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Something Worth Fighting for
No good deed goes unpunished... And no one knows that better than Tisha Nichols, who, out of the kindness of her heart, agrees to style the hair of her nine-year-old neighbor Cami, so the little girl can look good for picture day. Unfortunately, Cami's adoptive Uncle is far from grateful. In fact he's down right livid...and far too attractive for Tisha's peace of mind. Love thy neighbor... Is easier said than done, especially when the neighbor in question is a sexy little spitfire who gives even better than she gets. Although Jonah is not the type to say he's sorry, even he can admit when he's wrong. But the ongoing fight to win custody of Cami has made him cautious and mistrustful of people, even those as desirable as Tisha. What starts as a misunderstanding turns out to be one of the best things to ever happen to them. Unfortunately, not everyone is as thrilled, and Jonah and Tisha must decide if their newly formed family is something worth fighting for.
192 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2010
13 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Lena Matthews
66 books410 followersLena Matthews spends her days dreaming about handsome heroes and her nights with her own personal hero. Married to her college sweetheart, she is the proud mother of two children, three evil dogs, and a mess of ants that she can't seem to get rid of.
When not writing she can be found reading, watching movies, lifting up the cushions on the couch to look for batteries for the remote control and plotting different ways to bring Buffy back on the air.
When not writing she can be found reading, watching movies, lifting up the cushions on the couch to look for batteries for the remote control and plotting different ways to bring Buffy back on the air.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 17, 2011
Tisha Nichols is a hairstylist. It is a good thing too because the cute little girl, Cami, who just moved in next door is in desperate need of a hair intervention. It is school picture day and her guardian, the sexy, growly Jonah is hopeless with little girl hair.
But the sexy Jonah is none to pleased to have received the scare of his life when he realizes that Cami has disappeared only to learn she was in his neighbor's house having her hair done.
Tisha and Jonah have words and generally dislike each other at first. But after speaking with Cami, Jonah realizes that Tisha was simply doing them a favor. Forced to apologize, Jonah forges a prickly truce with Tisha because Cami and Tisha are beginning to form a bond and Jonah wants to do whatever he can to make Cami's life comfortable.
So the two neighbors who start out as enemies become grudging friends and then become lovers who band together to stave off the efforts of a relative trying to wrest custody of Cami away from Jonah.
This is a fairly by-the-numbers, though enjoyable enemies-to-lovers romance. I have read other books by this author and have pretty much enjoyed her work. I didn't buy the hate-at-first sight though. It felt forced in order to create romantic conflict. In her book Three Wishes author Seressia Glass has a similar set up with neighbors who are don't get on at first where a young child is involved. I thought Glass' neighbor-meet and the distrust was more believable than this one. I am glad that LM didn't let them hold on to it too much. They do begin to communicate and like each other so the story was allowed to flow on.
The romance was sexy and steamy between Tisha and Jonah when they finally realize they are hot for each other. And they have great on the page chemistry. Lena Matthews does not shy away from a good steamy sex scene. This is not erotica but there are a couple or three super hot scenes.
I actually wished the author had spent more time on the family dynamic of Jonah and Cami. There was a lot of emotional stuff to be mined with the situation of a bachelor who is asked to be the guardian of a young girl in her now deceased parents' will. In Jonah's case he is a white man who is raising a young black girl who is no blood relation. Sure hair is the obvious thing, but I think him needing Tisha to help him navigate unfamiliar waters would have been a more natural reason for the two to spend time and get to know each other and to add some richness and depth to the story. As it is Tisha and Cami bond instantly and much of the drama is left to the plotting of the relative who uses everything in her arsenal to gain custody of the little girl.
Things come to a head with the custody battle in a way that I was predicting early on. But even so the scenes in the end are well written and affecting.
Nice way to spend and afternoon.
But the sexy Jonah is none to pleased to have received the scare of his life when he realizes that Cami has disappeared only to learn she was in his neighbor's house having her hair done.
Tisha and Jonah have words and generally dislike each other at first. But after speaking with Cami, Jonah realizes that Tisha was simply doing them a favor. Forced to apologize, Jonah forges a prickly truce with Tisha because Cami and Tisha are beginning to form a bond and Jonah wants to do whatever he can to make Cami's life comfortable.
So the two neighbors who start out as enemies become grudging friends and then become lovers who band together to stave off the efforts of a relative trying to wrest custody of Cami away from Jonah.
This is a fairly by-the-numbers, though enjoyable enemies-to-lovers romance. I have read other books by this author and have pretty much enjoyed her work. I didn't buy the hate-at-first sight though. It felt forced in order to create romantic conflict. In her book Three Wishes author Seressia Glass has a similar set up with neighbors who are don't get on at first where a young child is involved. I thought Glass' neighbor-meet and the distrust was more believable than this one. I am glad that LM didn't let them hold on to it too much. They do begin to communicate and like each other so the story was allowed to flow on.
The romance was sexy and steamy between Tisha and Jonah when they finally realize they are hot for each other. And they have great on the page chemistry. Lena Matthews does not shy away from a good steamy sex scene. This is not erotica but there are a couple or three super hot scenes.
I actually wished the author had spent more time on the family dynamic of Jonah and Cami. There was a lot of emotional stuff to be mined with the situation of a bachelor who is asked to be the guardian of a young girl in her now deceased parents' will. In Jonah's case he is a white man who is raising a young black girl who is no blood relation. Sure hair is the obvious thing, but I think him needing Tisha to help him navigate unfamiliar waters would have been a more natural reason for the two to spend time and get to know each other and to add some richness and depth to the story. As it is Tisha and Cami bond instantly and much of the drama is left to the plotting of the relative who uses everything in her arsenal to gain custody of the little girl.
Things come to a head with the custody battle in a way that I was predicting early on. But even so the scenes in the end are well written and affecting.
Nice way to spend and afternoon.
April 13, 2012
This story was very similar to another story by Lena Matthews that I read first, The Sweetest Taboo. Both were interracial with kids involved. I definitely preferred The Sweetest Taboo to this one.
I didn't get Jonah's attraction to Tisha. I think things fell too easily into place for the couple. Also I didn't quite buy the motive for ReShaunda wanting Cami to live with her versus Jonah. She wasn't very close to Cami's mom. If there were an inheritance involved, I'd be more accepting of her wanting Cami to live with her.
If you enjoyed this novel, then you'll LOVE The Sweetest Taboo.
I didn't get Jonah's attraction to Tisha. I think things fell too easily into place for the couple. Also I didn't quite buy the motive for ReShaunda wanting Cami to live with her versus Jonah. She wasn't very close to Cami's mom. If there were an inheritance involved, I'd be more accepting of her wanting Cami to live with her.
If you enjoyed this novel, then you'll LOVE The Sweetest Taboo.
July 12, 2014
OK, this worked for me overall.
The handful of things that rubbed me the wrong way were race related.The heroine being a bit too stereotypical in certain situations and unnecessarily harsh on the hero maybe a time or two among those things I didn't really like. Their meeting was a bit over the top on both their parts in terms of reaction, but they got past it and the story progressed well after that. Otherwise, this is a well written piece, no grammatical or usage errors that were glaring enough to detract and that's huge for me. The storyline arc was a good one, but maybe....I'm not sure, something about it was too contrived and out of left field. Also, the wrap up was a little hurried for my tastes. Still, decent read and I'd recommend it to any IR fans.
The handful of things that rubbed me the wrong way were race related.The heroine being a bit too stereotypical in certain situations and unnecessarily harsh on the hero maybe a time or two among those things I didn't really like. Their meeting was a bit over the top on both their parts in terms of reaction, but they got past it and the story progressed well after that. Otherwise, this is a well written piece, no grammatical or usage errors that were glaring enough to detract and that's huge for me. The storyline arc was a good one, but maybe....I'm not sure, something about it was too contrived and out of left field. Also, the wrap up was a little hurried for my tastes. Still, decent read and I'd recommend it to any IR fans.
August 24, 2014
Really liked this one. Will review for Love in the Margins.
January 31, 2015
Started but DNF after the first few chapters..Maybe I'll try again before I delete it off my kindle.
September 26, 2017
I have a very strong feeling I have read this before..
It was a nice read, everything happened super fast so it didnt feel very organic.
But the characters were still very nice to root for.
It was a nice read, everything happened super fast so it didnt feel very organic.
But the characters were still very nice to root for.
March 5, 2015
I love stories where the father is a single parent.
In this great story we are introduced to Tisha Nichols, hair salon owner, single woman and feisty to a tee. Her neighbor who lives across the street Jonah Glasse and his 9 year old daughter Cami.
Being a single dad comes with quite a few challenges. Jonah became a father over night after his best friend Gilbert and his wife died in a car accident, thus introducing him to fatherhood really quickly. Cami the outspoken and precocious adolescent takes it upon herself to go across the street to Tisha's house and asks her to do her hair for picture day at her school. Well let's face it Jonah could do the basic pony tail (barely) and this was picture day which is very important.
Tisha is awakened by the sight of Cami by her bedside pleading her case, Tisha who is not a morning person barely gets by from mauling the child for disturbing her sleep. So Tisha gets up, takes her to the garage and makes sure the door is open so that when her dad comes looking for her, he will be able to see them both. Well a good deed from Tisha turned bad really quickly because Papa Jonah came out like a roaring lion and all but accused Tisha of kidnapping. Well their introduction went south very quickly but leave it to Cami to point out the error of his ways, so in good faith he goes to apologize to Tisha who all but tells him to go away in a not so nice way.
After getting off on the wrong foot, they make an attempt to start over by introducing themselves and having lunch together. From this initial sit down they both decide to see each other again and from there a friendship develops into lovers. But before Tisha and Jonah can go further their are somethings that both have to work out within themselves in order to make a real go at it.
This story has love, misunderstandings, trust issues and becoming a family. It also has a vicious custody battle between Jonah and his best friend's wife cousin over little Cami. It is a story that you will love and find yourself rooting for all 3 of them Jonah, Cami and Tisha to become a family. It is very well written and I highly recommend this story. Author Lena Matthews is a person who pays attention to detail and knows how to draw her readers in.
Well Until My Next Review Ciao Bellas!
In this great story we are introduced to Tisha Nichols, hair salon owner, single woman and feisty to a tee. Her neighbor who lives across the street Jonah Glasse and his 9 year old daughter Cami.
Being a single dad comes with quite a few challenges. Jonah became a father over night after his best friend Gilbert and his wife died in a car accident, thus introducing him to fatherhood really quickly. Cami the outspoken and precocious adolescent takes it upon herself to go across the street to Tisha's house and asks her to do her hair for picture day at her school. Well let's face it Jonah could do the basic pony tail (barely) and this was picture day which is very important.
Tisha is awakened by the sight of Cami by her bedside pleading her case, Tisha who is not a morning person barely gets by from mauling the child for disturbing her sleep. So Tisha gets up, takes her to the garage and makes sure the door is open so that when her dad comes looking for her, he will be able to see them both. Well a good deed from Tisha turned bad really quickly because Papa Jonah came out like a roaring lion and all but accused Tisha of kidnapping. Well their introduction went south very quickly but leave it to Cami to point out the error of his ways, so in good faith he goes to apologize to Tisha who all but tells him to go away in a not so nice way.
After getting off on the wrong foot, they make an attempt to start over by introducing themselves and having lunch together. From this initial sit down they both decide to see each other again and from there a friendship develops into lovers. But before Tisha and Jonah can go further their are somethings that both have to work out within themselves in order to make a real go at it.
This story has love, misunderstandings, trust issues and becoming a family. It also has a vicious custody battle between Jonah and his best friend's wife cousin over little Cami. It is a story that you will love and find yourself rooting for all 3 of them Jonah, Cami and Tisha to become a family. It is very well written and I highly recommend this story. Author Lena Matthews is a person who pays attention to detail and knows how to draw her readers in.
Well Until My Next Review Ciao Bellas!
November 24, 2012
This was such a good story to me. I love when the characters can make me laugh through tears.
Jonah has custody of his deceased foster brother's daughter. She just happens to be African American. In an effort to look cute for her school pictures, Cami (Jonah's niece) solicits assistance from Tisha (Jonah's neighbor). Jonah is livid when he discovers Cami missing, which causes he and Tisha to start off on the wrong foot.
Although their first meeting is less than stellar, there is chemistry between them and soon a relationship ensues. I loved the dialogue between the characters, maybe because I tend to be as sassy as Tisha. There were many times I found myself laughing out loud. Cami was delightful and the bond between she and her Uncle Jonah jumped off the page. I especially like the fact that Ms. Matthews took time to develop a relationship between Jonah and Tisha that went beyond the bedroom. It clear to see she was the Ying to his Yang. I truly thought it was a wonderful story and was definitely not disappointed.
Jonah has custody of his deceased foster brother's daughter. She just happens to be African American. In an effort to look cute for her school pictures, Cami (Jonah's niece) solicits assistance from Tisha (Jonah's neighbor). Jonah is livid when he discovers Cami missing, which causes he and Tisha to start off on the wrong foot.
Although their first meeting is less than stellar, there is chemistry between them and soon a relationship ensues. I loved the dialogue between the characters, maybe because I tend to be as sassy as Tisha. There were many times I found myself laughing out loud. Cami was delightful and the bond between she and her Uncle Jonah jumped off the page. I especially like the fact that Ms. Matthews took time to develop a relationship between Jonah and Tisha that went beyond the bedroom. It clear to see she was the Ying to his Yang. I truly thought it was a wonderful story and was definitely not disappointed.
July 11, 2013
synopsis:
tisha is a hair dresser and she agrees to do a little girl's hair on her day off and gets yelled at by her adoptive uncle, jonah. jonah is scared that someone has taken his kid and over reacts, a fact which his daughter makes him apologize for. when jonah gets to know tisha, she likes her and appreciates what she can do for him and his child. jonah is in a custody dispute with a cousin of his daughter's and she is kidnapped by the cousin.
what i liked: that jonah was able to admit when he was wrong, and had no problem apologizing. i liked that once he figured out that tisha wasn't a threat to his daughter, he figured out her good qualities.
what i didn't like: the druggie kidnapping plot. why?
tisha is a hair dresser and she agrees to do a little girl's hair on her day off and gets yelled at by her adoptive uncle, jonah. jonah is scared that someone has taken his kid and over reacts, a fact which his daughter makes him apologize for. when jonah gets to know tisha, she likes her and appreciates what she can do for him and his child. jonah is in a custody dispute with a cousin of his daughter's and she is kidnapped by the cousin.
what i liked: that jonah was able to admit when he was wrong, and had no problem apologizing. i liked that once he figured out that tisha wasn't a threat to his daughter, he figured out her good qualities.
what i didn't like: the druggie kidnapping plot. why?
July 25, 2010
This book was not as good as I thought it would be from the initial sample I got for my Kindle, however, it was still an decent read. This interracial had a little twist in that he had custody of his foster brother's little girl. Little black girl, I should add. She has a smart mouth, however, it's usually in a positive way and not direspectful. Throughtout the book there is the cousin who does not want Cami to live with her "Uncle J". There is tension that builds throughtout the book and it has an interesting ending.
May 18, 2010
This is a short novel that is built around interracial families, the pain of child custody battles, involves the social debate about black children raised in white homes, has lots of good friend and family interaction and dialogue, and features a child who is a delight and is really a 40-year-old human in a 10-year-old body. What a kick!! It is a worthy read and will "warm the cockles of your heart!"
September 18, 2011
At the beginning I didn't know if I'd really like it, but this story was shockingly very good. It really had everything, love, hot sex scenes, and a deep family connection that really set the tone for the book. I love the positive role model in Jonah, and his overly protective nature of his daughter Cami. And Tish, although it she didn't seem like a good fit for Jonah in the beginning, turns out she really was. This author is quickly becoming one of my favs.
April 13, 2011
This is a great IR romance from one of my favorite authors. The little girl stills the show and I wish I was that smart at that age. The relationship between the main characters are believable and I enjoyed watching the hot attraction unfold. Just one big wish. . .an epilogue to send them into the Happily Ever After world of fiction.
March 6, 2014
Constant déjà vu while reading this, enough to make me check my calibre tags afterwards. Quickly found the other book and total forehead smack moment—not only near identical storyline but the same damn author! See The Sweetest Taboo.
*shakes head and worries some more over memory loss*
*shakes head and worries some more over memory loss*
September 26, 2011
Even though this story didn't flow as well as some of the other Lena Matthews books I've read, it was still pretty darn good :) Tisha was such a fun character and the little girl in the story was priceless.
October 15, 2013
This title was a quick and easy read. I was laughing from the beginning of the book and found several humorous moments within the manuscript. I really enjoyed the way the characters interacted and the story flowed very well.
February 23, 2014
Loved Tisha and Cami
Although the ending of this book was a little weird - don't worry there is a Happy Ever After, I enjoyed the spunky Cami and the story backdrop was unique so although I am familiar with the genre, the plot felt fresh and realistic, weird ending aside.
Although the ending of this book was a little weird - don't worry there is a Happy Ever After, I enjoyed the spunky Cami and the story backdrop was unique so although I am familiar with the genre, the plot felt fresh and realistic, weird ending aside.
September 18, 2015
It was an OK read. Exciting but not the I can't put this book down sort of exciting. I thought that their romance was like a whirl wind.... It didn't state when and where they shared their first kiss and was it passionate, was that the time they knew the sex between them would have been great etc
December 3, 2016
Wow!
When I downloaded the sample, wasn't sure how I would like it. I HAD to buy it! I was laughing so hard after their confrontation in her garage, I knew I had to read the rest. Loved it! Look forward to reading more of her books.
When I downloaded the sample, wasn't sure how I would like it. I HAD to buy it! I was laughing so hard after their confrontation in her garage, I knew I had to read the rest. Loved it! Look forward to reading more of her books.
February 28, 2011
There's nothing like family. Jonah and Tisha finds out in the end. I so loved this story.
June 14, 2011
Good characters, good tension, and good mystery, an overall good story.
August 1, 2012
This book was a great book. It will make you laugh and cry.
Read
December 19, 2013great.
September 28, 2014
3.5 stars
August 6, 2015
I just nudged over the 2 star mark for this one.
The relationship didn't evolve naturally for me. I didn't feel an emotional connection with how their relationship developed.
I needed more.
The relationship didn't evolve naturally for me. I didn't feel an emotional connection with how their relationship developed.
I needed more.
February 9, 2016
I enjoyed this tbh
July 13, 2020
Something worth fighting for!
And They Won! Because love is a good reason. Ms. Lena did a great job with this book. Good Read!
And They Won! Because love is a good reason. Ms. Lena did a great job with this book. Good Read!
December 1, 2021
Second Time Around Good Read
This book I read a few years ago. I loved the story then and and enjoyed it just as much now.
This book I read a few years ago. I loved the story then and and enjoyed it just as much now.
November 30, 2010
This novel is oddly titled. Good story, though.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews