Cam Montgomery is a single full time dad who knows his priorities: his kids, his job, his team, his side business. Dealing with his disaster of an ex-wife is bad enough, not to mention delinquent football players and a meddlesome mother. Cam doesn’t have the luxury of time for anything more, especially a relationship. Even if it is sassy-wiseass Paige Carpino, who can still be sweet, but at every … every turn knocks him on his ass with the unexpected.
That’s figuratively speaking of course. Paige might come in a small package, but she makes up for it in spirit. An energetic spit-fire who has some heat to her sauce, she’s dedicated to her new business ventures, her family and a select group of friends. She’s never put herself out there, but then again, there’s never been anyone worthy of putting herself out there for.
Until one day in a burger joint, an asshole practically enters her into a wet t-shirt contest with his drink. Who knew a wet t-shirt could be the beginning of your life. Or more importantly, that asshole would be your reason for being. But anything and all of the above can happen when you finally put yourself out there for a single-dad-ex-football-player-smarty-pants-hot-man. When you throw the Carpino’s, the Montgomery’s and an eighty-five year old bossy woman in the mix, it’s a recipe for…well…something big.
Warning: This book contains a hot dad, a sassy heroine, steamy parts and naughty words. If you’re under the age of 18, this author is frowning at you with her mama eyes telling you to walk away.
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The 3rd book in the series is every bit as good as the first 2. I loved Cam and Paige together. Brynne Asher’s characters and twists and turns make for the best “can’t put this book down” stories. I just recently discovered this author and I am hooked! So thankful she has chosen to share her gift of writing with us.
I fell in love HARD with Paige and Cam! Cam is such a jerk when they first meet, and Paige is ALL Paige – being sassy, but in that way that you know is cute as hell.
Cam tries to do what he thinks is the right thing and leave her alone. Then when he gets sucked in and surprised, he hurts her. When they work things out then it should be smooth sailing right? No, not at all!
Between his crazy ex, and danger lurking in the shadows, and Cam’s tendency to go Alpha HAAM anytime he thinks something else is going to happen, Paige and Cam don’t get a chance to just be.
Of Course, Brynne Asher gives Paige and Cam exactly what they need in a story that kept me up way too late last night loving every minute of it right to the very last page.
5 STARS FOR ATHICA LANE!! Love, Love, Love this book!! This book has all the feels with sexy characters and suspense. Cam sexy hot and Paige so sassy, they were so much fun to watch their story unfold. I could not put this book down, it was so good I was power reading it.
I just completed my 3 or 4th re-read of Athica Lane today (7/28/2018) and changed my 4-star rating to a 5-star rating. I was pretty selective on giving out my 5-star reviews but I really really loved Paige and Cam this time around so much more. I was reading some other reviews of this book and totally forgot how Paige was portrayed in the first two books, so I’m glad I started fresh again.
In this book Paige came across as hard-working, loyal and so down to earth, and as Gabby describes her, “no one feels deeper than Paige-its who she is.” Paige is also very family oriented, she has no problems taking care of her nephews for a week and picking up her sister’s neighbors children. I love how she is with the kids, especially Jordy and Cara.
As for Cam, he is such a broody “grumpy bear” when we first meet him. He is kind of a jerk, the first meet is not so good… also the second when he accuses her of having a sugar daddy. But then you see him with his kids, talk about swoon worthy! As Cam sees who Paige really is you see the initial, (reluctant) attraction grow, but its not all hearts and rainbows for long, Cam’s jerkiness comes into play once again where I wanted to smack him over the head, but it was short lived. Things were good between the two until the ex comes into play and then a bit of suspense with a stalker and Paige’s best friend. There was a short break up, which was really heart breaking but was resolved.
All in all, I loved the love story of these two. Cam, once he got over his jerkiness, is the type of hero I love to read about, he is a protector, he is possessive, he is the ultimate alpha. And Paige is quirky, and so kind, she loves with all her heart and she will not settle. The secondary characters were wonderful as well. We see Cam’s side of the family and they are a hoot! Even though I have read this book multiple times, I am never bored and seem to love it more each time.
Athica Lane is book three in the Carpino series by Brynne Asher. This is only my second book by Brynne and I have not read any of the previous books in this series. You can easily read this as a stand alone although I am asking myself WHY OH WHY have I not read this series! This book gets ALL the stars! My life has revolved around Athica Lane the last couple of days and the hero I am going to tell you about has become my newest obsession!
Campbell (Cam) Montgomery is otherwise known as the football player slash cowboy slash smarty pants math teacher slash coach slash hot dad. Cam grew up on a ranch in Texas but now lives in Omaha, Nebraska, is a single dad of two adorable kids, and has two full time jobs, one a teacher and football coach, and one as owner of an athletic training type facility. His kids and his jobs are all he has time for. But then he ran smack dab into a woman and dumped his Dr. Pepper all over the front of her tank top and his life hasn’t been the same since.
Paige Carpino is twenty six years old and is single handedly running her own two businesses. Paige loves to cook and has started her own catering business she runs out of her apartment. She started blogging about her food and the blog took off like crazy which also has turned into practically a full time job. Paige’s sister is going on a vacation and Paige is going to stay with their two kids. She will also watch the neighbor’s kids for a couple of hours every day. But she sure didn’t expect the neighbor to end up being the same guy who had just ruined her favorite tank top. He was broody and rude but as soon as she saw the way he was with his kids, she started to fall for him.
Paige has just never felt strongly enough about any man to want anything beyond friendship, until Cam that is. And Cam, who has his hands full with his busy life, not to mention his ex-wife, knows he should stay away from Paige. She is six years younger than he is and his neighbor’s little sister. But the chemistry between these two is just too strong. Neither of them can ignore it.
“It’s him for me. I waited for him all this time and I never knew it. I’d do anything for him. I’d give him whatever he wanted. I want to give him everything.”
“I knew I wanted you. I shouldn’t have, but I took you anyway. Now my sweet Paige, you’re mine. This is it. I’m not letting you go.”
Despite a rocky start, Cam and Paige start a relationship. It’s just not Cam Paige has fallen for, but his two kids as well. She loves them and they respond to her and blossom. But, these two are dealt one problem after another. Through it all, no matter what happens, Cam is there, protecting her. Don’t get me wrong. There are a couple of times I wanted to smack him. He made a couple of big mistakes. But he redeemed himself. I think part of my Cam love fest is his upbringing on the ranch. We all know I have a slight weakness for cowboys. Cam calls Paige “darlin” and I swooned every single time! This man could melt glaciers with his sexy talk and sexy, well, everything!
This is of course, a romance, but there is suspense as well. So many things happen to Cam and Paige. Just when you think life will give them a break, something else comes up. I loved this book so much. Cam was all alpha, jealous/possessive, sexy awesomeness. And Paige was a tiny little ball of sassy energy. She had so much love inside of her and she so wanted to give it to Cam and his kids.
I hope I have been able to convince you that you need to give this book a try. Or any of Brynne’s books. I loved everything about it and I hope you will too. I can’t wait to see what she does next!
I first read this book back when it was still young and I loved it so very much. I instantly became a fan of Brynne Asher’s work. After rereading it I realized that I don’t just love it I ABSOLUTELY love it. It’s one of the best romances I’ve ever read and will ride the top of my favorites list forever.
The dynamics between Cam and Paige is exactly what I look for in every book I pick up. I want the spark that can look like antagonism but that only the reader recognizes as chemistry. I hunger for protectiveness from the hero, throw in a bit of jealousy and I’m a very happy girl. I love heroines who are feisty and independent but not so much they can’t show their vulnerable side and with Paige I also saw all her “sweet” and in the seeing, I fell in love with Cam Montgomery all over again.
Athica Lane is written in a style that feels as though your best friend is sharing their story and before you know it, you’re curled up, comfortable and at home with the characters and experiencing all their highs as well as all their heartbreaking lows. The angst, when present made my heart hurt as Cam and Paige struggle individually over the situation they find themselves in relationship wise. But when the resolution arrived, and then another fuller resolution, I found myself shedding happy tears for this couple. They are absolutely perfect together.
While this is a longer book than most romances that make the rounds these days, it never drags or becomes repetitive and I never, ever wanted to miss a word so skimming wasn’t a thought in my head. There is drama outside the relationship that keeps not only the characters but the readers on their toes and I loved how this author gave closure to it in the end. We have secondary characters from the previous book as well as new characters I know we’ll see in the future and some I hope to see. They are never used as filler but they are constantly supporting the main characters as well as helping to move the story along even as they often add humor, in addition to that which is found between Paige and Cam.
All of that to say, this my friends, is what romance is all about. It’s the beginning, the middle and the happy ever after with an epilogue that leaves you with a smile and the surety that this couple are going to be alright…forever.
Another fantastic read from Brynne Asher. Adored the characters in this book and can’t wait for more from this author
Highly recommend this beautiful romance
4.5 Stars
I have binge-read this series by Brynne Asher this past week. Athica Lane is the third book in this series, and I think it may be my favorite!
Cam is working hard- he has two young children, a crazy ex-wife, and two full-time jobs. He is doing all he can to support his family, and needs a little help. That comes from his next-door neighbor, who watches his kids. When she goes away, Paige steps in to help. This is not intentional, and is after she and Cam meet over a Dr. Pepper.
The chemistry is off the charts with these two! Cam is stubborn, and Paige is a little sweet and sassy, but so loving. I think what I loved the most about this book was how Paige interacted with Jordy and Cara. You can tell so much about a person by how they handle young kids, and Paige proves to be a loving and caring addition to their lives.
I am so glad that someone on social media recommended Brynne Asher as a similar writer to Kristen Proby. I found a new author, and another crazy, extended Italian family to love!
This is the story that, start to finish, kept me smiling and laughing. Paige Carpino meets Cam Montgomery after literally bumping into him at a burger store. After they’re both a mean to each they’re both mean to each other, they go their separate ways thinking they will never see each other again. But, Paige is watching his kids while her sister Sophia is on her anniversary vacation. While Cam would love to never see her again, and vice-versa, Cam’s kids quickly fall in love with her. Cam and Paige struggle with some crazy events, and Cam struggles with his ex-wife Bekki with an i (please read this novel so you can understand that reference), and the damage she did to him when she left him with two kids.
The third installment of the Carpinos includes two crazy families, a lot of psychos, and some more darker themes. This is probably the craziest of the three books when it comes to struggles, but it is also my favorite. I was engaged from beginning to end, constantly waiting for the next part, the next crazy antic that would happen. My favorite part? There’s something that Paige wants that Cam can’t give her, and she sticks with it. She agrees there’s things she has to do, to stay safe; she agrees there’s things she has to do for the kids, and will do everything she can to protect them; but she will not give up her dreams. And she doesn’t force Cam.
I do love a strong heroine.
This book? 5 stars. Hands down.
AND THE STAR WARS PARTY SCENE!
Paige Carpino is a sweet, hardworking woman with almost no friends outside her big, meddlesome, loving family. It’s not that she is shy or awkward, but she doesn’t have much time to socialize. She has her own catering company, a food blog which is growing beyond her dreams, and a family she’s very close to. She knows this is weird, she wants to hang out with people her own age, but it’s not her priority to make a change right now. When she promises her sister to look after her nephews for a week, as well as taking care of their two neighbor kids after school, she has no idea the neighbor kids belonged to the brick wall. The brick wall she has ran into last week, spilling his drink down her t-shirt, leaving little to the imagination right in the middle of a burger joint. Seeing him interact with his son and daughter, it doesn’t take long for her feelings for him to change – from irritation to ‘dadmire’ to love.
“I gaze at the scene in front of me and even though I’ve always known this about myself, now I know. As if the fog has lifted off a dull, hazy day letting the light shine through, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt. There’s nothing more I want in this world than to have a man look like this with kids I get to give him.”
Cam Montgomery is a single dad who does everything for his two children, Jordy and Cara. He spends his day working as a coach for the local High School and owns his own sport facilities. His ex-wife burned him in a bad way, leaving him a somewhat bitter man. He doesn’t anticipate on his neighbor’s sister, a sweet, young woman who makes him shake his head in annoyance, pisses him off, and makes him hard at the same time. He enjoys all of her different character traits more then he likes to admit.
“But just like the last few days, my mind goes back to the woman next door who surprises me at every turn. To the woman who gives me sweet when all I’ve tasted is sour for a long fucking time”
Although Cam thinks he doesn’t deserve Paige, he just can’t stay away from her. He hasn’t had sweet in a long time, and it doesn’t take much before he no longer can control himself. Paige isn’t a very experienced girl, but she knows what she want from Cam, she wants it all because that’s what she deserves. My heart breaks for the couple when Cam’s past and insecurities took hold of him, I just couldn’t believe him and his way of thinking. Paige stays true to herself and was no pushover, although she could have let him grovel a little more. That being said, I love how the couple’s relationship, and the relationship between Paige and Cam’s children, grew in a very real and beautiful way.
This is the third book by Brynne Asher in the Carpino series. It’s written in the beautiful style the author showed in the first two books. I love that I saw glimpses of the lives from the couples of the previous books, them being happy and building families. I love Paige and Cam, as well as both their big, meddlesome families – their conversations and actions put a smile on my face. What I also need to address; I love the fact Cam was not the typical man whore falling for the inexperienced girl for once. I’ve read about to many of these heroes and I’m glad Brynne Asher chose to write Cam the way she did.
“I see a look come over her face, a look I haven’t seen in what feels like forever. It’s a look I came to love. I realize now how much I’ve missed that look when she gazes up like she knows she one-upped me and says quietly, but with a hint of her old attitude: Well then. I win.”
I loved the story, the main couple, and it’s writing, I highly recommend this book. I give this story 5 beautiful stars!
Paige and Cameron
I have absolutely no words that will do justice to describe this story. This is the book that cemented my love for single dads read, the book I judge all other single dads read and none have topped this at all. This happens to be one of my fave reads ever. Brynne is great at writing couple and making them lovable and unforgettable. Paige Carpino is a caterers and does her sister a favour by babysitting the neighbour’s kids, single dad Cameron or just Cam seriously she is hilarious. I just loved it I can’t gush about this story enough and I recommend to everyone.