“The sultry sex and seduction scenes are just the icing on this incredibly rich and satisfying cake. Readers will sit down, read this book from cover to cover in one sitting, and then pick it up to read it all over again.”—RT Book Reviews, 5 StarsA FLING MIGHT BE JUST THE THING…Gavin Donnigan left the Marine Corps a shell of a man, hounded by guilt for deaths he couldn’t prevent. But teaching a … couldn’t prevent. But teaching a self-defense class at the local gym brings some stability to his life—along with a gorgeous leggy woman who won’t give him the time of day.
Zoe York lost her twin sister to a freak car accident a few months ago. She’s been struggling to bury her grief, but it isn’t until she signs up for a self-defense class with its distractingly hot instructor that she begins to come out of her shell again. With the memory of her sister telling her to live a little, Zoe decides a fling with buns-of-steel Gavin Donnigan might be just the thing.
Soon they’re sparring both in and out of the gym. And for the first time in a long time, each is looking forward to tomorrow.
The Donnigans series:
A Sure Thing (Book 1)
Just the Thing (Book 2)
The Only Thing (Book 3)
Praise for Marie Harte:
“A blazing hot, emotionally intense love story…from an author on the rise.”—Kirkus for A Sure Thing
“This is truly a must read!”—Night Owl Reviews, 5 Stars, Top Pick! for Roadside Assistance
“Readers will swoon at the romantic gestures… in this easy-to-read tale of self love, trust and taking chances.”—RT Book Reviews for Roadside Assistance
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Let me start this review by saying that cover is so much yummy eye candy! Thumbs up to whoever picked this cover it’s the best lol! Just sayin’! I loved Gavin back when I read his big brother, Landon’s book, A Sure Thing. Gavin was just so goofy and playful that I was drawn to him. So when I seen his book on Netgalley I was so excited for him to get his HEA. Gavin was everything I had hoped for. I smiled a lot while reading this book. Gavin was so funny, charming, and omg sexy. I just loved him to pieces. The things that would come out of Gavin’s mouth lol he was just so goofy! Zoe was sassy, bossy, and so serious. It was fun watching her loosen up with Gavin and get playful. I loved that Zoe was so open and outspoken. I thought Zoe and Gavin made a cute couple. They had such great chemistry together in and out of the bedroom. This book touches on some serious issues like loss, PTSD, and survivor guilt. Reading about the pain Gavin, and at times Zoe, was dealing with really pulled on my heartstrings but, for the most part this book just really made me smile and laugh. I enjoyed getting to see the whole Donnigan family again. They are just so loving, supportive, and fun. Ava and Landon are still happy and cute and I loved getting to check in on them. I can’t wait for Gavin’s sister Hope to get a book! I am seeing a tattooed yummy in her future!
Well worth reading.
Gavin comes across as juvenile, serious, goofy and cheeky. Gavin has unfortunately gone down a wrong path since being medically discharged which has also included bedding lots and lots of dubious character women. He is difficult to pin down until one realises towards the end he is hiding behind a light-hearted facade to hide his pain at what happened in the service.
Zoe is struggling with a very close recent loss and has no intention of falling for Gavin’s easy charm and becoming another notch on his bedpost.
When a private self-defence class shows them both how hot they are together, they decide on a no strings affair but of course this slowly becomes more to both of them. The build-up in their relationship was enjoyable and a pleasure to read though it did slow down a few times.
This was such a lovely story with two very interesting and genuinely nice characters both believing they are coping with life but both suffering survivors’ guilt.
The ending with Gavin and his PTSD attack was so well written and I felt so sad for both of them dealing with this illness. It affects not just the person but those around them and was so sympathetically dealt with by this author.
The fact Zoe had recently dealt with the senseless death of her twin really pushes a lot of buttons between these two but also helps them to deal and heal.
The silly pranking going on was a light relief and I laughed when the parents joined in.
I have somehow missed book one but will be reading it.
I love the Donnigan family! They have a spirit about them that’s addicting. They’re fun, supportive and get on each other’s last nerve – a real family.
This book is about second oldest sibling, Gavin, the medically retired Marine. His story of survivor’s guilt, grief and self-worth is so heart wrenching. But, he hides his pain behind laughs and an above average ego. Zoe, a young woman that Gavin meets at the gym has her own issues dealing with the loss of her twin sister. She surmerges herself in work and gardening. This common bond of grief attracts them to each other and it becomes very passionate. Gavin and Zoe keep the relationship interesting with interesting dates and fulfulling their fantasies.
The story grabbed me and didn’t let go. There is so much emotion between Gavin and Zoe that I needed them to make it. I laughed and I cried with them.
Ms. Harte’s handling of PTSD, grief and mental health is gentle and respectful.
A fantastic story about forgiveness, healing, love, friendship and family; if you cry easily, grab a box of tissues. The characters are believable and the story is well developed and flows nicely.
Gavin Donnigan is an ex-marine sniper medically discharged from service after 12 years. Suffering from recurring nightmares, flashbacks and a severe case of survivor’s guilt, he is seeing a therapist trying to work through his issues to be able to move forward with his life. And while he is trying to pull himself together he works with his older brother at a gym teaching self-defense classes. When he first came home he fell into a deep hole of drinking and sleeping with women from the gym, trying to ignore his problems, but there was one dark haired beauty in pink yoga pants that he could not get off his mind. No matter how much he flirted, just trying to get her to smile, or how many times he asked her out he was always shot down. Until one day…she says yes.
Zoe York is dealing with her own deep seated grief at the loss of her twin sister, Aubrey a few months prior. She was always the upbeat, outgoing, live life to the fullest sister, while Zoe is more reserved and always second guessing herself. Working in the medical field as a programmer, she loves her job and gives it her entire focus. She has no time for a hard body, dreamy eyes or complicated relationships. No matter how many times the guy makes her smile or stays in her thoughts. However after conversations with her best friend and aunt, she re-evaluates herself and decides…why not? A bit of fun is just what she needs.
Sparks fly in and out of the bedroom as they decide to take it day by day, no promises or commitments, and just see where it goes. Neither having a clue that once they started down this path that choices and revelations would come about that would change their lives making way for a love that would heal them both and lead them into the future.
Every step Gavin Donnigan takes his demons are two steps behind him, he’s seen things that would cripple most, but he’s found a way to lock it all away… for the most part. His return to civilian life has been rough, but he’s found ways to keep himself busy, teaching self defense classes and sweating things out at the gym. Sometimes he finds a way to let go of things and have a little fun, like flirting with a certain sexy blonde that frequents the gym, but as of yet he hasn’t been able to get the date he’s been asking for…
After losing her twin sister in an devastating accident a few months ago Zoe York has been left a small sliver of the woman she used to be, her grief hangs above her head, with every step she takes. She is trying her best to get back to the woman she use to be, but it is a daily struggle, one that wears her out. So she depends on her work-outs at the gym to re-energize her and keep her mind focused on something other the loss, and once in a while she even has a little fun. Especially when a certain sexy self -defense instructor comes around…
This one had me swooning from the first chapter, I mean what is not to love about a sexy, charming ex-Marine determined to win the heart of the woman he loves, Gavin is definitely going to be hard to beat as my favorite Donnigan!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading Gavin and Zoe’s story, it had everything a good romance story should have and then some. This is a story about two wounded souls that are in search of a second chance at life, and along the way they discover that after being dealt the worst life has to offer it is truly possible to have a new beginning in life and find the happiness they so desperately yearn for and deserve. I highly recommend this one, it’s sure to you leave with a happy heart, and a serious crush on a certain sexy ex-Marine!!