Rosemary Keogh considers herself pretty adaptable—she dealt with her father’s death-bed edict that she move across the country to work at his latest hotel with five half-sisters, (most of whom she hadn’t known existed) hadn’t she? She settled into the routine, even grew to like most of them, but when tragedy leaves her birth daughter parentless—and she is named as the guardian—her world spins … again.
Trying to raise a nine-year-old who shares her spunk and determination isn’t always an easy thing. When Rosemary starts having mysterious ‘accidents,’ though, her worries shift from being a bad mother to leaving her daughter an orphan yet again.
Adding to the confusion, Harrison Forest, head of the resort’s human resources department, decides it’s time to shift their relationship from semi-adversarial to something a whole lot more interesting. Can they get past the roadblocks she’s been throwing in their way to make things work? More importantly, will she survive that long?
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4 star Review Family Matters (DiCarlo Brides #4) by Heather Tullis
AUDIO REVIEW:
Book four in the series and this book was just as entertaining as the previous books. It was well written and it kept me invested from the first to the last chapter.
This is Rosemary Keogh and Harrison Forest’s story and what a story it was. It is a story of love and family, tragedy, complications and drama. Rosemary like all her other half sisters as had to re arrange her life thanks to the requirements of her late father’s will.
Rosemary has struggled a bit with the move and getting to know the half sisters she hadn’t known existed. Preferring to keep her past to herself she suddenly finds herself the guardian of her 9 year old biological daughter and with that the complications start to build.
Throw in that Harrison has decided that it is time to move their relationship forward and she has a lot to juggle.
I am enjoying the narration of this series by Valerie Gilbert. Her voice is easy to listen to and I enjoy the different voices she brings to the various characters.
Can Rosemary be the mother she wants to be or is she doomed to fail?
As the fourth book in the series I had high hope for it. I just didn’t feel like it held up to the other books. The relationship took a back seat for the majority of the story. He just seemed to be there. Then it ended and they were in love. I am glad for the happy ending but just felt forced. Oh well two more opportunities.
Secrets
Rosemary has had a secret for the last 10 years that no one else knew. Sage with her wonderful advice warned her one day good would come out of a tragedy. Her daughter’s adoptive parents are killed and they are giving her back her daughter. Harrison is Sage’s brother and also HR director. They had met years before but ended badly but he liked her. The connection came when they remet in CO. He needs to get the nerve to ask her out. And help her deal with what is happening.
**** Book 1
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the novel A Perfect Fit (DiCarlo Brides Book 1): Love in Juniper Ridge Jan 15, 2014 by Heather Tullis and this review was given freely.
A good introduction to the series. Complex and full of drama. 6 women find out after their father’s funeral that they really are sisters and must work and live together for a year to make a the new Colorado hotel prosperous or marry in order to inherit. What they didn’t expect upon arrival to the hotel site in Juniper Ridge,Colorado were romances that were secretly set up for them by their father George DiCarlo prior to his death and the multiple media sabotage attempts. Couples inferred include Cami with Landscaper Vince ,her sister Lana with the hotel’s regional manager Blake, and her stepsisters Sage with former SEAL and head of hotel security Joel, Delphi with photographer Jeremy, and Jonquil with Ski Resort owner/manager Gage. A tutorial on hot air ballooning, setting up a hotel and resort and the stress of waiting for a kidney transplant are seamlessly blended in with all the family and workplace drama.
**** Book 2
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the novel SEALed With Love (DiCarlo Brides book 2) Mar 11, 2013 by Heather Tullis and this review was given freely.
Suspenseful with multiple forms of violence this novel begins months before the timeframe in book 1 and features the fearful reflexologist Sage who has a gift of precognition. Sage is contemplating leaving LA not only to take the Colorado Spa Manager job for her father but also to hide from a stalker. A suspenseful opening results in Sage meeting Joel the private security guard hired for her by her matchmaking father George Dicarlo. This sequel contains the events leading up to the post funeral attorney meeting in book 1 and then jumps ahead to the present day to Cami and Vince’s engagement, Sage’s work in the DiCarlo Colorado Hotel’s Spa, the return of Sage’s stalker, Sage’s budding romance with former SEAL/private security guard/ head of the DiCarlo Colorado Hotel’s security Joel, a poignant moment with Joel’s SEAL family,and the continued saga of the DiCarlo sisters.
Can be read as a stand alone but best if read in sequence.
**** Book 3
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the novel Reclaiming His Bride (DiCarlo Brides book 3) Mar 17, 2013 by Heather Tullis and this review was given freely.
Suspenseful, emotional and action packed with a twist. Starting three weeks after the DiCarlo Colorado Hotel’s opening,the story of hotel general manager Lana and the hotel chain’s regional manager Blake is a rocky one of secrets, misunderstandings, and an unplanned pregnancy. The continued saga of the DiCarlo sisters is peppered with escalating ghost activity in the form of hotel destruction and a murder which is blended with Blake’s family’s interference and Blake trying to win back Lana.
Contains some violence. Can be read as a stand alone but best if read in sequence.
**** Book 4
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the novel Family Matters : DiCarlo Brides book 4 May 6, 2013 by Heather Tullis and this review was given freely.
An emotional second chance at love story with multiple unhappy people, multiple acts of violence, a message concerning excessive dieting/poor body image, and a happy ending. Rosemary’s life drastically changes when one of Sage’s predictions come true giving Rosemary the chance to be a parent of her 10 year old daughter Cleo after the adoptive parents are tragically killed. Rosemary and Harrison find love and healing as he comforts and assist her through the changes brought with motherhood and tries to protect them when multiple violent acts befall the family.
Contains some violence. Can be read as a stand alone but best if read in sequence.
**** Book 5:
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the novel Wild Hearts (DiCarlo Brides Book 5) Dec 22, 2013 by Heather Tullis and this review was given freely.
A poignant second chance at love story combined with the continued saga of the Dicarlo sisters. Mystery and violence follow the couple as an innocent piece of fool’s gold turns out to be real. Reverting back to May and Delphi’s entrance at the reading of her father’s will then Jumping to July and her first meeting with Jeremy and then jumping again to January and the preparation for Rosemary’s wedding this sequel features the widowed motorcycle loving wedding planner Delphi and the friends to more romance with photographer Jeremy.
Can be read as a stand alone but best if read in sequence. Contains some violence.
**** Book 6
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the novel The Last Bride (DiCarlo Brides Book 6) Jan 22, 2014 by Heather Tullis and this review was given freely.
The last of the six DiCarlo brides finally wins her love and gains the emotional support and sense of belonging she has been craving for years. George DiCarlo’s last not so “secret match” involves his youngest daughter the Hotel’s floral manager Jonquil and appears to be a soulmate but Gage is still resistant. Both Jonquil and struggling local ski resort owner Gage are dedicated hard hard works who love nature and outdoor sports, support their families emotionally and monetarily but are taken advantage of by their self centered younger sisters. Life gets interesting when floral department manger Jonquil’s flighty self centered little sister the drama student Angela moves in for the summer, Gage is unable to support his self centered socialite sister Natalie, and someone sabotages the ski resort.
Can be read as a stand alone but best if read in sequence. Contains violence in the form of shooting and jealousy/mental illness.
**** Book 7
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the novel Getting Her Groom (DiCarlo Brides Book 7) Dec 11, 2014 by Heather Tullis and this review was given freely.
An older man-younger woman romance with a sinister undertone, one large loving family, a pair of superficial parents, and a happy ending. Tying up some loose ends, Jonquil’s little sister Angela’s road to graduation is sabotage but, graduation does not end her problems when she has to make a decision between a long distance relationship with Cami and Lana’s cousin the lawyer Alex, living near her family, and taking an understudy position to her dream job on Broadway in NY.
Can be read as a stand alone but best if read in sequence. Violence is not as graphic as in prior novels.
Rosemary was quite an interesting character. But all of the sisters I found interesting too. Each one had their own different story but they did have a few things in common. Like the feelings of betrayal from secrets kept and the manipulations of their lives. It was good to see all the sisters together, since I have read several of their stories. I know I also missed a few as well but I plan on remedying that soon. Although I will have to work it into my TBR pile.
Back to Rosemary..spunky and prickly Rosemary. What secrets that gal is hiding! Cleo is one pretty big one. I thought the author did a pretty good job of showing the emotions in this story. Not only between Cleo and Rosemary but also between Rosemary and Harrison. The relationship between Rosemary and the other sisters isn’t totally healed yet either but this story helps work them closer together.
This story had quite a bit of emotion without being too mushy. I also enjoyed how deep the relationship Rosemary had with the couple who adopted her daughter. It was almost like they treated her like an additional daughter. That was unexpected.
Harrison isn’t perfect but wow, what patience this guy has with Rosemary as the story goes forward. He was also so tender towards Cleo and that earned him a lot of points in my book. He even mentioned that trying to get closer to Rosemary was like, taking one step forward and then several back. It was hard work to get her to trust. Made for quite a dance-like romance.
I also have to mention one of the sisters, Sage shows up in this story in a minor way but every time she does she adds flavor to the story. She just knows things..she gets flashes about other people. Harrison is her brother and she makes sure he knows the tidbits that she gets.
There is quite a lot of action in this book because of the mysterious accidents. I could almost FEEL that the one suspect they were focused on was not “The One” causing it all. But it didn’t hurt the story one bit. Finally as the story continued I thought why aren’t you considering, ____? Sure enough that was The One and I liked how it got found out and overcome. There is also a H.E.A. to the story.
I like that the author included a Cast of Characters list, that is so helpful. And fun.
Rosemary & Harrison have been at each other’s throats ever since they’ve known each other. Now, Rosemary’s life has taken an extreme turn. She’s moved across the country per her father’s will. Her illegitimate daughter has come back into her life after her adoptive parents died. They have named Rosemary as Cleo’s guardian. And Harrison is suddenly acting friendly. Now it seems like someone is out to hurt her!
Harrison has enjoyed sparring with Rosemary but it has hidden deeper feelings. He knows she has had a rough life but didn’t realize the total effect it has had on her. He’s happy to see her start to relax around Cleo and begin to become part of the family with her sisters. He’ll do anything to protect her. Who is trying to hurt her & why? Will she ever turn to him?
I love the relationship between Rosemary, Cleo & Cleo’s adoptive parents. They’ve become the family Rosemary needed & hoped for. She grieved for them deeper than the death of her father. Rosemary has trouble accepting love because it was rarely shown to her. I loved seeing Rosemary’s personality begin to open up to her sisters’ affection. I really felt bad for Cleo & all that she’s been through. This was another great addition to the series!
Family Matters is the fourth book in the DiCarlo Brides series. Family Matters continues to tangle the stories of the women who are thrust together when their father dies, even though they didn’t know most of the others existed. Focusing on Rosemary in this story, we learn about her past and secrets. She had a baby and put it up for adoption, but has been able to stay in her Chloe’s life as a family friend. When tragedy strikes, she finds herself being mom to her biological child. On top of that, danger lurks, and Harrison wants more from her. This story was one to keep you reading much longer than you intend. I definitely recommend this book.
ARC for honest review with no compensation
Family Matters is the 4th book in the DiCarlo Brides series by Heather Tullis
A deceased father who throws 6 girls together (2 from his marriage and 4 illegitimate daughters to 4 different women) to build and run his hotel. Each daughter has something to bring to the table but they must all live on the premises with each other. While trying to come to grips with this curve ball he also has another curve ball for each daughter…..a husband he has personally picked out! !
Rosemary Keough who is the 4th daughter in line, is the hotel’s chef and who had a daughter at 19 who she gave up for adoption to a family that lived next door to her growing up and couldn’t have any children. Until they are killed and she receives a letter that she has been given guardianship of her daughter. When they arrive back at the hotel things start happening again just like before….
Harrison Forest is head of the Human Resource department and has had feelings for Rosemary for quite some time….he wants to take their so called friendship to the next level but Rosemary is determined to keep him at arm’s length.
Lots of twists and turns, suspense and feelings of not being wanted are just a few of the things that happen along the way…but will Rosemary and Harrison finally share their feelings for each other and make a family along with her daughter or will it just be the ladies and no man???