I am done with men. D – O – N – E. DONE!I don’t care how much billionaire Roman Cadwell pushes (and, oh boy, does the sexy man push ALL my buttons), I am not dating him. Especially not when he’s wearing a golden band around his ring finger. I do not get involved with married men. Call it my line in the sand. If a man can’t be faithful, I want not one single thing to do with him.But what if Roman … him.
But what if Roman isn’t really married? What then? No, no, no. I will not fall into Lying McLiarson’s trap.
Only every time the man touches me, my body forgets I’m a good girl and wants to give in. Hands off, Mr. Lying Pants, before I forget I’m a good girl.
Although – no one said I had to be a good girl forever.
Author’s Note: This romantic comedy contains absolutely, positively NO cheating. None. But it does have a whole bunch of witty dialogue and a super sweet happily ever after. And maybe more drama than the author originally intended. What can she say? The characters have minds of their own.
Hands Off is book 3 of the Love in the Suburbs series but can be read as a standalone.
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I enjoyed this fun billionaire romance with unforgettable characters you want to root for and a great story that kept me totally involved in all that was happening from beginning to end. I fell in love with billionaire Roman Cadwell and his instant attraction and undeniable chemistry with Bailey River who has sworn off men. I knew as soon as I started reading that I wouldn’t be able to put this book down until I read the last word. If you enjoy smartly written romantic comedy, don’t miss “Hands Off”, book three in the must-read series Love in the Suburbs by gifted author D.E. Haggerty. I received an advance reader copy of this book from BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Hands Off, a Love in the Suburbs book 3 by D.E. Haggerty is the best of a truly quirky series. The only other books that make me laugh out loud are Janet Evanovich. This totally character-based book is so full of amusing characters that I don’t know where to begin. Roman Caldwell has been hitting on Bailey practically since his first visit to F&J Event Planning. She has always said no. He is wearing a wedding ring for crying out loud. Now she is at Frankie’s wedding and she is hiding behind a potted plant to avoid him. Not that he’s not hot … he is. She doesn’t knowingly date married men. Shelby and Frankie, her best friends, think he is not really married and she should totally date him. She finally tells him why she can’t and the shenanigans begin.
One of the best characters is Frankie’s grandmother who believes it is her duty to see every woman married and pregnant. She has succeeded by Frankie Shelby, well not the pregnant part, and has moved on to Bailey. Even knowing this Bailey can’t resist Sunday dinner…Grandma is a great cook. The funniest moments are when Grandpa interacts with his totally-focused, dirty-mouthed wife. Another fabulous character is Shelby, who is the firm’s computer person and also engaged to the other half of F& J, Jackson. Their interactions are laugh-out-loud because she has no filters and he is totally jealous of any other man she sees. Many books are advertised as romantic comedies. This series totally is. This book was beyond entertaining and ended too soon. I recommend it.
I received a free ARC of Hands Off from the Cozy Mystery Review Crew in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own.
This author always knows how to make me laugh – from the characters to their thoughts and their words and deeds.
Bailey has some hangups but has caught the eye of Roman, a millionaire, possibly billionaire. Nothing she seems to say or do seems to deter him from winning her heart. Roman may be rich but he is really down to earth. He does some things that seem sneaky or deceitful, but I think it was him trying to protect Bailey. I really enjoyed watching their love story come to fruition.
The whole gang is back in this book – Frankie, Shelby, and of course Grandma. Grandma is a hoot and a half. She is definitely nosy and tries to manage everyone’s life and wants everything to be happy and in love, much to Grandpa’s dismay. I think he just keeps his mouth shut and lets her do what she wants since it keeps her happy.
I’m not sure if it was this book or I just don’t remember the last book, but Shelby seems to be over the top in her words and actions. Maybe it is because she has Jackson and feels more comfortable interfering in everyone else’s life? Or maybe Grandma has rubbed off on her.
I thought this might be the last book but I’m excited to see there is at least one more that tells us Luke and Violet’s story…and I think there is quite a story there so I can’t wait to delve in and find out what has these two on the outs with each other.
Bailey is through with men, especially married men. No way is she giving billionaire Roman Cadwell the time of day. #1 he’s married. #2 he’s married. #3 did I mention he’s married? But the more she rejects him, the more he pursues her. When she discovers he’s not married, she’s still wary. Her insecurities abound and she honestly doesn’t feel worthy of true love like her bestie Frankie has found. But Roman knows what he wants and he wants Bailey. Can he show her she’s not only worthy of love but can trust him with her heart?
Hands Off is one of those romances where you better be sitting down while reading or else the swooning will get a little embarrassing. Out of all the heroes in D.E. Haggerty’s universe, Roman is top-dog. He’s rich, so he can lavish his ‘angel’ with gifts, adventures and romantic gestures. But it’s his heart which wins the day for me. He’s compassionate without being needy, he’s funny with an acerbic sense of humor, he’s grounded thanks to his family and he loves his angel with his whole being.
Hands Off is a billionaire romance and one I read in one sitting. The conflict raging in Bailey is one many women will relate to. The bantering between Bailey and Roman heats up the sexual tension between them. The dialogue is so funny, I laughed my head off. The romantic pitfalls and joys Bailey and Roman go through together make them a stronger couple in the end. It’s the best book in the Love in the Suburbs series. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5+ stars
I am not a huge romance reader but I have really been enjoying this series. It’s well written with real characters and story lines. I look forward to reading more.
A adult twist on the age old Cinderella story woven with humor, wit and extremely well developed characters to draw you in and keep you engaged in the outcome. Toss in a meddlesome grandma who likes to play matchmaker and a dirty mind and things go from humor to hilarious. It also doesn’t hurt that the story is stacked with well built men of character and you have the romance series that you didn’t know you needed and trust me, you need this series in your life! It is absolutely the perfect series to whisk you away from real life for hours on end. I have to say that this book is my favorite of the series so far, but I am quite intrigued to see what happens to the next two victims of grandma’s matchmaking skills!
All hands ON deck for suburban matchmaking shenanigans part 3
I love a good romcom and you simply cannot go wrong reading D.E. Haggerty. Hands Off: A Billionaire Romance (Love in the Suburbs Book 3) absolutely delivers on a great read. Emotionally connected and chemically charged as well as comedy added to the mix, there’s never a dull moment from beginning to end. To start, there’s character drama (history and baggage), meddlesome, well meaning friends and an adopted Grandma who doesn’t know the meaning of boundaries. The ladies in this book/series make this a laugh out loud romcom. Shelby, followed closely by Grandma and then Frankie all contribute to the shenanigans throughout and drive Bailey crazy. Then there’s the hero. A dreamy, sigh-worthy, alpha who doesn’t know the meaning of quit. Bailey is all good-girl with a heap of bad luck in the love department and tons of baggage thanks to a manipulative mom. Roman is a no holds barred, perpetually persistent, doggedly determined billionaire set on winning Bailey. What I love about these two the most? They are humble. Bailey is sweet as sugar and so very genuine about it. Even Roman is humble. Yes he’s super rich and his surprises demonstrate that, but he is not boastful or flashy. Everything he does, is done with Bailey as the sole focus.
The ‘win Bailey’ plot is interesting as this author slowly but surely reveals and examines all of Bailey’s hangups with the help of her gal pals, but mostly thanks to Roman. The man is determined to do whatever it takes to show Bailey he is worth the emotional risk to her heart.
Overall, this romcom is super sweet as Roman consistently and persistently sweeps Bailey off her feet and finally wins her heart forever. Her prize? Her dream man in Roman, best friends, family, hearts, flowers, love, marriage, babies. In other words, everything Bailey desires for her HEA, and then some.
This is the 2nd book I’ve read from D.E. Haggerty,,,, I like their work,,,
This is the 3rd in this series called “Love in the Suburbs”
35 year old Bailey River has a Best Friends named Frankie who is getting married to Brodie ,,,, They invited Roman Cadwell as he’s a client of F&J Events and another friend, Shelby “Bombshell” is also there as her friend ,,,, Frankie’s Grandmom is Nancy, and she is like the matchmaker from hell,,,, everybody she sees who are single, .grandma Nancy is going to try and set somebody up with them,,,, right now she is trying to set Bailey up with Roman,,,,something in which Bailey is very much NOT very happy about,,,, oh, sure, he’s good looking, has mucho dollars and wants Bailey and only Bailey,,,, but she knows that will pass ,,,, he will surely find another woman to warm his bed,,,but, Bailey must stay far away from him,,,, when he touches her, her body has a different reaction than her head and heart ,,,, her heart says never ,,,, her head says it won’t be long before I find he’s cheating with another woman ,,,, but her body says ,,,, YES, PLEASE,,,and when he kisses her ,,,, she loses all thought,,,,,,Bailey is no virgin or anything,,,, it’s true she never swears, curses or anything, ,,,,, but between Roman always trying to get near her and Frankie’s Grandma setting them up every chance she gets,,,,, she FINALLY say to them,,,, ONE,,,,,, ONLY ONE date,,,,, (against her better judgement),,,,, she hopes to make him see she’s just not worth the chasing he’s been doing,,,,, she hopes at least ,,,,,
40 year old Roman Alan Cadwell has blond hair, short on the sides but long enough on the top to show off its waviness,,, clean shaven, light blue eyes,,,, and he’s a billionaire and was by the age of 35 and has been on the city’s most eligible batchelor list since,,,, Roman is founder and CEO of Roman Enterprises and drives an Aston Martin along with a Porsche 911, and most likely others ,,,, his mom is Emily, father is Dennis and he has a cousin Lexi ,,,, Roman has found his “soulmate” he believes, in Bailey Rivers,,,, a woman he very much is interested in and will try to do anything he can just to try and wear her down to see his way of thought ,,,, he has even talked with Frankie’s Grandma to get himself invited to Sunday dinner where everyone is invited,,,, Frankie, Shelby and Bailey along with their significant others and Roman will definitely be Bailey’s significant other ,,,,, he has tried so many times to tell her that he would never, ever cheat on her,,, he wants Bailey and only Bailey,,,, and once he gets the trust of Bailey, he will do anything there is to keep her insecurities at bay ,,,,, and then one day, she surprises him at the office where she walks in with him kissing another woman,,,, although he begs her to listen, she is gone,,, out the door, into her waiting car ,,,,, and now he’s back to square ONE ,,,,,after all that work,,,,, and now,,,, ,,,,
Ok,,,enough from me ,,,, I’m not going to read the book for you ,,,, LOL,,,,, there is soooooo much more to this book I haven’t even touched yet ,,,, this was another great read in this 3rd book in the “Love in the Suburbs” series by D.E. Haggerty ,,,, there was some action, some adventure and some great steam between the pages ,,,,, I would so totally recommend this book to anyone,,,,, I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
The three women in this story are awesome. They are hilarious, take charge women, who know who they are and what they want. They’re kicking butt and taking names, and don’t you forget it. Now, if they could only get grandma to stop talking about her and grandpa’s sex life, Sunday dinner might just be a little less embarrassing. Grandma is great though. The men in their lives just don’t stand a chance.
It’s obvious from the start that Bailey and Roman are meant to be, and no amount of excuses are going to make a difference. It’s just a matter of time until she finally gets a clue that Roman REALLY ISN’T married and gets past her righteous indignation that he had the audacity to wear a ring and lie so that single women wouldn’t hit on him all the time. Geez, the nerve of that guy, anyway!
Definitely, a great, hilarious, romantic comedy.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
D.E. Haggerty’s third novel in her Love in The Suburbs series is mostly funny. Her bazillionaire hero, Roman, is weirdly endearing but annoyingly ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. Heroine Bailey is a buttoned-up, goody two-shoes, GOOD GIRL, and Roman’s attentions just about blow the lid off her pressure cooker. She’s got a seriously warped self-concept – for good reason, mind you – and seeing her inner consciousness wage war against her straight-laced defensive outer persona is both funny and touching. The supporting characters from earlier in the series play their comedic parts well, (even Grandma!) as they annoy Bailey unmercifully. Haggerty’s comic romance is so improbable, so goofy, and so entertaining, it made my head spin – and the smiles still linger. This is a voluntary ARC review.
Another romantic comedy for characters from the Love in the Suburbs characters. In this one, Bailey is Grandma’s next matchmaking victim. The characters are likeable and the story is fun. It does help to have read some of the other books in the series, but it isn’t required. The story moves quickly and there are always plenty of laugh out loud moments with these characters. Sunday dinners are a hoot! I received a copy from BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I didn’t realize that this was part of a series when I first started reading it.
This book is about Bailey. She works at her friends party planning business as the office manager. It is there that she meets Roman Caldwell. Roman is a wealthy business man and he finds an interest in Bailey. But every time that he asks her out, she denies him, because she believes him to be married, because of the wedding ring that he wear. Bailey does’t date married men. She made that mistake once’s, and doesn’t want to repeat it. She she also has other reasons, but she doesn’t share them. She constantly fights off Romans advances while also fighting her desire for him.
I absolutely adored this story. It was funny and sweet, and enjoyable. It was a well written story and the characters were perfectly flawed and likable. I also loved the fact that Baileys two best friends had flaws. Frankie, had an accident, and has a scarred face, while Shelby only has one arm. I definitely want to read the first two books in this story to learn all about their love stories. I would definitely recommend this book. Super fast read and really enjoyable.
Great friends in a terrific read
This interesting group of characters gives loyalty and kinship true meaning. Sure they give each other a hard time all in fun, but when it comes right down to it they’re there for each other. The Bailey and Rowan relationship was really interesting in that he was definitely attracted to her while she was reluctant resulting in a lot of back and forth between them. I enjoyed this book so much that the rest of the series is on my TBR list.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
3.5*
With the Love in the Suburbs series Ms. Haggerty has created such an entertaining group of characters. These characters all overlap in the subsequent books so I feel like this is a series that’s best read in order, to be able to appreciate each book to the fullest. Especially when it comes to Grandma and her match-making adventures!
When we first met Bailey in book one, About Face, she was part of the “mean girls” club, Frankie’s former best friends. Over the course of that book and At Arm’s Length, Ms. Haggerty was able to redeem her and make me actually look forward to finding more about her. And there was a lot to learn, as Bailey had some secrets that she was keeping.
I’ve read a few books lately where the hero has had to work to convince the heroine to give him the time of day, and Bailey was one of those heroines. Because of what happened in her past, and what she thought she knew about Rowan, she was very much against getting involved with another man. Rowan was quite persistent with her, but was smart enough, most of the time, to know when to step back. That led to a lot of back and forth between them, because of Bailey’s unwillingness to open up to him. While that could have been frustrating, having the rest of the Love in the Suburbs crew around brought some levity and fun to the story.
Rowan and Bailey’s path to a happily ever after may have had a few bumps along the way, but there was never a doubt they’d find their way to a hea. I liked how each of the couples in this series have faced different challenges, but have always found a way to work things out. And boy am I looking forward to Luke’s story!
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
Love in the Suburbs is a romantic comedy series and I binge read the first two and waited patiently for this one.
Hands Off is book 3 in the series, and although they are all standalone novels, they are interconnected. You don’t have to read the first two to enjoy this one, but I would suggest it. This one focuses on the story of Bailey and Roman, a billionaire romance, and to say that I wasn’t excited for it is an understatement.
I’ve been itching for Bailey’s story since book 1. Now I will say that in that book, I wasn’t her biggest fan but by the end of book 2, I loved her and I needed to know more about her. Especially when Roman came into the picture. This growly alpha made me weak in the knees.
Now, I will say that I wasn’t a big fan of his either. Until I found out his truth. Then the man had me swooning with all of his affection to Bailey. That man literally would go to the end of the Earth for her. He can make me swoon any day of the week.
Since this is a new release, I won’t give anything away. But if you like swoony alpha’s, strong heroines and a romantic comedy, then this is the book you are waiting for. And now I am holding my breath and waiting patiently for Luke’s story because I KNOW it’s going to be good.
Four stars for this fun romantic comedy that had me laughing, swooning and rooting for Roman and Bailey all the way to the end.
4.5 Stars
I really love this series and this third book is a great addition to it. I loved getting to know Bailey more and to see get her story told. Now Roman is so yummy. He knows what he wants and he won’t stop until he gets it. He has his sights on Bailey, but she has sworn off men. Roman has his work cut for him, but for him it’s all worth it. He does a lot of little things and big things that get him on the swoon worthy list. This book had me laughing from start to finish. I’m glad to see Frankie’s grandmother is back. She’s a hoot. I love her so much. I’m already looking forward to Luke’s book. I would highly recommend this one!
Another hit by this author the storyline is entertaining and captured and kept my attention throughout the pages. The characters are engaging and well developed with plenty of chemistry throughout.
I received a copy and am voluntary leaving my honest review.
This is Bailey’s story. She meets Roman, but no way no how she will get with him. Right?
Especially since he has a ring on his finger…
But then…
Yeah. Once again the author keeps us hanging by the skin of our teeth and rooting for the “family” that has the best grandma in the world”
The couples may seem an odd choice at first, but they are perfect for each other and, reading through their stories, we just wish we had a granma like this and a chosen family that cares so much for us as all these guys do for one another.
I love this book and the whole series so far and cannot choose a favorite character or couple.
Can’t recommend it enough.
I received a free ARC copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
I had the opportunity to read At Arm’s Length (Book 2 of Love in the Suburbs) before this and I wasn’t Shelby’s biggest fan. Clearly, I was on the fence going in with Hands Off but I enjoyed what we saw of Bailey in book two so into the breach I went. I’m glad I did because Bailey’s character mostly worked for me! While slightly obnoxious with her refusal to swear (I tend to be a bit of a sailor myself), Bailey was clearly a very sweet person learning to stand by herself and her boundaries in a way that I found admirable. Bailey has been burned in her past relationship in a big way but temptation is here in the form of broody, growly, billionaire Roman!
I think Bailey’s stubborn refusal to change course and hiding her reason for avoiding Roman got to be a bit tedious. I promise this statement isn’t as contradictory to my love of her ability to establish boundaries for herself. It was necessary for the romance arc but I still wish there was more to it. Additionally, I had trouble deciding if I thought Roman’s dogged pursuit was romantic or stalkerish. Fiction-wise, I’ll let it stand but I do want to go on the record: Not accepting no, no matter how ridiculous the reasoning, is not DCR-approved behavior. It was funny in the moment to see Grandma and others bulldozing because honestly, it was ridiculous and their strange brand of affection, but it also made me incredibly uncomfortable. I would lose it if subjected to that.
Closing thoughts: It has been fun to watch each of the couples fall victim to Grandma’s attempted matchmaking! I definitely recommend for fans of Molly O’Hare. I do recommend reading this series in order. While technically they could work as stand-alones, if you want maximum enjoyment I think starting from Frankie’s story is the way to go.
I do have a burning question though… Do men seriously wear rings to ward off the droves of desperate women?
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
This was the first book I have read by this other. Hands off is a cute story about a Billionaire that became enamored with an office manager, Bailey. Bailey is not lucky in love and thinks that she is not deserving of the rich hottie. The banter back and forth between the characters was entertaining. I love how far Roman went to prove that his love was genuine. After, awhile I became annoyed with Bailey. There is a certain point when you accept the person, but she fought Roman at every turn. It made me want to smack her and knock some sense into her. Bailey also needed to have a major lesson in self-confidence. If I was Roman, I would have given up long before she finally said yes. I love the supporting characters. I am really excited to read the next book in the series.
I was given a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.