What do you think?
Rate this book
Tommy Creek #1
The Trouble with Tomboys
THE TOMBOY
Pilot B.J. Gilmore is Tommy Creek, Texas’s tough tomboy who loves to fly planes and gamble and doesn’t give a whip what anyone thinks or says about her…until Grady Rawlings steps into her life.
PLUS THE WIDOWER
Heir to an oil dynasty, Grady has inner demons to battle. Ever since his wife and unborn child died two and a half years ago, he’s developed a deep-seated hatred for sympathy and can’t handle anyone feeling sorry for him or treating him like some pitiful widower.
EQUALS TROUBLE IN TEXAS
Grady hires B.J,'s plane service to fly him to Houston for an overnight business trip. While there, she coaxes him into accompanying her to a late dinner, where she decides it’s time for him to move on with his life. A month later, she turns up pregnant with his baby, and neither of them is prepared for the chaos that follows.
Pilot B.J. Gilmore is Tommy Creek, Texas’s tough tomboy who loves to fly planes and gamble and doesn’t give a whip what anyone thinks or says about her…until Grady Rawlings steps into her life.
PLUS THE WIDOWER
Heir to an oil dynasty, Grady has inner demons to battle. Ever since his wife and unborn child died two and a half years ago, he’s developed a deep-seated hatred for sympathy and can’t handle anyone feeling sorry for him or treating him like some pitiful widower.
EQUALS TROUBLE IN TEXAS
Grady hires B.J,'s plane service to fly him to Houston for an overnight business trip. While there, she coaxes him into accompanying her to a late dinner, where she decides it’s time for him to move on with his life. A month later, she turns up pregnant with his baby, and neither of them is prepared for the chaos that follows.
250 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2010
107 people are currently reading
2282 people want to read
About the author
Linda Kage
51 books5,536 followersLinda writes romance fiction from YA to adult, contemporary to fantasy.
Published since 2010, she first went through a 2-year writing correspondence class in children’s literature from The Institute of Children’s Literature, then graduated with a Bachelor's in Arts-English with an emphasis in creative fiction writing from Pittsburg State University.
She currently lives with her husband, two daughters, a cat named Holly, and nine cuckoo clocks in southeast Kansas.
She started out reading with the Baby-Sitters Club, then moved to Sandra Brown, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, and LaVyrle Spencer in high school. Now, she's all over the place with her romance reading tastes.
A few of her favorite things have been:
Stranger Things, Supernatural, Cheers, Teen Wolf, Umbrella Academy, Outlander, Yellowstone, Grey's Anatomy, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Shawshank Redemption, Dirty Dancing, Harry Potter, Tangled, A Walk to Remember, Dr. Pepper, Roast Beef with mashed potatoes and onion rings, the poem "Equipment" by Edgar A. Guest, and To Kill a Mockingbird.
Published since 2010, she first went through a 2-year writing correspondence class in children’s literature from The Institute of Children’s Literature, then graduated with a Bachelor's in Arts-English with an emphasis in creative fiction writing from Pittsburg State University.
She currently lives with her husband, two daughters, a cat named Holly, and nine cuckoo clocks in southeast Kansas.
She started out reading with the Baby-Sitters Club, then moved to Sandra Brown, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, and LaVyrle Spencer in high school. Now, she's all over the place with her romance reading tastes.
A few of her favorite things have been:
Stranger Things, Supernatural, Cheers, Teen Wolf, Umbrella Academy, Outlander, Yellowstone, Grey's Anatomy, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Shawshank Redemption, Dirty Dancing, Harry Potter, Tangled, A Walk to Remember, Dr. Pepper, Roast Beef with mashed potatoes and onion rings, the poem "Equipment" by Edgar A. Guest, and To Kill a Mockingbird.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
July 26, 2015
4.5 Stars
"It was the biggest gamble she'd ever taken."
[image error]
To be honest, I found the heroine too rude and outspoken in the beginning, but I quickly warmed up to B.J. Gilmore. B.J. is pilot along with her brothers and father for their family plane service. B.J. doesn’t do dresses, make up, she’s content playing poker, watching NASCAR and flying planes.
When widower Grady Rawlings asks for a flight to Houston B.J. gets to spend some time with her childhood crush. You see, his deceased wife was her childhood baby sister. The whole town has been walking on eggshells around Grady ever since his wife and baby died two years ago. During this flight Grady gets some harsh truths…
”Oh come off it, Slim. If you really wanted everyone to stop feeling so sorry for you and treating you like some kind of wounded animal, you’d stop acting like one.”
Not only does Grady get large dosages of B.J.’s tough love but it seems the two have a strong attraction and things heat up.
[image error]
Grady struggles with feelings about his night with the town’s Tomboy.
”I hate to admit this, but if you’d walked into the room at that moment, I would’ve still wanted her.” He was quiet for a moment. Then he said, “That’s what has me feeling so crappy. I wanted a person… a specific woman, not some warm body to fill the space you left. For the first time in two and half years, it wasn’t about you.”
This one night of arguing and heat leaves B.J. pregnant and when Grady finds out he is hell bent on putting a ring on her finger and won’t take no for an answer.
”If we were married, we could do this all the time…”
These two face several obstacles like moving into Grady’s home he built for his deceased wife, B.J. finding her place in Grady’s world and a meddling father-in-law. I loved the vulnerable side of B.J. and Grady was so sexy and sweet they are a terrific book couple!
"It was the biggest gamble she'd ever taken."
[image error]
To be honest, I found the heroine too rude and outspoken in the beginning, but I quickly warmed up to B.J. Gilmore. B.J. is pilot along with her brothers and father for their family plane service. B.J. doesn’t do dresses, make up, she’s content playing poker, watching NASCAR and flying planes.
When widower Grady Rawlings asks for a flight to Houston B.J. gets to spend some time with her childhood crush. You see, his deceased wife was her childhood baby sister. The whole town has been walking on eggshells around Grady ever since his wife and baby died two years ago. During this flight Grady gets some harsh truths…
”Oh come off it, Slim. If you really wanted everyone to stop feeling so sorry for you and treating you like some kind of wounded animal, you’d stop acting like one.”
Not only does Grady get large dosages of B.J.’s tough love but it seems the two have a strong attraction and things heat up.
[image error]
Grady struggles with feelings about his night with the town’s Tomboy.
”I hate to admit this, but if you’d walked into the room at that moment, I would’ve still wanted her.” He was quiet for a moment. Then he said, “That’s what has me feeling so crappy. I wanted a person… a specific woman, not some warm body to fill the space you left. For the first time in two and half years, it wasn’t about you.”
This one night of arguing and heat leaves B.J. pregnant and when Grady finds out he is hell bent on putting a ring on her finger and won’t take no for an answer.
”If we were married, we could do this all the time…”
These two face several obstacles like moving into Grady’s home he built for his deceased wife, B.J. finding her place in Grady’s world and a meddling father-in-law. I loved the vulnerable side of B.J. and Grady was so sexy and sweet they are a terrific book couple!
November 28, 2015
4.5 stars!
One of the three books which made me into a Linda Kage fan. The other two, if you guys want to know, would be Stillburrow Crush and Delinquent Daddy.
One of the three books which made me into a Linda Kage fan. The other two, if you guys want to know, would be Stillburrow Crush and Delinquent Daddy.
April 17, 2012
This book featured a total tomboy heroine one who is honest to a fault, not at all into girly stuff instead she can abuse, smoke etc as much as her brothers and who flies a plane for a living.
She has known the hero for years, his wife was her baby-sitter. Around two and a half years ago the hero's wife died after their baby was stillborn and that changed him. He has wallowed in grief, feeling a heaviness around himself and because of this everyone in town except BJ tiptoes around him. He started dating his wife at 14 and she's the only one he has been with.
When BJ flies him afterwards a bit tipsy she starts on him how it is not healthy what he is doing(being celibate and wallowing) and people pity him because he behaves that way. She makes a move on him and to her surprise he reciprocates and they end up having hot dirty sex and afterwards BJ feels sorry because she thinks she forced him and now he would feel as if he cheated on his wife.
The hero does feel all of that but he feels happy to and surprised that he didn't recall his wife. The hero is pretty old-fashioned and to him sex is not casual instead it is an extension of love so he does feel ashamed for not being in love with BJ and still enjoying himself.
Back in town the hero knows he should talk to her but he is not ready so he tries not to see her, so does the heroine and then she turns up pregnant and it is matter of shock to the whole town because she is such a tomboy. BJ isn't sure she can be a mother since she never had a role-model having lost her mother so young and I loved it when the hero's sister's took him under her wing and she started discovering maternal feelings while still being who she is.
She wants to tell the hero but she knows he will feel guilt because the woman he loved couldn't get pregnant that easily while she did at once. And the hero does feel that, his wife Amy wanted kids but he made her wait and then it didn't happen and the doctors said the fault was with her and that it isn't safe for her to have a baby but she didn't listen and got pregnant and mis-carried. After that things changed between them, they fell into a pattern and the second time she conceived she tricked the hero and he was furious and then went through the heart-break of seeing his wife give up and not live for him when she saw their baby was dead.
He suggests marriage to BJ, she refuses, she doesn't want Amy's place and somehow they do marry but she feels like an outsider in the house he built for Amy. The hero knows that he messed up but they try hard. Sexually they are a fit, with BJ making him more adventurous (no kinky stuff) while he wife didn't want to try some things. BJ thinks she should be more girly but I loved how the hero showed her that she was perfect the way she was and that she didn't have to be like his ex.
The scene when she is all enraged and throwing stuff at him was great. I liked the ending.
She has known the hero for years, his wife was her baby-sitter. Around two and a half years ago the hero's wife died after their baby was stillborn and that changed him. He has wallowed in grief, feeling a heaviness around himself and because of this everyone in town except BJ tiptoes around him. He started dating his wife at 14 and she's the only one he has been with.
When BJ flies him afterwards a bit tipsy she starts on him how it is not healthy what he is doing(being celibate and wallowing) and people pity him because he behaves that way. She makes a move on him and to her surprise he reciprocates and they end up having hot dirty sex and afterwards BJ feels sorry because she thinks she forced him and now he would feel as if he cheated on his wife.
The hero does feel all of that but he feels happy to and surprised that he didn't recall his wife. The hero is pretty old-fashioned and to him sex is not casual instead it is an extension of love so he does feel ashamed for not being in love with BJ and still enjoying himself.
Back in town the hero knows he should talk to her but he is not ready so he tries not to see her, so does the heroine and then she turns up pregnant and it is matter of shock to the whole town because she is such a tomboy. BJ isn't sure she can be a mother since she never had a role-model having lost her mother so young and I loved it when the hero's sister's took him under her wing and she started discovering maternal feelings while still being who she is.
She wants to tell the hero but she knows he will feel guilt because the woman he loved couldn't get pregnant that easily while she did at once. And the hero does feel that, his wife Amy wanted kids but he made her wait and then it didn't happen and the doctors said the fault was with her and that it isn't safe for her to have a baby but she didn't listen and got pregnant and mis-carried. After that things changed between them, they fell into a pattern and the second time she conceived she tricked the hero and he was furious and then went through the heart-break of seeing his wife give up and not live for him when she saw their baby was dead.
He suggests marriage to BJ, she refuses, she doesn't want Amy's place and somehow they do marry but she feels like an outsider in the house he built for Amy. The hero knows that he messed up but they try hard. Sexually they are a fit, with BJ making him more adventurous (no kinky stuff) while he wife didn't want to try some things. BJ thinks she should be more girly but I loved how the hero showed her that she was perfect the way she was and that she didn't have to be like his ex.
The scene when she is all enraged and throwing stuff at him was great. I liked the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2021
Safety:
- He was only with one other woman since he was fourteen and he is now 32. She died two and a half years ago.
- She is 27. She has been with at least four guys. She has been celibate for about two years and her last time was awful (why god??? She is single why can’t a girl have a good sex life? He was married and in love for fucks sake) the worst part, before that she was celibate for three fucking years. A healthy single and very straight forward when it comes to sex based on how she is with Grady was celibate in her early twenties for no reason, yes she is a tomboy but cmon she is not shy, she owns her sexuality and she clearly enjoys sex, enough with the double standards.
- His wife lost their first baby and the second was a stillborn baby.
- He was her first crush when he was seventeen and Amy was her nanny so she saw them together.
She commented about how he loved making Amy happy and I never had the feeling he care doing anything other than planting flowers at the house he stated sharing with B.J that is the same one he shared with Amy. Ohh and he was also the one taking care of the flowers when he was with Amy because she was bad at it but liked how the flowers like so not so especial doing it for the heroine. B.J is very low maintenance and I’m my opinion this is just convenient for him. A pregnant hot wife whom he can fuck like bunnies because she loves sex and isn’t demanding.
SEXISM: the celibate heroine saying man need sex
Well, I can’t, okay. Frankly, I’m worried about you. I mean, Jesus, Slim. This is not healthy. Men have to have sex. I grew up with four guys. I know. They can’t function without it. You just need to find some anonymous woman and get yourself laid, man.”
B.J deserved so much better than Grady, I wish authors would stop writing this humiliating stories. They have a ONS and she gets pregnant, he didn’t search her before finding out she was expecting and when she tried reaching him he ignored her calls, only after hearing a rumor about the baby he went after her. He straight away propose because of the baby, she refused and I was glad, but eventually she accepts even though feels like he is never get over his first wife.
Why she accepted? Can’t a woman shows some self respect? To hell how she felt about him, no woman should accept a weeding with a broken man because of a baby, she should have said no, used him for sex since he was so willing and be free to find a man who would love her more than anyone else.
He never, not even once needed to fight for her, the author used her tomboyish behavior to turn her into some kind of dumb woman, he didn’t even buy a new house, they got married in the courthouse, he entered the store and bought the first ring he saw without even thinking about her, he didn’t paint the walls of his baby bedroom, his first weeding album was laid on the living room table and she just accepted it.
The album? She looks at it and comments about how Amy was happy while he was glad she is the only person he can talk to about Amy
The ring? She is a tomboy so of course is not a big deal, she don’t even want to wear jewels
The baby’s bedroom? He said she could used, she refused and looked very sad like she was going to cry, he offered the guest room instead and she went alone to put the baby things. Before going to the guest room she gives a speech about never being like Amy and even though she thinks the weeding is a bad idea she still wants it to work. He simple answer saying she is fine just the way she is and got out of the room. Then he first downstairs and finally erase the house voicemail that was Amy speaking and says after he does it that he will always love any no matter what. He goes back to their room (the same room he used to sleep with Amy) and pretends to slept when she arrives. The next morning she asks if he is mad and he thinks she was mad she obviously isn’t because why would she right? So she asks him if he wasn’t mad why didn’t he touched her the night before and admitted wanting to fuck him right mow and they just fuck.
The only thing that is clear about his feeling for her is that the sex is better and the lust is bigger than he felt for Amy. He never had a blow job and never went dom on Amy before and he is insatiable with B.J. But this should be associated with feelings.
The guy took her to live in the house he shared with his wife he is still grieving for fucks sake. At least was not the same bedroom.
So basically because she is a tomboy she isn’t allowed to express complex emotions. This is plain ridiculous.
They fight. She is the one saying she loved him first and he goes after her and declared his love too. It didn’t seem he loved her more than he ever loved Amy and she deserved to be the love of someone’s live you know. She is just the love of the rest os his life now that Amy is dead
Why a woman would accept being married to a guy who just proposed because of morality and obligations? He recognized he propped only because of that and she knows and still says yes
Grady shook his head over the memory and winced, leaning forward to study the last picture of their hands, bearing their wedding rings. He’d spent so much time picking out her ring.
Amy x B.J
“Lifting his face, he realized he hadn’t undergone such consideration for B.J. He’d walked into the jewelry store and bought the first diamond he saw, thinking it’d do fine.
Experiencing a pang of doubt, Grady wondered what the hell he was doing. His courting mannerisms for B.J. were pathetic compared to the lavish ritual he’d expended on Amy.
It didn’t seem fair for some reason.
But then he frowned and assured himself he had nothing to feel bad about. B.J. didn’t deserve the same treatment he’d given Amy. He’d loved Amy with his whole heart. With B.J., it was just...what?
[...]”
THIS SUMS UP THE WHOLE BOOK AND HIS FEELINGS FOR HER: she is hot and doesn’t pity him like everyone else
She was pregnant. They were getting married. End of story.
Okay, he couldn’t honestly say there were no feelings for his soon-to-be second wife, because desire was a pretty strong emotion. And in truth, he liked being around B.J. It was actually refreshing to be in the company of someone who didn’t pity him.
BEING SECOND BEST:
Exemple 1)
If she’d gotten herself into a wreck before he’d caught her, he didn’t think he could have handled it. He didn’t think he could lose a second woman he loved in such an abrupt manner.
Exemple 2)
“Now, about this issue you’re making with Amy,” he said. “Just...don’t. Okay? We both cared for her. Hell, I always will. She taught me how to love a woman. But she’s my past, B.J. You’re the rest of my life, and I love you with everything I have. Baby or no baby, deed to your plane or no deed, I love you. Now, I just want to be with you.”
She isn’t the love os his life like Amy she is the love of the rest of his life, for fucks sakes woman where is your self respect?
Exemple 3)
“I can’t guarantee I’ll never think of her again. Because I will, especially when I’m with you. It doesn’t hurt so much to remember her when I’m with you. That’s a gift you’ve given me, and I’m grateful for it. But I can guarantee you I won’t automatically see her every time I look at you.”
Grinning, he touched B.J.’s face, tracing her hairline with the very tips of his fingers. “God, I can’t believe anyone would be able to see anyone else when you’re around. You’re so..alive. So wonderfully alive. Everything you do...it’s all just...full of vitality. You’re a survivor. You have a stronger spirit than Amy ever did. You fight! You’re...you’re B.J. And I adore everything about you.”
[...]
Basically for him Amy wanted to be a mom more than to be with him and never achieve it, with B.J they will never have this issue so what a lucky guy isn’t he? His second wife would choose him when if she faced their stillborn baby and wouldn’t give up fighting for live without looking at his eyes, because she wouldn’t choose death over him (fucker). Because of course Amy passing was about him.
Now on the epilogue every experienced with B.J even though they just had their second baby was fast proving to be the best he’d ever had. How romantic right, two baby’s and it is still proving. But at least not he is the happiest and better than he ever was, delightful story.
This book made me feel bad for the heroine and also bad because a woman wrote it as a romance book and is just a sad story about a woman settling for way less than she deserved.
- He was only with one other woman since he was fourteen and he is now 32. She died two and a half years ago.
- She is 27. She has been with at least four guys. She has been celibate for about two years and her last time was awful (why god??? She is single why can’t a girl have a good sex life? He was married and in love for fucks sake) the worst part, before that she was celibate for three fucking years. A healthy single and very straight forward when it comes to sex based on how she is with Grady was celibate in her early twenties for no reason, yes she is a tomboy but cmon she is not shy, she owns her sexuality and she clearly enjoys sex, enough with the double standards.
- His wife lost their first baby and the second was a stillborn baby.
- He was her first crush when he was seventeen and Amy was her nanny so she saw them together.
She commented about how he loved making Amy happy and I never had the feeling he care doing anything other than planting flowers at the house he stated sharing with B.J that is the same one he shared with Amy. Ohh and he was also the one taking care of the flowers when he was with Amy because she was bad at it but liked how the flowers like so not so especial doing it for the heroine. B.J is very low maintenance and I’m my opinion this is just convenient for him. A pregnant hot wife whom he can fuck like bunnies because she loves sex and isn’t demanding.
SEXISM: the celibate heroine saying man need sex
Well, I can’t, okay. Frankly, I’m worried about you. I mean, Jesus, Slim. This is not healthy. Men have to have sex. I grew up with four guys. I know. They can’t function without it. You just need to find some anonymous woman and get yourself laid, man.”
B.J deserved so much better than Grady, I wish authors would stop writing this humiliating stories. They have a ONS and she gets pregnant, he didn’t search her before finding out she was expecting and when she tried reaching him he ignored her calls, only after hearing a rumor about the baby he went after her. He straight away propose because of the baby, she refused and I was glad, but eventually she accepts even though feels like he is never get over his first wife.
Why she accepted? Can’t a woman shows some self respect? To hell how she felt about him, no woman should accept a weeding with a broken man because of a baby, she should have said no, used him for sex since he was so willing and be free to find a man who would love her more than anyone else.
He never, not even once needed to fight for her, the author used her tomboyish behavior to turn her into some kind of dumb woman, he didn’t even buy a new house, they got married in the courthouse, he entered the store and bought the first ring he saw without even thinking about her, he didn’t paint the walls of his baby bedroom, his first weeding album was laid on the living room table and she just accepted it.
The album? She looks at it and comments about how Amy was happy while he was glad she is the only person he can talk to about Amy
The ring? She is a tomboy so of course is not a big deal, she don’t even want to wear jewels
The baby’s bedroom? He said she could used, she refused and looked very sad like she was going to cry, he offered the guest room instead and she went alone to put the baby things. Before going to the guest room she gives a speech about never being like Amy and even though she thinks the weeding is a bad idea she still wants it to work. He simple answer saying she is fine just the way she is and got out of the room. Then he first downstairs and finally erase the house voicemail that was Amy speaking and says after he does it that he will always love any no matter what. He goes back to their room (the same room he used to sleep with Amy) and pretends to slept when she arrives. The next morning she asks if he is mad and he thinks she was mad she obviously isn’t because why would she right? So she asks him if he wasn’t mad why didn’t he touched her the night before and admitted wanting to fuck him right mow and they just fuck.
The only thing that is clear about his feeling for her is that the sex is better and the lust is bigger than he felt for Amy. He never had a blow job and never went dom on Amy before and he is insatiable with B.J. But this should be associated with feelings.
The guy took her to live in the house he shared with his wife he is still grieving for fucks sake. At least was not the same bedroom.
So basically because she is a tomboy she isn’t allowed to express complex emotions. This is plain ridiculous.
They fight. She is the one saying she loved him first and he goes after her and declared his love too. It didn’t seem he loved her more than he ever loved Amy and she deserved to be the love of someone’s live you know. She is just the love of the rest os his life now that Amy is dead
Why a woman would accept being married to a guy who just proposed because of morality and obligations? He recognized he propped only because of that and she knows and still says yes
Grady shook his head over the memory and winced, leaning forward to study the last picture of their hands, bearing their wedding rings. He’d spent so much time picking out her ring.
Amy x B.J
“Lifting his face, he realized he hadn’t undergone such consideration for B.J. He’d walked into the jewelry store and bought the first diamond he saw, thinking it’d do fine.
Experiencing a pang of doubt, Grady wondered what the hell he was doing. His courting mannerisms for B.J. were pathetic compared to the lavish ritual he’d expended on Amy.
It didn’t seem fair for some reason.
But then he frowned and assured himself he had nothing to feel bad about. B.J. didn’t deserve the same treatment he’d given Amy. He’d loved Amy with his whole heart. With B.J., it was just...what?
[...]”
THIS SUMS UP THE WHOLE BOOK AND HIS FEELINGS FOR HER: she is hot and doesn’t pity him like everyone else
She was pregnant. They were getting married. End of story.
Okay, he couldn’t honestly say there were no feelings for his soon-to-be second wife, because desire was a pretty strong emotion. And in truth, he liked being around B.J. It was actually refreshing to be in the company of someone who didn’t pity him.
BEING SECOND BEST:
Exemple 1)
If she’d gotten herself into a wreck before he’d caught her, he didn’t think he could have handled it. He didn’t think he could lose a second woman he loved in such an abrupt manner.
Exemple 2)
“Now, about this issue you’re making with Amy,” he said. “Just...don’t. Okay? We both cared for her. Hell, I always will. She taught me how to love a woman. But she’s my past, B.J. You’re the rest of my life, and I love you with everything I have. Baby or no baby, deed to your plane or no deed, I love you. Now, I just want to be with you.”
She isn’t the love os his life like Amy she is the love of the rest of his life, for fucks sakes woman where is your self respect?
Exemple 3)
“I can’t guarantee I’ll never think of her again. Because I will, especially when I’m with you. It doesn’t hurt so much to remember her when I’m with you. That’s a gift you’ve given me, and I’m grateful for it. But I can guarantee you I won’t automatically see her every time I look at you.”
Grinning, he touched B.J.’s face, tracing her hairline with the very tips of his fingers. “God, I can’t believe anyone would be able to see anyone else when you’re around. You’re so..alive. So wonderfully alive. Everything you do...it’s all just...full of vitality. You’re a survivor. You have a stronger spirit than Amy ever did. You fight! You’re...you’re B.J. And I adore everything about you.”
[...]
Basically for him Amy wanted to be a mom more than to be with him and never achieve it, with B.J they will never have this issue so what a lucky guy isn’t he? His second wife would choose him when if she faced their stillborn baby and wouldn’t give up fighting for live without looking at his eyes, because she wouldn’t choose death over him (fucker). Because of course Amy passing was about him.
Now on the epilogue every experienced with B.J even though they just had their second baby was fast proving to be the best he’d ever had. How romantic right, two baby’s and it is still proving. But at least not he is the happiest and better than he ever was, delightful story.
This book made me feel bad for the heroine and also bad because a woman wrote it as a romance book and is just a sad story about a woman settling for way less than she deserved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2012
B.J. Gilmore lives in a small town in Texas and is a tough, poker-playing, rough-around-the-edges, true life "tomboy." It's rumored that if she'd lose the mechanic clothes she wears on a daily basis, she'd be a damn fine looking woman. Along with her three brothers, B.J. is also a cessna pilot, working various flight rounds for her father's family owned business.
Enter, Grady Rawlings: a tall, handsome, wealthy and still grieving widower of the past two and a half years. Grady can't or maybe "won't" allow himself to move past the loss of his wife during the birth of their son, whom also passed away. Everyone in town handles Grady with kit-gloves and he absolutely dispises their pity.
B.J.'s known Grady all her life and as far back as she can remember, she's always secretly had a crush on him. She also knew Grady's wife, Amy, who often babysat for her and her brothers years ago. While in the middle of a serious poker game at the hangar, the gorgeous, Grady Rawlings walks in the room. He's hired a pilot to fly him to Houston and being a man of few words these days and looking a little too slim in B.J.'s opinion, waits patiently as she wins her hand on a bluff and a pair of "2'." His flight to Houston is an overnight trip and even though Grady wants to be left alone after his business meeting, B.J. forces him to sit with her so she won't have to eat dinner alone. An order of steak, onion rings and several beers later, B.J. makes a move on Grady and calls him out on his self loathing, pity-party. He's angry and tired, but notices when he's kissed, and kissed very well, he's not dead himself after all...
This is the second book by Linda Kage that I've read and I enjoyed it very much! I mean, let's face it, most contemporary romance books have the same formula and at the end things somehow always work out. It's the (hopefully) unique storytelling we all crave while also enjoying the escape. This one was all those things: different, honest, problematic, sexy, and quite funny at times. I recommend it for all those delicious reasons!
Enter, Grady Rawlings: a tall, handsome, wealthy and still grieving widower of the past two and a half years. Grady can't or maybe "won't" allow himself to move past the loss of his wife during the birth of their son, whom also passed away. Everyone in town handles Grady with kit-gloves and he absolutely dispises their pity.
B.J.'s known Grady all her life and as far back as she can remember, she's always secretly had a crush on him. She also knew Grady's wife, Amy, who often babysat for her and her brothers years ago. While in the middle of a serious poker game at the hangar, the gorgeous, Grady Rawlings walks in the room. He's hired a pilot to fly him to Houston and being a man of few words these days and looking a little too slim in B.J.'s opinion, waits patiently as she wins her hand on a bluff and a pair of "2'." His flight to Houston is an overnight trip and even though Grady wants to be left alone after his business meeting, B.J. forces him to sit with her so she won't have to eat dinner alone. An order of steak, onion rings and several beers later, B.J. makes a move on Grady and calls him out on his self loathing, pity-party. He's angry and tired, but notices when he's kissed, and kissed very well, he's not dead himself after all...
This is the second book by Linda Kage that I've read and I enjoyed it very much! I mean, let's face it, most contemporary romance books have the same formula and at the end things somehow always work out. It's the (hopefully) unique storytelling we all crave while also enjoying the escape. This one was all those things: different, honest, problematic, sexy, and quite funny at times. I recommend it for all those delicious reasons!
May 12, 2019
The classic Ms. Kage’s!
❤️
❤️
September 20, 2016
This one was not for me. Not safe. Too much mention of his dead wife. He thought about her, talked about (and to) her and still actively loved her.
I was never convinced that BJ ever came anything but second best in Grady's heart. I was a bit torn about how to rate this one because there were parts I really liked, moments that were heart felt and special, between just the two MCs but they were too far between in coming. It seemed every time they shared something or felt something that bonded them closer together the dead wife would be mentioned.
And not just by Grady (who got annoying in his repetitive guilt trips and comparisons between her and the h) but also by BJ. I loved her character, but I felt she deserved so much better than this sad empty shell of a man. Why did she have to be so understanding? So freakin sympathetic about Grady? Where was the compassion and sensitivity for her feelings and her baby?
Maybe this would have been easier to swallow if Grady had been more accepting of BJ. I wanted to see him go above and beyond to show BJ he really loved her. But he was always the one pushing her away and never the first to apologize. I hated that he used the dead wife as an excuse and a barrier between him and BJ.
So 2 stars for the few sweet moments between them and because BJ, although a good hearted and super almost-to-the-point-of-door-mat-ish soft touch was a good h.
Not Safe
I was never convinced that BJ ever came anything but second best in Grady's heart. I was a bit torn about how to rate this one because there were parts I really liked, moments that were heart felt and special, between just the two MCs but they were too far between in coming. It seemed every time they shared something or felt something that bonded them closer together the dead wife would be mentioned.
And not just by Grady (who got annoying in his repetitive guilt trips and comparisons between her and the h) but also by BJ. I loved her character, but I felt she deserved so much better than this sad empty shell of a man. Why did she have to be so understanding? So freakin sympathetic about Grady? Where was the compassion and sensitivity for her feelings and her baby?
Maybe this would have been easier to swallow if Grady had been more accepting of BJ. I wanted to see him go above and beyond to show BJ he really loved her. But he was always the one pushing her away and never the first to apologize. I hated that he used the dead wife as an excuse and a barrier between him and BJ.
So 2 stars for the few sweet moments between them and because BJ, although a good hearted and super almost-to-the-point-of-door-mat-ish soft touch was a good h.
Not Safe
May 21, 2017
GOODNESS GRACIOUS!
This is just one of those happily
ever after stories that leave you
giddy and teary eyed.
This is just one of those happily
ever after stories that leave you
giddy and teary eyed.
August 23, 2012
LOVED IT!!!!!Adored BJ so much,she is the heart n soul of the book,really liked the fact she never changed and how slowly she realizes she also has feminine side lol.Adored Grady though he took his time coming to his senses but he came,the fact that he did'nt want BJ to change ,loved her as she is made me forgive him for being a jerk in the start.Loved each n every character,the story progressed well.Enjoyed this one very much.
This is a must read for the readers.
Recommend it.
This is a must read for the readers.
Recommend it.
May 7, 2019
Generally I don’t go for chick lit and prefer the more traditional HP romance. But this was a fun read even with its somewhat untraditional writing.
*With spoilers* BJ is not a h I would generally like to read about- loud, brash, gum chewing, cigar chomping, poker playing, cussing, sleeping around (occasionally) kickass. But she is also so much more- warm, passionate, intensely loving, loyal, strong, caring, innocent in her own way, lonely and so deserving of love. Her innate sweetness and goodness just shines through.
The H is a quiet, intensely private grieving widower with a tortured past and then along comes the volatile h and blows his sad humdrum little life into smithereens and puts it back together wrapped in a bright rainbow ribbon.
I so love stories where the h is the strong one and pulls a hurting/hostile/cynical/scarred H back from the brink. You know redeeming him with her love, saving his soul sorta thing. And this story gives you that in shovelfuls.
She is a tomboy and a pilot, having grown up in an all male family. The H’s dead wife used to babysit her and her younger brother. The H was the school football star who used to visit their home to see his gf, the babysitter. So he marries his school sweetheart and lives happily ever after or till she dies in childbirth. And then he withdraws hurt in his melancholy shell till the h decides to haul him out of it. Apparently he has not had sex since his wife died more than 2 years ago.
They are so sweet together that they warm the cockles etc. everything of your heart. This book had so many red flags of things I don’t like but I still lapped it all up happily. Yes it was a cute light funny read and I am one happy bugger, as B.J. would say!
*With spoilers* BJ is not a h I would generally like to read about- loud, brash, gum chewing, cigar chomping, poker playing, cussing, sleeping around (occasionally) kickass. But she is also so much more- warm, passionate, intensely loving, loyal, strong, caring, innocent in her own way, lonely and so deserving of love. Her innate sweetness and goodness just shines through.
The H is a quiet, intensely private grieving widower with a tortured past and then along comes the volatile h and blows his sad humdrum little life into smithereens and puts it back together wrapped in a bright rainbow ribbon.
I so love stories where the h is the strong one and pulls a hurting/hostile/cynical/scarred H back from the brink. You know redeeming him with her love, saving his soul sorta thing. And this story gives you that in shovelfuls.
She is a tomboy and a pilot, having grown up in an all male family. The H’s dead wife used to babysit her and her younger brother. The H was the school football star who used to visit their home to see his gf, the babysitter. So he marries his school sweetheart and lives happily ever after or till she dies in childbirth. And then he withdraws hurt in his melancholy shell till the h decides to haul him out of it. Apparently he has not had sex since his wife died more than 2 years ago.
They are so sweet together that they warm the cockles etc. everything of your heart. This book had so many red flags of things I don’t like but I still lapped it all up happily. Yes it was a cute light funny read and I am one happy bugger, as B.J. would say!
June 20, 2022
I liked this! The hero is a very broken widower and it’s about 2.5 yrs after he lost his wife and still born son. He has a very hawt one night stand with B.J who is a bit of a tomboy but full of life and very comfortable with her sexuality. There is a fair amount of the dead first wife featured but overall I was happy in the separation of the two love experiences for Grady. I did feel for B.J at times Grady was insensitive in how it must feel to live in someone’s shadow but she soon shined enough to blind him completely and I didn’t feel there was any comparison in what he felt for B.J by the end.
I just re read June 2022 and I gotta say I felt its more a 3 star...It starts off strong and what a great trope but it just loses its appeal and the writing goes downhill after the first 30%
I just re read June 2022 and I gotta say I felt its more a 3 star...It starts off strong and what a great trope but it just loses its appeal and the writing goes downhill after the first 30%
August 22, 2018
Sets feminism back a few thousand years. I wasn't aware that tomboy was synonymous with "inadequately feminine, self-loathing woman."
September 28, 2024
4 stars
⏳ [10th re-read in 2022, 1st proper review, rating maintained]
This is one of favs reads, one that I find myself re-reading often and also thinking of with respect and fondness. It is an older book, not as raunchy and graphical as similar books nowadays but yet, it remains a honest and an unassuming story that succeeds to punch a packful of tender and intense pure emotions. I still don't know how Linda Kage did it. There are so many standard romance angst tropes in this book, all averted smoothly so that we never fall into gut wrenching melodrama, and yet, her writing has a special, sweet quality to it that just makes you sigh with heart flutters as the romance unfolds.
And what an improbable romance at first glance! B.J., 27, is the text book definition of red-necky tomboy who does not own a dress, smokes cigars, swears, flies/ repairs her Cessna, does not know when to shut her trap, makes men tremble in their boots... but she also has a heart of gold who can't stand seeing others in pain. What initially started as an uninvited and pushy attempt to shake some life in closed-off widower Grady, 32, turned in an instant into a raging inferno of lust and passion as both of them could not keep their hands from each other.
"I want slow", was his steady command.
Gah, Grady, you saucy, sexy beast *melts into a puddle* Needless to say, the sex scenes were hot, hot, in a very sensual way 🔥
Grady is the epitome Southern gentleman who is still traumatised from the lost of his first love and their child in a very tragic way. He did not expect B.J. but given the chance, he simply could not get over her. Even before they learned about the pregnancy, he was obsessing about their one-time together and feeling deliciously possessive of her. And would surely have gone after her full gear if the pregnancy had not simply hastened their relationship. I loved that he never wanted her to be different and loved her as she was.
Much of the classic angst tropes associated with the widower trope were there but quickly averted in a kind of realistic way.
Whenever my loved trope of widower pops up, the big question is whether at the end of the book, the H's love for the h feels 'second best' and whether the H will only ever love his first wife more. The answer is no to both for this book. I personally felt that Grady did love deeply B.J. and she was his all now. His first wife was there in his heart but that did not mean he loved B.J. any less. The other question linked to the trope, is whether somehow the first wife is simply vilified to justify and add value to the new love. I hate when this happens, esp. when 90% of a book is spent misleading the h that the first wife was oh so perfect and the irreplaceable love of the H's life. Definitely not so in this book. Grady's pov did show that not all was rosy with Amy (because of a plot well explained in the book) but he still loved her despite everything.
In summary, this is one of my favs for good reasons, better understood if read. Ideally, I would wish for a little bit more angsty drama goodness, but I respect the original way LK handled this romance.
P.S. I wonder how would another version of the book, with all the OTT goodness, read? What if each and every obstacle I listed under spoiler tags above were played differently, i.e. with all the potential rage tears, miscommunication, heartbreak, shouts, drama, hot/cold, doubts, fears, hurt/pain, searing silence... fully blown out? Hmm, I can already see the epic, delicious trainwreck... Silent plea to LK 🙏🙏😅!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2012
Totally enjoyed this contemporary romance. It was bright and sweet and totally hit the spot. The heroine is a tomboy from a kind of lower class family and the hero is the widower of her old babysitter and the son of the local important rich family. The heroine was rough around the edges and feisty in a totally good way. She spoke her mind and went after what she wanted but she had vulnerabilities also. The hero was a man who had married his high school sweetheart and had never been with anyone else until the heroine jumps him on a business trip. She's the breath of fresh air that he needs to bring him out of his mourning. It was fun reading about a heroine who was more experienced than the hero.
There were scenes in here that were fresh and new. The dialog was great and I loved pretty much all the secondary characters. This was one of those books where the author made the less traveled by choice in places where she could have gone with the same old same old.
I will definitely be checking out more by this author. Thanks Saly for the recommendation.
There were scenes in here that were fresh and new. The dialog was great and I loved pretty much all the secondary characters. This was one of those books where the author made the less traveled by choice in places where she could have gone with the same old same old.
I will definitely be checking out more by this author. Thanks Saly for the recommendation.
did-not-finish
September 28, 2020DNF at 20%.
First, the guy was clearly still can't move on from his dead wife and I know this book probably about his journey letting her go and starting a new life with his knocked-up girlfriend. Suffice to say, I don't want to dip that dead-spouse trope. It's so messy.
Second, bitch is annoying.
First, the guy was clearly still can't move on from his dead wife and I know this book probably about his journey letting her go and starting a new life with his knocked-up girlfriend. Suffice to say, I don't want to dip that dead-spouse trope. It's so messy.
Second, bitch is annoying.
February 19, 2021
So, I read this thinking it would be a "how bad can it be?" book, but it wasn't that bad. The biggest issue is whether or not you believe he's moved on after losing his first wife. I bought into it, so it wasn’t bad.
July 14, 2014
3.5 stars for this great little read!
Living in small town Texas, BJ is the local tomboy. Working as a pilot in her family’s business, she is confident and outspoken and lives her life not caring what people think about her.
Oil heir Grady has never recovered from the death of his wife and unborn child two and a half years previously, and does little to conceal his pain. Despising the piteous looks that he still gets from the locals around town, he lives a solitary life, stuck in the past unable to forget his grief.
BJ has known Grady since childhood, and was/is her first crush, and when she flies him to Houston on an overnight trip, she decides it’s time for him to start moving on, and doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind.
Their passionate arguing leads to passion of another kind, and before they know it, there’s all sorts of sexy shenanigans going on. And it proves to be a bit of a wake up call for Grady, when he realises that not only is BJ right about him, but that he feels something for for her.
When their one night together results in an unexpected pregnancy , BJ and Grady are suddenly thrust back into each other’s lives in a big way, with massive changes ahead that neither of them could have anticipated.
I loved this little story. I really liked BJ and love her strength and resilience with just the right touch of vulnerability about who she is, and how she compares with all that Grady has lost. And Grady’s old fashioned morals were charming – and mixed really well with his steamy hotness - while his battle to let go of the past and claim the happiness that is waiting for him is a gorgeous journey.
Fast moving and enjoyable from start to finish, this is a quick, funny, sweet and sexy read with a gorgeous romance. The chemistry is sizzling, and watching these two fall for each other was fantastic. I was invested in BJ and Grady as a couple, and even though I would have liked to have seen more of them together as a couple, I was really happy with the ending.
I really enjoyed it – 3.5 stars.
Living in small town Texas, BJ is the local tomboy. Working as a pilot in her family’s business, she is confident and outspoken and lives her life not caring what people think about her.
Oil heir Grady has never recovered from the death of his wife and unborn child two and a half years previously, and does little to conceal his pain. Despising the piteous looks that he still gets from the locals around town, he lives a solitary life, stuck in the past unable to forget his grief.
BJ has known Grady since childhood, and was/is her first crush, and when she flies him to Houston on an overnight trip, she decides it’s time for him to start moving on, and doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind.
“You make everyone in town uncomfortable whenever you’re around because you freeze the living folks out like they should all feel sorry they’re still alive and your wife isn’t.”
Their passionate arguing leads to passion of another kind, and before they know it, there’s all sorts of sexy shenanigans going on. And it proves to be a bit of a wake up call for Grady, when he realises that not only is BJ right about him, but that he feels something for for her.
When their one night together results in an unexpected pregnancy , BJ and Grady are suddenly thrust back into each other’s lives in a big way, with massive changes ahead that neither of them could have anticipated.
I loved this little story. I really liked BJ and love her strength and resilience with just the right touch of vulnerability about who she is, and how she compares with all that Grady has lost. And Grady’s old fashioned morals were charming – and mixed really well with his steamy hotness - while his battle to let go of the past and claim the happiness that is waiting for him is a gorgeous journey.
“You’re the rest of my life, and I love you with everything I have. Baby or no baby … I love you.”
Fast moving and enjoyable from start to finish, this is a quick, funny, sweet and sexy read with a gorgeous romance. The chemistry is sizzling, and watching these two fall for each other was fantastic. I was invested in BJ and Grady as a couple, and even though I would have liked to have seen more of them together as a couple, I was really happy with the ending.
I really enjoyed it – 3.5 stars.
April 2, 2012
4.5 Stars
Nothing tugs at the heart than reading about a broken down man finding that special someone who brings life back into his soul. I really love stories like that and this was definitely one of those types of stories. This story was a little unique in that our heroine wasn't your typical girly-girl. B.J. is first and foremost a tomboy. She doesn't wear dresses, she works in a profession dominated by men, speaks her mind and has a very strong spirit. However, she's always has had a soft spot for Grady Rawlings. Grady is man lost. He been grieving for the love of his life & his unborn child for two and half years. He hates being pitied. He's built a wall around himself and nothing and no one has ever gotten through to him. After hiring B.J. to fly him to Houston for business, B.J. tries her best to coerce any reaction from Grady. They have a heated argument. One thing lead to another and BAM! They have an intense night together (and I do mean intense!) Upon arriving back to their small town, they try their best to ignore what happened between them despite their obvious chemistry. A month later, B.J. announces she's pregnant. Whoa, right?
So why not more stars? It was really hard to like Grady at first. To be honest, I wanted to smack him a couple times. He was just so stubborn and cold in the beginning. It took a little bit of time to warm up to him. After that, Grady just grew on you and the next thing you know, you found him sweet, charming and caring. Plus I really liked B.J. She was just what Grady needed to get his ass in gear. lol.
So aside from that one little bit of a negative, it really was a good story with just the right amount of steam. Oh and how steamy those scenes were too. Yowzaa! Definitely a good read and I will definitely be reading more from this author. :)
Nothing tugs at the heart than reading about a broken down man finding that special someone who brings life back into his soul. I really love stories like that and this was definitely one of those types of stories. This story was a little unique in that our heroine wasn't your typical girly-girl. B.J. is first and foremost a tomboy. She doesn't wear dresses, she works in a profession dominated by men, speaks her mind and has a very strong spirit. However, she's always has had a soft spot for Grady Rawlings. Grady is man lost. He been grieving for the love of his life & his unborn child for two and half years. He hates being pitied. He's built a wall around himself and nothing and no one has ever gotten through to him. After hiring B.J. to fly him to Houston for business, B.J. tries her best to coerce any reaction from Grady. They have a heated argument. One thing lead to another and BAM! They have an intense night together (and I do mean intense!) Upon arriving back to their small town, they try their best to ignore what happened between them despite their obvious chemistry. A month later, B.J. announces she's pregnant. Whoa, right?
So why not more stars? It was really hard to like Grady at first. To be honest, I wanted to smack him a couple times. He was just so stubborn and cold in the beginning. It took a little bit of time to warm up to him. After that, Grady just grew on you and the next thing you know, you found him sweet, charming and caring. Plus I really liked B.J. She was just what Grady needed to get his ass in gear. lol.
So aside from that one little bit of a negative, it really was a good story with just the right amount of steam. Oh and how steamy those scenes were too. Yowzaa! Definitely a good read and I will definitely be reading more from this author. :)
December 3, 2013
I love this book! :D
Mi gusta!!
Mi amore!!
*__*
Nothing beats opposite attracts...NOTHING is more hot when the guy is so freakin' sexy but has this innoence about him *wipes drools*
Love a girl with a strong back bone - who doesn't back down and says whats on her mind when people gets too fresh.
B.J is one who doesn't think before speaking and I LOVE IT.
Their hotel bumping and grinding was amazing and I love that natural comanding way of Grady <3
Love how intrigue he was to taste her and watch her play with herself...lol.
I just love everything about this book...!
It was hard for me to grasp the idea of Grady not thinking about his wife instead of B.J but honestly, the realism of it all - the way he spoke to his wife, the way both him and Bj spoke about his wife? It gave him time to heal and B.J was understanding.
I just love the way the author expressed that ^o^
Wish I could read more about them...wish this book was LONGER!!! xD
Mi gusta!!
Mi amore!!
*__*
Nothing beats opposite attracts...NOTHING is more hot when the guy is so freakin' sexy but has this innoence about him *wipes drools*
Love a girl with a strong back bone - who doesn't back down and says whats on her mind when people gets too fresh.
B.J is one who doesn't think before speaking and I LOVE IT.
Their hotel bumping and grinding was amazing and I love that natural comanding way of Grady <3
Love how intrigue he was to taste her and watch her play with herself...lol.
I just love everything about this book...!
It was hard for me to grasp the idea of Grady not thinking about his wife instead of B.J but honestly, the realism of it all - the way he spoke to his wife, the way both him and Bj spoke about his wife? It gave him time to heal and B.J was understanding.
I just love the way the author expressed that ^o^
Wish I could read more about them...wish this book was LONGER!!! xD
August 12, 2014
Stayed up all night trying to finish this tear-jerking, gut-wrenching story of Grady's & BJ's lives. Marriage of convenience + pregnant heroine + troubled hero is just the perfect combination for me. Completed with a great epilogue, what more could I ask for from this book. I love it to bits.
June 24, 2013
I like the relationship between Tucker and Grady.. A father would do anything to make his child smile again..
![Profile Image for Lala_Loopsie [fire breathing B!tch Queen].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1477498129i%2F41378358._UX200_CR0%2C77%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
September 11, 2015
This book is actually better than i expected, that should say a lot. The characters were just so much more different than in my head.
March 21, 2018
It was such an enjoyable read! It was sweet, steamy, heart-clenching, and funny. Totally hit the spot! This book was just what I needed since I've been working overtime! Can't wait to read more from Ms. Linda Kage!
May 26, 2014
Tried to get into it but was just so off. I didn't get the characters, the plot was way too flat with a lot of telling and reflecting and not enough showing and reacting.
I kind of reached my ultimate disappointment when B.J. didn't get even a bit angry at Grady's dad after that confrontation in her hanger and just tried to cold-cock him. I could imagine that scene playing out way cooled if she just punched him, gave him a talking down about how he is being a prick thinking he can use money to get his way without regard for other people. Then she could have said she's taking his offer and that he can put that punch on the list of things he can sue her for. Then she could have just walked out of the hanger all cool with an awesome exit line, gotten on her plane and just gone normal about her business day of taking areal pictures. See that kind of response would have said miles about her independence and resilience, cuz no matter what kind of difficulty life throws at her she would just roll with it and in the end come out on top. To me that would be a stronger statement of her inner strength that just stubbornly refusing to get married to Grady. After that it just became a chore trying to read what happens next.
New suggested title: All That Baby Making Drama.
I kind of reached my ultimate disappointment when B.J. didn't get even a bit angry at Grady's dad after that confrontation in her hanger and just tried to cold-cock him. I could imagine that scene playing out way cooled if she just punched him, gave him a talking down about how he is being a prick thinking he can use money to get his way without regard for other people. Then she could have said she's taking his offer and that he can put that punch on the list of things he can sue her for. Then she could have just walked out of the hanger all cool with an awesome exit line, gotten on her plane and just gone normal about her business day of taking areal pictures. See that kind of response would have said miles about her independence and resilience, cuz no matter what kind of difficulty life throws at her she would just roll with it and in the end come out on top. To me that would be a stronger statement of her inner strength that just stubbornly refusing to get married to Grady. After that it just became a chore trying to read what happens next.
New suggested title: All That Baby Making Drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2013
Can I just say how much I love this cover, well the hot guy on the cover. This book is a light hearted read and it was fun to read as well B.J (yes that's her name) she's someone you can't help but fall in love with, "well, I can't, okay. Frankly, I'm worried about you. I mean, Jesus, Slim. This is not healthy. Mean have to have sex. I grew up with four guys. I know. They can't function without it. You just need to find some anonymous woman and get yourself laid, man." See she gives out great advice. Grady he's well he really had to grow on me, he was like this sissy boy who takes forever to get over s*** it kinda annoyed me really but he's also kind of possessive so I forgave him for some of his sissy-ness, "the first - and pretty much the only - declaration to enter his head was, mine." B.J. she has a great way with words and expressions, "I'm not mad," she said. "And I still want to ride you like there's no tomorrow."
September 28, 2015
BJ kept reminding me of someone. I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
I was watching ABC Family's Toy Story marathon when it hit. Jesse the Yodeling Cowgirl. When they call her a tomboy the mean TOMBOY! Yep, you've got a friend in me.
Now, Grady... Oh Grady, Grady, Grady you poor tormented, brooding soul. You are a man well-written. BJ may be more than a little rough around the edges, but she shakes sense and life back into his life. When he does, watch out. He has some time to make up for.
Nice little book, but please spruce BJ up just a teensy bit.
I was watching ABC Family's Toy Story marathon when it hit. Jesse the Yodeling Cowgirl. When they call her a tomboy the mean TOMBOY! Yep, you've got a friend in me.
Now, Grady... Oh Grady, Grady, Grady you poor tormented, brooding soul. You are a man well-written. BJ may be more than a little rough around the edges, but she shakes sense and life back into his life. When he does, watch out. He has some time to make up for.
Nice little book, but please spruce BJ up just a teensy bit.
August 17, 2018
I POSTED A REVIEW FOR THIS BOOK A FEW MONTHS BACK, AND NOW I CAN'T SEE IT, WOW!!!
I have read this book SEVEN TIMES, UHH, yeah you read it correctly, I am obsessed with this book plus author in a completely nerdy way.
B.J. was my definition of badass, I freaking adored her.
THIS IS MY FAVOURITE BOOK SINCE AN YEAR AND I LOVE IT TOO MUCH TO SHARE THE PLOT, kidding, I love it but I am TOO lazy to write the review again but I will post another soon.
I have read this book SEVEN TIMES, UHH, yeah you read it correctly, I am obsessed with this book plus author in a completely nerdy way.
B.J. was my definition of badass, I freaking adored her.
THIS IS MY FAVOURITE BOOK SINCE AN YEAR AND I LOVE IT TOO MUCH TO SHARE THE PLOT, kidding, I love it but I am TOO lazy to write the review again but I will post another soon.
March 22, 2018
Again an extremely short book that left me craving for more 💔
June 29, 2011
Tomboy B.J. Gilmore's greatest love is flying. She's a pilot and can swear like a sailor.
Everyone in Tommy Creek knows that Grady Rawlings, the heir to an oil dynasty, lost his wife and son a few years ago. She died giving birth to their baby. Neither survived. Grady doesn't deal well with people pitying him and has become somewhat of a recluse. When he hires Gilmore's plane service the last thing he expected is to be seduced by his gum-chewing, aviator-wearing pilot. The one night they spend together has dire consequences.
In many ways this book was very old-fashioned. If it wasn't for the setting in a small town in Texas, it would've felt weird. As it was, Kage's writing perfectly captured the feel of a no-nonsense Texas lifestyle. I loved B.J.'s introduction. She is one though cookie and doesn't take sh** from anyone - especially not from her three brothers. I found it refreshing that, even though B.J. knew about Grady's tragic loss, she saw him as a man. A man with an overwhelming presence and killer blue eyes. It wasn't about love at first, hell, not even about friendship with benefits. B.J. saw something she wanted and took it. I respected that - even more though because she wasn't fooling herself into believing their night together was exactly what it should've been. It wasn't. This made the journey for them as individuals and as soon to be parents of a child so much more interesting. After all, B.J. "...knew squat about ankle-biters" and love.
I was glad she didn't fall in love with Grady too soon. It wouldn't have felt right.
Getting pregnant shouldn't have happened, but it did.
I saw B.J. as Grady's knight in shining armor [in disguise]. He needed for someone to not pussyfoot around him. Basically B.J. just steamrolled over him and I had a blast witnessing the spectacle. Poor Grady didn't know what had hit him half the time. In the progress they made a ton of new memories. He had to stop living in the past.
The fact that she had a crush on him back in the day made falling in love despite their unorthodox start possible. They weren't just strangers meeting for the first time.
It impressed me to no end that B.J. had the strengh to acknowledge Amy and Grady were "two halves of a whole". However, it wasn't just that Grady benefited from her. As a tomboy she wasn't used to showing weakness or kindness. B.J. learned to mimick Grady and found a friend in his twin sister Jo Ellen. I was happy for her.
When B.J. and Grady finally admitted their love for one another, I truly believed every word. Kudos to Kage for character-development.
What I didn't like was what Grady said at his wife's grave. It was a pretty cringe-worthy confession. Then again, I might have liked him beating around the bush even less.
At first Amy (his dead wife) was made out to be this perfect person. The problems they had faced could've been mentioned sooner.
Grady's reaction to the baby-news was very, very old-fashioned and I had to remind myself that in a small town in Texas thing's were done this way.
B.J. confusing her pregnancy with something else was cute, but not very plausible. Also, Grady should've instantly known what reason B.J had to contact him.
These flaws might be grounds for rating this book only 4.5 stars, but overall, I enjoyed this read too much to not give it more. 5 stars to The Trouble With Tomboys by Linda Kage.
Beware of Spoilers!
A few of my favorite quotes for those of you who are interested:
° "I'll take a glass of water. B.J. rolled her eyes. Get him a Bud...Light."
° "You just need to find some anonymous woman and get yourself laid, man."
° "It's about time someone threw an ice cold glass of reality right in your face."
° "What? Are you on drugs? What the hell makes you think I'm in any way motherly?"
Everyone in Tommy Creek knows that Grady Rawlings, the heir to an oil dynasty, lost his wife and son a few years ago. She died giving birth to their baby. Neither survived. Grady doesn't deal well with people pitying him and has become somewhat of a recluse. When he hires Gilmore's plane service the last thing he expected is to be seduced by his gum-chewing, aviator-wearing pilot. The one night they spend together has dire consequences.
In many ways this book was very old-fashioned. If it wasn't for the setting in a small town in Texas, it would've felt weird. As it was, Kage's writing perfectly captured the feel of a no-nonsense Texas lifestyle. I loved B.J.'s introduction. She is one though cookie and doesn't take sh** from anyone - especially not from her three brothers. I found it refreshing that, even though B.J. knew about Grady's tragic loss, she saw him as a man. A man with an overwhelming presence and killer blue eyes. It wasn't about love at first, hell, not even about friendship with benefits. B.J. saw something she wanted and took it. I respected that - even more though because she wasn't fooling herself into believing their night together was exactly what it should've been. It wasn't. This made the journey for them as individuals and as soon to be parents of a child so much more interesting. After all, B.J. "...knew squat about ankle-biters" and love.
I was glad she didn't fall in love with Grady too soon. It wouldn't have felt right.
Getting pregnant shouldn't have happened, but it did.
I saw B.J. as Grady's knight in shining armor [in disguise]. He needed for someone to not pussyfoot around him. Basically B.J. just steamrolled over him and I had a blast witnessing the spectacle. Poor Grady didn't know what had hit him half the time. In the progress they made a ton of new memories. He had to stop living in the past.
The fact that she had a crush on him back in the day made falling in love despite their unorthodox start possible. They weren't just strangers meeting for the first time.
It impressed me to no end that B.J. had the strengh to acknowledge Amy and Grady were "two halves of a whole". However, it wasn't just that Grady benefited from her. As a tomboy she wasn't used to showing weakness or kindness. B.J. learned to mimick Grady and found a friend in his twin sister Jo Ellen. I was happy for her.
When B.J. and Grady finally admitted their love for one another, I truly believed every word. Kudos to Kage for character-development.
What I didn't like was what Grady said at his wife's grave. It was a pretty cringe-worthy confession. Then again, I might have liked him beating around the bush even less.
At first Amy (his dead wife) was made out to be this perfect person. The problems they had faced could've been mentioned sooner.
Grady's reaction to the baby-news was very, very old-fashioned and I had to remind myself that in a small town in Texas thing's were done this way.
B.J. confusing her pregnancy with something else was cute, but not very plausible. Also, Grady should've instantly known what reason B.J had to contact him.
These flaws might be grounds for rating this book only 4.5 stars, but overall, I enjoyed this read too much to not give it more. 5 stars to The Trouble With Tomboys by Linda Kage.
Beware of Spoilers!
A few of my favorite quotes for those of you who are interested:
° "I'll take a glass of water. B.J. rolled her eyes. Get him a Bud...Light."
° "You just need to find some anonymous woman and get yourself laid, man."
° "It's about time someone threw an ice cold glass of reality right in your face."
° "What? Are you on drugs? What the hell makes you think I'm in any way motherly?"
February 20, 2012
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS AT READING, EATING & DREAMING
The Trouble with Tomboys by Linda Kage was OUTSTANDING. It was hilarious, heartfelt, and touching. This book had me laughing and crying at the same time. Sometimes I was laughing so hard I'd cry. Other times I was bawling my eyes only to start cracking up seconds later. It was a wonderful emotional rollercoaster ride.
I loved the two main characters, B.J. the tomboy and Grady the widower. Ms. Kage did a fabulous job showcasing Grady’s feelings for both Amy, his dead wife, and B.J., his feisty new baby momma. I strongly felt his torment, his grief, and his sense of betrayal, as well as his happiness, his excitement, and his love. I liked watching his character gradually come back to life. His feelings and the changes in his life felt so raw and realistic. I couldn’t help but fall for him. I also really liked B.J. She’s loud, blunt, lively, and sometimes inappropriate. I consider myself a girly girl, but that didn’t stop me from respecting and relating to B.J.’s character.
I gave The Trouble with Tomboys by Linda Kage 4 STARS. I absolutely loved this novel, and I strongly recommend this original and entertaining tale. I liked this novel so much that I am currently reading another Linda Kage novel, How to Resist Prince Charming.
-XOXO
READING, EATING & DREAMING
The Trouble with Tomboys by Linda Kage was OUTSTANDING. It was hilarious, heartfelt, and touching. This book had me laughing and crying at the same time. Sometimes I was laughing so hard I'd cry. Other times I was bawling my eyes only to start cracking up seconds later. It was a wonderful emotional rollercoaster ride.
I loved the two main characters, B.J. the tomboy and Grady the widower. Ms. Kage did a fabulous job showcasing Grady’s feelings for both Amy, his dead wife, and B.J., his feisty new baby momma. I strongly felt his torment, his grief, and his sense of betrayal, as well as his happiness, his excitement, and his love. I liked watching his character gradually come back to life. His feelings and the changes in his life felt so raw and realistic. I couldn’t help but fall for him. I also really liked B.J. She’s loud, blunt, lively, and sometimes inappropriate. I consider myself a girly girl, but that didn’t stop me from respecting and relating to B.J.’s character.
I gave The Trouble with Tomboys by Linda Kage 4 STARS. I absolutely loved this novel, and I strongly recommend this original and entertaining tale. I liked this novel so much that I am currently reading another Linda Kage novel, How to Resist Prince Charming.
-XOXO
READING, EATING & DREAMING
Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews