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shelleyt_rn's review against another edition
5.0
Fabulous book! I couldn't put it down, or wait to read the second one.
rachelini's review against another edition
2.0
1) I shouldn't read contemporary romances about pro sports people, because they just make me annoyed.
2) If you're going to write about professional sports in real cities, just use the actual team names.
3) It's mean to make someone a hockey player for the Toronto-not-Maple-Leafs and then set the book in Texas.
2) If you're going to write about professional sports in real cities, just use the actual team names.
3) It's mean to make someone a hockey player for the Toronto-not-Maple-Leafs and then set the book in Texas.
buuboobaby's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars - Leaning to 5 Stars
Once I started reading Can’t Buy Me Love, I realized that it was completely different from what I was expecting. From the cover shot, I thought that this would be a light, flirty romance with a lot of humor. It wasn’t. Is that a bad thing? Nope! This is a sizzling love story about two very flawed people who are desperately looking for a place to fit in and find the happiness denied to them. Both have been molded and shaped by their unhappy pasts, and they are both still haunted by mistakes they have made in their attempt to find meaning and acceptance. Luc was abused by his demanding father, and even his status as a star hockey player can’t dim the disappointment that eats at him because of his father’s lack of regard for him. Tara is running from her painful past, from the nightmare of being used by her mother’s boyfriends and by the terrible decisions that she has made before touching down at Crooked Creek ranch. Both of them have huge dreams for the future, but they don’t trust enough in themselves to believe that they’ll eventually find some inner peace of mind. I loved both Luc and Tara, and hoped that they would overcome their hang-ups long enough to find each other.
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
Once I started reading Can’t Buy Me Love, I realized that it was completely different from what I was expecting. From the cover shot, I thought that this would be a light, flirty romance with a lot of humor. It wasn’t. Is that a bad thing? Nope! This is a sizzling love story about two very flawed people who are desperately looking for a place to fit in and find the happiness denied to them. Both have been molded and shaped by their unhappy pasts, and they are both still haunted by mistakes they have made in their attempt to find meaning and acceptance. Luc was abused by his demanding father, and even his status as a star hockey player can’t dim the disappointment that eats at him because of his father’s lack of regard for him. Tara is running from her painful past, from the nightmare of being used by her mother’s boyfriends and by the terrible decisions that she has made before touching down at Crooked Creek ranch. Both of them have huge dreams for the future, but they don’t trust enough in themselves to believe that they’ll eventually find some inner peace of mind. I loved both Luc and Tara, and hoped that they would overcome their hang-ups long enough to find each other.
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
tita_noir's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
There was a really good book in here somewhere trying to get out.
The premise was pretty promising. An irascible Octogenarian rancher is dying and has hired a young woman to pose and his fiancee to lure his estranged children, Luc and Victoria, back to the ranch. The threat of being dis-inherited in favor of a blonde bimbo should get them to come back lickety split. This is all good and fine.
I liked the idea of Tara Jean and thought of all the characters in the book she was the most successful as a character. She had layers and a personality. After a few chapters, I was even able to exorcise that picture of Anna Nicole Smith and her 80+ y.o.husband out of my head (the first pages of this book basically re-create that famous picture in words). I just wish she hadn't been pushed into 'woman-in-jeopardy' territory as a major plot point.
Which brings me to my biggest issue with the book. Everybody was so damned...put upon..by everything. Tara Jean had a terrible childhood and was on her own at 16, she is an ex-grifter and had an old grifting partner who is out to get her because he needs money and owes some bad people. Luc (the hero) is a professional Hockey player in his 30s who really can't afford another hit to the head and who may be traded anyway. The sister Victoria is a wreck who is completely broke because her husband went to jail because of a Ponzi scheme. Luc and Victoria had a terrible relationship with their father who was abusive. So in one book there is child abuse, sport injuries, Ponzi schemers and stalkers.
The cover of the book makes you think this is going to be sexy and light. I didn't feel that it was either.
Don't get me wrong, the book wasn't terrible or anything, it just wasn't great either. Tara Jean is definitely the MVP of the story. She is responsible for at least 2 of the 2.5 stars.
There is a sequel with Victoria but I was less than impressed with Victoria as a character and am not the least bit interested in reading about her.
There was a really good book in here somewhere trying to get out.
The premise was pretty promising. An irascible Octogenarian rancher is dying and has hired a young woman to pose and his fiancee to lure his estranged children, Luc and Victoria, back to the ranch. The threat of being dis-inherited in favor of a blonde bimbo should get them to come back lickety split. This is all good and fine.
I liked the idea of Tara Jean and thought of all the characters in the book she was the most successful as a character. She had layers and a personality. After a few chapters, I was even able to exorcise that picture of Anna Nicole Smith and her 80+ y.o.husband out of my head (the first pages of this book basically re-create that famous picture in words). I just wish she hadn't been pushed into 'woman-in-jeopardy' territory as a major plot point.
Which brings me to my biggest issue with the book. Everybody was so damned...put upon..by everything. Tara Jean had a terrible childhood and was on her own at 16, she is an ex-grifter and had an old grifting partner who is out to get her because he needs money and owes some bad people. Luc (the hero) is a professional Hockey player in his 30s who really can't afford another hit to the head and who may be traded anyway. The sister Victoria is a wreck who is completely broke because her husband went to jail because of a Ponzi scheme. Luc and Victoria had a terrible relationship with their father who was abusive. So in one book there is child abuse, sport injuries, Ponzi schemers and stalkers.
The cover of the book makes you think this is going to be sexy and light. I didn't feel that it was either.
Don't get me wrong, the book wasn't terrible or anything, it just wasn't great either. Tara Jean is definitely the MVP of the story. She is responsible for at least 2 of the 2.5 stars.
There is a sequel with Victoria but I was less than impressed with Victoria as a character and am not the least bit interested in reading about her.
drey72's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t really like how this one started out – a sexy young thing in barely-there clothes in a photo shoot with an old, old man. And they’re engaged. You so know where I’m going with this, right?
But all is not as it appears… The old man is dying, and has nobody left except for Tara Jean. So they take a photo and send it out to his estranged children, Luc and Victoria. Both have reasons aplenty to hate their father – and “hate” is definitely not too strong a word to describe their feeling. “Hate” is also what they’re applying to Tara Jean, because anybody who looks that sinful, must be.
Then the old man dies, and Luc and Victoria have no choice but to put up with Tara Jean. Poor Tara Jean, they definitely don’t make her life easy. Add the old man’s first ex-wife to the mix, and it’s no wonder she retreats to her workshop. But she needs the Bakers, if she wants her business to succeed. And so the path to true love opens.
Not that it’s an easy path. They think she’s a gold-digger, she thinks they’re all made out of ice. Makes for some really fun dialog, that’s for sure.
I liked Tara Jean Sweet – she’s smart and sassy, and yet remorseful for the decisions she’s made in her life so far. Helping get Lyle’s kids to his deathbed is the least she can do for the man who helped get her feet back on the ground. If only his children weren’t quite so obnoxious… Luc’s smart too, but not smart enough to withstand his first impressions of Tara Jean. He thaws oh so slowly, until you’re ready to bean him with a two-by-four and get that done already.
Can’t Buy Me Love is a sweet contemporary romance with a lot of pent-up anger and unresolved family issues. And Tara Jean revolves around the Bakers like a warm sun thawing them out. Worth adding to your beach bag for the dialog alone.
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
But all is not as it appears… The old man is dying, and has nobody left except for Tara Jean. So they take a photo and send it out to his estranged children, Luc and Victoria. Both have reasons aplenty to hate their father – and “hate” is definitely not too strong a word to describe their feeling. “Hate” is also what they’re applying to Tara Jean, because anybody who looks that sinful, must be.
Then the old man dies, and Luc and Victoria have no choice but to put up with Tara Jean. Poor Tara Jean, they definitely don’t make her life easy. Add the old man’s first ex-wife to the mix, and it’s no wonder she retreats to her workshop. But she needs the Bakers, if she wants her business to succeed. And so the path to true love opens.
Not that it’s an easy path. They think she’s a gold-digger, she thinks they’re all made out of ice. Makes for some really fun dialog, that’s for sure.
I liked Tara Jean Sweet – she’s smart and sassy, and yet remorseful for the decisions she’s made in her life so far. Helping get Lyle’s kids to his deathbed is the least she can do for the man who helped get her feet back on the ground. If only his children weren’t quite so obnoxious… Luc’s smart too, but not smart enough to withstand his first impressions of Tara Jean. He thaws oh so slowly, until you’re ready to bean him with a two-by-four and get that done already.
Can’t Buy Me Love is a sweet contemporary romance with a lot of pent-up anger and unresolved family issues. And Tara Jean revolves around the Bakers like a warm sun thawing them out. Worth adding to your beach bag for the dialog alone.
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
jonetta's review against another edition
4.0
Tara Jean Sweet made a deal with 90-year old Lyle Baker to help lure his estranged son Luc and daughter Victoria back to his ranch in Texas. Lyle is dying and wants to see his children before his demise as he hasn't had contact with them for years. Luc is facing the possibility of the end of his professional hockey career because of a head injury and Victoria has been living a nightmare the past year because of her husband’s Ponzi scheme that left many financially shattered. The ruse worked as they bought the act, believing Tara Jean to be a gold digger ready to marry their father and abscond with their inheritance.
I was pleased to discover that this was not the light fare the description first led me to believe. These are complicated relationships and the characters have really serious issues to contend with. Tara Jean has a troubled, nasty past and her deal with Lyle provided the opportunity to reinvent herself. On the surface, she seems tough and a bit on the cheap side but it’s just a veneer she's created to protect herself. When Luc gets a glimpse of the real Tara, he becomes captivated and wants more. Their relationship is a tough one and, at times, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to root for them but Tara’s recovery from her self-loathing and Luc’s patience will win you over.
This isn't a story for the faint of heart as these aren't easy people and they have many flaws. The first half of the book was typical of a new relationship, with witty repartee and humorous moments. The second half is grittier as the characters have to contend with hard issues that surface once you’re expected to trust one another. I loved the complexity of the story and how the characters weren’t predictable. Tara and Luc's road to a relationship is unconventional and she's pretty damaged from a sordid past and a prior bad relationship. Luc and Victoria both have a lot of baggage as their father would never come close to winning father of the year awards. They all have redeemable qualities, although Victoria will challenge your sympathies.
There were times when the writing was a bit heavy handed with Southern/Western metaphors, especially when describing Tara's physical reactions to Luc. They sometimes got in the way of the emotional aspects, which was the more compelling part of the story. Otherwise, this is was an intriguing story, complete with humor, tragedy, romance and a bit of suspense. I wasn’t always happy with the journey but I loved its realism, edginess and honesty to the characters who were all well developed. I am looking forward to continuing the series.
(I received an ARC from the publisher)
I was pleased to discover that this was not the light fare the description first led me to believe. These are complicated relationships and the characters have really serious issues to contend with. Tara Jean has a troubled, nasty past and her deal with Lyle provided the opportunity to reinvent herself. On the surface, she seems tough and a bit on the cheap side but it’s just a veneer she's created to protect herself. When Luc gets a glimpse of the real Tara, he becomes captivated and wants more. Their relationship is a tough one and, at times, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to root for them but Tara’s recovery from her self-loathing and Luc’s patience will win you over.
This isn't a story for the faint of heart as these aren't easy people and they have many flaws. The first half of the book was typical of a new relationship, with witty repartee and humorous moments. The second half is grittier as the characters have to contend with hard issues that surface once you’re expected to trust one another. I loved the complexity of the story and how the characters weren’t predictable. Tara and Luc's road to a relationship is unconventional and she's pretty damaged from a sordid past and a prior bad relationship. Luc and Victoria both have a lot of baggage as their father would never come close to winning father of the year awards. They all have redeemable qualities, although Victoria will challenge your sympathies.
There were times when the writing was a bit heavy handed with Southern/Western metaphors, especially when describing Tara's physical reactions to Luc. They sometimes got in the way of the emotional aspects, which was the more compelling part of the story. Otherwise, this is was an intriguing story, complete with humor, tragedy, romance and a bit of suspense. I wasn’t always happy with the journey but I loved its realism, edginess and honesty to the characters who were all well developed. I am looking forward to continuing the series.
(I received an ARC from the publisher)
bananatricky's review against another edition
3.0
Luc is a Canadian ice hockey star. After a particularly vicious tackle the doctor has told him not to play hockey again. He has scar tissue on his frontal lobe and could suffer brain damage if he gets another knock. Luc is 38 years old, he is the team captain and wants to win the championship - he reckons one more year would let him achieve all his dreams.
Tara Jean is conspiring with Luc's 89 year old father Lyle to get Luc and his sister Victoria home. Together they are planning a fake wedding, she dressed like a two-bit hooker and him in a wheelchair with an oxygen mask - he believes that will bring his children back, despite the way he treated them. Tara Jean is grateful to Lyle, four years ago he gave her a chance when she was at her lowest point and now she works for him at Baker Leathers designing leather clothes.
When Luc brings Vicki home, she desperately needs her father's money to look after her son who has been ill, he can't believe the cheap Bimbo Barbie that his father wants to marry. But it doesn't stop him from wanting her too. She reminds him of the puck bunnies that used to follow the team around.
But Lyle has a trick up his sleeve, a life-long manipulator he hasn't finished. Despite his promises to Tara and Eli, the ranch manager, his will ties everything to Luc staying at the ranch for five months and gives him majority control of the cattle, the ranch and Baker Leathers.
Whilst there was nothing new in the plot (and I've left out some elements), I thoroughly enjoyed the execution. Luc was a kind and likeable character, he didn't have alphahole tendencies, he understood Tara's actions and words were sometimes an act to protect herself. Tara too had facets.
I will definitely look out for more by Molly O'Keefe. Now, Vicki ... who will she fall for? Is she the next book in the series?
Tara Jean is conspiring with Luc's 89 year old father Lyle to get Luc and his sister Victoria home. Together they are planning a fake wedding, she dressed like a two-bit hooker and him in a wheelchair with an oxygen mask - he believes that will bring his children back, despite the way he treated them. Tara Jean is grateful to Lyle, four years ago he gave her a chance when she was at her lowest point and now she works for him at Baker Leathers designing leather clothes.
When Luc brings Vicki home, she desperately needs her father's money to look after her son who has been ill, he can't believe the cheap Bimbo Barbie that his father wants to marry. But it doesn't stop him from wanting her too. She reminds him of the puck bunnies that used to follow the team around.
But Lyle has a trick up his sleeve, a life-long manipulator he hasn't finished. Despite his promises to Tara and Eli, the ranch manager, his will ties everything to Luc staying at the ranch for five months and gives him majority control of the cattle, the ranch and Baker Leathers.
Whilst there was nothing new in the plot (and I've left out some elements), I thoroughly enjoyed the execution. Luc was a kind and likeable character, he didn't have alphahole tendencies, he understood Tara's actions and words were sometimes an act to protect herself. Tara too had facets.
I will definitely look out for more by Molly O'Keefe. Now, Vicki ... who will she fall for? Is she the next book in the series?
labalkana's review against another edition
3.0
Ganz typisches "Chick Lit" mit interessanter Story aber ich mochte den Schreibstil gar nicht.
Irgendwie unterstützt er die schlechte Stimmung und den Selbsthass aller Hauptpersonen, was eigentlich interessant war, wie auch die ständig wechselnde Perspektive. Dadurch wurde das ganze aber auch sehr unübersichtlich.
Andererseits konnte ich Verständnis für die verschiedenen Charaktere entwickeln. Aber sie waren einfach trotzdem total unsympathisch.
Es war spannend genug um dran zu bleiben, ich bin aber nicht unbedingt motiviert die Reihe weiter zu lesen.
Irgendwie unterstützt er die schlechte Stimmung und den Selbsthass aller Hauptpersonen, was eigentlich interessant war, wie auch die ständig wechselnde Perspektive. Dadurch wurde das ganze aber auch sehr unübersichtlich.
Andererseits konnte ich Verständnis für die verschiedenen Charaktere entwickeln. Aber sie waren einfach trotzdem total unsympathisch.
Es war spannend genug um dran zu bleiben, ich bin aber nicht unbedingt motiviert die Reihe weiter zu lesen.
nutti72's review against another edition
4.0
Really really liked the characters in the book, very flawed and believeable.
klndonnelly's review against another edition
4.0
Review at Beverages and Books
http://beveragesandbooks.com/?p=347
http://beveragesandbooks.com/?p=347