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Second Time Around
Cancer. That’s all it takes for Sophie to shut the door on the most important part of her life. After three years as Ben’s submissive, she says her safe word and returns his collar. But fate won’t let her face the fight alone. David steps into her life as her best friend and submissive.
Sophie may know how to use a flogger, but she’s not a Domme. She’s a sub, too scared to give up control, and David knows it. Sophie still aches to submit and if David can’t give that to her, he’s brave enough to approach the one man who can help them both.
Benjamin. He’s never given up on his submissive, even when she pushed him away and began building a life without him. She’s not happy and he knows it, and this time he’s not going let her fear stand in his way. To tempt her back, Ben will partner with David to remind Sophie just what she’s been missing.
Reader This story has graphic sexual language and scenes—no closed bedroom doors (or other rooms) here!
An adult BDSM romance from Ellora’s Cave
Sophie may know how to use a flogger, but she’s not a Domme. She’s a sub, too scared to give up control, and David knows it. Sophie still aches to submit and if David can’t give that to her, he’s brave enough to approach the one man who can help them both.
Benjamin. He’s never given up on his submissive, even when she pushed him away and began building a life without him. She’s not happy and he knows it, and this time he’s not going let her fear stand in his way. To tempt her back, Ben will partner with David to remind Sophie just what she’s been missing.
Reader This story has graphic sexual language and scenes—no closed bedroom doors (or other rooms) here!
An adult BDSM romance from Ellora’s Cave
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2005
11 people are currently reading
719 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Allred
10 books1,103 followersKatherine Allred was born in Arkansas and spent her formative years there learning to love books at her grandfather's knee. When she was five, her mother remarried and moved them to Michigan, where they stayed for the next ten years. At age fifteen, the entire family moved back home to Arkansas, and she's been there ever since, except for brief stints in other countries and states while her hubby was in the army.
After receiving a BS in journalism from Arkansas State University, Katherine began her writing in earnest. To date, she's had seven books published, with number eight being released in April, 2009, and number nine just completed.
A member of Romance Writers of America, Katherine has achieved many awards for her novels, including the 2006 EPPIE award, winning the PASIC Book of Your Heart contest in 2002, and having a novel named Best Book of the Year by Romance Reviews Today in 2005. She currently writes for Eos, the science fiction imprint of Harper Collins Publishing.
After receiving a BS in journalism from Arkansas State University, Katherine began her writing in earnest. To date, she's had seven books published, with number eight being released in April, 2009, and number nine just completed.
A member of Romance Writers of America, Katherine has achieved many awards for her novels, including the 2006 EPPIE award, winning the PASIC Book of Your Heart contest in 2002, and having a novel named Best Book of the Year by Romance Reviews Today in 2005. She currently writes for Eos, the science fiction imprint of Harper Collins Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 4, 2015
So. What the author wants me to believe is that Quinn, who was in a coma, nearly had his leg amputated and went through surgery after surgery and still struggles with his thigh, got laid (more than once) during those five years, but Lanie, despite having had a steady boyfriend for four years, never once slept with her fiancé or anyone else.
I'm so tired of this sexist bullshit.
Of course...of course Lanie (aka the woman) was celibate through their five years apart. And of course Quinn (aka the man) did hook up because he's "only human" (which I can only take to mean is that Lanie isn't because she managed to remain celibate)...but worry not (!!) because "none of them mattered" to him since he "wasn't interested in any woman except one."
Again, so fucking tired of this sexist bullshit.
This book was originally going to get two stars from me but it was this that cinched a one. I'm just really so tired of this shit with the man being allowed to be sexually active while the woman must remain celibate. Quinn is literally her only lover ever. We're shown Quinn and Lanie's first encounter and they meet when he's about to hook up with another woman. We're later told that Quinn was Lanie's "first lover." He's basically her only lover, too, because she doesn't hook up with anyone during their years apart.
The rest of the story was rather uninteresting, as well, and is far longer than it needed to be. It had potential, sure, but much of it was wasted. We're dropped right into the middle of their story (which is not unusual) and I didn't feel anything for or with the characters. A third of the way through, most of the misconceptions and misunderstandings from their fall-out are resolved. These revelations would've held a lot more value and been more impactful if we'd spent more time with the characters and their story.
I feel that the story was unnecessarily dragged out since the writing was pretty much on the wall. Yes, it's the nature of a romance novel for you to know what the ending will most likely entail. However, this made it easy right from the start because you, and the characters, find out they were deceived and lied to right from the start. You, and the characters, know they still love one another. They're still married -- so that's another hurdled cleared. There's also no wondering how she'll go about dumping Jared because you find out he sought her out on Daddy McAllister's dime and watched her for the entirety of their acquaintance. At this point, he basically became a non-factor.
Their "love" also seems pretty unbelievable. There wasn't enough of their shared youth and the beginning of their love-relationship. How the hell am I supposed to believe they can possibly last when she doesn't trust him? She says she will near the end, but her initial reaction was one of mistrust upon Quinn, Zack and Duncan disappearing from the ranch. When Edward lied to her over the phone and twisted facts, I was just saying "oh...this stupid, stupid girl" because she chose to believe the lies of a man, who she already knows is a liar and forced their divorce by lying to both sides, kept Quinn's coma/accident and Lanie's pregnancy, and subsequent child, a secret, and basically broke apart their marriage, over Quinn. He told her a bunch of lies and she says she won't believe Edward without proof. SO...what does she do? She goes over to Quinn's desk, rifles through his stuff and finds this "proof" that she wants. The second she chose to rummage through his stuff, I was done with her. She chose to believe the lies of another over the man she claims to love. She wasn't looking for proof to exonerate him, she was looking to condemn because if she didn't believe the lie, she would've approached Quinn and told him about the phone call instead of investigating for herself.
It might just be me but...if someone chose to believe the lies of a known deceiver, breached my trust by invading my privacy and then accused me of stuff while also refusing to listen to my side...well, I certainly wouldn't be chasing after them and begging for their forgiveness and asking for them to trust me, that's for damn sure.
I'm so tired of this sexist bullshit.
Of course...of course Lanie (aka the woman) was celibate through their five years apart. And of course Quinn (aka the man) did hook up because he's "only human" (which I can only take to mean is that Lanie isn't because she managed to remain celibate)...but worry not (!!) because "none of them mattered" to him since he "wasn't interested in any woman except one."
Again, so fucking tired of this sexist bullshit.
This book was originally going to get two stars from me but it was this that cinched a one. I'm just really so tired of this shit with the man being allowed to be sexually active while the woman must remain celibate. Quinn is literally her only lover ever. We're shown Quinn and Lanie's first encounter and they meet when he's about to hook up with another woman. We're later told that Quinn was Lanie's "first lover." He's basically her only lover, too, because she doesn't hook up with anyone during their years apart.
The rest of the story was rather uninteresting, as well, and is far longer than it needed to be. It had potential, sure, but much of it was wasted. We're dropped right into the middle of their story (which is not unusual) and I didn't feel anything for or with the characters. A third of the way through, most of the misconceptions and misunderstandings from their fall-out are resolved. These revelations would've held a lot more value and been more impactful if we'd spent more time with the characters and their story.
I feel that the story was unnecessarily dragged out since the writing was pretty much on the wall. Yes, it's the nature of a romance novel for you to know what the ending will most likely entail. However, this made it easy right from the start because you, and the characters, find out they were deceived and lied to right from the start. You, and the characters, know they still love one another. They're still married -- so that's another hurdled cleared. There's also no wondering how she'll go about dumping Jared because you find out he sought her out on Daddy McAllister's dime and watched her for the entirety of their acquaintance. At this point, he basically became a non-factor.
Their "love" also seems pretty unbelievable. There wasn't enough of their shared youth and the beginning of their love-relationship. How the hell am I supposed to believe they can possibly last when she doesn't trust him? She says she will near the end, but her initial reaction was one of mistrust upon Quinn, Zack and Duncan disappearing from the ranch. When Edward lied to her over the phone and twisted facts, I was just saying "oh...this stupid, stupid girl" because she chose to believe the lies of a man, who she already knows is a liar and forced their divorce by lying to both sides, kept Quinn's coma/accident and Lanie's pregnancy, and subsequent child, a secret, and basically broke apart their marriage, over Quinn. He told her a bunch of lies and she says she won't believe Edward without proof. SO...what does she do? She goes over to Quinn's desk, rifles through his stuff and finds this "proof" that she wants. The second she chose to rummage through his stuff, I was done with her. She chose to believe the lies of another over the man she claims to love. She wasn't looking for proof to exonerate him, she was looking to condemn because if she didn't believe the lie, she would've approached Quinn and told him about the phone call instead of investigating for herself.
It might just be me but...if someone chose to believe the lies of a known deceiver, breached my trust by invading my privacy and then accused me of stuff while also refusing to listen to my side...well, I certainly wouldn't be chasing after them and begging for their forgiveness and asking for them to trust me, that's for damn sure.
June 28, 2011
**3.5 stars**
I've been gobbling up Katherine Allred's books since I read The Sweet Gum Tree and I think I'm getting over my fascination. This story was good but not quite up to par as her others.
Quinn and Lanie have known each other since she was fourteen and he was eighteen but it wasn't until four years later that Quinn thought of her as something other than his friend and neighbor. They end up getting married but Quinn's Dad does not like it and schemes to break them up. He succeeds with some horrible lies and of course, the worse one involves a child. But the story begins with Lanie confronting Quinn about their divorce which turns out not to be legal....five years later.
I enjoyed Quinn and Lanie although I must admit that I was not impressed with Quinn when we first met him. He seemed arrogant and standoffish. I'm glad that changed. Lanie is really sweet and such a good Mom. Zack is hilarious although as the story progressed, we didn't get as much of his little boy talk as we did in the beginning.
I really liked all the minor characters as well as the ranch and the town itself. Katherine Allred does such a good job with all the details that you feel as though you right there.
This is a good love story and even though it's pretty predictable, it's still a good read.
I've been gobbling up Katherine Allred's books since I read The Sweet Gum Tree and I think I'm getting over my fascination. This story was good but not quite up to par as her others.
Quinn and Lanie have known each other since she was fourteen and he was eighteen but it wasn't until four years later that Quinn thought of her as something other than his friend and neighbor. They end up getting married but Quinn's Dad does not like it and schemes to break them up. He succeeds with some horrible lies and of course, the worse one involves a child. But the story begins with Lanie confronting Quinn about their divorce which turns out not to be legal....five years later.
I enjoyed Quinn and Lanie although I must admit that I was not impressed with Quinn when we first met him. He seemed arrogant and standoffish. I'm glad that changed. Lanie is really sweet and such a good Mom. Zack is hilarious although as the story progressed, we didn't get as much of his little boy talk as we did in the beginning.
I really liked all the minor characters as well as the ranch and the town itself. Katherine Allred does such a good job with all the details that you feel as though you right there.
This is a good love story and even though it's pretty predictable, it's still a good read.
January 6, 2014
To be honest, I don't know how I feel about this book. I feel like I'm in this massive reading rut and I can't get out of it. Katherine Allred is one of my favourite authors and damn, the woman can write. This book is one of her earlier ones. You might know her from The Sweet Gum Tree. If you're thinking she's a one hit wonder - you're wrong. Definitely this book isn't as polished or epic as The Sweet Gum Tree it is still a fine contemporary romance.
June 28, 2013
Quinn McAllister finds out that his divorce was a fraud and he is still married to Lanie. He goes to his lawyers to find out what can be done to rectify the situation and discovers he also has a son. So he heads out to Wyoming to meet his son and to get answers. Five years ago, Quinn left her and Lanie is finally ready to get on with her life. Only Quinn wants three months to see if there is anything left of their marriage to salvage.
Definitely a heart-wrenching story of betrayal and lies and secrets. Not as good as the previous books I've read by this author but still good enough that I will recommend it to Contemporary Romance lovers.
Definitely a heart-wrenching story of betrayal and lies and secrets. Not as good as the previous books I've read by this author but still good enough that I will recommend it to Contemporary Romance lovers.
September 7, 2015
3.5 stars
I could tell this was one her earlier books from the style of writing. It was a sweet and simple read. Not her usual angst filled story. I rated lower than all her other books because of the lack of depth in her characters....they were good characters just not as nuanced as she usually makes her h and H.
I could tell this was one her earlier books from the style of writing. It was a sweet and simple read. Not her usual angst filled story. I rated lower than all her other books because of the lack of depth in her characters....they were good characters just not as nuanced as she usually makes her h and H.
October 21, 2020
2.5 stars
Boring and absurd at times.
Boring and absurd at times.
July 21, 2011
OH PLEASE !!!! this was pale imitation of PARADİSE (judith mcnaught)
March 21, 2013
Katherine Allred's romance stories are always such a great blend of sweet and sexy with a little drama mixed in, and I really have come to enjoy all of her work. While Second Time Around wasn't as impressive as some of her other stories, Lanie and Quinn's story was a pretty solid romance about flames reunited.
I loved the concept of the broken relationship after Quinn's accident, though the idea that they'd never tried to contact each other directly after the incident was a bit hard to swallow. It was all orchestrated by Quinn's self-absorbed father Edward, which was a great twist but needed more follow-through to make that plot really believable. Edward made the perfect villain, though, because I just loathed him throughout the entire story!! It was up to Quinn and Lanie to find their way back to each other through the lies and misunderstandings, all the while keeping their son out of the turmoil. There was a great chemistry between them and I had no doubt that I wanted them together from the start, so watching them fall for each other all over again was really sweet.
While I do wish that everything wasn't quite so neatly and quickly wrapped up every time some drama came into play, there were some twists that added some suspense to the plot. Overall, a good light read for romance readers!
I loved the concept of the broken relationship after Quinn's accident, though the idea that they'd never tried to contact each other directly after the incident was a bit hard to swallow. It was all orchestrated by Quinn's self-absorbed father Edward, which was a great twist but needed more follow-through to make that plot really believable. Edward made the perfect villain, though, because I just loathed him throughout the entire story!! It was up to Quinn and Lanie to find their way back to each other through the lies and misunderstandings, all the while keeping their son out of the turmoil. There was a great chemistry between them and I had no doubt that I wanted them together from the start, so watching them fall for each other all over again was really sweet.
While I do wish that everything wasn't quite so neatly and quickly wrapped up every time some drama came into play, there were some twists that added some suspense to the plot. Overall, a good light read for romance readers!
February 15, 2016
This story is one train wreck after another. Lanie discovers she's not actually divorced from Quinn. She leaves town to track him down which she succeeds in doing by crashing a fundraiser and throwing a fit. After this completely unrealistic situation, we find out that Quinn's father arranged for the divorce and is adament that he marry another woman who has better connections. This is where it gets interesting.
In trying to settle this with his lawyer, Quinn discovers he has a son. A son that was hidden from him because his father didn't want anyone of "lower breeding" to take over the family business. But don't worry, Quinn is determined to win back the love of his wife (who by the way wishes to marry another man). Did I mention this all happens within the first two chapters?
In trying to settle this with his lawyer, Quinn discovers he has a son. A son that was hidden from him because his father didn't want anyone of "lower breeding" to take over the family business. But don't worry, Quinn is determined to win back the love of his wife (who by the way wishes to marry another man). Did I mention this all happens within the first two chapters?
March 23, 2014
2.5ish. Probably my least favourite from Katherine.
October 23, 2014
I really loved this book. For some reason even though it was about two people realising that their divorce was bogus and a misunderstanding created to separate them by Quinn’s father, I felt it was a feel good book. I felt so happy and just good when I finished this book. I guess what I loved about this was that both Quinn and Lanie were friends before they got married, though we only got some flashbacks showing this and I really wish there were more. The flashbacks showed the reader that what they had was not love at first sight but the slow building of attraction and love, which is why I found it plausible that when they meet again after 5 years that there are still some feelings there. As you all know I love relationship development and you could just feel the love between these two. I thought the realtionship between these two was so sweet, I loved how Quinn knew he was not over Lanie and so decided to try and resolve their problems. The story was beautifully written, I cannot explain how much I love Katherine Allred writing. The story developed with a good pace and at no point was the book boring.
When Quinn finds out that Lanie and himself are not actually divorced and they have a son he decides that he has to be part of their lives. However after 5 years apart thinking they were divorced Lanie is now engaged to the local vet Jared and she wants a divorce to move on. However Quinn moves back to Wyoming and gives her a choice either he fights for custody of his son or they give their marriage another go for 3 months. Lanie decides to agree to the 3 months term. This book actually contains a love triangle and I still adore it. The difference is that this triangle was handled very well. Lanie makes it clear to Jared what Quinn has said and done and I felt that Jared from the start understood how much Quinn ‘use to’ mean to Lanie. As she was married to Quinn and never led Jared on I felt that the love triangle was dealt with well.
Zack was such a sweet child, he was too cute. I really loved that Lanie had explained to Zack who is father was and did not try to make him turn against Quinn. Lanie held no bitterness against Quinn even though she though he had abandoned them. All the secondary characters were well developed and interesting. Lanie was an awesome character and Quinn was so sweet aswell, he had some of the best lines.
“It’s nice to see your wedding rings back where they belong.”
“Maybe it wasn’t, Angel. As much as I hate that I wasn’t here for you and Zack, maybe it took losing you to make me realize what I had, how much I really need you. I will never take you for granted again, and I’ll thank God for every minute we have together.”
When Quinn finds out that Lanie and himself are not actually divorced and they have a son he decides that he has to be part of their lives. However after 5 years apart thinking they were divorced Lanie is now engaged to the local vet Jared and she wants a divorce to move on. However Quinn moves back to Wyoming and gives her a choice either he fights for custody of his son or they give their marriage another go for 3 months. Lanie decides to agree to the 3 months term. This book actually contains a love triangle and I still adore it. The difference is that this triangle was handled very well. Lanie makes it clear to Jared what Quinn has said and done and I felt that Jared from the start understood how much Quinn ‘use to’ mean to Lanie. As she was married to Quinn and never led Jared on I felt that the love triangle was dealt with well.
Zack was such a sweet child, he was too cute. I really loved that Lanie had explained to Zack who is father was and did not try to make him turn against Quinn. Lanie held no bitterness against Quinn even though she though he had abandoned them. All the secondary characters were well developed and interesting. Lanie was an awesome character and Quinn was so sweet aswell, he had some of the best lines.
“It’s nice to see your wedding rings back where they belong.”
“Maybe it wasn’t, Angel. As much as I hate that I wasn’t here for you and Zack, maybe it took losing you to make me realize what I had, how much I really need you. I will never take you for granted again, and I’ll thank God for every minute we have together.”
August 21, 2019
Five years ago Quinn McAllister's life was almost destroyed.
While he lay in a coma from injuries sustained during an auto accident, the woman he loved divorced him.
Or so his father told him.
Now he's discovered that his divorce was bogus, and his
whole world is spinning out of control.
He's tempted to give his wife the quick divorce she wants until
he finds out about the son he didn't know existed.
Now he's going back to Wyoming to claim what's his, and
nothing can stop him...not his father, and certainly not his wife's fiancé.
It's taken Lanie McAllister five years to get over
losing the man she loved with every fiber of her being.
Now she's ready to move on with her life,
and has even agreed to marry the local veterinarian until
Quinn gives her an ultimatum. Give them three months to
try to mend the marriage his father tore apart, or he'll fight
her tooth and nail for custody of their son.
Torn between the man her heart has never quite forgotten
and the man she's engaged to,
Lanie can only pray that love will truly be better the second time around.
I heart Katherine Allred, I do.. This book has been sitting in my kindle for so long, so finally I started and finished..and I'm glad I did.
The main characters Quinn and Lanie have not seen each other for 5 years due to Quinn's fathers treachery and lies.
Lanie believes Quinn just abandoned her five years ago & left her to raise their son alone..and Quinn believes that Lanie was the one who divorced him to never show up in the hospital to show her support..
So when Lanie shows up at a fundraiser five years later with the news that their divorce was never real; secrets start coming out.
Quinn finds out he has a 4 year old son, and feels his fathers betrayal since he knew Lanie was having his baby and made him believe she didn't want anything from him but a divorce.
Quinn drops everything and comes back to Wyoming, he wants to get to know his son.. However there is the small problem of Lanie's fiancee.
Quinn proposes a plan, for Lanie to give their marriage a three month trial and then she can have her divorce.. What's a girl to do?
While he lay in a coma from injuries sustained during an auto accident, the woman he loved divorced him.
Or so his father told him.
Now he's discovered that his divorce was bogus, and his
whole world is spinning out of control.
He's tempted to give his wife the quick divorce she wants until
he finds out about the son he didn't know existed.
Now he's going back to Wyoming to claim what's his, and
nothing can stop him...not his father, and certainly not his wife's fiancé.
It's taken Lanie McAllister five years to get over
losing the man she loved with every fiber of her being.
Now she's ready to move on with her life,
and has even agreed to marry the local veterinarian until
Quinn gives her an ultimatum. Give them three months to
try to mend the marriage his father tore apart, or he'll fight
her tooth and nail for custody of their son.
Torn between the man her heart has never quite forgotten
and the man she's engaged to,
Lanie can only pray that love will truly be better the second time around.
I heart Katherine Allred, I do.. This book has been sitting in my kindle for so long, so finally I started and finished..and I'm glad I did.
The main characters Quinn and Lanie have not seen each other for 5 years due to Quinn's fathers treachery and lies.
Lanie believes Quinn just abandoned her five years ago & left her to raise their son alone..and Quinn believes that Lanie was the one who divorced him to never show up in the hospital to show her support..
So when Lanie shows up at a fundraiser five years later with the news that their divorce was never real; secrets start coming out.
Quinn finds out he has a 4 year old son, and feels his fathers betrayal since he knew Lanie was having his baby and made him believe she didn't want anything from him but a divorce.
Quinn drops everything and comes back to Wyoming, he wants to get to know his son.. However there is the small problem of Lanie's fiancee.
Quinn proposes a plan, for Lanie to give their marriage a three month trial and then she can have her divorce.. What's a girl to do?
June 9, 2013
More of my book reviews at http://mustreadbeforeyoudie.blog.com
Good read but not a must read before you die. This book is about Lanie & Quinn, a couple who thought they were divorced but really weren’t. Due to Quinn’s dad interfering in their relationship, they thought the other one filed the divorce paperwork and with more scheming from the Dad, 5 years had passed since they last saw each other.
The adults in this book made a lot of sense. It’s a love triangle between Quinn, Lanie and Lanie’s fiancee, Jared. But Quinn and Lanie decide to give each other a 3 months trial to see if they would like to give their marriage another shot. You would think that there would be a lot of jealous scenes, maybe some fist fights, or some scheming. There was jealousy, but the actions of these 3 stayed true to how I think normal people would act. It’s a book written to tell a story of trust, forgiveness, family, knowing what happiness is… instead of a scheming, soap opera whirlwind. And I really enjoyed reading it!
Allred is such a great storyteller. I wish this book was longer and that there were more scenes from Lanie & Quinn’s past. There were only 3 scenes (how they met, second time they met, and the moment when Quinn started to see Lanie as more than friends). And those scenes were really good! I wished the story started off like that, where we see their relationship grow… and then something like “5 years later” which is where the book starts.
Good read but not a must read before you die. This book is about Lanie & Quinn, a couple who thought they were divorced but really weren’t. Due to Quinn’s dad interfering in their relationship, they thought the other one filed the divorce paperwork and with more scheming from the Dad, 5 years had passed since they last saw each other.
The adults in this book made a lot of sense. It’s a love triangle between Quinn, Lanie and Lanie’s fiancee, Jared. But Quinn and Lanie decide to give each other a 3 months trial to see if they would like to give their marriage another shot. You would think that there would be a lot of jealous scenes, maybe some fist fights, or some scheming. There was jealousy, but the actions of these 3 stayed true to how I think normal people would act. It’s a book written to tell a story of trust, forgiveness, family, knowing what happiness is… instead of a scheming, soap opera whirlwind. And I really enjoyed reading it!
Allred is such a great storyteller. I wish this book was longer and that there were more scenes from Lanie & Quinn’s past. There were only 3 scenes (how they met, second time they met, and the moment when Quinn started to see Lanie as more than friends). And those scenes were really good! I wished the story started off like that, where we see their relationship grow… and then something like “5 years later” which is where the book starts.
April 2, 2013
I've read a few of her books and I've really enjoyed them. "Sweet Gum Tree" was my favorite. This book did not disappoint. It was a beautiful story about second chances. There was a part in the story where she started jumping to conclusions and I could feel my eyes rolling but then she calmed down and handled it how she should have and I really liked that. I would absolutely recommend this book to others. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I wasn't crazy obsessed with it! Not many books have gotten 5 stars from me.
September 10, 2014
Not as good as the other Allred books i've read. This one was just ok. I didn't feel the bond between the MCs much. The narration was pretty much a telling rather than a showing style, which didn't help connect with any of the people.
Read her other books intead : What Price Paradise or even The Sweet Gum Tree
Read her other books intead : What Price Paradise or even The Sweet Gum Tree
July 13, 2012
I loved it! :)
November 1, 2014
3.5 stars
May 30, 2018
I loved this book!
February 7, 2016
Can't put it down since I started! True love prevails!
never-to-read
October 17, 2015Trope: Unfaithful hero and faithful heroine.
March 16, 2015
This is a fantastic romance, and I was deeply touched by the relationship between Lanie and Quinn. But, OMG!!! Quinn's father is an absolute monster!!! I cannot believe that any parent could be so selfish, so callous, so downright unfeeling towards his only child. Technically the bastard never got what he deserved, but I was completely satisfied with the manner in which the author dealt with that particular character. Under the circumstances, I was okay with the fact that Quinn was able to forgive his father and move on, but I could not be so generous. I couldn't get past his monstrous conduct towards Quinn, Lanie, and innocent, four year old, Zack.
In any event, the story that unfolds in this book is, in a word, riveting!! I read it in one sitting--it took me about three hours to finish the book. I literally could not put it down! I particular enjoyed the author's writing style, and she did a superb job with the development of the characters. Not only did I love Lanie and Quinn, but I also liked Quinn's good friend, Duncan--so much so that I went looking to see if he gets his own story (he doesn't!)-- and felt sorry for the other man in Lanie's life, Jared. Four year old Zack is another lovely character; he is beyond adorable.
Lanie and Quinn met when she was fourteen and he eighteen. The newly orphaned Lanie moved to Wyoming to live with her grandparents on their ranch which bordered Quinn's family's property. Quinn spent each summer at the ranch and he and Lanie became friends. When Quinn reminisces and told Duncan the story of how he and Lanie first met, I was ROTFL! OMG! The fourteen year old Lanie had quite a mouth on her and gave poor Quinn hell. Over the next few years the friendship between Quinn and Lanie developed and eventually blossomed into love. The story never really tells when the two finally married, but shortly after the marriage Edward, Quinn's father, interfered in the couple's life with catastrophic effect. The end result is that the couple gets divorced--or thinks they do--each believing the other initiated the divorce proceedings.
Fast forward five years. Lanie is ready to remarry when she discovers that her divorce from Quinn isn't legal and they are still married. When the story begins, Lanie is in Chicago to confront Quinn with the truth of their divorce. When Quinn lays eyes on his wife for the first time in five years, he is overwhelmed with the feelings he still harbors for her--even though he's spent the last five years trying to hate her. When Quinn looks into the possibility of giving Lanie the quickie divorce she demands, he discovers, to his shock, that he has a four year old son!!! Quinn is beyond furious and to say he feels devastatingly betrayed would be an understatement.
Quinn immediately makes plans to travel to Wyoming so he can get to know his son. When he arrives at the ranch, Lanie is surprised to see him; she isn't happy either. After an emotional, but very adult discussion, the couple quickly realize that they have both been victims in Edward's sick need to control every aspect of Quinn's life. When the truth is revealed Quinn realizes that not only does he want his son, he also wants his wife back and he will do anything within his power to get her back; even play dirty! When Quinn presents his ultimatum to Lanie, give their marriage a three month trial run or he will sue for full custody, she has no choice. From this point the story quickly progresses to a very satisfying HEA. One of the things I really loved about this story is how realistically it was presented. The characters all behaved in a way that I would expect had this been a true situation.
Both Quinn and Lanie have to overcome their distrust of one another. Even though they discover they have both been duped and manipulated by Edward, it's not easy to overcome five years of resentment and distrust. Not only did Edward have each convinced that the other filed for divorce the timing of said action was particular bad for both. Lanie thought that Quinn had abandoned her while she was pregnant with their first child and had spent the last four years ignoring his existence. As for Jared, he awoke from a two month coma to the news that his wife had filed for divorce. Jared is desperately afraid of losing Lanie, but he loves Zack like his own child and doesn't want him hurt. Consequently, he encourages Lanie to agree to Quinn's terms. As for Quinn, he is determined to win his wife back; he'll fight tooth and nail to achieve that end.
As wonderful as I though the story was, there were a couple of aspects of the plot that did give me pause; although happily I was so enthralled in the story that I was able to overlook them. First of all, I don't usually like it when the h and H are separated for an extended period of time. Normally the five year period in this book would be a negative for me; I'm usually okay with a few months separation, a year tops. Furthermore, the fact that neither Quinn nor Lanie tried to contact one another directly when they were served with divorce papers, but instead relied on what Edward told them, seemed a bit farfetched.
However, in the case of Quinn I found it to be completely acceptable in light of the life threatening injuries he had suffered in the car accident. It took him several months and a number of surgeries in order for him to resume a normal life. As a matter of fact, when he and Lanie reconcile he is still suffering after effects from the accident. Additionally, no doubt the overbearing Edward assumed complete control of his son's life during that period and guarded his every move. As for Lanie not trying to contact Quinn herself rather than rely on everything she was told by Edward, that I found to be less acceptable. Nonetheless, considering the circumstances when she and Quinn were last together, I could see her point. They had fought, and as far as she was concerned, Quinn had left her, so I guess it was understandable that she would accept everything at face value.
The story makes for a very quick read, and although the characters experience a gamut of emotions, I didn't find this to be an overly angst-filled read. I did get emotional at times; I had tears in my eyes when Duncan tells Lanie how Quinn reacted when he finally awoke from his coma and was told that Lanie had filed for divorce (really when I read it I wondered, yet again, how his father could have been so cruel!) and I LOL when I read the scene where Lanie and Quinn met for the first time. That was a doozey of a first meeting. LOL I can't say enough good things about this book. It was an unbelievably good read for me. I borrowed it from my local library's digital catalog, but I love it so much that I plan on buying a copy of my own because this is a book that I will read over and over again. FYI technically this is not a clean romance. There are a couple of love scenes, but they are only mildly graphic; not too much details. Furthermore, no crude language is used. Happy reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2016
Cute, fast read. Not on the same level as her other books that I've read, and a couple of unlikely scenarios, but overall enjoyable
August 16, 2019
2.5 stars Pretty boring to be honest. Well written though. No desire to read again.
July 26, 2020
Quick read, too logical romance, not much angst, conflicts easily resolved and tied up nicely in the end
August 29, 2025
Boring. Read the first 2 and last chapters. That will be enough to know all about this book. What a letdkwns after sweet gum tree
August 26, 2010
This book read like a meatier Harlequin Super romance.
The beginning is great. Lanie McAllister shows up at a fancy party trying to track down her ex-husband, Quinn. Except...ohh, awkward -- it is Quinn's engagement party. Apparently Lanie has been trying to contact Quinn for a week or so but he hasn't returned any of her calls hence her crashing the party. She baldly tells him they are still married because their divorce lawyer was a fraud. Suck on that! And turns on her heels and leaves.
The rest of he book doesn't quite live up to the fantastic opening but it is still an enjoyable read.
While Quinn and Lanie did have some cracks in their marriage and a fight that led to Quinn being in a car accident and a coma later, it wasn't inevitable that they'd divorce. They later learn quite a few things about their divorce an each other.
Quinn decides to go back to Wyoming with Lanie and give their marriage another chance. But Lanie also has a fiance in the wings. But since she and Quinn still have strong feelings for each other they give each other three months to see if they can work past their issues and make a go of it.
The book in turns depends heavily on conventional romance tropes (Grand Misunderstandings and Secret Babies!) but also pushes past those things a bit (characters talk and make rational decisions, big revelations aren't held off til the last minute, people don't find out important things by accident). I also liked that the author didn't make Lanie's erstwhile fiance Jared weak or a jerk or tried to diminish him to make Quinn a better hero. I actually think if the author had really wanted to make this a true love triangle book, Jared could've given Quinn a real run for his money.
There is a great cast of supporting characters surrounding the main couple and a villain who really wasn't much of a villain.
Overall a pretty goo book and a new to me author whose other works I plan to search out.
The beginning is great. Lanie McAllister shows up at a fancy party trying to track down her ex-husband, Quinn. Except...ohh, awkward -- it is Quinn's engagement party. Apparently Lanie has been trying to contact Quinn for a week or so but he hasn't returned any of her calls hence her crashing the party. She baldly tells him they are still married because their divorce lawyer was a fraud. Suck on that! And turns on her heels and leaves.
The rest of he book doesn't quite live up to the fantastic opening but it is still an enjoyable read.
While Quinn and Lanie did have some cracks in their marriage and a fight that led to Quinn being in a car accident and a coma later, it wasn't inevitable that they'd divorce. They later learn quite a few things about their divorce an each other.
Quinn decides to go back to Wyoming with Lanie and give their marriage another chance. But Lanie also has a fiance in the wings. But since she and Quinn still have strong feelings for each other they give each other three months to see if they can work past their issues and make a go of it.
The book in turns depends heavily on conventional romance tropes (Grand Misunderstandings and Secret Babies!) but also pushes past those things a bit (characters talk and make rational decisions, big revelations aren't held off til the last minute, people don't find out important things by accident). I also liked that the author didn't make Lanie's erstwhile fiance Jared weak or a jerk or tried to diminish him to make Quinn a better hero. I actually think if the author had really wanted to make this a true love triangle book, Jared could've given Quinn a real run for his money.
There is a great cast of supporting characters surrounding the main couple and a villain who really wasn't much of a villain.
Overall a pretty goo book and a new to me author whose other works I plan to search out.
July 4, 2013
This book had me on a emotional roller coaster ride - I felt so bad for the situation Quinn and Lanie were put in. They lost five years due to Quinn's dad's manipulations. I felt for Lanie who was pregnant and was also dealing with the Quinn's supposed abandonment. Quinn too had his own problems, almost dying in a car crash, then thinking Lanie wanted a divorce. Now he is finding out that not only is he still married to Lanie, but they have a son he had no idea about.
It was these twists and turns that had me reading until the wee hours of the morning and until it was done. Fantastic read!
It was these twists and turns that had me reading until the wee hours of the morning and until it was done. Fantastic read!
March 18, 2014
I'm giving it 2 stars because it's really well written. I am a huge fan of the sweet gum tree and Kathy is a good writer but the plot is just mehhh. It is similar to paradise by Judith mcnaught but I'm not going to say it is the same as I've read many books with similar plots and all. It does not even matter to me if the plots are the same. What matters is the way a book/story captures my attention, like I'll skip meals and stay awake just to read it. How I read certain chapters again because they left a dent in my heart. Sweet gum tree did that to me. Second time around did not.
July 20, 2014
from all the other romantic novels I've read this was no different. i think that Katherine's approach is very subtle ans serene. her writing is easy flowing like a stream in the summer. the story is wonderful very sweet and something that will make u smile.but its a little less intense than id prefer but its still amazing...
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