Need an Escape to New Zealand? Valentine’s Day. Even a hard man needs a soft side.Marko Sendoa isn’t a beach man. He’s not an Auckland man. He’s a hard man. Born Basque tough, raised in the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, and bred on hard work, discipline, and getting the job done. It’s not easy for a rugby flanker who’s played 13 bruising seasons to make it to age 32 at the top of his … to age 32 at the top of his game, but he’s done it. Next year is the Rugby World Cup, and he’ll do whatever it takes to be on the field in the black jersey when the anthems are sung.
He doesn’t need a kitten.
He doesn’t need a pregnant cousin.
He definitely doesn’t need a too-short, distractingly curvy, totally unimpressed Maori barista and part-time pet portraitist who fills his house and his life with too much color, too much chaos, and too many secrets.
He’s getting them anyway.
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If youve read the series than you’ll like this one too. Good, but redundant.
This book was just awesome! It was so much more than just a romance novel. It made me laugh and cry, feel happy and sadness, love and pain. You could feel Ella’s hurt, uncertainty, and fear.
Marko and Nyree were each so strong in their own right. Their sense of family was strong as well as their support of Ella. I really like Marko’s mom, Olivia. Reading about Marko’s grandmother’s journey evoked such strong, intense emotions. It brought tears to my eyes.
I loved that Nyree saw people in colors, and Marko accepted and respected that in her. One of my favorite lines was when Marko was asked a question, and his response was about giving the cat a surname.
All of that and you still get the steamy, sexy bits. Rosalind James’ characters do not have gratuitous sex with each other, even if they start out trying to convince themselves the relationship is only friendly. It means something to them and grows into something more. Her characters are so well developed that they take on a life of their own. I hope at some point, Ella and Tom will get their own story.
I have read all of her NZ books, and this one definitely places in my top three. You also get to revisit characters from some of her previous books. When I read the very last page, I felt good, and it left me with a smile on my face.
Rugby romances are the best–strong characters, and lovely setting. Makes you want to go there
Just Say (Hell) No is a pure diamond in the rough!
A beautifully written and so bloody captivating storyline.
I was completely blown away!
Plus add in the superb narration and OMG!! It just brought it to a whole mesmerizing new level of awesomeness!
Love all her work. This series is additive, read all books more than once. You will not go wrong with this book/series. Put New Zealand and the All Blacks on the bucket list.
Wonderful story! It was fun to see characters from the earlier books in this one.
Just Say Hell No is the eleventh book in the Escape to New Zealand series. When Marko and Nyree ‘meet’ it is not under the best circumstances. Marko is in need of some good press, and Nyree is his photographer. But they have known each other for years, and Nyree has secretly had a crush on him. Marko doesn’t want any of what Nyree is bringing, but he deals with it. But will he get more than he bargained for? I really enjoyed this story. I definitely recommend it.
Book 11 in the Escape to New Zealand Series and just when you think it can’t get any better Rosalind James gives us another brilliant book and this one blew me away, for me this is one of the best books in the series. It’s taken me a few days to get my review together for a couple of reasons, the first being I wanted to do this book justice and I also didn’t want to write a review that gave the whole story away I believe you need to meet Marko and Nyree without any expectations and I’m sure as you read their love story you will fall in love with them just as I have. Marko and Nyree are wonderful strong characters and the banter between them is perfect, what you also get in this book is a whole new group of friends and relatives who help make this book so special and I do believe you could read this book as a stand-alone but I’m sure once you have read this one you would want to read the previous books in the series because Rosalind James has a way with words and those words make you feel like you are coming home to family and friends with every book in this brilliant series. Looking forward to more in the Escape to New Zealand Series
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
4.5 Star Review of Just Say (Hell) No (Escape to New Zealand #11) by Rosalind James
Marko Sendoa is a strong, loyal man who will do anything for his family and friends.He is a man on honour and integrity and one that I really liked.
Nyree is a strong, independent woman, not afraid to take on the world, whilst pursuing her passion.
Although this is a stand alone, I do feel that if time permits you would perhaps get even more enjoyment from Just Say (Hell) No if you were to read the previous books in the series. Not necessary, just a suggestion.
Marko and Nyree should not meld well together as they are opposites but in my opinion they are a perfect blend; two halves of a whole.
As with previous books I have read from Rosalind James, this book was as well written with strong characters that I found I could easily relate too.
The secondary characters were also great and I found myself invested in this book from the start. I also love the fact that Ms.James has obviously dived into the Maori and New Zealand way of life, at times I truly believed I was in New Zealand such was her ability to transport me with her words.
I look forward to reading other stories in this series by Rosalind James.