Before Sam, I was the most boring, awkward and level-headed person you’ve ever met. I was my best friend’s side-kick, the supporting actress to another person’s life. And I was OK like that. I was lonely. But I was OK. Then I met Sam. Our eyes locked and BANG my heart started beating. As my blood warmed and pumped around my body, everything changed. Before that moment, I had been as dead inside … as dead inside as the stiffs I applied make-up to in the mortuary. Now I was alive, experiencing things for the first time, enamoured with a man I knew to be a criminal.
Instead of running and remaining the good Catholic girl I was, I married him.
Now I have to live with the consequences of that decision.
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When you marry into a family of crooks things are bound to get interesting.
I loved Alesha and Sam together even though circumstances are not the best they are meant to be.
My heart broke for her with how she felt unworthy, Sam and his brothers did not agree they absolutely love her. Sam is swoon worthy, I love how he is with her. What can I say about Alesha, she’s hilarious and determined to make the best of her situations. I absolutely loved her what a great character. I can’t spill any details of what she gets up to they are so good and you’re going to want to read it for yourself. Thoroughly enjoyed.
2.5 Short review. Mixed feelings. Alesha and Sam are a slight improvement to Nate and Holland what I mean by that is the writer develops the romance between them better by giving it time to grow and deepen. Unfortunately Alesha and Sam are not the best characters especially Alesha. Alesha is the kind friend you wouldn’t want to have the way she looks at her friendship with Holland in a negative light and spends so much of book trashing her and the friendship was so terrible. Alesha and Sam are followers more than leaders they do what they are told and don’t think for themselves they both take issue with Nate and Holland but it’s more because they wish they were more like them than anything else. After reading this book I don’t know if I want to continue the series, even though I am interested in the other brothers story.
*5 Stars*
I loved this book. I should have continued the series earlier this year, when I read the first book, but as is the way of life, other things got in the way. I’m so glad I finally got around to read Sam and Alesha’s story.
This gives you a whole new perspective on things, and a very different one from Holland’s in the first book. Alesha is so much more than I thought, and I truly loved her character, and her growth in this book. It also made me dislike Holland and also Nate, quite a lot. I liked them in the first book, but I think I truly loved this book more, and having the different perspective really shone a light on particular parts of the story. I guess, there are always two sides to every story, and getting Alesha and Sam’s tale really highlights that.
I loved all the rest of the family in this one, and yes, even Jasmine. Underneath all that crazy crime kind of family stuff, is just a normal family trying to find their place and be there for each other.
This was lots of fun, with lots of heart, and I really can’t wait to get to know more about the rest of the brothers over the coming books. Particularly Toby, I definitely have more curiosity for him now, elaborated on a bit more since the first book.
When you marry into a family of crooks things are bound to get interesting.
I loved Alesha and Sam together even though circumstances are not the best they are meant to be.
My heart broke for her with how she felt unworthy, Sam and his brothers did not agree they absolutely love her.
Sam is swoon-worthy, I love how he is with her.
What can I say about Alesha, she’s hilarious and determined to make the best of her situations. I absolutely loved her what a great character.
I can’t spill any details of what she gets up to they are so good and you’re going to want to read it for yourself.
Thoroughly enjoyed.
* ARC PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR FOR AN HONEST REVIEW *
I always find it interesting to see other peoples’ point of view because it shows that no two people see things in the same light.
Fool Me Twice, book one about the Cartwright family, was written from Holland’s point of view, and I loved her. This book, book two, was told from Alesha’s point of view, and I found it very interesting to read her take on the situation and her friendship with Holland.
I loved the book, and I really love the rest of the brothers, especially Toby, but I must say, after reading Fool Me Twice, I found it a struggle to accept how Alesha saw things regarding Holland.
Overall, I couldn’t put the book down and am so looking forward to reading more about the Cartwright brothers
Well well well,
what a little gem this was, one that I really did enjoy.
“Fools Rush In” had such a unique way of relaying itself, one that I really loved.
Managing to deliver on its promise even though the relationship between Sam and Alesha wasn’t at all angsty.
In fact, I still found this to have an abundance of humour and side drama that pulled it screaming into the forefront, making it definitely stand out in its genre.
I was rooting all the way for Sam and Alesha, they were such a great duo and neither made any apologies for there choices in life, it was just like this is how it is, deal with it, dude.
I felt Sam was so real, not a cardboard caricature of a supposed thief, but so vital and vibrant.
He lived by his own set of rules and morals, in fact, the whole family did and Alesha despite her strict upbringing thrived in this new world.
Finding a true family she never realised she was seeking.
She proved herself very quickly because of her desire to really just belong somewhere and just be accepted for herself.
I didn’t even mind the Virgin trope with this, It usually bugs me to hell but here It just seemed to fit the mould and be believable.
I loved the fact that people here were redeemable, shades of grey, neither good or bad, such a very refreshing concept.
I also really felt Alesha’s inner turmoil as she seemed to be standing in the shadow of her friend.
Being a people pleaser at times myself I found her such a relatable individual.
I also really felt myself identifying with her internal angst as well.
Not having read Nate and Holland’s story I felt this gave me a completely fresh perspective on the overall dynamic overshadowing this whole entire family.
This left such an impression on me that I will definitely be reading that previous book now.
So This was almost like a reverse romance where everything seemed to happen backwards with the marriage coming first.
A very different take and on the whole falling for each other thing.
This was also surprisingly humorous at times and I adored the twins one-liners they were such classics.
“Fools Rush In” in my opinion was ultimately at its heart about family and what we will all do to just belong or ultimately just supporting one another with our whole entire beings, for no other reason than its family and that’s what you do.
It found this such a surprisingly heartwarming read.
This really was such a great book that I can’t recommend to you enough.
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of “Fools Rush In” of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
4.5 stars
When the choice is marry or die, just what exactly is a girl meant to do?
This is the story of a socially awkward woman and the sexy thief she is forced to marry. Whilst this can be read as a standalone, it runs concurrently with Fool Me Twice. There are events in that book that I feel would both improve enjoyment of this book, and provide a much richer back story. We first met Alesha in Fool Me Twice and I was really curious to understand her change in attitude towards Holland, her best friend. I enjoyed that book so much that I didn’t even read the blurb for this, I just jumped straight in. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I most certainly wasn’t disappointed by this book.
Holland was robbed not once but twice, by Nate. Determined to get revenge, or at least her things back, she tracks down where the thieves live, dragging along her BFF Alesha to help. Things don’t go according to plan and the girls find themselves with a simple ultimatum. Marry into the family or wear a pair of concrete boots. This book picks up at the wedding ceremony and follows Alesha as she tries to navigate her way through the intricacies of being a wife and daughter in this new family. Abandoned as a child by her drug-addict mother and suffocated by her overbearing father, Alesha has become a chameleon, adapting herself to fit seamlessly and quietly into her surroundings. However her new family help open her eyes to life and Alesha begins to question who she is and who she wants to be.
For me this authors work just gets better and better. Alesha and Sam’s story sent a tsunami of emotions washing through me, but instead of leaving damage in it’s wake it left me desperate for both the next book AND FOR TOBY’S STORY!!!!!! (I just know that Ms A is going to be evil and make his the last book.)
Whilst on the surface Alesha isn’t the strong heroine I tend to prefer, she actually had amazing depths of character and an inner strength even she eventually couldn’t ignore. I sort of didn’t like her at one point during Holland’s story, but our ever talented author put an interesting new spin on Alesha and Holland’s actions, casting both characters in a totally new light.
Was Nate insane dragging her into this? How selfish could one person be? I closed me eyes as the revelation hit me, Holland had dragged me into this without giving my safety a second thought.
The book is written just from Holland’s POV, normally I’m not a fan of this BUT it really worked for this story as so much hinged on Alesha’s constant doubts and lack of self-worth. Not ‘hearing’ Sam allowed me to understand her fears, doubt and confusion. However I still grew to love Sam both through Alesha’s eyes and the very touching and wonderful things he said.
He pressed his lips into a sad-looking smile.
“Appearances are often deceiving. In this house, family comes first, our individual dreams a distant second.”
I was literally glued to this, I started reading it in the early evening and didn’t put it down until I had completely finished the story. It made me laugh, cry, despair and hope. It’s pretty steamy and Sam’s influence brings out Alesha’s potty mouth at times. It is such a wonderful read that I really do recommend it to you, just as I’m happy to recommend it to my family and friends.
Wanting to be loved
I had been anticipating the second book in Lilliana Anderson’s Cartwright brothers series since I fell in love with Nate and Holland from Fool Me Twice. I was glad to know we’d be getting Holland’s best friend Alesha’s story since she was so involved in the first book and Lilliana definitely didn’t disappoint.
Unlike Holland and Nate, there was no very little initial attraction between Alesha and her Cartwright brother and chosen husband Sam – by saying that I mean they met one afternoon and were married within 24 hours thanks to the mess that Holland had got her and Alesha into. But you could see straight away that this 32 year old woman who was socially awkward and had never had a real relationship with a man – other than her male relatives – was smitten with Sam and glad that if she was being forced into a marriage to save her life and those she loved, then at least it was a man she quickly admired. What follows is what I would expect of a story about two people being forced to marry – especially when one is a criminal. There were ups and downs, steamy sex scenes and laugh out loud moments and Alesha found her way in a new family only to have it ripped away when things fell apart. Alesha was desperate for someone to love her for her and the story questions whether she will ever find that someone, and if the man she was forced to marry could be that person.
I really enjoyed this story. It was an easy read and the characters were fabulous. I especially enjoyed the different perspective of Holland and Nate from Alesha’s POV and the insight we got from this. Lilliana has a way of giving us a fairly ridiculous, fantasy based plot and yet some real, genuine characters who you can’t help but fall in love with.
Getting a much bigger feel and look into the remaining members of the Cartwright family was fabulous – because it was clear that Holland was a bit more biased against them – and I was so glad to get to know this thieving family a bit better. The twins Kris and Abbot are hilarious and seem like so much fun, Toby is the brother I cannot wait to get his own book and the matriarch Jasmine proved in this book that there’s more than first meets the eye.
This is one family I can’t wait to read more about so I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this fabulous series.
nicandbooks
Amazon/Goodreads
Fools Rush In is the second book which features one of the Cartwright brothers and this one gives us Sam and Alesha’s story. I enjoyed the story a lot, but it did take me a while to get into Alesha’s character. I felt as if the beginning of the story focused too much on her inexperience’s, lack of self-worth and she seemed so dramatic about everything that was going on with and around her. I absolutely loved Sam! He was so sweet, caring, protective and attentive when it came to Alesha. The Cartwright family may have chosen to do something others look down upon but when it comes to family, FAMILY IS EVERYTHING! I enjoyed Jasmine in this book; we know she has a tough side but we got to see a softer side of her that we didn’t get to see a lot of in the first book. The ending was sweet and I absolutely loved how everyone was together once again. Toby still has some feelings towards Nate about what happened but I look forward to reading how things work out between the brothers and I definitely look forward to reading Kristian and Veronica’s story.
ARC received for an honest review
I have been waiting for Sam and Alesha’s story from the minute I finished Fool Me Twice.
And Ms Anderson definitely has not disappointed.
Starting about halfway through the time line of Fool Me Twice, Sam and Alesha’s story gives Alesha’s POV of the story so far.
I thought I knew it all after reading Nate and Holland’s story, but boy was I wrong.
In fact, I have done a complete 180 since reading Fools Rush In.
I used to think Alesha was cold and robotic once she got married, however seeing things from Alesha’s side of things, I am not sure if I really like Holland and Nate anymore!
I know, shocked right??
As we learn more of the story, I adore Alesha and Sam so, so much, and just wanted to slap Holland around the head with my Kindle. I know there are always 2 sides to every story and perspective is everything, though even now i have read both ladies sides of the stories, I am thinking Holland is a grade A selfish cow. Things may change as the series progresses -but I am not holding my breath at the minute!
Sam is all kinds of wonderful wonderful. He really is a thief, as he stole my heart!
There are twists and turns in this story that will keep you guessing, keep you turning each page.
I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us (and if Ms Anderson can get me to like Holland again!)