Jack Valentini isn’t my type. Sexy, brooding cowboys are fine in the movies, but in real life, I prefer a suit and tie. Proper manners. A close shave. Jack might be gorgeous, but he’s also scruffy, rugged, and rude. He wants nothing to do with a “rich city girl” like me, and he isn’t afraid to say so. But I’ve got a PR job to do for his family’s farm, so he’s stuck with me and I’m stuck with him. … and I’m stuck with him. His glares. His moods. His tight jeans. His muscles.
His huge, hard muscles.
Pretty soon there’s a whole different kind of tension between us, the kind that has me misbehaving in barns, trees, and pickup trucks. I’ve never done anything so out of character—but it feels too good to stop.
And the more I learn about the grieving ex-Army sergeant, the better I understand him. Losing his wife left him broken and bitter and blaming himself. He doesn’t think he deserves a second chance at happiness.
But he’s wrong.
I don’t need to be his first love. If only he’d let me be his last.
more
This is my first read of Melanie Harlow’s work and I will certainly be back for more. I was pleased to see there are more books with the other characters.
Margot is a spoiled brat. And I didn’t like her – well, I really did like the scone throwing – but that’s one thing I liked best about the book. Characters growth. While she seems to judge people and be rather snooty, you can easily see she isn’t really. She actually quite kind hearted and caring.
Jack is the star of the book for me. Not just because he’s a sexy alpha type, but because he’s broken. I wanted to hug him. Watching him carry so much guilt was hard.
Although definitely an Instalove that could easily be a Hallmark movie, I very much enjoyed the story.
What a sweet book. A long time ago I read Frenched by this author and while I enjoyed the book for some dumb reason I didn’t read any other books by the author. Well, I won’t make that mistake again: I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
This book was about second chances. The hero, Jack, is a Gulf War vet who tragically lost his wife in a senseless car accident after 3 years of marriage. Suffering from PTSD and enormous grief, Jack is living a shell of a life until he meets socialite Margot.
Been there, read that, right? WRONG! This book is really different. For one, Margot is not some spoiled, mindless heiress. She has her own PR firm and is working with Jack and his family to create a public image of their family farm to make their farming produce more marketable. At first they are like oil and water and really don’t like each other.
But after a passionate night, they can’t seem to leave each other alone, and eventually Margot helps to thaw the iceberg encasing Jack’s heart and she helps him let go of his past and take a chance on love again. Best line in the book: Jack telling Margot: “I’m not looking for my first love, I’m looking for my last” Swoon! There were times when I really wanted to kill Jack, not only because his fear was paralyzingly him but he was really hurting Margo. But they eventually get to their HEA. The secondary characters are great and the epilogue is so sweet, bring a hankies when you read it! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series about Margot’s good friend Claire. I read the sample and it was so good I bought this book and that one to
I bought the audio version. It made it more entertaining.
Great characters. He’s hard to love, but fall in love you will!
This is the first of the series I’ve read. Liked it very much. Did not want to put it down until finished…i so need to do some housework@
Great easy read to keep me occupied.
Picked this up as a freebie and gave it a try. I had never read any books by this author. Well, I finished it in less than a day. The story was very good. Many comical points. The h’s background was a little more far fetched but that was all balanced out with H story. Totally believable. Well balanced with likable characters. Right after I finished this, I bought another book by the same author and read it in less than a day as well.
The writing is good, I would give 4 stars but for the male protagonist. Ugh. I just don’t have patience or tolerance for guys who are jerks but supposed to be nice underneath. Not into save them from themselves storylines.
I like military men themed books and this one hit the spot. It approached the problems with PTSD in a pretty realistic manner and I like just a small bit of realism in my romances. Both of the main characters have things to overcome and they do so in an admirable way. I enjoyed reading this story and was truly interested in what would happen with the characters.
The blurb really hooked me. I saw some good word of mouth (friends’ reviews & recos).
I love this trope. Make that tropes: Military vet; farmer meets city girl; Brooding hunky hero;
sweet, giving heroine.
The beginning of the book- Chapter 1-Margot’s POV is sooo funny and original.
Way to make me like this heroine right off the bat. I did say that she’s sweet and giving. Just don’t judge her just by Chapter 1 (and the flying scones). Let’s just say that Margot’s sent out of town until the commotion dies down.
This is 1st person POV alternating Jack & Margot.
Margot co-owns a PR business and she is hired to consult with Jack and his 2 brothers and sister in law. Jack’s family is looking to improve and better market their business: farm to table (sort of).
I love the scene where Margot is caught watching Jack. Whoa, what an eyeful! My friend Jen mentioned this in her review. That scene starts around 21%. hmmmm
Jack is a bundle of angst. Sexy angst. He’s an army vet. He’s sexy. Oh I said that. And he’s a sexy farmer- army vet.
I loved how Jack and Margot ever so gradually warmed up to each other. Jack has a bad temper. Margot learns to tread lightly-most of the time.
Margot around the farm is like a fish out of water. She’s eager to learn-except around the chicken coop. She just couldn’t impose enough to get the eggs from the hens.
Margot has a lot to learn but she’s very patient with Jack. He eventually learns to trust her with what’s been weighing on his mind. Jack is a widower, but he’s got a lot of guilt from the army and his late wife. Margot gets him to open up-but not entirely. She listens to him.
The plot and the characters seemed very real. Margot and Jack had their flaws.
The build up in their attraction felt natural. Most of the time Margot would bend and try to understand Jack’s inability to move on. He just couldn’t.
Jack and Margot’s chemistry was intense. Not just sexy, but sensual.
I love it when an asshole changes. How he got that way was understandable. Very frustrating to think a 33 year old man would lose hope for his future.
No one could make him change. His brothers and sister in law know that but still hoped he would
take steps to heal inside.
Great ending and epilogue. Romantic and Ironic.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I LOVED JACK!
Too much time on abusive relationships. Lots of sexual harassment at work used as foreplay. Heroine a bit of a doormat. Not a fun read.
One of the best books I have read in months!!
Loved this whole series!!
Very much a tear jerker. This is a book that wants to be read more than once!
This book will put you through all the emotions a very good read!
I stop reading the book when I am not interested in the first part of the book.
I really like this book
First time I have read this author. Enjoyed the story and writing. Only complaint was the over use of the f—- word. Felt like I was at the movies but, other wise totally liked the book.
Very well written. I liked it a lot.