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Benedict Brothers #2
Invincible
Bella Benedict's five grown children are scattered around the world like a handful of precious jewels. Now she's dying and she has one last, secret wish. To bring her children home. And to give them what she once a marriage of passion.Wealthy playboy Max Benedict has no interest in long-term commitment. He had his heart broken once and that was enough. Instead, he travels the world, working as a sometime spy for the CIA. When he's asked to investigate a foreign threat against the president, he doesn't think twice about accepting-until he hears who he'll be working with in London.FBI Special Agent Kristin Lassiter is under investigation and on the verge of losing everything-her savings, her job, her beloved father. So when Bella Benedict approaches her with the offer to pay her mounting debts, she's tempted to accept. But there's a catch-a big one. Bella wants Kristin to win the heart of her son Max, the very man who destroyed Kristin years ago. A man unaware he fathered her nine-year-old daughter. If Kristin succeeds, she'll get the money she needs-and the priceless Blackthorne rubies Bella has offered to sweeten the deal. The only problem is, can she win Max's heart without falling back in love with him?
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2010
61 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Joan Johnston
126 books750 followersJoan Johnston (born Little Rock, Arkansas) is a best-selling American author of over forty contemporary and historical romance novels.
Johnston was the third of seven children born to an Air Force sergeant and his music-teacher wife. She received a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in 1970, then earning an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1971. She received a law degree (with honors) at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. For the next five years, Johnston worked as an attorney, serving with the Hunton & Williams firm in Richmond, Virginia, and with Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey in Miami. She has also worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic in San Antonio, Texas, and as a college professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, Barry University, and the University of Miami.
Johnston is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America, and Florida Romance Writers. She has two children and one grandchild, and divides her time between two homes, in Colorado and Florida.
Awards
* Paperbook Book Club of America's Book Rak Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best Western Historical Series Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best New Western Writer
* Romantic Times' Best Historical Series Award (twice)
* The Maggie (twice)
* Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for The Disobedient Bride
Johnston was the third of seven children born to an Air Force sergeant and his music-teacher wife. She received a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in 1970, then earning an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1971. She received a law degree (with honors) at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. For the next five years, Johnston worked as an attorney, serving with the Hunton & Williams firm in Richmond, Virginia, and with Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey in Miami. She has also worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic in San Antonio, Texas, and as a college professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, Barry University, and the University of Miami.
Johnston is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America, and Florida Romance Writers. She has two children and one grandchild, and divides her time between two homes, in Colorado and Florida.
Awards
* Paperbook Book Club of America's Book Rak Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best Western Historical Series Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best New Western Writer
* Romantic Times' Best Historical Series Award (twice)
* The Maggie (twice)
* Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for The Disobedient Bride
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 12, 2015
Okay, I'm bailing on this P.O.S.
It's not that it's a bad romance novel, it's because IT'S NOT A ROMANCE NOVEL!
Every single time it looks like Max the handsome billionaire spy is going to hook up with Kristin, the tough but vulnerable FBI agent and ex-tennis champ (God, I hate these two goody-goody mannequins) suddenly we cut away to . . . to . . . to the hero's mother. Because she's dying. Slowly. Of heart failure. Oh, but she just has to fix up all her children with partners before she croaks!
Maybe I'd have liked this premise better if the entire supporting cast hadn't been TOTALLY FAKE! I mean, they're supposed to be "English" and they live in a "castle" but they carry on like cowboy-hat wearing white trash in an old episode of DALLAS. "But Bull, honey! Bull, honey! Y'all didn't see me having sex with another man -- that was muh twin sister Alicia!"
Oh, ah know honey. Ah know. Bull is exactly the right word!
It's not that it's a bad romance novel, it's because IT'S NOT A ROMANCE NOVEL!
Every single time it looks like Max the handsome billionaire spy is going to hook up with Kristin, the tough but vulnerable FBI agent and ex-tennis champ (God, I hate these two goody-goody mannequins) suddenly we cut away to . . . to . . . to the hero's mother. Because she's dying. Slowly. Of heart failure. Oh, but she just has to fix up all her children with partners before she croaks!
Maybe I'd have liked this premise better if the entire supporting cast hadn't been TOTALLY FAKE! I mean, they're supposed to be "English" and they live in a "castle" but they carry on like cowboy-hat wearing white trash in an old episode of DALLAS. "But Bull, honey! Bull, honey! Y'all didn't see me having sex with another man -- that was muh twin sister Alicia!"
Oh, ah know honey. Ah know. Bull is exactly the right word!
April 28, 2020
When CIA operative Max Benedict hears of a plot to assassinate the President, he rushes to do his duty. A decade ago, Kristin Lassiter spent an unforgettable night in Max's arms. Her best-friend, Max was everything she could dream of, but after a night together they don't get a HEA and she leaves with a secret Max remains unware of for a decade
Max is
I was expecting romance tension, and action - what I got was a hot mess and something I don't really consider a romance. Honestly they argue and have sex and argue some more and have some more sex - it's a never ending cycle. I feel like the blurb and cover tricked me.
The subplot with Max's mum was just sad, had similar plots in other books I've read but here it just left me bummed.
I did like Flick (the daughter).
99p on amazon (bummed I cannot return).
Max is
I was expecting romance tension, and action - what I got was a hot mess and something I don't really consider a romance. Honestly they argue and have sex and argue some more and have some more sex - it's a never ending cycle. I feel like the blurb and cover tricked me.
The subplot with Max's mum was just sad, had similar plots in other books I've read but here it just left me bummed.
I did like Flick (the daughter).
99p on amazon (bummed I cannot return).
April 29, 2012
Max Benedict works for the CIA.
Kristin Lassiter is a FBI agent. She has currently been put on suspension. Without a job, Kristin can not pay her bills. Kristin is offered an opportunity that she can not pass up. Bella Benedict tells Kristin that if she helps Max on his current mission, than she will pay all her bills off. There is just one condition…Kristin must get Max to fall in love with her. Kristin has a lot at stake besides her heart. Her daughter, Flick as well.
Invincible is the second book in the British Benedict Brothers series. Readers were already introduced to the American Benedict’s in Outcast. While, I did like this book, I felt that it too a while to get to the main plot.
Cons:
The story was slow to get moving. There was a lot of back story of introducing Max and Kristin’s past with each other.
Plot was kind of predictable. Max and Kristin capture the bad guys, with the help of Kristin’s daughter, Flick, filling in all the missing clues. Max and Kristin fall in love again and get married.
Pros:
Like Bella Benedict. She calls all the shots and always gets her way.
Flick. She is a spit fire. She is so much wiser beyond her true age.
Max. Easy on the eyes and knows how to sweep a woman off her feet.
Kristin. I am on the fence with Kristin. On one hand I like how much she and Max belong together but on the other hand, I felt she could have been stronger seeing as she is an FBI agent.
The next book in this series is Lydia Benedict’s story in Unforgettable. It sounds like it will be good. No past history between the two main characters and Lydia sounds like she is feisty.
Kristin Lassiter is a FBI agent. She has currently been put on suspension. Without a job, Kristin can not pay her bills. Kristin is offered an opportunity that she can not pass up. Bella Benedict tells Kristin that if she helps Max on his current mission, than she will pay all her bills off. There is just one condition…Kristin must get Max to fall in love with her. Kristin has a lot at stake besides her heart. Her daughter, Flick as well.
Invincible is the second book in the British Benedict Brothers series. Readers were already introduced to the American Benedict’s in Outcast. While, I did like this book, I felt that it too a while to get to the main plot.
Cons:
The story was slow to get moving. There was a lot of back story of introducing Max and Kristin’s past with each other.
Plot was kind of predictable. Max and Kristin capture the bad guys, with the help of Kristin’s daughter, Flick, filling in all the missing clues. Max and Kristin fall in love again and get married.
Pros:
Like Bella Benedict. She calls all the shots and always gets her way.
Flick. She is a spit fire. She is so much wiser beyond her true age.
Max. Easy on the eyes and knows how to sweep a woman off her feet.
Kristin. I am on the fence with Kristin. On one hand I like how much she and Max belong together but on the other hand, I felt she could have been stronger seeing as she is an FBI agent.
The next book in this series is Lydia Benedict’s story in Unforgettable. It sounds like it will be good. No past history between the two main characters and Lydia sounds like she is feisty.
October 14, 2012
When CIA operative Max Benedict hears of a plot to assassinate President Taylor, he rushes to do his duty. President Taylor adores tennis and the upcoming tennis tournament would be the perfect place to stage the attempted assassination. Could the killer be one of the tennis players or coaches?
Ten years ago, Kristin Lassiter spent an unforgettable night in Max Benedict’s arms. He was everything a young girl dreamed of - handsome, charming and caring. Even though he hurt her when she finally became a woman, Kristin could forgive Max for that. However, she could not understand what drove Max into the arms of another female the next morning. Hurt and angry, Kristin fled, taking with her a precious secret.
Now, Kristin has become an FBI agent in Miami, although her record is far from stellar. First, she kills a youth who was reaching for his cell phone although Kristin thought it was a gun. Next, an operation goes south and, remembering her previous lack of judgment, Kristin hesitates to draw her weapon. Consequently, her partner is shot and she is in hot water with the Bureau a second time.
When Max Benedict asks Kristin, a former tennis pro, to join him on the investigation he’s working on, Kristin initially refuses. Being with Max again will only dredge up memories of their playing tennis competitively long ago and of their sweet time together on that special night. She can’t allow Max to get too close, close enough to learn that he has a daughter whom he has never met.
Ten years ago, Kristin Lassiter spent an unforgettable night in Max Benedict’s arms. He was everything a young girl dreamed of - handsome, charming and caring. Even though he hurt her when she finally became a woman, Kristin could forgive Max for that. However, she could not understand what drove Max into the arms of another female the next morning. Hurt and angry, Kristin fled, taking with her a precious secret.
Now, Kristin has become an FBI agent in Miami, although her record is far from stellar. First, she kills a youth who was reaching for his cell phone although Kristin thought it was a gun. Next, an operation goes south and, remembering her previous lack of judgment, Kristin hesitates to draw her weapon. Consequently, her partner is shot and she is in hot water with the Bureau a second time.
When Max Benedict asks Kristin, a former tennis pro, to join him on the investigation he’s working on, Kristin initially refuses. Being with Max again will only dredge up memories of their playing tennis competitively long ago and of their sweet time together on that special night. She can’t allow Max to get too close, close enough to learn that he has a daughter whom he has never met.
March 27, 2011
Did not like book 1 in this series but since I had this one already due to a "secret baby" storyline reading binge I felt I had to read it and also give the author a second shot.
Oy! Didn't like this one either. First it was a little confusing because it started out with new characters. The same last name as those from book 1 but none of the siblings/half-siblings/step-siblings we learned of in book 1. Instead, it turns out this is another branch of the family - the European branch.
Anyway, I found the romance bleh and the reason the heroine chose to keep the baby a secret was WEAK! Actually, I thought it was stupid and if I were the hero I would've been pissed off. I thought he forgave too easily and their HEA seemed to occur only because the child existed.
Again, we have the unhappy secondary characters. His mother is separated from his father yet still in love with him. She's dying but won't even admit any feelings to him or even that she's sick?! Why the hell not?
Such sad tones in these books I'm gonna have to put this author on my skip list.
Oy! Didn't like this one either. First it was a little confusing because it started out with new characters. The same last name as those from book 1 but none of the siblings/half-siblings/step-siblings we learned of in book 1. Instead, it turns out this is another branch of the family - the European branch.
Anyway, I found the romance bleh and the reason the heroine chose to keep the baby a secret was WEAK! Actually, I thought it was stupid and if I were the hero I would've been pissed off. I thought he forgave too easily and their HEA seemed to occur only because the child existed.
Again, we have the unhappy secondary characters. His mother is separated from his father yet still in love with him. She's dying but won't even admit any feelings to him or even that she's sick?! Why the hell not?
Such sad tones in these books I'm gonna have to put this author on my skip list.
October 29, 2010
Isabella Wharton Benedict, Duchess of Blackthorne, such a strong nom de plume, and yet what did any of it mean. Bella is dying, slowly and surely her heart is beginning to fail. It could be immediately of a heart attack or possibly three years down the road with good care. The damage is done and there is no going back. Now her only hope is that she can make amends, both with her husband and her children. While her marriage was never easy it grew into a cauldron of heat and fire, a passion that for her would never fade. Would she be able to find a way to explain and find her husbands forgiveness? He could not be aware of her failing health; she wanted him back on terms of love, not pity.
Now was a time to finally be there for her children. Could she be the catalyst to help them find the love that she had experienced? Would she be able to help them to realize that meeting of their one true soul mate, that passion that burns for a lifetime? There was little time, and with five of them, time was of the essence. How would she gain back their trust? There was so little time. And Bull, her bullheaded man, would there be enough time to heal the damage? Her heart, damaged beyond repair, was a viper, ready to strike her down without warning.
Bella is a very strong and determined woman. She has experienced so many difficulties in her life, and appears to be very misunderstood. There is a story there, one that is not fleshed out in this book, but will keep me reading the rest of this series because I really feel her pain. While she has earned much of what comes her way, she is human and has made many mistakes. While it takes the fear of her death to make her realize that there must be some closure for her children, but also for her own marriage, she had every intention of making amends. She just really felt there would be more time. She is afraid and lonely; there is much to do, to make it right.
In this book of the series we meet her son Max, who unknown to her is also a British secret agent. She knows a great deal about a woman that Max had been involved with as a teenager, and she knows that this is the woman for him. With her connections and her money she vows to bring them together.
Kristin Lassiter is a mom, and a FBI agent. As a teen she was a serious contender in tennis. In the last ten years her life as revolved around her daughter, Flick. Kristin is serious and smart, but has had some difficulties in her life, as well as her current job. She had been under review recently for using her gun, and was now under review again for a similar situation. Because she is on suspension from the FBI, her boss is loaning her to the British for an investigation of a possible murder plot against the United States president. The information is that the rumors are coming through a possible connection with tennis and that they need someone on the inside to ferret out the possible culprits. Kristin is a shoo-in due to her background. Her only problem is that she will be paired up with Max Benedict, a British undercover operative, and also the young man that broke her heart years ago on the tennis circuit. He is also unknowingly Flicks father. She has never quite forgotten that love, or even the friendship that preceded it. His betrayal as left a scar that will be hard to heal.
Max is a strong and resilient person. He grew up in a splintered home, with parents that were too involved with each other to pay attention to their children. He does not believe in marriage because of what he has had to endure. He has some very deep hurts that make him so very much human. He loves tennis, but left and moved on to his current job. He was cut very deeply as a teen, when he fell in love with another young tennis player years ago. They began as friends, and they were strong friends, but that all ended in one night of passion. The next day, all was as though it never happened, Kristin left for home, and he had never seen or heard from her again. He tried for some time but she would neither take his calls nor even respond to him in anyway. When he realizes that he needs her expertise to find a murderer, he is cautious but curious. Will there still be sparks. While he feels that he lost that love, he is still extremely attracted to her, for all the same reasons from the first time around. Just being near her still sets his heart aflame and the heat is thick with tension whenever they get together. The fires kindles, but he vows that love does not enter the picture; the passion is inevitable, pulling them, no regrets, no excuses, just plain uninhibited sex. But then what is that knot he is feeling, deep in his heart, dull and constant, hard to ignore?
Flick, a beautiful and precocious child, she will be the one to bring them together or tear them apart. She is Kristin’s secret, her joy and her connection to Max. But Flick is not an easy child. She is strong willed and extremely smart. She too has learned to play tennis from the time she was old enough and is better then both of her parents. She is so funny and sweet, but also just says it like it is. She is enamored of big words and throws them out in sentences, confusing and wowing her audience. She is a fun and strong cement for this wonderful cast of characters. Though her unselfconscious honesty we begin to see in Bella, a vulnerability, making you just wans to help her reach her goals, and it is also through Flick that we realize that one-Love is not just a tennis score.
Summary
Bella, the Countess of Blackthorne is dying. In an effort to make amends she has decided to use the time left to her, to help her five children find love. She also wants to rekindle her love with her estranged husband. The children are not very receptive to her invitation, but she is finally able to communicate with her son Max. Because of her status and wealth, she has hired private detectives and knows almost everything about him and his first real love. She also knows that he has a daughter and is determined to bring her into the fold. Now she just needs to create the perfect plan to make the puzzle pieces all fall into place. Just as in tennis, the winner takes it all.
This book was received as a free e-book from Net Galley. All opinions are my own based off my independent reading and understanding of the material
Now was a time to finally be there for her children. Could she be the catalyst to help them find the love that she had experienced? Would she be able to help them to realize that meeting of their one true soul mate, that passion that burns for a lifetime? There was little time, and with five of them, time was of the essence. How would she gain back their trust? There was so little time. And Bull, her bullheaded man, would there be enough time to heal the damage? Her heart, damaged beyond repair, was a viper, ready to strike her down without warning.
Bella is a very strong and determined woman. She has experienced so many difficulties in her life, and appears to be very misunderstood. There is a story there, one that is not fleshed out in this book, but will keep me reading the rest of this series because I really feel her pain. While she has earned much of what comes her way, she is human and has made many mistakes. While it takes the fear of her death to make her realize that there must be some closure for her children, but also for her own marriage, she had every intention of making amends. She just really felt there would be more time. She is afraid and lonely; there is much to do, to make it right.
In this book of the series we meet her son Max, who unknown to her is also a British secret agent. She knows a great deal about a woman that Max had been involved with as a teenager, and she knows that this is the woman for him. With her connections and her money she vows to bring them together.
Kristin Lassiter is a mom, and a FBI agent. As a teen she was a serious contender in tennis. In the last ten years her life as revolved around her daughter, Flick. Kristin is serious and smart, but has had some difficulties in her life, as well as her current job. She had been under review recently for using her gun, and was now under review again for a similar situation. Because she is on suspension from the FBI, her boss is loaning her to the British for an investigation of a possible murder plot against the United States president. The information is that the rumors are coming through a possible connection with tennis and that they need someone on the inside to ferret out the possible culprits. Kristin is a shoo-in due to her background. Her only problem is that she will be paired up with Max Benedict, a British undercover operative, and also the young man that broke her heart years ago on the tennis circuit. He is also unknowingly Flicks father. She has never quite forgotten that love, or even the friendship that preceded it. His betrayal as left a scar that will be hard to heal.
Max is a strong and resilient person. He grew up in a splintered home, with parents that were too involved with each other to pay attention to their children. He does not believe in marriage because of what he has had to endure. He has some very deep hurts that make him so very much human. He loves tennis, but left and moved on to his current job. He was cut very deeply as a teen, when he fell in love with another young tennis player years ago. They began as friends, and they were strong friends, but that all ended in one night of passion. The next day, all was as though it never happened, Kristin left for home, and he had never seen or heard from her again. He tried for some time but she would neither take his calls nor even respond to him in anyway. When he realizes that he needs her expertise to find a murderer, he is cautious but curious. Will there still be sparks. While he feels that he lost that love, he is still extremely attracted to her, for all the same reasons from the first time around. Just being near her still sets his heart aflame and the heat is thick with tension whenever they get together. The fires kindles, but he vows that love does not enter the picture; the passion is inevitable, pulling them, no regrets, no excuses, just plain uninhibited sex. But then what is that knot he is feeling, deep in his heart, dull and constant, hard to ignore?
Flick, a beautiful and precocious child, she will be the one to bring them together or tear them apart. She is Kristin’s secret, her joy and her connection to Max. But Flick is not an easy child. She is strong willed and extremely smart. She too has learned to play tennis from the time she was old enough and is better then both of her parents. She is so funny and sweet, but also just says it like it is. She is enamored of big words and throws them out in sentences, confusing and wowing her audience. She is a fun and strong cement for this wonderful cast of characters. Though her unselfconscious honesty we begin to see in Bella, a vulnerability, making you just wans to help her reach her goals, and it is also through Flick that we realize that one-Love is not just a tennis score.
Summary
Bella, the Countess of Blackthorne is dying. In an effort to make amends she has decided to use the time left to her, to help her five children find love. She also wants to rekindle her love with her estranged husband. The children are not very receptive to her invitation, but she is finally able to communicate with her son Max. Because of her status and wealth, she has hired private detectives and knows almost everything about him and his first real love. She also knows that he has a daughter and is determined to bring her into the fold. Now she just needs to create the perfect plan to make the puzzle pieces all fall into place. Just as in tennis, the winner takes it all.
This book was received as a free e-book from Net Galley. All opinions are my own based off my independent reading and understanding of the material
July 20, 2019
God this book is awful. DNF’d at 62%—I was trying to finish it since I got so far but I just can’t.
First off these two government agents seem remarkably bad at their jobs. Secondly, romance is a very loose term for the relationship. These two argue and fuck a lot but that’s basically it. Their ten year old problem is based essentially on a miscommunication but one that at least makes sense for teenagers. However Max isn’t a good person. He’s a cheater as well as being hopelessly shallow and entirely unlikeable. I cannot think of a single scene he was in where I didn’t want to smack him except maybe the very beginning.
Kristin does not sound like an adult at all. I actually understand her desire not to have Max be part of their daughter’s life, and I feel sorry for her struggles in the beginning. But only the beginning. She’s remarkably juvenile sounding for a special agent and she’s not remotely interesting.
The whole subplot with Bella is a mess. Manipulating a couple together isn’t a trope I ever enjoy. Her reasons for trying to get her children married are only vaguely explained. She’s not really much of a character, only a plot device this book could’ve done without.
First off these two government agents seem remarkably bad at their jobs. Secondly, romance is a very loose term for the relationship. These two argue and fuck a lot but that’s basically it. Their ten year old problem is based essentially on a miscommunication but one that at least makes sense for teenagers. However Max isn’t a good person. He’s a cheater as well as being hopelessly shallow and entirely unlikeable. I cannot think of a single scene he was in where I didn’t want to smack him except maybe the very beginning.
Kristin does not sound like an adult at all. I actually understand her desire not to have Max be part of their daughter’s life, and I feel sorry for her struggles in the beginning. But only the beginning. She’s remarkably juvenile sounding for a special agent and she’s not remotely interesting.
The whole subplot with Bella is a mess. Manipulating a couple together isn’t a trope I ever enjoy. Her reasons for trying to get her children married are only vaguely explained. She’s not really much of a character, only a plot device this book could’ve done without.
August 17, 2025
Did not like book 1 in this series but since I had this one already due to a "secret baby" storyline reading binge I felt I had to read it and also give the author a second shot.
Oy! Didn't like this one either. First it was a little confusing because it started out with new characters. The same last name as those from book 1 but none of the siblings/half-siblings/step-siblings we learned of in book 1. Instead, it turns out this is another branch of the family - the European branch.
Anyway, I found the romance bleh and the reason the heroine chose to keep the baby a secret was WEAK! Actually, I thought it was stupid and if I were the hero I would've been pissed off. I thought he forgave too easily and their HEA seemed to occur only because the child existed.
Again, we have the unhappy secondary characters. His mother is separated from his father yet still in love with him. She's dying but won't even admit any feelings to him or even that she's sick?! Why the hell not?
Such sad tones in these books I'm gonna have to put this author on my skip list.
Oy! Didn't like this one either. First it was a little confusing because it started out with new characters. The same last name as those from book 1 but none of the siblings/half-siblings/step-siblings we learned of in book 1. Instead, it turns out this is another branch of the family - the European branch.
Anyway, I found the romance bleh and the reason the heroine chose to keep the baby a secret was WEAK! Actually, I thought it was stupid and if I were the hero I would've been pissed off. I thought he forgave too easily and their HEA seemed to occur only because the child existed.
Again, we have the unhappy secondary characters. His mother is separated from his father yet still in love with him. She's dying but won't even admit any feelings to him or even that she's sick?! Why the hell not?
Such sad tones in these books I'm gonna have to put this author on my skip list.
November 24, 2020
The two books I have read in the Benedict brothers series are winners! They are both mysteries with the romance incidental which makes them more appealing if one is not looking for books with heavy sex scenes. There were four Benedict brothers and one sister introduced in Outcast. Outcast, the first in the series, dealt with Ben Benedict. This story deals with Max. There are only two more books in the series, Unforgettable, which is to be Lydia's story, and Irresistible. Unforgettable came out in 2014 and is now only available on demand or as an e book. The author's website says Irresistible is "coming soon". I have now read all of the books that Ms. Johnston has written that are available in print (hard copy). It would be nice to finish this series but I fear that might not be possible as this reader does not do e books and, probably, can't afford the on demand copy. We shall wait and see...but I will not cease my reading! On to new authors and more books!
August 23, 2021
I have to say this is not the worst book I have ever read, however it is not going into my top 10 or even 20. The love story is too frustrating and finally in the end when the characters end up together we don’t really spend much time with their new relationship. It also is very much an adult book, but certain parts almost have a childlike way about them. Overall though it is definitely a good story and has a decent amount of romance if you just want a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2018
FBI agent Kristen Lassiter is under investigation for the way she handled herself during a recent operation. Max Benedict's mother is determined to find Max a wife before the mother's heart gives out. Max convinces Kristen to join him in a CIA operation. This gives Max's mother the opportunity to do her matchmaking.
August 12, 2019
Bella Benedict is dying, but she doesn't want anyone to know. Before she goes, she wants to see her 5 children happily settle and she intents to do all she can to make sure it happens.
library
July 30, 20215
January 9, 2024
Too much like a soap opera. The little kid desperately needed some discipline, not at all cute. Light on plot
October 29, 2024
Loved the story!
December 22, 2010
When they were teens Max and Kristin were best friends and for one night, lovers. But after that one night they parted ways and haven’t seen nor heard from each other in 10 years. Now Kristin’s job is on the line at the FBI and Max needs her skills to help him uncover an assassination plot against the President. With the uncovering of some misunderstandings and some secrets, and a little nudge here and there from Max’s infamous mother, Bella, these two are taking another look at romance.
I am on the fence with this book. There are things that I absolutely love about this book that really worked for me. Then there are things that didn’t work at all.
What I didn’t like was the constant use of big words and their unnecessary definitions by Kristin’s young daughter; it got old and wore thin fairly quickly. I also didn’t like the whole assassination thing. It was always an afterthought and by the time they uncover everything the whole plot was so ridiculous and rushed it was laughable. It really didn’t serve any purpose.
I love couples brought back together after long separations. The unfolding of the secrets and the misunderstandings that kept them apart is exciting and intriguing. I am a romantic and the whole reunion with the one who got away is really one of my favorite storylines. Max and Kristin are interesting characters and they had a lot of passion that was easily translated onto the pages.
I liked Bella’s character and her manipulating ways. I want to uncover all of her secrets and see her and her husband have a happily ever after one day.
This book had enough good going on in it to keep me entertained and flipping the pages. I am interested enough to continue on with the next book in the series, and am hoping the author blends the mystery and the romance a little more believably.
Cherise Everhard, December 2010
I am on the fence with this book. There are things that I absolutely love about this book that really worked for me. Then there are things that didn’t work at all.
What I didn’t like was the constant use of big words and their unnecessary definitions by Kristin’s young daughter; it got old and wore thin fairly quickly. I also didn’t like the whole assassination thing. It was always an afterthought and by the time they uncover everything the whole plot was so ridiculous and rushed it was laughable. It really didn’t serve any purpose.
I love couples brought back together after long separations. The unfolding of the secrets and the misunderstandings that kept them apart is exciting and intriguing. I am a romantic and the whole reunion with the one who got away is really one of my favorite storylines. Max and Kristin are interesting characters and they had a lot of passion that was easily translated onto the pages.
I liked Bella’s character and her manipulating ways. I want to uncover all of her secrets and see her and her husband have a happily ever after one day.
This book had enough good going on in it to keep me entertained and flipping the pages. I am interested enough to continue on with the next book in the series, and am hoping the author blends the mystery and the romance a little more believably.
Cherise Everhard, December 2010
January 8, 2012
Except for the daugher, I didn't like any of the characters. The hero has a girlfriend, yet he sleeps with the heroine for a week without telling her or breaking up with said girlfriend. He then puts them together to see how the heroine will react. What a jerk!
When they were kids, the hero took the heroine's virginity, then kissed another woman the next morning. While he was "just a good-luck kiss" and supposedly "meant nothing", that still doesn't make it okay! When he finds out that's why the heroine ran away, he's upset that she did so over a "stupid misunderstanding." Dude! Kissing another woman is not a misunderstanding! It's called cheating!
The heroine kept the hero's child a secret from him for a decade. I don't like the hidden baby plot because I don't think that a woman has the right to keep the existence of a child away from his/her father. The only exceptions are if the guy took off and she's unable to tell him, or if he's abusive and telling him could put her and/or the child in danger. No other reasons sit well with me. Plus, I really disliked that she just ran away when she found him kissing another woman. If I'd ever been in that situation, I'd have given the guy hell.
And the hero's mother made me so mad. For pete's sake, you still love your estranged husband, you're dying, and you won't tell him? And the fact that she let him mistakenly think that she betrayed him for over a decade was ridiculous. If I was innocent, I would not just let the man I love walk away without a fight.
Gah! I've followed Joan Johnston's writing for years, but the magic has fizzled for me. Glad I found this one at the thrift store. I would've been pissed if I'd paid full price for it.
When they were kids, the hero took the heroine's virginity, then kissed another woman the next morning. While he was "just a good-luck kiss" and supposedly "meant nothing", that still doesn't make it okay! When he finds out that's why the heroine ran away, he's upset that she did so over a "stupid misunderstanding." Dude! Kissing another woman is not a misunderstanding! It's called cheating!
The heroine kept the hero's child a secret from him for a decade. I don't like the hidden baby plot because I don't think that a woman has the right to keep the existence of a child away from his/her father. The only exceptions are if the guy took off and she's unable to tell him, or if he's abusive and telling him could put her and/or the child in danger. No other reasons sit well with me. Plus, I really disliked that she just ran away when she found him kissing another woman. If I'd ever been in that situation, I'd have given the guy hell.
And the hero's mother made me so mad. For pete's sake, you still love your estranged husband, you're dying, and you won't tell him? And the fact that she let him mistakenly think that she betrayed him for over a decade was ridiculous. If I was innocent, I would not just let the man I love walk away without a fight.
Gah! I've followed Joan Johnston's writing for years, but the magic has fizzled for me. Glad I found this one at the thrift store. I would've been pissed if I'd paid full price for it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2010
If you are looking for a quick fun romance to read this is your book. The back story of a match-making mother who has her own continueing romance story unfolding adds depth to the story and helps to keep the story from becoming stale. The sexy single aristicratic son who moonlights as a spy, meets and old flame who still lights his fire and comissions her to help him unravel an assassination attempt to kill the president. Although this sounds like the making of a good suspense/romance novel the book mainly focuses on the couple rekindleing their romance and only uses the spy/assassination attempt as a surface plot to the romance that is the books main focus. The characters are likable and the story was written in such a way that it was easy to read and enjoyable. Switching between the mothers story from the sons and back again helped to keep my interest and the story fresh. I cannot wait to meet the other siblings who are sure to fall into their own love story in the upcoming books. Overall, it's a good, quick, light-hearted read.
July 21, 2012
I have to agree with one of the reviewers of this book on Amazon.com. I, too, am on the 'fence' about this book. There were some things in the book that I enjoyed - enough to keep turning the pages to finish the book. I do not think I'll read any of the other titles in the series.
The characterizations were great. I loved daughter Flick, (her vocabulary made me smile) and even the 'Mean Witch' - Miss Bella and of course the stars of the book, Kristin and Max. However, I didn't enjoy the history included in this title as I usually do - it seemed forced within the story line and the assassination plot was not realistic in its presentation at all.
The characterizations were great. I loved daughter Flick, (her vocabulary made me smile) and even the 'Mean Witch' - Miss Bella and of course the stars of the book, Kristin and Max. However, I didn't enjoy the history included in this title as I usually do - it seemed forced within the story line and the assassination plot was not realistic in its presentation at all.
December 13, 2010
Kind of a common story line where Kristin hid her pregnancy/their daughter for 10 years from Max. From there it gets much more exciting with Kristin working for the FBI and Max being a spy and both of them being world class tennis players when they were teenagers. Not a lot of suspense to go with the spy storyline but it was still a book that sucked me in and kept me reading. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
October 6, 2010I am so stoked to read this book.... Joan came into the Books-a-Miliion that I work in on Monday and started talking about her books, signed the ones we have, and told us about some of the new things she's working on.. she's a pretty awesome lady and seriously cant wait to read this one....
December 29, 2010
Another book in the Benedict family saga, but this one takes place with the English branch of the family. While there is a suspense story taking place, that isn't the crux of the story (which is disappointing).
November 12, 2010
A good book. Part of a series but can be a stand alone. I will be looking for and reading the other books in the series. Modern romance... great misunderstandings and jumping to conclusions.....
November 13, 2010
I really enjoyed this book, but I felt the heroine was a total bitch in her attitude toward the hero and the child the made together but she hid from him for 9 years.
November 15, 2010
Excellent read......great characters......contemp with a Lord, Dutchess, etc. looking forward to reading the other 2!!
March 6, 2011
I enjoyed the sub-plot about Bella, the Duchess, better than the main plot itself. If there were half points, I would have given it a 2.5 stars.
February 2, 2016
I enjoyed the story although the end came really fast.
June 3, 2011
great book my favorite char has to be flick she is to funny and i love how she's not afraid to speak her mind
June 21, 2015
I have read this book more than once and I can't wait for book three.
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