Devoted & Deserted

Quinn Family #1

by Cami Checketts

A grieving football player. A vivacious speech pathologist. An unexpected love that sparks danger from the past.

After Ryder Quinn’s wife died, his four-year old son stopped speaking. Desperate for a solution, the handsome cornerback hires Bree Stevens, a spunky speech pathologist, to be his son’s nanny and therapist. Bree moves in and breathes new life into their home. Ryder’s son Tate instantly falls in love with her, and his dad isn’t far behind. As his attraction to Bree grows, Ryder wonders if he should invite her to make her stay permanent.

Bree Stevens quickly falls for the devoted father and his adorable boy. Shuffled in and out of foster care since childhood, the thing that Bree has most longed for is love and a family of her own. Bree worries that the growing affection between her and Ryder is too good to be true. And if it is true, can she risk opening her heart—and baggage from her past—to him?

Just as Bree and Ryder decide to take a chance on each other, Bree’s twisted past catches up with her and she has to choose—selfishly hold on to the love that she’s found, or leave and keep Ryder and Tate safe?

***Devoted & Deserted is an updated version of The Devoted Groom: Quinn Family Romance. The book has been redone for continuity with covers and titles for the Quinn Family.

Fans of Christy Barritt, Lisa Phillips, Jessie Gussman, and Colleen Hoover will love Cami Checketts' clean romantic suspense with a side of comedy. Don't miss Cami's other sweet and fast-paced romance novels.
Quinn Romance Adventures

Devoted & Deserted

Conflicted & Famous

Gentle & Broken

Rugged & At-Risk

Too-Perfect & Stranded

Rejected & Hidden

Billionaire Protection Romances

Matchmaking the Singer and the Warrior

Matchmaking the Fitness Trainer and the Commander

Matchmaking the Entertainer and the Firefighter

Summit Valley Christmas Romance
His Perfect Match for Christmas
His Ski Resort Overrun for Christmas
His Cabin Invaded for Christmas
His Unexpected Wedding for Christmas
Delta Family Romances
Deceived
Abandoned
Committed
Betrayed
Devoted
Compromised
Endangered
Accepted
Returned
Devastated
Famous Friends Romances
Loving the Firefighter
Loving the Athlete
Loving the Rancher
Loving the Coach
Loving the Contractor
Loving the Sheriff
Loving the Entertainer
The Hidden Kingdom Romances
Royal Secrets
Royal Security
Royal Doctor
Royal Mistake
Royal Courage
Royal Pilot
Royal Imposter
Royal Baby
Royal Battle
Royal Fake Fiancé
Survive the Romance
Romancing the Treasure
Romancing the Escape
Romancing the Boat
Romancing the Mountain
Romancing the Castle
Romancing the Extreme Adventure
Romancing the Island
Romancing the River
Romancing the Spartan Race
Cami’s Collections
Hidden Kingdom Romance Collection
Survive the Romance Collection
Mystical Lake Resort Romance Collection
Billionaire Boss Romance Collection
Jewel Family Collection
Hawk Brothers Romance
The Determined Groom
The Stealth Warrior
Her Billionaire Boss Fake Fiance
Risking it All
Navy Seal Romance
The Protective Warrior
The Captivating Warrior
The Stealth Warrior
The Tough Warrior
Texas Titan Romance
The Fearless Groom
The Trustworthy Groom
The Beastly Groom
The Irresistible Groom
The Determined Groom
The Devoted Groom
Billionaire Beach Romance
Caribbean Rescue
Cozumel Escape
Cancun Getaway
Trusting the Billionaire
How to Kiss a Billionaire
Onboard for Love
Shadows in the Curtain

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Sports, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Clean Romance, Christian

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 28, 2018

About the author

Cami Checketts is a USA Today Bestselling author of over a hundred clean romance novels. Her journey began on an Idaho dairy farm daydreaming book ideas on her bike or tractor and landing herself in the hospital numerous times for head wounds. She settled down after college (retired the bike at least) to raise four crazy boys and write down all those fabulous ideas. Cami's life is busy but she thoroughly enjoys rarely living in reality.

Cami loves the Savior, her husband, her boys, her daughter-in-law, her grandson, traveling, chocolate, and exercise.

Get a free book when you sign up for Cami's VAP (Very Awesome People) list - www.camichecketts.com

Reviews

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Sweet!

I am always excited to pick up a new book by Cami Checketts. Her books are sweet and leave me feeling happy. I loved the addition of a sweet little boy in this book who touched my heartstrings. Add in a devoted, strong and generous father, a few heart pounding moments and some yummy kisses and this book is the perfect romantic escape.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Football, a devoted single dad, and a magnetic attraction. That pretty much sums up this darling story!

Ryder not only balances a successful football career, but he's the most devoted dad to cute little Tate, who hasn't spoken since his mother died. Bree is hired as a speech pathologist to help the family out. I can always count on Checketts to deliver a swoony sweet story with sparkling kisses and a sprinkle of sinister suspense.

Loved these characters and the story line!

Content: mild+ romance (kissing); mild+ religion; mild moments of danger/peril/violence

[Ava · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bree is wanting to find a well enough paying job in order to hire a PI to find her long-lost sister. When she gets hired by famous football player Ryder Quinn to be his son's nanny and speech pathologist, she is so excited. When Ryder and Bree first meet, they definitely were not expecting to be utterly enthralled with the other person the moment their eyes meet. So things get a little complicated when she is hired to work for him and they live in close quarters.

This was a super sweet nanny romance. Things just happened too quickly for my liking. I love how protective the hero was, but it was sometimes too much for me since he barely knew Bree.

This book is available to listen to through Audible Plus.

Read during the novellathon.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hallmark worthy 3 1/2 stars

Short and sweet story that gave me all the feels while at the same time unbelievably frustrating (just like every Hallmark movie). The couple is cute. The son is cute. But falling in love in after three days! Asking someone to marry you after three days! The h making ridiculous choices and putting herself in danger after getting dubious information. I just can’t. However, I’m a sucker for BWWM stories, so I will be reading Jasmine’s story next.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devoted Groom is by Cami Checketts. This is the first book in The Texas Titan Romances series. This series follows the Quinn family and the romances of the five children. All five of the children are famous in their own right.
Ryder Quinn was a football star; but most of all, he was Tate’s father. As such, he was interested in getting the best help possible for his son. After his wife died, Tate, who was three and a half, stopped talking. Ryder knew from what Tate was able to do and understand, that Tate was very smart. He had been talking prior to Jessica’s death so there was nothing physically wrong. He would accept Tate if he never talked again; but for Tate’s sake, he hoped he would. Ryder’s youngest brother had speech problems when he was little. He was teased unmercifully in school even though Ryder and his two other brothers came to his rescue. Ryder knew how painful that was for Mack and did not want that for Tate. He had tried many things and was now down to a personal speech therapist to serve as Tate’s nanny. He had checked around and found Bree Stevens who was at the top of her class and came with very high recommendations. He didn’t know where he would turn next if she couldn’t help.
Bree Stevens had a hard life. She and her sister were put into the foster system when Bree was 8 and Jasmine was 6. Jasmine was adopted but Bree was left in the system and lost touch with Jasmine. She had worked her way through school and through the Master’s program to get her degree. She had chosen speech therapy because Jasmine had speech problems as a child. It was one way to remind her of Jasmine. As soon as she had been able, she talked to a private investigator about finding Jasmine. It would cost what to her was a great deal of money. As soon as she gave him the money, he would find Jasmine, she hoped. She needed this job with Ryder Quinn. The salary he was willing to pay was more than any job she could find in the state.
Can Bree help Tate? Will she be able to find her sister? If she does, will Jasmine want to know her? Bree had to know, Jasmine was the only family she had that she knew of and she did want to belong to a family.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love football and have enjoyed this series. They are kind of like Hallmark movies... sometimes pretty similar but still enjoyable 😂lol. Tate was so cute. Such an adorable little character. Fun sweet read with some drama on the side😏

[B. D. Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devoted Groom is an outstanding opener for the Quinn Family Series. This series tells the stories of each of five Quinn brothers and one sister. After reading this story of Ryder Quinn and Bree Stevens I am optimistic that the following books in the series will make fantastic reading. This opener is very well-written with well-developed characters and an intriguing plot. As this is the first book in the series, each member of the family whose stories will follow are introduced in this novel. I was pulled in from the opening paragraphs, and the plot line of twists and turns kept my attention through the last page. I recommend this outstanding clean romance to all my friends.

[Jes Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the touching story of a grieving father, a son who won't speak, and his nanny/speech pathologist who has a tragic past of her own. I felt like our hero and heroine were a good match for each other, and I was glad they found some happiness despite what they've both been through. The scenes involving the heroine's sister, Jasmine, were a bit odd, though, and both the heroine and I were trying to figure out what we were seeing, but Jasmine's story is definitely one that looks interesting.

Review first published on my blog: https://agencyofbooksandspies.blogspo...

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and unrealistic. This love story has a widower falling in love with the speech pathologist he hires for his 4 yr old son. Cute story, loveable characters. Problem is this book reads like a short story. Ryder and Brie go from strangers to fiance in like 3 days.

[Mina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent, easy read. Felt a little rushed in parts as things happened very quickly, and i would have liked things to develop a bit more before getting serious. I enjoyed the characters, especially little Tate. Some of the plot was a bit of a cliché yet still enjoyable. Saw someone compare this series to Hallmark films and feel that fits them quite well. Clean and religious.
I'll check out the rest of the series.

[Bitchy · Rating 2 out of 5]

*sigh* I'm sorry but I found this to be so cringey & uncomfortable. The fact that Ryan makes it obvious from the first moment of meeting Brie that he's attracted to her, would have me running out of there. She was hired as his son's speech pathologist and it seems he's trying to have a new mom for his son and partner for himself. Like, it just got served up to him on a silver platter, no problem. And the way they behave towards each other is very unprofessional and not at all a employer/employee relationship. And within days they're falling in love? NO! Just noooooooo! For someone who is rich and famous, he sure is kind of spineless and insecure. Not attractive in a man at all. This was also very G rated and a little too much of a young adult, fluffy clouds and rainbows for my liking. Hard pass for me.

[Kristy Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one just didn’t do it for me. I’ve been reading all the Brooke St James books which are all intsa-love and I’ve enjoyed all of them. So when this one was suggested I decided to give it a try. I don’t know what was missing but it just wasn’t my kind of story.

Rider is a famous football star, he hires Bri to help his 4 year old son. She is a speech pathologist that comes in and figures out what therapists couldn’t. And of course he falls in love with her in less than a week.

Some of the things that just didn’t work for me was I didn’t feel any kind of connection except them saying how attractive the other person was. And I thought Bri was unprofessional. She ditched him at a benefit that she already agrees to help him with. And all for a sister who really wanted nothing to do with her. Her sister had the resources to look her up any time she wanted and she didn’t. Good riddance. So she put her new job in jeopardy, the job that was funding the PI looking for her sister. It just rubbed me the wrong way.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't my personal favorite genre but I think people who like the genre will like the book. It is clean, has romance, intrigue, a little humor, touching moments, sad moments, and joyful moments. For my own personal taste, it spent too much time noting physical attributes and attraction. I began to feel that if they edited out every mention of that, the book would be cut in half. Maybe not literally but it felt like it to me. I get bored with that really fast.
The romance is pretty much insta-love. Probably moved too fast for me. And parts of the plot felt surreal or almost soap opera-ish.
Tate was super cute but I'm not 100% sure that a 4 1/2 year old is really capable of what happened. Maybe. But he was really adorable.
Ryder's family is full of personality. We didn't see that much of them but what was in the story made them feel like they fill a room. So I imagine the rest of the series will be full of personality too.
Sex: kissing, a lot of admiration for physical attributes
Language: no
Violence: some

[JigsawGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. I liked the way Bree was with Tate. Tate was sweet. I even liked Ryder and Bree together. I understand that Bree wanted to find her sister, but the way she kept putting herself in dangerous situations seemed kind of dumb on her part.

I had a problem with the whole Jasmine story with her continually appearing out of nowhere like the ninja warrior. Also, if Bree's PI could find Jasmine, couldn't be have given Bree more info on her background? There were a few holes that it would have been nice to have filled in with more information.

This book seemed more than fast paced to me. It seemed really rushed, like we were running through the story to get to the end. The thing is that it is not a bad story. This is the first book I have read by this writer. I am glad this one is via Kindle Unlimited. I will try another of her books and hope it isn't quite as rushed.

[sharon reece · Rating 1 out of 5]

What in the heck did I just read? I think they all need psychotherapists .. I am pretty sure this was written by a 12 year old girl.

Bree: super unprofessional, unnatural behavior. Found her completely annoying. She is weird. Behaves weirdly. Like completely off-putting.

Ryder: let’s be honest, if we were talking real life, his behavior is not romantic, but creepy and perverted.

Dialog and character development both lacking and unnatural and weird. Just weird.

How in the world anyone rated this over 3 stars blows my mind. Please people, there are so many good books out there!!

[Mandi]

I was looking forward to reading this but that didn’t last long. Bree’s first rediculous comment in the car was idiotic but I was willing to ignore it...no one was around to hear her. Then she said something again in front of Ryder, in reaction to his house. I couldn’t handle it. She was in a work situation and made that comment? Nope couldn’t handle it. I know it wasn’t much but I just don’t force myself to keep reading a book so I don’t have to DFN it. I’ll probably try the next book.

[Susan Lovett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story

This is a sweet story and is a quick read. It's a pretty typical short romance. Girl and boy meet, fall for each other, have a conflict with a bad guy, and live happily ever after. Great for reading by the pool.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet and romantic

Moral Note: Some mid violence, passionate kisses

[Reggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a good story of a single dad with an adorable kid? A boss-nanny relationship? Some danger with romance? Well we check off all of those in this book! NFL player, single dad, widower...all words to describe Ryder Quinn. He lost his wife to breast cancer almost a year ago, but his marriage wasn't all roses even before his wife's diagnosis. Now he's coping with the aftermath of a relationship that shouldn't have been, well except for the fact that he got his awesome son out of it, and trying to get his son to talk again. When he hires a speech pathologist/nanny to work with his son, Ryder does not expect to get an outspoken, fun young woman...but that's what he gets. Bree grew up in the foster system after the death of her parents, at the age of 12. To make matters worse, she was separated from her 10yo sister. She had a rough time but survived and made it through college. Now with her first well-paying job, as a therapist/nanny, Bree can finally afford to replace her POS car and hire a private investigator to find her sister. Bree doesn't plan on the insta-attraction to her new boss, but that's what happens. Now Bree and Ryder just have to navigate the pitfalls of a personal relationship with boss/employee, while determining how best to help little Tate regain his speech. Of course, there is also the suspense of locating Bree's sister, Jasmine, and finding out that she's some type of undercover agent with bad guys chasing her.
As previously mentioned, lots of action, drama, fun times and love are packed into this short story. We get brief glimpses of the other Quinn siblings and can look forward to their stories as well. The narrator did a fabulous job with all of the characters...he really upped the 'swoon' factor in Ryder! Can't wait for the next book!

[Kaley · Rating 1 out of 5]

There were so many unbelievable things that happened in this book. But I'll leave it to my two main issues.

The four-year-old son in this book, Tate, stopped talking after his mother died. The dad, Ryder, sought out several professionals to try to figure out why. Immediately, I thought to myself "probably grief-related trauma" . . . but apparently, none of he professionals they brought in had that same thought. They even had an acupuncturist come in!! Literal acupuncture yet no one though "hmmm, maybe he was perfectly able to speak before his mom died and stopped speaking afterward because he experienced trauma. And when someone FINALLY thought of that being the reason . . . it was suggested that it was a combination of grief and the mother convincing him not to speak after she died. And surprise, that was the reason -- THE MOTHER TOLD THE SON THAT HIS DAD WOULD BE HURT IF HE TALKED AFTER SHE DIED. What?!!

Also.... the PI found Bree's sister in a day? Not only that . . . but the PI was able to find a meetup location for the sister by bugging her hotel room . . . but couldn't just tell Bree where the hotel room was?? Make it make sense.

[Heather Green]

I would have given it a 5 rating, but some of the dialogue when they were 'pillow talking' was confusing. It was as if the characters had more information that was understood so they didn't need to explain to the reader. Unfortunately, the information wasn't automatically understood by the reader. Also, the 'hey' code word, while cute, got annoying after a while. Other than that, I loved the book. I loved that Scar was such a gentleman (after the initial diner experience). I think there is such a push for women's equality these days that men are afraid to be gentlemen because they are called out on it. I'm from the old school, I guess. I love a gentleman. I loved that they really attempted to get to know each other. I loved that they talked of God and had high moral standards. It was cute and fun. Clean. I'd probably read this one again.

[Jennie Pendergast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Quinn brother finds the love of his life.

Loved being back with the Quinn brothers again. My first experience with them was with Griffin his story was really good. Ryder and Bree story was love at first sight for Ry. Free had know clue at first that she would fall in love with her boss. She just wanted money to find her sister. But she fell in love with Ryder and Tate his son. You felt sorry for Tate his mom put an awful thing on him not to talk. When he started to talk again it was so sweet he called her my Bree. She became his Bree and also his dad Bree. Ryder became Bree Ry and her hero. She found Jasmine even though she almost got hurt but Ry saved her. Now Tate has his Aunt Jazzy. Looking forward to Kaleb and Jasmine story and also Navy, Colt and Mac stories. Love the Quinn brothers.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cami Checketts has created a new family of incredible characters and I have been reeled in once again. Ryder Quinn and his son Tate are adorable. Bree, the speech pathologist who is hired to help them, is spunky and determined. The chemistry between them is magnetic. As they struggle to find answers for Tate, Bree also searches out her sister who she was separated from in the foster system. The fireworks that result keep me reading way too late into the night. There is a strong cast of characters who join Ryder, Bree, and Tate by the end of the story. Some of them are woven into other books series by Checketts. I loved Bree's enthusiasm for life and Ryder's strength and protectiveness. I look forward to watching other stories unfold around this one.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a truly enjoyable book written with such easy flow, kind dialogue and characters you'd like as friends. Ryder, a pro football player, is in great need of help when his very cute four year old son, Tate, stops speaking after the death of his wife. Enter speech pathologist, Bree, who falls for the man, and the "little man" almost immediately. Oh my gosh, the three of them are too cute! And there's a little suspense involved when Bree tries finding her sister from whom she's been separated the past fourteen years. This book is written with so much love, kindness, crackling chemistry and respect. I eagerly await the rest of Cami's series and highly recommend it to readers of all ages!

[Rachael Dorronsoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the story of Ryder and Bree, it was a sweet story and heartfelt. I loved how Bree gets a glimpse into who her sister has become and I loved little Tate and how he wins over Bree in a heartbeat. This was a cute fun read, it was another fast one but worth the afternoon read.

Ryder Quinn is devastated that his four year old son stopped talking after his wife’s death. Desperate for any help he hires Bree Stevens a pathologist to be his sons nanny and therapist. Bree moves into their home to watch over Tate and find the mystery behind a clever young 4 year old not speaking. Bree quickly falls in love with Tate and his devoted father.

[Norma Gorrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devoted Groom

Cami, love your books they are so real even in make believe. This book on a famous man and his loss of his wife and then for his son to not speak for eight months seems Unbelievable. But, I am sure this has happened somewhere in the world. Ryder and Bree had a long haul in trying to get Tate to talk would have been very frustrating to most people but they persevered and in the end they won the battle. Bree finally found her sister after 14 years of looking and then she also found her own family. This was a very compelling Free story to read. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill

[Sylvie Rochon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful love story, it's short, fast-paced but deep and enticing. Ryder Quinn is a football star that lost his wife 8 months ago. His 4 year old son Tate hasn't spoken since. Bree is a speech therapist and is hired as this specialized nanny for Tate. It is very apparent that Ryder wants Bree from the first minute, but Bree quickly sets rules, that are very hard to resist. Bree is eager to make enough money to hire a PI to find her sister Jasmine who she hasn't seen for 14 years. From the story it is clear that Ryder has a great big family that will surely make this an entertaining series.

[Melyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Okay, so I won’t be able to give this novel a fair shake because I read it as a way to get a change of pace. Had I read it any other time I might have liked it... except for the Kung Fu fighting stuff... that just jumped out at me from no where. Honestly though, I don’t think I would be receptive to it at any time because Bri acted so naively stupid. The first time I understand but why would she go a second time? Just popping up randomly where someone is meeting other people (People you suspect are criminals) and shouting “I’m your sister!” Is just plain stupid and unbelievable. Like who does that? That killed the entire vibe for me.

[Pam Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I would’ve liked this book more if it didn’t feel like it was all done within three days. I just felt very quick too quick.

Ryder The grieving father who’s just trying to make his son’s life better hires Bree to see if she can help. And he falls in love with her she’s trying to find her sister it’s all very fast and I understand that it’s only a few hours long but I just felt like we could’ve had the same story but made it feel like it was dragged out more than a week it literally felt like three days. I didn’t mind the narration at all I found that was very interesting and great kind away I don’t think I’ll finish the series, because it just felt too fast.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bree comes to the job without experience,though she was top in her class and highly recommended. Ryder was famous and also a reclusive Titan football player, hoping for an answer to prayer.
A mountain of debt, in getting her master degree in speech pathologist
Tate the young boy was four years old. He want someone around the clock, to see what more he can do for his son. Paying top dollars with each bonus as he improves. Job sounds perfect, if lines were drawn. They each think how beautiful each one is. Beautiful story of a boy wanting love and a family.