Evan Griffith has had a hell of a day… And that was before he met the stunning, sexy woman having a meltdown.Evan Griffith has had many careers in his life. But who knew working for his family’s moving company would hold just as much action as his stint in the Marine Corps? On an unforgettable job, Evan finds himself taken by a teenage conman and confronted by a woman wielding a knife—and … woman wielding a knife—and promptly falls head over heels for her.
Kenzie Sykes is doing her best to raise her little brother and keep him out of jail—all while dealing with her own broken heart that just hasn’t healed. She doesn’t have time for romance. He’s not asking… Until he is, and she finds herself saying yes.
Veteran Movers series:
The Whole Package (Book 1)
Smooth Moves (Book 2)
Handle with Care (Book 3)
Praise for Marie Harte:
“With a protective alpha hero that stole my heart instantly, The Whole Package was sexy, sweet, and thoroughly satisfying.”—LAUREN LAYNE, New York Times bestselling author, for The Whole Package
“Marie Harte at her best! The Whole Package delivered everything I love—hot alpha, a strong woman, and amazing writing!”—DONNA GRANT, New York Times bestselling author, for The Whole Package
“Terrific. I absolutely loved this story.”—Night Owl Reviews, TOP PICK for The Only Thing
“Another exceptionally red-hot romance by Marie Harte with a strong yet sweet hero!”—Fresh Fiction for Just the Thing
more
Out of the three books in the series, so far, this third book was my favorite. Handle with Care was amusing, quirky, sexy, and emotional, and contained charming characters, an engaging storyline, and a heartfelt romance. This book is not so much about an alpha hero saving a damsel in distress but rather a book full of friends, family, healing, and love with characters that are down-to-earth and relatable and a believable, realistic storyline.
Evan has his hands full at the moving company he co-owns with his two cousins, Reid and Cash, as he fills in for one while out injured, along with trying to start his accounting business and taking care of his ailing mother. Romance was the last thing on his mind and definitely not what he was looking for when his moving assignment took him to Kenzie’s doorstep. Knocked head over heels, he gets more than he bargained for with Kenzie, her younger brother and their quirky set of friends. His eyes and heart are opened to new possibilities of family, friends, and love.
Kenzie was a crazy mess! Her parents passed away when she was finishing high school, leaving her with the responsibility of raising her baby brother. She did the best she could to build a life for them, starting her own graphic design business and working from home so she would always be available to Daniel when he needed her. Her previous relationship ended abruptly when her fiancée left without warning or reason so she and Daniel are still reeling emotionally and she is heartbroken, skeptical, unsure of herself, and gun shy regarding new relationships. However, there is something about Evan that urges her to throw caution to the wind. But he seems too good to be true and can she really open herself, and Daniel, up to that kind of heartache again? With her crazy group of friends as back-up, what could possibly go wrong?
I loved Evan and Kenzie as a couple and enjoyed their developing relationship and Evan’s interaction with Daniel. Aside from being with her, Evan had a separate bond with Daniel, letting him know he mattered and he was there for him and I enjoyed seeing Daniel mature through that brotherly connection. I also loved the prank that Daniel played on Evan with his phone – completely hilarious!
Since Evan was not really an ‘alpha-type’ hero in the story, I did scrunch my nose at a few of his clingy moments, but that really just helped his character become more real. He was just a guy who was devoted to his family, loyal to his friends, and all-around nice and helpful. I struggled a bit more with Kenzie’s character. Though overall, I did like her, she grew on me more as the story progressed, but she was a bit whinier and indecisive where Evan was concerned and in certain situations, that bugged me. However, Harte adding her quirky friends into the mix helped me enjoy her character more.
Harte also gives the reader a bit more insight into Smith’s character and I was really intrigued by him. There was a huge awe moment with him and a little girl that lets you glimpse an entirely different side of him than the gruff, spiteful, bad-tempered guy he portrays himself as. I enjoyed his interactions with Evan and was glad to see that Evan stepped up to the plate and just put the truth out there to him that everyone has been dancing around from previous books. I am looking forward to Smith’s story to see how all the family drama concludes.
Overall, this book was a fun addition to the series.
3.5
I enjoyed revisiting Vets on the Go!
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Daniel
The humor
Part of a series: Veteran Movers
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading the next book in this series…Smith?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
Handle With Care by Marie Harte
Veteran Movers #3
A company that employs military veterans who move people sounds like a wonderful team to join when one leaves for civilian life. A team to work with and that will support you. That is what was created with Vets on the Go – a business Evan Griffith is a partner in with other family members.
When on a job he is warned about a woman that is “crazy” by a teen in the neighborhood…and shortly thereafter he sees her entangled in a trio of women crying and carrying on and then a BIT later…wielding a knife. What is he to think? And…when his phone rings he wonders who changed the ringtone?
The woman with the knife is Kenzie Sykes and the teen with the warning her much younger brother. The women in the frenzy were roommates and long time friends. Add into this mix the men that Evan moves with, a few teenagers and people they both encounter through work and there is a lot that can happen. Both seem to have backstories that make it difficult to trust and that doesn’t help either.
As I began reading I thought, “Not a book for me.” A few pages later I was a bit more into the story but still felt the topic perhaps not my favorite. By the end of the book I felt it was a solid story in what is a series of easy to read contemporary romances that are…not for me. That said, I do see this appealing to readers who want to have a HEA with a feel-good element and not much challenge for the male and female lead.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
3.5 Stars
Handle With Care is the third title in the Veteran Movers series. Although you could read this title as a standalone, I would recommend reading the previous titles in the series, as there is quite a cast of characters and it will make it easier to keep up with who is who. Handle With Care is a fun, steamy and enjoyable contemporary romance with strong themes of family and friendship.
Evan Griffiths is a former marine, CPA and part owner of a moving company with his cousins. He’s a protector by nature, loyal, kind, caring and sweet.
Kenzie Sykes is a complicated heroine. She’s was orphaned as a young adult and left with raising her baby brother. She’s kind of neurotic and fairly insecure.
Both this hero and heroine are vulnerable and a little bit damaged from events from their pasts.
I loved the side characters in this title. Daniel, Lila and Rachel are quirky and fun. The bond Daniel and Evan shares is special.
Smith captivated my attention and I’m quite looking forward to his story.
Handle with Care is the third book in the Veterans Movers series (Vets on the Go!) and I loved re-connecting with this large group of characters, as well as meeting some new ones that brought additional love and laughs to this very enjoyable series. I was looking forward to Evan’s story and it was a heartwarming one — if anyone has ever “looked after” or become a caregiver for a parent, you’ll find that you’ll love Evan even more after reading this book. At times, though, I wanted to shake some sense into both Evan and Kenzie, but then again, that’s what made me keep reading so that’s a good thing! Rachel, Lila, Will, Daniel — all the supporting characters in all these books make the plot more interesting and intriguing. It makes me wonder whose book is next?! Another thoroughly enjoyable read from this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.
4 Stars
Review by Elizabeth
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Handle with Care is the third book in the Veteran Movers series by Marie Harte. Every book in the series is interconnected but they can be read as standalone’s.
Love. Love. Love!
Handle with Care is a great addition to the Veteran Movers family!! It contains all the good feels with a dash of angst and a side of an untrustworthy heroine. While I loved Evan, Kenzie is my girl! Yes, she did grate my nerves a tad with her insecurities but come on, that is to be expected with her past.
I also loved that Evan was not a “man-whore” which tends to be the trend with military background heros. Once he meets Kenzie it is like love at first sight but darn, does he have to work for it.
All in all, I found the book to be awesome and it did keep my attention, which is kinda hard. The reason I did not give it a full five stars is because the chemistry did feel a bit forced at times but it is what it is. I loved it anyway! Definitely worthy of a one-click!!
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Sarah –
This is a sweet, sexy, and often funny story about a graphic designer and the sexy man who helps her friend move house. While they both feel an immediate attraction, Kenzie has been burned too many times before and Evan has to show her that he’s worth taking a risk on.
The relationship that stops and starts between Kenzie and Evan is entertaining. Kenzie’s little brother brings charm and humour to the story. Kenzie’s friends are smart and funny – and I loved them.
My only reservations about the book lie with the two main characters. I understand why Kenzie is skittish about relationships, but the girl has serious baggage and her neurosis were a little bit much for me after a while. I loved everything about Kenzie in the rest of her life – her friends are wonderful, she’s great with her brother, she’s a fantastic businesswoman – but she’s infuriating when it comes to men. Her character is realistic, but I didn’t love the angst and meltdowns.
Evan is also a little bit infuriating because he is perfect. Kind, patient, thoughtful, successful – he’s a fantasy boyfriend from central casting. I’m not sure I’m even allowed to be irritated by perfection but my favourite men have a little edge, a few quirks, and they mess up sometimes.
Overall, this is a fun, easy read full of likeable characters and family drama. It’s the third book in a series but I read it as a standalone without any problems. It’s a well-paced read and I liked the writing style.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I have been waiting for Evan’s story and it is my absolute favorite out of the series so far.
Evan is the quiet one of the family. He’s the silent partner with his cousins in Vets on the Move! And with his cousin Cash out with a broken limb – he’s helping to fill in with some of the moves. This where he finds Kenzie – the woman who took his breath away the minute he sees her.
Evan and Kenzie hit it off from the start. And I loved these two together. But both have some underlying feelings about past relationships that are keeping them from being fully engaged with their relationship.
Daniel, Kenzie’s little brother, is a great icebreaker in the storyline and I loved his interaction with Evan. The Bromance is fun and heartwarming.
Kenzie’s cast of friends also play a huge part in the story and had me laughing to the point of crying at moments. They were a great addition to the storyline too.
Evan melted my heart. Kenzie was cute and vulnerable and the perfect fit for the ever-patient Evan.
My heart definitely was won over by Evan. Each book in the series gets better and better and I can’t wait for more in the series!
This third book in the series centers around Evan, the burnout accountant cousin that has left a prominent practice to help his cousins and start his own company .
Kenzie Sykes a website creator, has raised her little brother . They meet when Vets on the Go move one of Kenzie’s friends.
Both Evan and Kenzie have been hurt by love and while Evan is ready to love again, Kenzie is afraid to open her heart.
I found both Evan and Daniel, Kenzie’s brother, more likable characters than Kenzie, who was afraid to move forward.
I have to confess that though it was good, I liked more the previous stories. They were more engaging stories and felt this one was a little slow at times.
It wasn’t until the last 1/4 of the book that it picked up the pace. Still it was a good addition to the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
While I loved the banter between all the characters I found the romance too sophomoric. Too much “Does s/he like me? Does s/he like me not?” The actual sexy times were hot, but I didn’t like the “dating” scenes. It doesn’t look like Lila is going to get a story but I’m looking forward to Smith’s story! I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. This review was posted voluntarily.
Handle With Care is part of a series, and although I read it as a stand alone, I recommend reading the series in order. The story will have more depth of characterization and flow more logically. Still, it’s not a bad or great read but kind of middle of the road. I mean, cute couple, witty banter, loveable sidekicks, a few bumps in the road, and viola! I read it fast, and it’s light. This one is a good read when you want something delightful that requires little thought. It’s an escape for a bit. Overall, average read. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.