. If you could, there would be a lot fewer alcoholics in the world and their spouses would be a lot more exhausted.
In addition to not buying the miraculous love cure, I was not a fan of the way the donor father story wrapped up.
I'm okay with jerk heroes who learn their lesson by the end of the book, but Gabriel's redemption just seemed too sudden, like the author thought, "Oh, crap, I have a deadline. How do I wrap this up?
Meanwhile, I liked Cassandra as a character, and have through the last two books. That really didn't change with this one. I wish she had stuck to her guns a little better and avoided Gabriel and his downward spiral a little better, but at the same time, it wouldn't have made sense for the character. I thought she was a little too good for the self-destructive, brooding Gabriel, but so did he so that was kind of okay.
All in all, not a bad book. I still liked Nikki's story the best of the three and thought Julia and Cassandra's stories let me down a little after that, but this wasn't bad by any stretch of the imagination. I was also glad to get a wrap-up to Julia's step-daughter's story (forget her name - Marys?) but a little like Gabriel, thought she got off a little too light. Also... amnesia? Really? I mean... REALLY?
August 27, 2010
Final in the trilogy, and wrapped up well. The author always had the main romantic plot in each book, entwined with a secondary romantic plot. The secondary plot either complimented the primary one, or gave added dimension until appearing to tell its own full story in the next book. Besides the romantic elements, there was the strong theme of "family," what it is, what it's like to not have one, or to have one that isn't what you wanted... and how you create family for yourself. The yarn shop, despite the suggestion that it would be another "cozy-theme" series, wasn't all that prominent. It could have just as easily been a coffee shop, craft store, book shop, or art gallery. It was just an element/place where characters could interact. At times, Gabe's self-destruction was a bit overwhelming... but my main problem was that the "mystery bad-person" who turned up at the end seemed to be a bit too pat. The threat was vague, and I would have appreciated a bit more emphasis on wondering who was behind it and some hint that I could look back on later and say, 'OH, yeah, I can see why that person did that... and I probably should've seen it coming." Also... romances that equate happily-ever-after with herds of children are going to cost them at least one star. (Sorry, child-bearing romantics!)
June 10, 2018
It is with sadness I must give this book 1 star. The writing was good and the romance side of me got all mushy and enjoyed it. But the reasonable side of my brain knows that a woman CANNOT save a man from alcoholism and depression. To suggest that the love of a good woman could take away the desire to drink from a man who goes on several day long benders and suffers from suicidal thoughts is SO dangerous! Not only does it put too much of a burden on women, it diminishes addiction and mental health. In a world where violence against women is so often perpetrated in the name of some man’s warped sense of blame for his own unhappiness, this cannot go unchallenged.
October 7, 2010
I like romance novels and really don't object to sex in them, but too many sex scenes get boring after awhile and make it seem like there's not enough plot to carry them. This book falls into that category for me. Of course, the title warns you about that. I did like the characters but as a yarn shop owner, I think if I acted like Cassandra during shop hours I wouldn't have many customers!
September 7, 2019
3.5 stars. Picked this up on a whim after spotting it at the library. As an avid knitter, I don’t often see mention of knitting in books unless it’s some offhand comment or insult so I was intrigued when I saw this cover that seemed to really embrace the knitting angle. I know there have been knitting themed books before but I’ve never read any. I was pleasantly surprised by this one.
Protagonist Cassandra owns a yarn shop in Malibu. Several scenes take place in the shop and it’s clear that the author knows a thing or two about knitting but it never veers into the realm of pandering. The knitting is just an element of the story guy it’s not the focus. Even if you knew nothing about knitting, You can still enjoy this book.
The romance between Cassandra and Gabe was red hot. They had great chemistry and the author takes her time building the tension between the two. I liked how their personalities contrast - the warm, giving, organic tea loving fiber enthusiast and the gruff, moody and sometimes self-destructive landlord. There were a few cheesy parts but, overall, it was a really fun read. I totally read the series out of order and I want to go back and check out the first two books on the series. If you like romance with humor and a bit of mystery, definitely give this series a try.
Protagonist Cassandra owns a yarn shop in Malibu. Several scenes take place in the shop and it’s clear that the author knows a thing or two about knitting but it never veers into the realm of pandering. The knitting is just an element of the story guy it’s not the focus. Even if you knew nothing about knitting, You can still enjoy this book.
The romance between Cassandra and Gabe was red hot. They had great chemistry and the author takes her time building the tension between the two. I liked how their personalities contrast - the warm, giving, organic tea loving fiber enthusiast and the gruff, moody and sometimes self-destructive landlord. There were a few cheesy parts but, overall, it was a really fun read. I totally read the series out of order and I want to go back and check out the first two books on the series. If you like romance with humor and a bit of mystery, definitely give this series a try.
May 16, 2021
These titles can be deceiving because this was a very good book with deep emotions about a young lady approaching her thirtieth birthday and all she really wants is a family. Cassandra Riley owned a knitting shop in Malibu and her mother was a traveler and she did not even have a father since her mom went the artificial route and did not need a man. She had located two half sisters but they had paired off with loves of their own but where did that leave Cassandra? Gabe Kincade was her landlord and her friend but it seems that she was always pulling in back from the brink of death since had had lost his wife and daughter suddenly. It was her job, apparently, to pick him up from bars when he drank too much but it only when he let loose that his true feelings for her came out. He knew he was not what she needed, she needed a family.
December 3, 2021
(3.5) Now having completed the trilogy, I realize it was mainly this last book (and the epilogue in particular) that I really remember. This is the best in the series by far, and also my favorite. I like the grumpy-with-a-good-heart trope, and Gabe is definitely that. As other reviewers noted, the handling of his alcoholism isn't very accurate, especially the idea that the love of a good woman can fix him. For whatever reason, that didn't bother me as much, and the sweetness of the epilogue made up for a lot.
This has happened before, but a handful of romcoms I read when younger haven't lived up to their memories. I feel like aspects of this book (and the series as a whole) would be very different if written today, and likely for the better. Overall, though, it's a sweet read, and I loved the setting.
This has happened before, but a handful of romcoms I read when younger haven't lived up to their memories. I feel like aspects of this book (and the series as a whole) would be very different if written today, and likely for the better. Overall, though, it's a sweet read, and I loved the setting.
October 6, 2020
Had trouble getting past the premise that there could be romance between someone seemingly addicted to alcohol and destroying themselves and someone trying to save them.
August 18, 2022
Went in with zero expectations and was pleasantly surprised.
This is not my usual genre of book at all, but late one night when my husband was unable to fall asleep, I borrowed this ebook from the library to read to him for a bit of a laugh. “Sexy Knitting” sounded like the silliest and most bizarre premise for a romance/chick lit book. But after he fell asleep I kept reading, and it was actually kinda cute and fun??
This is not my usual genre of book at all, but late one night when my husband was unable to fall asleep, I borrowed this ebook from the library to read to him for a bit of a laugh. “Sexy Knitting” sounded like the silliest and most bizarre premise for a romance/chick lit book. But after he fell asleep I kept reading, and it was actually kinda cute and fun??
December 2, 2018
Registered at Bookcrossing: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1...
Another fabulous book from Christie Ridgway. I love her characters, they jump off the page and into my imagination.
Another fabulous book from Christie Ridgway. I love her characters, they jump off the page and into my imagination.
March 8, 2019
More like 3.75. I wasn't a fan of the side love story between Marlys and Dean.
June 7, 2019
Kindle
July 20, 2021
Great read! I do love knitting novels!
September 9, 2024
Blah. Dirty? Yes. Sexy? No. Knitting? No.
June 8, 2013
The final book of the series. Christie Ridgeway did an amazing job wrapping up the events that started in book one.
Summary:
Cassandra Riley, owner of Malibu & Ewe yarn shop, has longed for a family almost her entire life. She has finally started achieving her dream. She has found and connected with her two half siblings, Nikki and Juliet. What she didn't anticipate was feeling left out yet again after both her sisters find love and become couples. Although, she is incredibly happy for them, Cassie cant help feeling a little jealous. She wants that kind of love, but the only man she is remotely interested in is on a self destructive streak and eager to succeed. Gabe Kincaid lost his wife and five year old little girl three years ago, and the guilt and shame he feels has led him to trying to forget by drowning in alcohol. Cassandra usually picks him back up after a couple days bender. Of course he has noticed and lusted after Cassandra, who wouldn't, but he cant go there. She is the only person who gives a shit about him, and he's no good for her. Cassandra is determined to save Gabe, at least she was until right before her thirtieth birthday. She realizes that he will never be the man she wants him to be and she cant compete with the ghosts he carries with him daily. She endeavors to put "distance" between them. Gabe cant figure out why Cassandra isn't acting like her normal self, but can only figure he seduced her into bed and now wants nothing to do with him. He cant let that happen. He has to do right by her, so be sets out to really seduce her. To make up for what he thinks he did wrong. Of course, eventually he realizes that nothing happened, but its too late now. There is something there between them. Its impossible and inconceivable to think they can ignore that they want each other. Also, Gabe feels the need to protect Cassandra, same as Cassandra feels the intense urge to save Gabe from himself. Meanwhile, the sisters are trying to decide on contacting their biological father. Should they or is it better to leave him to his family? Against her sister's wishes, Cassandra decides to contact him. She needs to see what it would be like to have a father (her mother was a single mother impregnated by artificial insemination). Although nervous, Cassandra meets him, but things don't go as planned. Soon Cassandra feels herself withdrawing from everyone. Maybe Nikki and Juliet aren't her sisters. She doesn't look as much like them. Meeting with her sperm donor has caused her to have doubts and it couldn't be at a worse time. Gabe is having an inner battle and all he can think about is his daughter, dead so young. He blames himself and his unhappy marriage. He cant let Cassandra fall for him or she could miss out on the family and children she deserves. Thinking he's protecting her, Gabe decides to leave, indefinitely, but unfortunately right before the big birthday bash Cassandra planned. She is devastated not only by the abandonment of Gabe, but by the tension and doubts brought up by the sperm donor between her sisters and her. She is alone again. Her biggest fear. But she isn't alone. A dangerous enemy is lurking nearby intent on harming the three sisters, and starting with Cassandra. Running for her life, can Cassandra get away or will Gabe be there to protect her and save her? Will he finally realize he isn't lost when he has Cassandra by his side. That he's whole again? Will Cassandra live to make amends and fight another day with the family she so desperately wanted?
Great ending!! I was so on edge the last coup,e chapters or so. Gabe and Cassandra were both looking for something they found in each other. It was sweet watching them banter their way to finding it. The sisters' bond was inspiring, too. They connected to well and really leaned on each other for support. We also got to see a happy ending for Marlys, Juliet's step-daughter. Although I hated her in boom two, I realized more in boom three that she was just hurting, grieving. It may have been a cruel way to make herself feel better, but she obviously wasn't raised any better. Loved everything about it, especially the epilogue! <3
Summary:
Cassandra Riley, owner of Malibu & Ewe yarn shop, has longed for a family almost her entire life. She has finally started achieving her dream. She has found and connected with her two half siblings, Nikki and Juliet. What she didn't anticipate was feeling left out yet again after both her sisters find love and become couples. Although, she is incredibly happy for them, Cassie cant help feeling a little jealous. She wants that kind of love, but the only man she is remotely interested in is on a self destructive streak and eager to succeed. Gabe Kincaid lost his wife and five year old little girl three years ago, and the guilt and shame he feels has led him to trying to forget by drowning in alcohol. Cassandra usually picks him back up after a couple days bender. Of course he has noticed and lusted after Cassandra, who wouldn't, but he cant go there. She is the only person who gives a shit about him, and he's no good for her. Cassandra is determined to save Gabe, at least she was until right before her thirtieth birthday. She realizes that he will never be the man she wants him to be and she cant compete with the ghosts he carries with him daily. She endeavors to put "distance" between them. Gabe cant figure out why Cassandra isn't acting like her normal self, but can only figure he seduced her into bed and now wants nothing to do with him. He cant let that happen. He has to do right by her, so be sets out to really seduce her. To make up for what he thinks he did wrong. Of course, eventually he realizes that nothing happened, but its too late now. There is something there between them. Its impossible and inconceivable to think they can ignore that they want each other. Also, Gabe feels the need to protect Cassandra, same as Cassandra feels the intense urge to save Gabe from himself. Meanwhile, the sisters are trying to decide on contacting their biological father. Should they or is it better to leave him to his family? Against her sister's wishes, Cassandra decides to contact him. She needs to see what it would be like to have a father (her mother was a single mother impregnated by artificial insemination). Although nervous, Cassandra meets him, but things don't go as planned. Soon Cassandra feels herself withdrawing from everyone. Maybe Nikki and Juliet aren't her sisters. She doesn't look as much like them. Meeting with her sperm donor has caused her to have doubts and it couldn't be at a worse time. Gabe is having an inner battle and all he can think about is his daughter, dead so young. He blames himself and his unhappy marriage. He cant let Cassandra fall for him or she could miss out on the family and children she deserves. Thinking he's protecting her, Gabe decides to leave, indefinitely, but unfortunately right before the big birthday bash Cassandra planned. She is devastated not only by the abandonment of Gabe, but by the tension and doubts brought up by the sperm donor between her sisters and her. She is alone again. Her biggest fear. But she isn't alone. A dangerous enemy is lurking nearby intent on harming the three sisters, and starting with Cassandra. Running for her life, can Cassandra get away or will Gabe be there to protect her and save her? Will he finally realize he isn't lost when he has Cassandra by his side. That he's whole again? Will Cassandra live to make amends and fight another day with the family she so desperately wanted?
Great ending!! I was so on edge the last coup,e chapters or so. Gabe and Cassandra were both looking for something they found in each other. It was sweet watching them banter their way to finding it. The sisters' bond was inspiring, too. They connected to well and really leaned on each other for support. We also got to see a happy ending for Marlys, Juliet's step-daughter. Although I hated her in boom two, I realized more in boom three that she was just hurting, grieving. It may have been a cruel way to make herself feel better, but she obviously wasn't raised any better. Loved everything about it, especially the epilogue! <3
November 9, 2015
This one will pull at your heart strings
Take Me Home is Cassandra and Gabe’s story. We’ve had hints of their ‘relationship’ all throughout the series and now their story reaches it’s (their) climax. Get ready for a ride!!
Cassandra Riley is the owner of Malibu & Ewe a little yarn shop on Malibu Beach for all the locals to congregate, commiserate and knit when the need arises. She’s grown up without a real family and has made it her mission to find her ‘donor-siblings’ once she discovered her sperm-donor- father’s name. She now has two sisters to call her own and she is loved by all, just not the man she really wants.
Gabe Kincaid epitomizes the eternal lost soul. He is the heart of this story and is matched so perfectly with Cassandra that it captured my attention until the last page. Gabe lost his wife and 5 year old daughter in a horrific car accident and has been haunted by their memories ever since. As a parent, I cannot even begin to imagine what it means to lose a child. For Gabe, this means losing himself in alcohol when the demons start intruding into his life. He loses time and his memory of the events that happened in his alcoholic blur. Unfortunately/fortunately, Cassandra is there to witness the aftermath and pick up the pieces of Gabe that lie on the ground. His grief is tragic and Cassandra can’t help but be there time and again for this man that lost so much yet doesn’t realize he has so much to receive if he’ll but open his eyes.
I don’t feel like Gabe’s tale is trivialized, his alcohol-binges are not prettied up or dramatized, but described point blank as an example of his pain. Cassandra, like-wise, is sweet and generous but not a fool. She may love Gabe but realizes that a life for them can never happen unless he lets go of his past. Likewise, she now has a family, and they are not willing to stand by and watch her travel to hole-in-the-wall places by herself to pick Gabe up off the floor.
Relationships are work, whether they’re between two lovers or between family members. Cassandra is learning that in spades in this story. In spite of all this, Take me Home is full of light-hearted moments, too. Her yarn shop is constant fodder for funny interactions between her sisters and herself (the granola girl of the group) as well as between some of her customers. Marlys, step-daughter of Juliet (from Book 2: Take Me Forever) gets a HEA to her story as well and it a good one!
Plus, I have to say the epilogue to TMH is one of the sweetest I’ve ever read!! Honestly.
Of all three in the series this one is by far my favorite. It can be read as a standalone, but for Cassandra and Gabe’s story alone, it’s worth going back to Book 1 to check it out. You’ll get snippets here and there of their relationship and the snarky comments they share.
I did receive an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Take Me Home is Cassandra and Gabe’s story. We’ve had hints of their ‘relationship’ all throughout the series and now their story reaches it’s (their) climax. Get ready for a ride!!
Cassandra Riley is the owner of Malibu & Ewe a little yarn shop on Malibu Beach for all the locals to congregate, commiserate and knit when the need arises. She’s grown up without a real family and has made it her mission to find her ‘donor-siblings’ once she discovered her sperm-donor- father’s name. She now has two sisters to call her own and she is loved by all, just not the man she really wants.
Gabe Kincaid epitomizes the eternal lost soul. He is the heart of this story and is matched so perfectly with Cassandra that it captured my attention until the last page. Gabe lost his wife and 5 year old daughter in a horrific car accident and has been haunted by their memories ever since. As a parent, I cannot even begin to imagine what it means to lose a child. For Gabe, this means losing himself in alcohol when the demons start intruding into his life. He loses time and his memory of the events that happened in his alcoholic blur. Unfortunately/fortunately, Cassandra is there to witness the aftermath and pick up the pieces of Gabe that lie on the ground. His grief is tragic and Cassandra can’t help but be there time and again for this man that lost so much yet doesn’t realize he has so much to receive if he’ll but open his eyes.
I don’t feel like Gabe’s tale is trivialized, his alcohol-binges are not prettied up or dramatized, but described point blank as an example of his pain. Cassandra, like-wise, is sweet and generous but not a fool. She may love Gabe but realizes that a life for them can never happen unless he lets go of his past. Likewise, she now has a family, and they are not willing to stand by and watch her travel to hole-in-the-wall places by herself to pick Gabe up off the floor.
Relationships are work, whether they’re between two lovers or between family members. Cassandra is learning that in spades in this story. In spite of all this, Take me Home is full of light-hearted moments, too. Her yarn shop is constant fodder for funny interactions between her sisters and herself (the granola girl of the group) as well as between some of her customers. Marlys, step-daughter of Juliet (from Book 2: Take Me Forever) gets a HEA to her story as well and it a good one!
Plus, I have to say the epilogue to TMH is one of the sweetest I’ve ever read!! Honestly.
Of all three in the series this one is by far my favorite. It can be read as a standalone, but for Cassandra and Gabe’s story alone, it’s worth going back to Book 1 to check it out. You’ll get snippets here and there of their relationship and the snarky comments they share.
I did receive an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2015
Of the three volumes in the Billionaire’s Beach series, this one is the most complex story.
Cassandra, our heroine, rents her home and her shop from a taciturn man who drinks a lot because he has extreme survivor’s guilt over the death of his wife and daughter several years ago. He had cameos in the first two volumes. Cassandra, as the owner of the yarn shop where many of the characters hang out, is well known to the reader who reads the stories in order. I can’t tell you if it will read well as a standalone because I did read them in order.
By the way, Julie’s step-daughter is quite the bitch at the beginning of the book but changes. Nice to see development in a minor character although I suspect she may have her own book.
At first I thought Cassandra was enabling Gabe but then I realised that she had appropriate boundaries. I had fun laughing at Gabe as he worries whether or not he had sex with her while he was in blackout and whether or not she was pregnant. He didn’t and she wasn’t but I like it that he cared. Although he was too embarrassed to come out and ask her.
Characters from the previous volumes hang out in the shop and in their lives. The brat gets a romantic interest, as does Oomfaa, and I suspect more volumes in the series. However the introduction of these elements serves a purpose in this story and is not merely a set-up. I really hate it when an author sacrifices the story for the sake of the set-up. Ridgway did not do that.
Something else that ties these three books together is a mystery which is resolved in this book. And not in the way I expected, which was a pleasant surprise.
I was glad to discover that this book is a re-issue of an older book because when both car crashes are described I kept wondering why no air bags deployed. So I am guessing it was originally published before airbags became a standard feature.
Cassandra, our heroine, rents her home and her shop from a taciturn man who drinks a lot because he has extreme survivor’s guilt over the death of his wife and daughter several years ago. He had cameos in the first two volumes. Cassandra, as the owner of the yarn shop where many of the characters hang out, is well known to the reader who reads the stories in order. I can’t tell you if it will read well as a standalone because I did read them in order.
By the way, Julie’s step-daughter is quite the bitch at the beginning of the book but changes. Nice to see development in a minor character although I suspect she may have her own book.
At first I thought Cassandra was enabling Gabe but then I realised that she had appropriate boundaries. I had fun laughing at Gabe as he worries whether or not he had sex with her while he was in blackout and whether or not she was pregnant. He didn’t and she wasn’t but I like it that he cared. Although he was too embarrassed to come out and ask her.
Characters from the previous volumes hang out in the shop and in their lives. The brat gets a romantic interest, as does Oomfaa, and I suspect more volumes in the series. However the introduction of these elements serves a purpose in this story and is not merely a set-up. I really hate it when an author sacrifices the story for the sake of the set-up. Ridgway did not do that.
Something else that ties these three books together is a mystery which is resolved in this book. And not in the way I expected, which was a pleasant surprise.
I was glad to discover that this book is a re-issue of an older book because when both car crashes are described I kept wondering why no air bags deployed. So I am guessing it was originally published before airbags became a standard feature.
May 8, 2015
Cassandra Riley is a quasi hippy, yarn shop owner who is taking care of her unhappy drunk of a landlord, who is sometimes her friend.
Gabe, the aforementioned landlord, suffered a major loss years ago that he blames himself for. He doesn't think he deserves a happy life no matter how attracted he is to his fruit loop of a tenant.
After a series of late night drunk conversations and waking up in Cassandra's bed the two grow closer as they plan Cassandra's big birthday party coming up and talk about her finding her biological father.
Things seems to be going smoothly until strange accidents start happening and Gabe realizes he's fallen in love with Cassandra and isn't too happy about it.
Out of all the Malibu and Ewe series, this one is my favorite. I think it might be because we've been building up to something happening between Gabe and Cassandra, but it was still everything I wanted and more.
I wanted to kick Gabe in the nuts for all the times during the book he said mean things to Cassandra but when he dropped that bomb during her birthday I was ready to hurt him badly.
I wanted to give Cassandra multiple hugs during the book. Not because she was being weak and weepy but because she was going through some seriously emotion stuff all by herself. She never shared it with Gabe or her sisters.
The story started off a little slow but it picked up quickly and didn't slow down until the end. The ending was a really cute wrap up and brought a little tear to my eye.
Gabe, the aforementioned landlord, suffered a major loss years ago that he blames himself for. He doesn't think he deserves a happy life no matter how attracted he is to his fruit loop of a tenant.
After a series of late night drunk conversations and waking up in Cassandra's bed the two grow closer as they plan Cassandra's big birthday party coming up and talk about her finding her biological father.
Things seems to be going smoothly until strange accidents start happening and Gabe realizes he's fallen in love with Cassandra and isn't too happy about it.
Out of all the Malibu and Ewe series, this one is my favorite. I think it might be because we've been building up to something happening between Gabe and Cassandra, but it was still everything I wanted and more.
I wanted to kick Gabe in the nuts for all the times during the book he said mean things to Cassandra but when he dropped that bomb during her birthday I was ready to hurt him badly.
I wanted to give Cassandra multiple hugs during the book. Not because she was being weak and weepy but because she was going through some seriously emotion stuff all by herself. She never shared it with Gabe or her sisters.
The story started off a little slow but it picked up quickly and didn't slow down until the end. The ending was a really cute wrap up and brought a little tear to my eye.
November 13, 2015
I was so ready for Gabe and Cassandra's story lol. You know that they are drawn to each other throughout the other 2 books but that they are completely denying the attraction and possibility of anything more. I loved how we finally got to see what was actually going on between them and in their relationship. Gabe struggles because he lost his wife and daughter in an accident and has been feeling guilty for years. Cassandra wants a family and knows Gabe's troubles but is just so drawn to him. When Gabe thinks something happened on one of his drunken benders but can't remember anything, Cassandra sees a different side to him and it makes it impossible to deny anymore. They start a relationship but don't really call it that or think about it that way, both trying to keep some distance so as not to get hurt. Gabe feels better around Cassandra and better able to handle things but doesn't feel worthy of that. Gabe is there for Cassandra as she deals with her biological father and wanting to meet him.
I loved how this story progressed and flowed. We get to see a lot of Gabe and Cassandra's emotional states and how they have to work through things to end up whole and together. I loved it. I loved getting to see the end to Marlys' story as well and getting to see that resolved in a good way lol. Seeing all the characters again is always great and I loved the epilogue. It definitely helps to have read the previous two stories but this can stand by itself and be enjoyed with a problem. Definitely worth checking out.
I loved how this story progressed and flowed. We get to see a lot of Gabe and Cassandra's emotional states and how they have to work through things to end up whole and together. I loved it. I loved getting to see the end to Marlys' story as well and getting to see that resolved in a good way lol. Seeing all the characters again is always great and I loved the epilogue. It definitely helps to have read the previous two stories but this can stand by itself and be enjoyed with a problem. Definitely worth checking out.
May 6, 2012
The conclusion to the trilogy (which I still think should be a quad), this book focuses on yarn shop owner Cassandra Riley, who is reaching a benchmark birthday (30!); her mom has other plans, her newfound sperm donor half-sisters are both off doing their own "things," more than focused on her.
This book left me emotionally divided. Ridgway is a an excellent writer, and the way she weaves all the different personalities and their stories into a book without losing focus on the lead heroine and hero is brilliant, IMO. She also writes seriously hot sex scenes.
But, I had problems because Gabe, the hero, is a drink-till-you-pass-out drunk. He has a plausible reason, and he is not an actual addicted-to-alcohol alcoholic. I could believe that Cassandra, who was a firstborn/only child until recently, was a super-responsible Rescuer type. I liked the book, I liked the romance, I liked the surprise twist re: Cassie's previous level of experience, still... I am concerned with The Message it sends, that a young woman can get involved with an alcoholic/addicted/super-damaged person, and Rescue him, and in the end, find a Happily Ever After. In real life, it almost never works out that way.
AND - I still liked Marlys, the spoiled/selfish Army brat, better than the other characters. I am also not sure about Ridgway's use of prologue/flashback to tell this story, finding it somewhat gimmicky, though I read the whole thing anyway.
This book left me emotionally divided. Ridgway is a an excellent writer, and the way she weaves all the different personalities and their stories into a book without losing focus on the lead heroine and hero is brilliant, IMO. She also writes seriously hot sex scenes.
But, I had problems because Gabe, the hero, is a drink-till-you-pass-out drunk. He has a plausible reason, and he is not an actual addicted-to-alcohol alcoholic. I could believe that Cassandra, who was a firstborn/only child until recently, was a super-responsible Rescuer type. I liked the book, I liked the romance, I liked the surprise twist re: Cassie's previous level of experience, still... I am concerned with The Message it sends, that a young woman can get involved with an alcoholic/addicted/super-damaged person, and Rescue him, and in the end, find a Happily Ever After. In real life, it almost never works out that way.
AND - I still liked Marlys, the spoiled/selfish Army brat, better than the other characters. I am also not sure about Ridgway's use of prologue/flashback to tell this story, finding it somewhat gimmicky, though I read the whole thing anyway.
May 10, 2010
This book really didn't match its title. The title and cover make it seem like a light, at least humorous read, and it's not. The hero is near-suicidal, and the heroine's been scooping him up and bringing him home every time he goes on a bender. And it opens with a scene near the climax--the heroine has been cut off from town (Malibu) by a downpour flooding the road, on her 30th birthday, which means she's missing her own birthday party, and as she's succumbing to a pity party instead, the hero walks in with a gun. Then the book flashes back to a few months earlier with the heroine going out to drag the hero off yet another barroom floor. He lost his wife and child to a drunk driver, and can't cope with his grief. The heroine's hippie-ish mom is off on a world tour and can't make it back for her birthday, and the sisters she dug up--all three were from the same donor sperm at a sperm bank--are either just married or engaged, and she's feeling very fifth-wheel-y. Not exactly a light and "dirty, sexy" story. Oh--the knitting comes from the knitting store the heroine runs. There are some very good love scenes, lots of angst, a secondary romance, and a happy ending. I liked the story. It just wasn't what I expected.
This is another of the Rita finalists.
This is another of the Rita finalists.
September 13, 2014
This is the third book in the Malibu & Ewe series. Cassie still feels lonely even after finding her two sisters, Juliet and Nikki. She wants to meet their sperm donor father. She has to rescue Gabe after a drunken night again. She decides that is enough. She is tired of him wanting to kill himself because he cannot get past his wife and child's death in a car accident.
Marlys chases some kids away from Cassie's knitting shop. They were trying to set it on fire. A few weeks later there was a fire at the shop. Someone is breaking in or trying to destroy things for the three ladies. What is going on?
Marlys sees ean again. She thought he was still in Afghanistan. But he was hurt and came home. She is relived that he cannot remember what happened between them. SHe is still torn up byt her father's death. Maybe she will finally come to terms with it.
Gabe finally starts things with Cassie and they are happy for awhile until he gets depressed again. Will they ever be happy together?
I liked this one. I need to go back and read the first one. I liked how Marlys is trying to change things. She is so unhappy but loves Dean so much and thinks that she doesn't deserve love.
Marlys chases some kids away from Cassie's knitting shop. They were trying to set it on fire. A few weeks later there was a fire at the shop. Someone is breaking in or trying to destroy things for the three ladies. What is going on?
Marlys sees ean again. She thought he was still in Afghanistan. But he was hurt and came home. She is relived that he cannot remember what happened between them. SHe is still torn up byt her father's death. Maybe she will finally come to terms with it.
Gabe finally starts things with Cassie and they are happy for awhile until he gets depressed again. Will they ever be happy together?
I liked this one. I need to go back and read the first one. I liked how Marlys is trying to change things. She is so unhappy but loves Dean so much and thinks that she doesn't deserve love.
March 11, 2012
I realized that this was the third and final of the malibu and ewe series, but it was rather entertaining anyway. It had three sisters that just found out that they were actually sisters because their father was a sperm donor. Cassandra Riley is the main character that helps and falls in love with Gabe. Gabe is haunted by his wife and child's death of 2 years. Cassandra is the owner of Malibu and Ewe which is a knitting shop. Gabe is the landlord of the place of business and the place that Cassandra rents.
Cassandra turns 30 soon and realizes that her relationship with Gabe is going nowhere fast. As soon as she decides that she is moving on with her life, Gabe realizes that he wants her. Its a nice lively environment with Nikki and Juliet, her new found half-sisters. I enjoyed the series. I am currently reading Unravel Me which is the 2nd series and focus on Juliet Weston and Noah Smith.
Cassandra turns 30 soon and realizes that her relationship with Gabe is going nowhere fast. As soon as she decides that she is moving on with her life, Gabe realizes that he wants her. Its a nice lively environment with Nikki and Juliet, her new found half-sisters. I enjoyed the series. I am currently reading Unravel Me which is the 2nd series and focus on Juliet Weston and Noah Smith.
October 15, 2012
I do agree with previous reviews about Gabe's stopping drinking and his suicidal tendencies just because of love and sex as inconceivable.
Another part, really got my goat though. It's miniscule and most people wouldn't think about it twice, but I'm a mythology nerd and it just kept bugging me! In the book, Ridgway mentions Cassandra of Greek Mythology and states that she could foresee the future and was cursed to be unable to change it (First off, anybody who has read anything Greek knows that 99.7% of the time if an individual knows the future they'll most likely end up causing it to occur). Why did this bother me? Cassandra could foresee the future, that was right, but her curse wasn't being unable to change the future. Rather, she was cursed that no one would believe her. Just to make sure I checked with my behemoth-cheat-book-on-Greek-mythology. It supports my claim.
Another part, really got my goat though. It's miniscule and most people wouldn't think about it twice, but I'm a mythology nerd and it just kept bugging me! In the book, Ridgway mentions Cassandra of Greek Mythology and states that she could foresee the future and was cursed to be unable to change it (First off, anybody who has read anything Greek knows that 99.7% of the time if an individual knows the future they'll most likely end up causing it to occur). Why did this bother me? Cassandra could foresee the future, that was right, but her curse wasn't being unable to change the future. Rather, she was cursed that no one would believe her. Just to make sure I checked with my behemoth-cheat-book-on-Greek-mythology. It supports my claim.
September 9, 2016
This series continues to address very emotional and sensitive subjects. In the third book, Cassandra continues her quest to be a part of a family. She seeks out her biological father and his two adopted sons behind the backs of her sisters Juliet and Nikki.
Cassandra's relationship with Gabe takes a turn. She tries to keep her distance from Gabe after another one of his drunken escapades. Then their friendship turns romantic. However, after 3 years Gabe still has his dark moods in regards to the sudden death of his wife and 5-year old daughter. His knowledge of Cassandra's deepest desire for her own family makes him realize that he is not the one for her.
Once again, Ms. Ridgway handles these topics well. This book however, is the most emotionally charged. My heart ached for Cassandra at every turn.
I love that all of the characters from the series are part of this book.
Cassandra's relationship with Gabe takes a turn. She tries to keep her distance from Gabe after another one of his drunken escapades. Then their friendship turns romantic. However, after 3 years Gabe still has his dark moods in regards to the sudden death of his wife and 5-year old daughter. His knowledge of Cassandra's deepest desire for her own family makes him realize that he is not the one for her.
Once again, Ms. Ridgway handles these topics well. This book however, is the most emotionally charged. My heart ached for Cassandra at every turn.
I love that all of the characters from the series are part of this book.
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