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erinnejc's review against another edition
4.0
This was the first book I have read by Shannyn but it won't be the last, great characters and story. Super easy to keep turning the pages.
kbranfield's review
4.0
Catch Your Breath is the fourth installment of Shannyn Schroeder's fabulous O'Leary's series. In this outing, we finally get sister Moira's story and in a refreshing change of pace, there is also a bit of a mystery element to the novel.
Moira is a freelance reporter who mainly covers society stories and when she runs into childhood friend and longtime crush Jimmy O'Malley at a swanky event, her curiosity is piqued. Seizing the opportunity to get an exclusive story (and get closer to Jimmy), she uses her connections to help Jimmy with his undercover investigation of thieves who have been targeting wealthy men. Moira quickly realizes that they share a sizzling hot attraction but Jimmy's friendship with her brother Liam puts her firmly in the hands off category as far as Jimmy is concerned.
Moira is a great character: upbeat, enthusiastic and persistent. She loves her family, but she is getting a little tired of her overprotective brothers' refusal to treat her as an adult. An invitation to her ten year high school reunion is a catalyst to re-evaluate her goals and her chance encounter with Jimmy provides her the impetus she needs to make some changes in her life. Jimmy is just the man to help her find what she's looking for in both her professional and personal lives, but Moira quickly learns that convincing him is going to take a lot of work on her part.
Jimmy is a wonderful character but he is also very frustrating. He is very dedicated to his family but he is running out of patience with his dad and his brothers. He likes to be in control of all situations and this becomes an issue in his relationship with Moira. He is passionate one minute and pushing Moira away the next and this pattern holds pretty much throughout the entire novel.
The mystery aspect of the storyline is key not only in bringing Jimmy and Moira together but it is also an excellent career opportunity for Moira. It gives her an idea for a story with the depth she is looking for but Jimmy's fears for her safety drive a wedge between them. Jimmy's investigation is interesting but it is wrapped up with little fanfare and gets a little lost in the resolution of the conflict between Jimmy and Moira.
Catch Your Breath is a lovely addition to Shannyn Schroeder's O'Leary's series. The storyline is fresh and innovative, the characters are fascinating and the interactions between the Moira and Jimmy are fiery and incredibly passionate. Intriguing glimpses of Liam leave me eagerly anticipating his novel, which will be released early next year.
Moira is a freelance reporter who mainly covers society stories and when she runs into childhood friend and longtime crush Jimmy O'Malley at a swanky event, her curiosity is piqued. Seizing the opportunity to get an exclusive story (and get closer to Jimmy), she uses her connections to help Jimmy with his undercover investigation of thieves who have been targeting wealthy men. Moira quickly realizes that they share a sizzling hot attraction but Jimmy's friendship with her brother Liam puts her firmly in the hands off category as far as Jimmy is concerned.
Moira is a great character: upbeat, enthusiastic and persistent. She loves her family, but she is getting a little tired of her overprotective brothers' refusal to treat her as an adult. An invitation to her ten year high school reunion is a catalyst to re-evaluate her goals and her chance encounter with Jimmy provides her the impetus she needs to make some changes in her life. Jimmy is just the man to help her find what she's looking for in both her professional and personal lives, but Moira quickly learns that convincing him is going to take a lot of work on her part.
Jimmy is a wonderful character but he is also very frustrating. He is very dedicated to his family but he is running out of patience with his dad and his brothers. He likes to be in control of all situations and this becomes an issue in his relationship with Moira. He is passionate one minute and pushing Moira away the next and this pattern holds pretty much throughout the entire novel.
The mystery aspect of the storyline is key not only in bringing Jimmy and Moira together but it is also an excellent career opportunity for Moira. It gives her an idea for a story with the depth she is looking for but Jimmy's fears for her safety drive a wedge between them. Jimmy's investigation is interesting but it is wrapped up with little fanfare and gets a little lost in the resolution of the conflict between Jimmy and Moira.
Catch Your Breath is a lovely addition to Shannyn Schroeder's O'Leary's series. The storyline is fresh and innovative, the characters are fascinating and the interactions between the Moira and Jimmy are fiery and incredibly passionate. Intriguing glimpses of Liam leave me eagerly anticipating his novel, which will be released early next year.
janetted's review
4.0
Another great story in The O'Leary's series. Moira & Jimmy's story is full of fire, tension and excitement as Shannyn Schroeder skillfully mixes work with pleasure. Full review to come at 3chicksafterdark.com.
jonetta's review
4.0
Quick summary
Moira O'Leary fell for neighbor Jimmy O'Malley when she was ten years old and he became her protector. Now that he's back home and working as a detective for the Chicago PD, he's still treating her like his best friend's kid sister. She's a newspaper reporter and when she stumbles into his undercover operation, Moira sees not only a chance for a great story but the time to force his hand and make him notice her as a woman.
Moira and Jimmy
Moira's bubbly and just utterly likable, even though she's a talk-a-holic. Jimmy's more taciturn and hard to read. He listens more than she thinks and has kept her at arm's length because of his friendship with her brother. Plus, he's the de facto head of his own family who have loads of issues.
What I enjoyed
Moira's resilience and high spirits are infectious, even when she's doing risky things. The undercover operation added an element of light suspense that made the story more interesting. While I was rooting for Moira, I also was struggling with Jimmy. It wasn't until the end of the story that I grasped how his control issues made sense. He came pretty close to being in my anti-hottie harem, even bringing me close to wishing Moira would walk away. His backstory, though, is heartwarming and was my reminder that he was worth her efforts.
The bottom line
This is the O'Leary's series so family plays a huge role in the story. The brothers' over protectiveness went beyond reasonable at times but Moira holds her own. This is clearly her story and she's what makes and keeps it interesting. I'm glad she finally earned the respect of her family and has progressed beyond being just the "little sister" in the eyes of everyone, including her man, Jimmy.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Moira O'Leary fell for neighbor Jimmy O'Malley when she was ten years old and he became her protector. Now that he's back home and working as a detective for the Chicago PD, he's still treating her like his best friend's kid sister. She's a newspaper reporter and when she stumbles into his undercover operation, Moira sees not only a chance for a great story but the time to force his hand and make him notice her as a woman.
Moira and Jimmy
Moira's bubbly and just utterly likable, even though she's a talk-a-holic. Jimmy's more taciturn and hard to read. He listens more than she thinks and has kept her at arm's length because of his friendship with her brother. Plus, he's the de facto head of his own family who have loads of issues.
What I enjoyed
Moira's resilience and high spirits are infectious, even when she's doing risky things. The undercover operation added an element of light suspense that made the story more interesting. While I was rooting for Moira, I also was struggling with Jimmy. It wasn't until the end of the story that I grasped how his control issues made sense. He came pretty close to being in my anti-hottie harem, even bringing me close to wishing Moira would walk away. His backstory, though, is heartwarming and was my reminder that he was worth her efforts.
The bottom line
This is the O'Leary's series so family plays a huge role in the story. The brothers' over protectiveness went beyond reasonable at times but Moira holds her own. This is clearly her story and she's what makes and keeps it interesting. I'm glad she finally earned the respect of her family and has progressed beyond being just the "little sister" in the eyes of everyone, including her man, Jimmy.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
beckymmoe's review
4.0
It's so fun to be back with the O'Learys again!
I enjoyed Moira and Jimmy's story--unrequited teenage love *finally* realized is such a fun trope--especially when you add in that he is (one of) her older brother's best friend. Make him a police detective and her the reporter that is going to help him on an undercover assignment, and you've got gold... ;)
Though their relationship problems mainly stemmed from the old classic he doesn't know what he wants and blows hot and cold which had me just about as frustrated as Moira was (I mean, God forbid he actually talk to her about it), once he removed his head from his posterior Jimmy was the one person who was able to appreciate Moira for who she was--both as a reporter and as a woman. The suspense added an extra layer to the story here, and yikes, Moira's foray into investigative reporting was super stressful. She had me sympathizing with Jimmy there!
As with the rest of the series, the characters are what really made this story shine. Not only were Moira and Jimmy fabulous together, but I really enjoyed watching them interact with their families as well. Even though I don't have older brothers, boy did I feel Moira's pain when hers expressed their opinions of her relationship with Jimmy! Those who have read the other books in the series will love seeing past characters here, but if you haven't this would also be a decent place to try out the series. If you can get your hands on the box set (this is the first book in the second set), even better :)
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I enjoyed Moira and Jimmy's story--unrequited teenage love *finally* realized is such a fun trope--especially when you add in that he is (one of) her older brother's best friend. Make him a police detective and her the reporter that is going to help him on an undercover assignment, and you've got gold... ;)
Though their relationship problems mainly stemmed from the old classic he doesn't know what he wants and blows hot and cold which had me just about as frustrated as Moira was (I mean, God forbid he actually talk to her about it), once he removed his head from his posterior Jimmy was the one person who was able to appreciate Moira for who she was--both as a reporter and as a woman. The suspense added an extra layer to the story here, and yikes, Moira's foray into investigative reporting was super stressful. She had me sympathizing with Jimmy there!
As with the rest of the series, the characters are what really made this story shine. Not only were Moira and Jimmy fabulous together, but I really enjoyed watching them interact with their families as well. Even though I don't have older brothers, boy did I feel Moira's pain when hers expressed their opinions of her relationship with Jimmy! Those who have read the other books in the series will love seeing past characters here, but if you haven't this would also be a decent place to try out the series. If you can get your hands on the box set (this is the first book in the second set), even better :)
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
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