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bananatricky's review
3.0
Book 5 Ryan and Lauren.
Ryan has avoided coming home to Whitford. Years ago he was in love with his best friend's wife Lauren. Incensed by the way she was treated he asked her and her son to run away with him, certain he could make her happier. When she refused he couldn't face coming back.
Now Lauren is divorced and Ryan is back in Whitford to do some much needed work on the Lodge. He's trying to keep his distance but then catches Lauren's son vandalising the Lodge. Soon Ryan and Lauren are spending more time together and the sparks are flying.
Only problem is ... Ryan has a home and a thriving business 5 hours away. So, ok, not much of a dilemma. Lauren has a fairly feeble job and her son is only a couple of years away from leaving for college anyway. Perhaps more of an issue is that Ryan is looking for children of his own whereas Lauren has no desire to start that again.
Ryan has avoided coming home to Whitford. Years ago he was in love with his best friend's wife Lauren. Incensed by the way she was treated he asked her and her son to run away with him, certain he could make her happier. When she refused he couldn't face coming back.
Now Lauren is divorced and Ryan is back in Whitford to do some much needed work on the Lodge. He's trying to keep his distance but then catches Lauren's son vandalising the Lodge. Soon Ryan and Lauren are spending more time together and the sparks are flying.
Only problem is ... Ryan has a home and a thriving business 5 hours away. So, ok, not much of a dilemma. Lauren has a fairly feeble job and her son is only a couple of years away from leaving for college anyway. Perhaps more of an issue is that Ryan is looking for children of his own whereas Lauren has no desire to start that again.
ssejig's review against another edition
4.0
We've met both Ryan Kowalski and Lauren Carpenter in earlier Kowalski books and we also know that there is some "mystery" in their past that causes Ryan to avoid Lauren as much as he can whenever he returns to their hometown.
Well, it turns out that Ryan has always loved Lauren, even when she was married to his best friend. And he betrayed his best friend by asking Lauren to run away with him (it's in the first part of the book, not exactly a spoiler).
So... awkward. Right? And it's worked out for the two to avoid each other. But they can't now because Lauren's teenage son has caused some major damage at Ryan's family home and now he needs to work it off. Which mean the Lauren and Ryan will be seeing a lot more of each other. (heh)
I loved that conflicts were solved so fast because the damn characters talked to each other. Does that happen in romance novels? Not often. And Stacey made it work! Love it. That was what really bumped this book from a three to a four for me.
Well, it turns out that Ryan has always loved Lauren, even when she was married to his best friend. And he betrayed his best friend by asking Lauren to run away with him (it's in the first part of the book, not exactly a spoiler).
So... awkward. Right? And it's worked out for the two to avoid each other. But they can't now because Lauren's teenage son has caused some major damage at Ryan's family home and now he needs to work it off. Which mean the Lauren and Ryan will be seeing a lot more of each other. (heh)
I loved that conflicts were solved so fast because the damn characters talked to each other. Does that happen in romance novels? Not often. And Stacey made it work! Love it. That was what really bumped this book from a three to a four for me.
Spoiler
Loved that Ryan and the ex were able to sort of work things out. Yes, the ex is kind of a douche but isn't the super douche we see in so many romancesthenia's review
4.0
bookishlyfab's review
3.0
I thought I already reviewed this one, but it isn't showing up. I don't remember much except that this one was not quite as entertaining as others in the series. Fun, but nothing spectacular.
allingoodtime's review
4.0
I must be loving this series since the last two books I read about the Kowalskis were finished the same day I started them. I’m sure it helps that it’s winter and cold, but still.
I wasn’t thrilled with Ryan in the last book, All He Ever Needed. He came across as a bit of a prick. Even at that time I knew it was because he wanted to stay as far away from Lauren as possible. I just didn’t know why yet. Even knowing the whole story now, I’m still not happy with the way he acted in book 4. If you felt the same way, rest assured he is very lovable in this story.
Throughout the book, I couldn’t decide if I was supposed to hate Dean (Lauren’s ex-husband) or feel indifferent about him. Every time I would learn something else about him, I disliked him more and more. Yet Lauren, who I really like a lot, seems to think he’s not so bad. Is it the “he’s the father of my child” thing so she feels she has to like him to a certain extent? I’m not sure. Although Dean is not in any way a main character, he has some important roles to play and it was confusing to me that his personality never quite got nailed down.
Lauren is a great mom and I like that she will do what’s right for her son Nick even if it’s not something she is going to enjoy. There’s a part toward the beginning of the book that Nick asks her to watch a movie with him. She has a million things to do and doesn’t even want to watch the movie but knows it’s his way of reaching out to her so of course she makes the popcorn. That’s her, through and through. Not that she lets Nick walk all over her…not at all. But she knows when to push and when to back down.
For full review go to https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2017/01/15/all-he-ever-desired-book-review/
I wasn’t thrilled with Ryan in the last book, All He Ever Needed. He came across as a bit of a prick. Even at that time I knew it was because he wanted to stay as far away from Lauren as possible. I just didn’t know why yet. Even knowing the whole story now, I’m still not happy with the way he acted in book 4. If you felt the same way, rest assured he is very lovable in this story.
Throughout the book, I couldn’t decide if I was supposed to hate Dean (Lauren’s ex-husband) or feel indifferent about him. Every time I would learn something else about him, I disliked him more and more. Yet Lauren, who I really like a lot, seems to think he’s not so bad. Is it the “he’s the father of my child” thing so she feels she has to like him to a certain extent? I’m not sure. Although Dean is not in any way a main character, he has some important roles to play and it was confusing to me that his personality never quite got nailed down.
Lauren is a great mom and I like that she will do what’s right for her son Nick even if it’s not something she is going to enjoy. There’s a part toward the beginning of the book that Nick asks her to watch a movie with him. She has a million things to do and doesn’t even want to watch the movie but knows it’s his way of reaching out to her so of course she makes the popcorn. That’s her, through and through. Not that she lets Nick walk all over her…not at all. But she knows when to push and when to back down.
For full review go to https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2017/01/15/all-he-ever-desired-book-review/
beckymmoe's review
4.0
I absolutely loved the first 95% or so of this book...I adored Ryan (how it is possible that each new Kowalski guy is my favorite? It shouldn't be possible, yet it keeps happening), and I really liked Lauren--not a smidge of TSTL-ishness, and almost all of her issues and decisions made total sense to me; and there were funny scenes and humorous dialog galore in this one. Even Mary and Rose's machinations, which in the other books did get to be a bit much, were controlled this time around. We got to see Mitch and Paige get married, which was really sweet, and we find out that Liz has (finally!) dumped the loser she left town to be with and is now a free woman. We even get a hint of where she *might* go with that freedom, if she'd just move back to town (She will get her own book, yes, Ms. Stacey? Please?). All good things. The reason for the four instead of five stars is the last 5% or so of the book. All of a sudden everything got very wham, bam, let's solve all of our problems like they do in those afterschool specials where everything was resolved and neatly boxed up in the final five minutes of airtime-like. It was disconcerting and a bit disappointing, to be honest. Ultimately, though, deserving characters got their HEA, so I'm pleased. I still love this series and can't wait for the next one to come out. I'd even go out on a limb and say I'd be willing to wait a shade longer for longer, more fulfilling books...(subtle-hint). :)
amandaainge's review
4.0
Really enjoyed this installment of the Kawalski men. Much, much better than the last one. I missed the humor that her books usually contain, but I loved the characters and the story.
kates_books's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
jeansbookbag's review against another edition
2.0
I've enjoyed Shannon Stacey's Kowalski series, but this book fell flat for me. The writing seemed to take a step back, and I had a much harder time connecting with the characters. Hopefully the next in the series is better.