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ccgwalt's review against another edition
3.0
SOA Listening Challenge 2012: Spread Your Listening-- Contemporary 2/4
Grade B-/C+
While parts of this book were poignant or humorous, other parts were just slow. I was listening to the audiobook on 2X for part of the book because the story seemed to stand in place, going nowhere. Cam was a mixed bag for me, too. He could be a selfish, arrogant man, who also acted childishly at times. On at least two occasions he did things to hurt Anna, and it infuriated me that she let him wheedle and cajole his way out of the trouble without coming to a real understanding of (or responsibility for) what he'd done. That in turn made me think less of Anna, who shouldn't have been sleeping with her client's guardian to begin with! And it seems hypocritical for her to accuse Cam of compartmentalizing their relationship, when that's exactly what she'd done in order to justify it to her affair with him.
The relationship of Cam with his brother's, including the foster child, Seth, was well done, and often humorous. I liked the Phil and Ethan and the interactions. The ongoing storyline about the father's accident and the gossip was fine.
Some of the interactions between Cam and Anna are sweet and romantic, and I did enjoy them. I didn't care for Anna's part in their final confrontation, but I did like Cam's part and it went a long way to redeeming him in my eyes.
I doubt I'll continue the series.
Grade B-/C+
While parts of this book were poignant or humorous, other parts were just slow. I was listening to the audiobook on 2X for part of the book because the story seemed to stand in place, going nowhere. Cam was a mixed bag for me, too. He could be a selfish, arrogant man, who also acted childishly at times. On at least two occasions he did things to hurt Anna, and it infuriated me that she let him wheedle and cajole his way out of the trouble without coming to a real understanding of (or responsibility for) what he'd done. That in turn made me think less of Anna, who shouldn't have been sleeping with her client's guardian to begin with! And it seems hypocritical for her to accuse Cam of compartmentalizing their relationship, when that's exactly what she'd done in order to justify it to her affair with him.
The relationship of Cam with his brother's, including the foster child, Seth, was well done, and often humorous. I liked the Phil and Ethan and the interactions. The ongoing storyline about the father's accident and the gossip was fine.
Some of the interactions between Cam and Anna are sweet and romantic, and I did enjoy them. I didn't care for Anna's part in their final confrontation, but I did like Cam's part and it went a long way to redeeming him in my eyes.
I doubt I'll continue the series.
stepgg's review against another edition
3.0
I loved and hated this book. I loved the brothers storyline. I hated the love story and Anna as a charactor. I felt like Anna and Cam's was ridiculous and unbelievable. For one all the did was have sex all the time.and those sex scenes.. Super unbelievable, literally ripping clothes off?? On someone who was raped?? I am hoping I like the next book better since it seems like it will be based more on Ethan.
obsessedmuch's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars actually
One of the best Nora Roberts books, next to Three Sisters Island series and Three fates.
All four of brothers are fascinating, can't wait to se grown up Seth. Something tells me that Philip book will be the best, he is definitely my favourite character. Way to go Roberts, you made a really good job with this saga
One of the best Nora Roberts books, next to Three Sisters Island series and Three fates.
All four of brothers are fascinating, can't wait to se grown up Seth. Something tells me that Philip book will be the best, he is definitely my favourite character. Way to go Roberts, you made a really good job with this saga
kaixxx's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this series. Each character was interesting and I found myself wanting to carry on so that I could find out the story of each of the brothers. Definitely a series I would recommend.
xkay_readsx's review against another edition
4.0
3.5⭐
A feel-good family drama with a touch of mystery and (quite steamy) romance.
Set in St. Christopher's, Maryland, the Quinns foster and adopt trouble boys. They adopted three boys Cameron, Ethan, and Phillip. Ray, a widower died leaving Seth, 10 years old the newest family member. Cam is the oldest and loves traveling and racing but is back home to pick up the pieces and honor Ray's dying wish to take care of Seth.
I didn't realize that each book in the series focuses on each adult boy so this first is about Cam. The mystery I am guessing is stretched out to the next since it wasn't concluded in this one. Definitely will read book two.
A feel-good family drama with a touch of mystery and (quite steamy) romance.
Set in St. Christopher's, Maryland, the Quinns foster and adopt trouble boys. They adopted three boys Cameron, Ethan, and Phillip. Ray, a widower died leaving Seth, 10 years old the newest family member. Cam is the oldest and loves traveling and racing but is back home to pick up the pieces and honor Ray's dying wish to take care of Seth.
I didn't realize that each book in the series focuses on each adult boy so this first is about Cam. The mystery I am guessing is stretched out to the next since it wasn't concluded in this one. Definitely will read book two.
genny's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My first Nora Roberts! I enjoyed this quite a bit. Cam and Anna's romance was okay, but what I truly fell for was the bond between the brothers. I would die for Seth. 🥺 And I can already tell that I'll care more about Ethan and Grace's love story in the next book. The sex scenes were a lot more lyrical than I expected...they verged on overly sentimental, actually, but I'll take that over graphic descriptions (just personal preference!). Honestly, the whole book has an overly sentimal tone. I just embraced it.
The repeated use of "male" and "female" to describe how a person or the environment looked was funny/weird, and I chalked it up to this book being published in the 90's. Examples:"She wanted that all-male body pinning hers..." "She wondered if they realized how male the house seemed. Tidy as a pin, yes, but without even a whiff of female." I also felt a little uncomfortable with how some "romantic" scenes played out, with Cam doggedly pursuing a standoffish Anna. The reader knows that Anna does want to be coaxed this way, and it doesn't go so far that I'd call it harrassment...but still.
I recommend this if, like me, you don't mind romance taking a backseat to family or general life drama.
The repeated use of "male" and "female" to describe how a person or the environment looked was funny/weird, and I chalked it up to this book being published in the 90's. Examples:
I recommend this if, like me, you don't mind romance taking a backseat to family or general life drama.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, Grief, Rape, Car accident, Death, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Suicide and Infidelity
loverofromance's review against another edition
4.0
When Cameron hears that his father, is on his deathbed, he rushes home in Maryland. Cameron, having been adopted by Raymond and Stella Quinn, whom found him a young boy, lost and alone, coming from a terrible situation. They loved him and his two brothers they brought into their home, Ethan and Phillip. When Cameron rushes home after traveling the world doing boat races, he finds that becoming a guardian to a young boy Seth, is far more challenging than he ever suspected. After the loss of his father, he and his brothers must take him in and keep their word to their father, to protect him as they were protected and taken in. There is a twist to this story, where Cameron is faced with Seth's social worker, who is sexy and he knows that things are about to get more complicated than he ever thought. Anna, after being given Seth's case, is very intrigued of the aspect of three grown single men willing to raise a young boy, when they have their own lives. However the one that she is faced with and that attracts her is the handsome yet reckless Cameron. As she spends time with Cameron and the young boy Seth, she starts to realize that there is something vital that is happening between her and Cameron, that she can no longer deny to herself, where she finds a love and a family she never expected to find.
I have read Sea Swept but it was a long time ago, and so I thought that I would try reading this series again, especially since I loved it so much. And I am so glad that I did, I just loved Cameron's story. We have two characters that have strong personalities and they certainly do clash frequently. Anna intent for Seth is to make sure he finds a good home, and the more time she spends with him and the Quinns she comes to realize that he is making himself at home on the Chesepeake Bay, that it would be more healing for him to stay then to leave. There is also a threat on the horizon that will involve the whole family, which will take Anna and Cameron working together, but what neither one of them expects is to fall in love with one another. Its definitely one of my favorite books so far to read by Nora Roberts, I love the whole scenario with them having to raise this young boy who came from a horrific living situation and where they learn that love truly can be a healing balm. It has a strong plot, well connected characters and a very emotional side to the romance side of the story, that was a delightful and thrilling to read.
I have read Sea Swept but it was a long time ago, and so I thought that I would try reading this series again, especially since I loved it so much. And I am so glad that I did, I just loved Cameron's story. We have two characters that have strong personalities and they certainly do clash frequently. Anna intent for Seth is to make sure he finds a good home, and the more time she spends with him and the Quinns she comes to realize that he is making himself at home on the Chesepeake Bay, that it would be more healing for him to stay then to leave. There is also a threat on the horizon that will involve the whole family, which will take Anna and Cameron working together, but what neither one of them expects is to fall in love with one another. Its definitely one of my favorite books so far to read by Nora Roberts, I love the whole scenario with them having to raise this young boy who came from a horrific living situation and where they learn that love truly can be a healing balm. It has a strong plot, well connected characters and a very emotional side to the romance side of the story, that was a delightful and thrilling to read.
whiskeyinthejar's review against another edition
2.0
Way too slow moving for me. The setting up of the story arc (three men taking over custody of a younger boy) for the series vastly overpowered this book; to the point I would call this romance by the very skin of its teeth.
Reading the next in the series because silent, suffering longing are balms to my sadistic nature.
Reading the next in the series because silent, suffering longing are balms to my sadistic nature.
saber's review against another edition
3.0
I was surprised how much I ended up enjoying this in the end. It's not something I would normally read.
I'm still relatively new to the romance and contemporary genres that I'm still figuring out what I like. I've always loved romance, but I preferred it when it accompanied a fantasy, mystery, or some kind of action/adventure novel. For the most part, romance as a primary genre bored me. The only ones I had read until less than 2 years ago were classics like [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320399351s/1885.jpg|3060926].
For whatever reason I decided to give the genre a try and ended up reading the almost cheesy novels filled with witty banter and lots of sexy times. For the most part I have found these really entertaining. They are quick, easy reads that I have begun to really enjoy despite the often poor writing. My favorites quickly became the ones that had better writing, obviously, and a good subplot like mystery or paranormal. I still needed something to distract from plain romance. I even begun to read and enjoy historical-romances for the same reason; even though I was a bit embarrassed by it at first.
[b:Sea Swept|628139|Sea Swept (Chesapeake Bay Saga, #1)|Nora Roberts|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1423013952s/628139.jpg|3241491], however, was different than the types of romances listed above. It has elements of mystery and sexy times, but it's a bit more serious then the contemporary romances I have been reading. In fact, I felt as though the romance took a backseat to the relationship of Cam and his brothers and how they would raise Seth in this small town. And for the first 30% or so this bored me. I almost gave up until I reminded myself I liked Nora Roberts' In Death and Bride Quartet series. And I'm glad I continued. This genre (women's fiction?) still isn't my favorite, but if there are more books out there like this or the Bride Quartet series, I think I will grow to love the genre.
I'm still relatively new to the romance and contemporary genres that I'm still figuring out what I like. I've always loved romance, but I preferred it when it accompanied a fantasy, mystery, or some kind of action/adventure novel. For the most part, romance as a primary genre bored me. The only ones I had read until less than 2 years ago were classics like [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320399351s/1885.jpg|3060926].
For whatever reason I decided to give the genre a try and ended up reading the almost cheesy novels filled with witty banter and lots of sexy times. For the most part I have found these really entertaining. They are quick, easy reads that I have begun to really enjoy despite the often poor writing. My favorites quickly became the ones that had better writing, obviously, and a good subplot like mystery or paranormal. I still needed something to distract from plain romance. I even begun to read and enjoy historical-romances for the same reason; even though I was a bit embarrassed by it at first.
[b:Sea Swept|628139|Sea Swept (Chesapeake Bay Saga, #1)|Nora Roberts|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1423013952s/628139.jpg|3241491], however, was different than the types of romances listed above. It has elements of mystery and sexy times, but it's a bit more serious then the contemporary romances I have been reading. In fact, I felt as though the romance took a backseat to the relationship of Cam and his brothers and how they would raise Seth in this small town. And for the first 30% or so this bored me. I almost gave up until I reminded myself I liked Nora Roberts' In Death and Bride Quartet series. And I'm glad I continued. This genre (women's fiction?) still isn't my favorite, but if there are more books out there like this or the Bride Quartet series, I think I will grow to love the genre.