Tag Archives: Erin McCarthy

You Don’t Know Jack by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: You Don’t Know Jack
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Sexy in NYC #2
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2006

Thoughts

I wanted to like this novel a whole lot more than I did to be honest. I mean, I kind of absolutely adored The Pregnancy Test, and I figured the lead in to the next book in the series would hit that same happy place. But it just didn’t quite happen for me. Not that I didn’t enjoy this. But I definitely didn’t love this story as much as I had hoped.

Probably my favourite part of this story is the psychic that Jamie consults. They (I’m a bit confessed on chosen gender here) are freaking fabulous and hilarious. The fact that their prediction helps to snowball Jamie decision making process is all that much better. I also love in that that scene when Jack finally gets to meet the legend and is just all confusion. Having said that, one of the things about Jamie that I struggled with was the one dimensionality of her interactions because they were based around the whole prediction idea.

Normally when a Meet Cute happens because someone is stalking, I’m immediately throwing up red flags. I mean, not the greatest reason to stumble into someone’s life to be honest. But the fact that Jack is aware that he’s being creepy and is just too damn bored to care… that actually made it kind of funny and less weird. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be retired at 30 odd and just, at a loose ends as to what to do with your life. Again, it makes for some kind of humorous interactions.

You Don’t Know Jack is a good romance, and a nice, light read. But I did find a lot of the characters throughout to be really one dimensional. Which made it hard to quite connect with them the way I wanted to. Hopefully the next and final, book in the trilogy gives me that emotional connection I’ve been craving.

<- The Pregnancy TestHow to Get Lucky ->

Image source: Goodreads

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Blue Christmas by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Blue Christmas
Author: Erin McCarthy
In: Unwrapped (Erin McCarthy, Donna Kauffman & Kate Angell)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2011

Thoughts

I always love a good romance by Erin McCarthy. They’re always light, cute and just an incredibly easy read. This novella was no different. But with a lovely Christmas twist. I do love that the female was the grouchy, Christmas hater too. With a very happy and cheerful male lead instead.

I don’t always love the idea of a grouchy grinch lead. But something about Blue’s sass won me over from the very beginning. She was just pessimistic enough to be interesting, but not so much that I found her overbearing stereotypical and painful. Likewise, Christian was incredibly and almost painfully cheerful, but not quite over that line that made you want to smack him one. After all, pretty much no one is that damn happy.

Although I totally guessed how this novella would end, it still took a few extra twists that I didn’t quite expect. Plus, I loved that although this was a bit of an insta-love tale, it didn’t end with a declaration of love. Rather it was a declaration of intent and trying to make their relationship work. Far more tenable and realistic in my view.

<- UnwrappedSanta in a Kilt ->

Image source: Amazon

Unwrapped by Erin McCarthy, Donna Kauffman & Kate Angell

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Unwrapped
Author: Erin McCarthy, Donna Kauffman & Kate Angell
In: Unwrapped (Erin McCarthy, Donna Kauffman & Kate Angell)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2011

Thoughts

This was a fantastic anthology of cutsie Christmas romances. All three novellas were fun and adorable, incredibly fun and ridiculously yummy. I loved the winter feeling of each of the stories and the imagery of snow falling around.

Each of these novellas were fun and light, with just enough drama to make them interesting. Plus, each and every one had a great little happy ending. One that left me with a happy smile on my face.

What a great collection of authors, old and new. I love a good Christmas romance, and the length of these novellas made it perfect to read just before bed without keeping me up too late.

<- Snow AngelBlue Christmas ->

Image source: Amazon

Total Package by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Total Package
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Bowling Friends #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Year: 2005

Thoughts

I’m always a fan of friends to lovers stories. They’re cute and fun. And I honestly think that the best basis for a good relationship is a strong friendship. The fact that in this case, the friendship is based around Ashley’s brother does make it somewhat awkward. But also so very delicious…

I haven’t found a story by Erin McCarthy that I don’t enjoy. This novella was no exception. There’s fun and sass throughout, with plenty of heart. There’s also just the right amount of steam that makes you wonder when your significant other is getting home…

Another easy and fun read that had me smiling and feeling at peace. I’m looking forward to reading the next one on my shelves.

<- Hard DriveLady of the Lake ->

Image source: Goodreads

Hot Summer Nights by Jaci Burton, Carly Phillips, Erin McCarthy & Jessica Clare

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Overview
Image result for hot summer nights book cover

Title: Perfect Stranger
Author: Jaci Burton, Carly Phillips, Erin McCarthy & Jessica Clare
In: Hot Summer Nights (Jaci Burton, Carly Phillips, Erin McCarthy & Jessica Clare)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Pace: Fast
Format: Anthology
Year: 2013

Thoughts

I may not be entirely sure why this collection is called Hot Summer Nights. But it was definitely good fun. I had imagined that I would be reading four beach romance novellas. Or stories of summer flings. Not quite what I ended up with.

The majority of these stories have a fun and light small-town America feel to them. They’re cute and simple filled with interesting characters. Interesting characters that I want to meet again in some of the series that these novellas introduced me to. More books to add to the wishlist!!!

This was a wonderful collection that left me feeling content and happy. Exactly what you feel after reading a good romance. Or really, any good book in my case. Definitely one that I’ll be reading again.

<- Ice PrincessHope Smolders ->

Image source: Goodreads

Ice Princess by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for hot summer nights book cover

Title: Ice Princess
Author: Erin McCarthy
In: Hot Summer Nights (Jaci Burton, Carly Phillips, Erin McCarthy & Jessica Clare)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I’ll read this again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Year: 2013

Thoughts

Erin McCarthy does it for me every time. She is fantastic at writing light, fun and incredibly cute romances. Ice Princess is no exception. My only feeling of confusion… why was a snow story in a collection titled Hot Summer Nights?

This novella may have one of my favourite Meet Cutes of recent. I mean, trying to jump off a balcony and falling (literally) into a gorgeous man’s arms? Yes please! The fact that the lead female is quirky and kind of has verbal diarrhoea… well, it had me giggling Kate at night when I really should have been sleeping.

The gutsy and willing to go get it attitude of both of the leads in Ice Princess is seriously amazing. I’m honestly jealous of how willing they are to take a leap. And, since this is one of those Happily Ever After stories, I love how it all turns out. I won’t ever be that gutsy and willing to jump into things. But it sure was fun travelling along and imagining that I could be.

<- The Legend of JaneHot Summer Nights ->

Image source: Goodreads

Bad Boys of Summer by Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy & Amy Garvey

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Overview
Bad Boys of Summer by Lori Foster

Title: Bad Boys of Summer
Author: Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy & Amy Garvey
In: Bad Boys of Summer (Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy & Amy Garvey)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 8th February – 31st March 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: Brava
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: “I don’t think I can.”

Synopsis

Lazy days… steamy nights… and sweltering guys with rippling muscles doing what they do best…

Lucious by Lori Foster
Bethany Churchill just quit her lousy job, dumped her lousy boyfriend and moved into a new apartment. She’s not looking for love, but her hot new landlord is determined to change her mind. SWAT officer Lucius Ryder – known to the women in the building as “Luscious”, much to his chagrin – is one sexy lawman, and before long Bethany is tempted to find out if he’s really as delicious as his nickname…

It’s About Time by Erin McCarthy
County prosecutor Trish Jones has had it with smooth-talking, under-performing suits. and though she’s never had a thing for big, brawny guys, one look at Caleb Cancouver’s bulges makes her think she might have been missing out. One Harley ride later they’re back at her place, and she realizes that she has been missing out… on quite a lot…

Wish You Were Here by Amy Garvey
Photographer Mackenzie Pruitt knows exactly what she wants her future to look like, and this summer that means renovating a dilapidated shed into a studio. But when hunky carpenter Leo Dawson shows up, she’d much rather have his capable hands on her than on a hammer. He’s not the kind of guy she always thought she’d fall for, but when he touches her, she can’t imagine wanting anyone else…

Thoughts

This collection is filled with three very fun and cute contemporary romance stories. They took me on a great summer journey that left me smiling and believing in true love. It was a wonderful way to spend a few afternoons, filling my time with novellas of cuteness and romance.

I could most definitely imagine reading this collection on the beach somewhere. Enjoying the romances and the adventures of the characters. Sadly, I didn’t get the privilege of reading this on the beach. But everytime I turned a page, I just imagined that I was there anyway.

I already knew that I love Foster and McCarthy. Garvey was an entirely new author for me. One that I found I unexpectedly enjoyed. They took me on some wonderful adventures that I will probably repeat again in the future.

<- Wish You Were HereLuscious ->

Image source: Goodreads

It’s About Time by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Bad Boys of Summer by Lori Foster

Title: It’s About Time
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Bowling Friends #4
In: Bad Boys of Summer (Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy & Amy Garvey)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 31st March 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: Brava
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: “I do.”

Synopsis

County prosecutor Trish Jones has had it with smooth-talking, under-performing suits. and though she’s never had a thing for big, brawny guys, one look at Caleb Cancouver’s bulges makes her think she might have been missing out. One Harley ride later they’re back at her place, and she realizes that she has been missing out… on quite a lot…

Thoughts

This is such a wonderfully cute Meet Cute story. Everything in this has a feeling of fate, plus, you add in the fact that it is totally a set up. Just a typical, happy and fun McCarthy novella that will leave a grin on your face and a spring in your step.

I love that Trish is independent, strong and driven. It’s difficult as a woman like this to find a man that is willing to stand by your side. And the fact that she is featured so strongly in this novella. Plus, some of her little quirks had me laughing out loud. Plus, there were multiple moments which reminded me of my own sister.

Caleb is just the most beautiful / biggest lug of a man. Combine that with the fact that he’s a sweetheart… it was just a perfect matching with Trish’s prickly outside. All in all, I can’t even with the heat and lust in this story! It’s gorgeous, fun and just all round cute and enjoyable.

<- LusciousWish You Were Here ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Night Before Christmas by Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy, Kathy Love, Jill Shalvis, Kylie Adams & Katherine Garbera

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Overview
The Night Before Christmas by Lori Foster

Title: The Night Before Christmas
Author: Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy, Kathy Love, Jill Shalvis, Kylie Adams & Katherine Garbera
In: The Night Before Christmas (Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy, Kathy Love, Jill Shalvis, Kylie Adams & Katherine Garbera)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 17th – 26th December 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Brava
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: “Why, for God’s sake?”

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Tis the night before Christmas and all through the house, things are definitely stirring… because if you’re going to wait up for Santa, you might as well have some very sexy company…

“White Knight Christmas” is by “New York Times” bestselling author Lori Foster.
Officer Parker Ross hates Christmas; Lily Donaldson lives for it. She’s determined to introduce him to the pleasures of the season, and he’s looking forward to being deliciously converted…

“Snowed Under” is by Erin McCarthy.
Justin Fairbanks has always been attracted to Claire Robbins. When she gets soaked by a snowplough and asks him to help remove her wet clothes, well, what sane man could possibly say no?

“Ms. Humbug” is by Jill Shalvis.
Wild, daring, a complete rebel, Matt is the man no woman can tame – until he kisses his nemesis, Cami, at the office holiday party, and suddenly, all bets are off…and running…

“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” is by Kathy Love. Seven years ago, Rob Marsten chose work over the love of his life, Erica. Now, a snowstorm and a car rental mix-up leads to a reunion, and this time, Rob will show Erica exactly how much he wants her…

“Seducing Scrooge” is by Katherine Garbera
It’s Christmas Eve, and workaholic Jackson Peters is annoyed that his staff has left early. Only Krista Miller is still there, but from the look on her face, she doesn’t seem to have work on her mind…

“The Good Girl’s Guide To A Very Bad Christmas” is by Kylie Adams
Peri Knight has had it with being good. She’s made a list of her top five sexiest fantasies, and in the week before Christmas, she’s going to live out every single one…

Thoughts

I read a few Christmas anthologies at the same point at the end of 2020, and this was most definitely the sweetest of them. It was very cutesy. And kind of completely adorable. There is something hopeful about Christmas Eve, or the night before Christmas. Something that always feels filled with potential. I feel like it never truly is… but it always feels like it could be.

I only knew two of the authors when I started this collection. It was a lovely, pleasant surprise when I discovered the other four. I’ll most definitely have to do some research and add some more of their books to my wish list. Not that I really need to add any more to my wish list… considering how damn big and kind of out of control that thing is…

The Night Before Christmas helped to cure a little bit of that humbug in me and remind me what it is about Christmas that I normally love. It was filled with more cute and sweet stories than lustful ones. And was just generally a seriously enjoyable and easy way to spend a few nights in the lead up to the festive season.

<- The Good Girl’s Guide to a Very Bad ChristmasWhite Knight Christmas ->

Image source: Goodreads

Snowed Under by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
The Night Before Christmas by Lori Foster

Title: Snowed Under
Author: Erin McCarthy
In: The Night Before Christmas (Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy, Kathy Love, Jill Shalvis, Kylie Adams & Katherine Garbera)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 22nd December 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Brava
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: I mean, the whole building was glass.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Justin Fairbanks has always been attracted to Claire Robbins. When she gets soaked by a snowplough and asks him to help remove her wet clothes, well, what sane man could possibly say no?

Thoughts

Everyone has a teenage crush that the sometimes wonder “what if?” And although mine chopped and changed a lot, I like the way that in this story, the couple have always been more than a little sweet on each other. But they’ve waited until they’re grown enough to actually enjoy their courtship. After all, what is okay as an adult, is kind of icky for a child…

This story was seriously fun from beginning to end. It was a little bit humorous, and a whole lot enjoyable. I also loved Claire’s go-get-them attitude. After all, she figures out exactly what she wants (Justin in her bed), and just goes for it. I have experience working around men who are kind of difficult and annoying to shift into the decisions that you want, so I completely adored Claire’s methodology.

Snowed Under is fun and very, very enjoyable. It’s a nice novella that makes you believe in true love and just generally enjoy the process of a romance developing. It’s incredibly cute, and most definitely a novella that I will read again.

<- White Knight ChristmasMs. Humbug ->

Image source: Goodreads