I always thought that opposites attract was a load of crap. Until my biker boots led me straight to a gorgeous, polished suit. His fancy University was a far cry from my Trade school. We couldn’t be more different if we tried. His smooth balanced out my rough edges. When my world was turned upside down, and all was lost,He took me in his arms… promised to help me find my way. Unfortunately, my … find my way.
Unfortunately, my journey was tougher than he had imagined.
When nothing goes right, look who’s left.—-
Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations…
Will that destination be in Ian’s arms? God, I hope so.
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This book is fourth in a series. This was a really good book. I love friends to lovers stories, and this is a good one. Although they are opposites, they’re perfect for each other. I also really enjoyed the suspense running throughout the book. I found myself reading faster, so I could find out. Overall, this was a very enjoyable book. After I put Danielle Norman on my auto-buy list, I’m going to read books one through three.
Reviewed by: Clare M.
Still waiting for the last brothers book. Love this series!
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher to review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. He wore suits and I wore biker books. He went to University and I went to Trade School. He lived in a big home and I loved in a tiny apartment. When my world was turned upside down, he took me in her arms and promised to help me find a new direction. Now I’ve lost my job, been separated from my friends, and any day an eviction notice was bound to show up. Unfortunately, my journey was tougher than he had imagined. When nothing goes right, look who’s left.
Leo has had a thing for Ian for as long as she can remember, but he just sees her as just his cousin’s little friend. However that all changes when Leo finally gets her one night with Ian and he stops seeing her as one of the boy and the woman that she actually is. The is the beginning of two people who are meant to be if ever two people had ever been mean to be together. Your going to laugh and cry and root so hard for them. You also get a peek at all the Iron Orchards and all their men. I have read all the book in this series and Often has to be my favorite one yet.
5 The Tomboy Gets Her Guy Stars!!!
I’m a huge fan of this series and since the beginning I’ve been wondering how Ms. Norman was going to deliver Leo and Ian’s story….well I’m here to tell you she did it BRILLIANTLY!!!
If you’ve been reading this series from the beginning you know that Leo is the ultimate tomboy and not like all the women that Ian has had in the past, but that hasn’t stopped this beautiful mechanic from crushing on him since she was a little girl and given her childhood, she’s got quite the broken soul but Ian has been there for her as a constant, just not how she wanted him to be….until he finally notices she’s not the little girl he’s always thought of her as.
Oh and Ian…he’s good looking, super smart, funny and oh so swoony….especially when he and Leo take that leap! Watching the transformation of their relationship was so much fun. I loved these two together, even if there were a couple of times I wanted to slap that Greek man upside his head…
Ms. Norman has created a world that I would love to live in and with each book I fall more and more in love with #thenotagang girls and their men.
Often is the 4th book in the Iron Orchids series by Danielle Norman is full of FEELS and sizzling romance. It is probably the hottest book in the series by far. This story is about Leo and Ian. Leo has crushed on Ian for the longest for Leo has been a part of the Christakos family since she was five and has always had her heart set on Ian. For Leo, the sun rises and sets on him. While Ian, who is super smart and is a rocket scientist. He doesn’t see Leo and he doesn’t have any romantic feeling for her. The book starts with Ian’s youngest brother’s wedding, marring one of Leo’s friends so as part of the wedding party they are put together for the evening. Its at the wedding that Ian wakes up and sees Leo and realizes he wants her –wants this beautiful woman in his life. Then Leo’s life goes into a tailspin. Someone is trying to frame her because of the mystery accidents that have happened. Poor Leo is accused of the crime and She’s the prime suspect. Then we have Ian being chased by his secretary. Things are so bad that Leo isn’t even allowed to see her friends. The story just flows and moves like magic. This story is complex, intriguing, full of angst, and passion. I liked the characters and the dynamic in the story. Leo and Ian make sense and I like watching them come together – this is a long time coming for Leo and Ian should have woke up sooner, in my opinion. I also enjoyed trying to figure out who was trying to frame Leo. Overall, I was kept very happy in my reading by the mystery and Ian’s steamy hero.
My Rating: 4.5 stars *****
This is Book 4 in the Iron Orchids series by Danielle Norman. And it is my favorite of the series, so far. The thing I like best about Danielle’s writing is her blunt sense of humor. Everyone needs a little more laughter in their lives and Danielle had me laughing out loud while reading this one.
“… heading to Club Bed. Only I wasn’t going to be drinking. I had a hot date with DJ Pillow and ZZ Blanky. Then I’d be showing my sheets some a$$ and giving my pillow some head.”
Leo is a plain Jane. She’s one of the guys. She’s a mechanic and has never felt like anyone notices her. She’s always been a loner and could take care of herself. Leo has also had the hots for Ian since she was five years old.
Ian is gorgeous. He’s part of a large Greek family. He’s a rocket scientist for goodness sake. And he’s never really noticed just how pretty Leo really is.
Just as the two discover they make real feelings for each other, a wrench (see what I did there) is thrown into their plans. This story is full of sticky sweet romance and just the right amount of suspense.
This series keeps getting better.
his is book 4 in this brilliant series and I love each book so much. Danielle has brought us a whole cast of amazing characters that you can’t help but become completely invested in, so much so they feel like family and you miss them when they are gone.
This is Ian and Leo’s story and I have to be honest I have been rooting for these two since you caught glimpses of them in the previous books. Their chemistry and connection was scorching hot once Ian opened his eyes to what was right in front of him for so long (stupid oblivious boy). Their relationship has really been building for years as Ian was Leo’s in-requited crush.
My heart was honestly ripped open with everything poor Leo is put through. The emotions Danielle wrote into this book was so raw and real, i just wanted to reach through the pages and hug Leo so she knew she wasn’t alone.
I love the dynamics with this group of family/friends, even when they are kept apart the love and loyalty they hold for each other shines through.
Even though this book has an emotional side to it, Danielle has brought her trademark humour in to. I’m not sure my words can describe how much I love Stella, she has no filter and always brings a smile to your face no matter what the situation.
I cannot wait to see what happens next and who’s story it will be
“Often” (Iron Orchids Book 4) by Danielle Norman is a great read. I loved Leo and Ian’s story. This is a wonderful addition to this series. Packed with humor, passion, close family and friends, entertaining characters, and more. I can’t wait to see what happens next! Highly recommend to all fans of romance, humor, entertaining characters, and series.
Love Leo & Ian, even though I had a hard time w/ the name Leo for a girl. I just know too many male Leo’s, so it took me out of the story every once in a while! I wish I would have started this series from book 1, Enough. The whole big Greek family dynamic is really well done & enjoyable!
I had some difficulty with parts of the story/the pacing of things, but overall I fell in love w/ it! : )
Leo and Ian have known each other all their lives.. Leo has been crushing on Ian for years but he just always saw her as the tomboy she is.. AT his brother’s wedding seeing her in her bridesmaid dress he couldn’t believe how beautiful she was.. Things get crazy, Leo is being accused of tampering with people’s motorcycles and while Ian loves her he can’t seem to prove her innocence. Will this tear them apart or bring them closer together
Fun, sexy loving story.. Probably one of my favorites in the series
The Epilogue was amazing
4.5 STARSSS
I love it when I find new author’s to read and a series that I want to devour. Yes this is book 4 in the Iron Orchid series and I haven’t read book 1 thru 3, as I read this it didn’t matter where I start in this series. NOW I am going back to read the other books.
Ian and Leo have such chemistry off the charts. I loved this very loud Greek family and how they always were there for Leo. Ian has always enjoyed Leo, just didn’t truly see what was in front of him till it needed to be. As Leo and Ian begin this journey someone is out to take Leo down. This is when the fun begins and the passion this couple ignites. What I love is that Leo is the tough as nail motorcycle mechanic. But she is still a woman that wants womanly things and Ian brings that out for her. Ian see more than the mechanic, he sees this beautiful woman that is worth fighting everything for.
I can’t wait to read more in this Iron Orchids series, see more on my YouTube Channel- A Day With Ethel.
https://youtu.be/wt4MXw-ig1Q
**3.5 Stars**
He broke her heart and didn’t know. How? Well, he didn’t know she loved him. And she does, and has since she was five. Leo has wanted Ian for a long time, but never spoke the words to make it happen, or even see if she had a chance. They’re so different what would be the point? Yes, opposites attract, but they’re basically living in completely different worlds. His consists of suits, a big home, a degree, and work. Hers is all about leather, her bike, and using her trade school education to become a mechanic. But they are friends and she’ll take it, since there’s really no other option. Or is there?
Ian has never considered Leo in a womanly sense, though he of course knows she is one. She’s his friend and once you’ve been labeled as such you can never escape that zone, right? Well, the rules don’t seem to apply to Leo because suddenly Ian is seeing her in a whole new light. Especially when Leo finds herself unemployed, and on the verge of losing not only her home, but also her mind. Someone is toying with Leo and Ian vows to keep her safe, but also to make sure she knows his feelings for her have completely changed and there’s no going back.
Who is after Leo and why? Can Ian protect her? What happens when the danger to her is over? Is that the end of their growing relationship? Or just the beginning? Is a HEA possible?
One-click now and follow along as two people finally become what they were always meant to be…together. On a positive note, though I love friends to lovers books and the like, it can be tricky as I also hate the idea of either seeing one another with someone else while having feelings for them. Thankfully at least, we the readers aren’t privy to any of that even though both have been with others in the past. There is some small OW drama as Ian’s secretary has the hots for him, but he isn’t and never has been interested. And once he sees Leo for who she’s meant to be in his life, he’s all in and gains a spot in the book boyfriend list. I like that they did have a solid foundation of friendship before becoming more, though I do wish it didn’t take so long to reach it. – By Elizabeth
When her life is falling apart, there is always someone who has your back even when it doesn’t seem like it. For years, Leo wished for Ian to realize that she is not “just one of the guys”. When her life is turned upside down and she is losing everything that she has held close after escaping her mom’s craziness, Ian loses the blinders he has worn for years.
I wanted Leo’s story from the first book and it did not disappoint at all. I wish I had a girl gang (but not a gang) like all the women in the series. I wish Alpha males where as readily available as well. I recommend this family and this series wholeheartedly. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an advanced copy but will be buying it to complete my series.
I love Ian and Leo’s story. Leo comes off as one of the guys and a bit of a tough side. But little do you realize that this Iron Orchids member has a sensitive side too. She has loved Ian almost her whole life and it is just beautiful to watch what they become. Even as Leo goes through pretty much hell and back with her life I love how Ian stands by her. Such a beautiful story. How can you not love the Christakos men and the woman of Iron Orchids. Lets not forget the humor of Stella at just when Leo needs it. It’s so hard to pick a favorite in this series. If you haven’t read any you really need to because you don’t know what you’re missing. Often is simply amazing.
As with all of the books in this series I love Often. All of the books center around two main characters with all of the secondary characters making appearances and adding humor to the plot. This book centers around Leo (an Iron Orchid) and Ian (a Christakos brother). Leo has always been on the periphery of the Christakos family with Sophie being her best friend and she has always had a crush on Ian. She has an unrequited crush/love until Ian finally “sees” her at his brother’s wedding that’s when their relationship takes off with some major bumps in the road. All of the Iron Orchids rally around Leo. Will they be able to solve the problems with the deputy’s motorcycles before someone is killed?
Ms. Norman will pull on your heartstrings with this book. I felt so bad for Leo and how her mother took out her short comings on her. And then Ian didn’t “see” her growing up. Pull out the tissues this was a tear jerker for me.
** I voluntarily read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review **
Often by Danielle Norman is the fourth book in the Wild Orchids series. Each book can be read as standalone’s but i would recommend reading the books in order. To have a much better understanding of the couples mentioned in these books.
Opposites attract and that is most definitely the case with Leo and Ian. Leo – Leonora is a Motorbike Mechanic, she’s comes across as a sassy, tough tomboy. And Ian is a suit wearing (in Leo’s eyes a high class) rocket scientist. On paper they seem poles apart, the only thing they have in common is the love and closeness of Ian’s family.
Underneath Leo’s tomboy look, is really a girl just wanting to be loved. And if that love could come from her childhood crush Ian, Leo would be one happy woman.
It seems that Leo has been apart of the Christakos family always. Ian has always loved that Leo was different from other girls but as the years have gone on Ian has started to see Leo differently, she a strong, independent woman. But when Ian see’s Leo at a family wedding he really SEE’S, Leo!!
Just as Leo beginning to think there could be more happening between her and Ian. Leo’s world turns upside down, someone is trying to frame her. Being the cause of motorbike accidents that have happened to the local police force. Throw in, Ian being chased by his secretary and her causing problems for Leo.
Things get so bad that Leo isn’t even allowed to see her friends while the police investigation continues. Causing Leo to feel the most isolated she has ever felt. Can Ian be there for her every step of the way and in Leo’s eyes why would he!!
This story is a great story of family, friendship, love, passion and throw in a little angst and a whole lot of family fun. I’ve liked all the characters in this series and have been looking forward to how Leo’s story would go. Leo and Ian might not have seemed perfect for each other but they made sense. I liked watching them come together, it was wonderful to see how Ian saw Leo’s beauty and worth. Overall, this was a great addition to this series and would have happily kept reading in the Ian and Leo bubble.
Loved this quote
“Wow, I guess that Viagra is really working for you because you seem like twice the dick you were last time. But, keep this in mind, maybe your woman stays in the kitchen because you have no clue what to do with her in the bedroom.”
Every book in this series just keeps getting better and better! Often is overflowing with swoony romance, delicious heat, incredible family, and my favorite part that every book in this series highlights so beautifully girl power. Women supporting women. Building them up. Thriving in a strong sisterhood. With smart, brave, tough, sassy, wonderful women leading the way. This is what we need more of. Danielle Norman beautifully writes and epic love story that showcases the true strength of women and I love her for it.
Leo is no dainty damsel in distress. Overcoming a childhood most would have collapsed under she’s a fiercely independent strong woman dominating in a man’s world. In a nutshell, Leo is a bada*$. Secretly in love with Ian since she was a child, she’d given up on him ever seeing her as more when one night during a wedding all of that changes. While their love was both sweet and H.O.T. hot, it doesn’t come easy.
With a mystery that keeps you guessing and suspense that has you on edge Leo and Ian’s story will have you glued to the pages alternating between swooning and biting your nails. I loved it! I was so hooked to this book nothing could have pulled me away.
Leo Scarvoni has had a crush on Ian since she was five years old and became best friends with his sister Sophie. With a rotten home life, she was quiet and shy and spent more time at the Christakos household than her own. When she turned 18, she moved out and decided it was time to live life life on her terms without looking back. She had all she needed, a job she loved as a motorcycle mechanic, an apartment, her cat and her tribe, the Iron Orchids. What she had never had was a successful relationship . . .but who really needs that.
Ian Christakos is literally a rocket scientist. His large and loving Greek family is all he needs . . . he enjoys playing the field and has no need to settle down like his brothers . . . but how had he never noticed how tempting and beautiful little tomboy Leo Scarvoni had become? For the first time, he sees her as more than his sister’s best friend, and he likes what he sees. Can a one night stand after his brother’s wedding turn into something more?
When Leo’s world comes crashing down and she is accused of crimes she would never commit, she’s left without a job as well as cut off from her friends with little hope of a happy ending. Ian’s willing to stick by her but can it possibly last when every odd seems stacked against her and them?
I was really excited for Leo’s story. She’s such a tomboy, but with a super girly hidden side that loves Hallmark movies and being a part of a family. She’s been through a lot to get to where she is and I loved that Ian finally realized she was a woman . . . the perfect woman for him in fact. She’s really a person that deserves to be wooed and treated wonderfully and Ian was just theman to do it.
Watching Ian realize what had been in front of him all along was enjoyable as he came to terms that Leo meant more to him than he realized. When life knocks her off her feet, he is there to pick her back up. When life tries to pull them apart, Ian has to really fight for what he wants. It’s fabulous to watch.
This book is all about family and friendship and sticking by someone even when things are rough. It’s a lovely story with a fast paced plot with enough heat to warm your toes and a fantastic suspense element that keeps readers entranced. 5 stars!
~WRITING – PLOT – PACE~
So first just let me begin by saying…HALLELUJAH!! I have been in a serious uber picky book slump lately, so I went into this one expecting my mood to heavily influence how I felt about it. Especially since I am not a HUGE fan of the friend to lover type books. Mainly because one (or both) parties usually have to sit back and watch the person they have feelings for with other people. And there was a little of that since Leo has had a crush on Ian since she was five and he really hadn’t noticed her in a romantic sense. But since Leo didn’t appear to be a virgin and Ian’s sexual history isn’t harped upon, I wasn’t bothered too much by that aspect.
I actually ended up LOVING this book. I think it is my favorite of the series to date. It was fantastically well written. It was perfectly paced. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. Now, I will say it is pretty obvious early on who was behind all the stuff that was happening to Leo, but overall the plot in this one felt the most cohesive of all the books in this series. There weren’t any loose ends, or things that I felt were just thrown in and never explained. I don’t know, everything just WORKED really well. Of course, it was full of humor. Which is really one of this author’s strong points. Last, it was all wrapped up in a sweet eighteen years later epilogue.
~HERO~
IAN…I loved Ian. He was pretty much perfect book boyfriend material. He was sweet. He was sexy. He was funny. He was smart. He was all in with Leo (after he FINALLY noticed her *lol*). He was a great hero.
~HEROINE~
LEO…Leo is the type of heroine that could go very badly for me. I am not a huge fan of tomboy heroines. And Leo was a short haired, motorcycle riding mechanic. Even her name (the shortened version screams tomboy). Not my favorite type of heroine by a long shot, but this author did an amazing job of making Leo vulnerable and giving her tomboyness a softer side. I pretty much loved Leo through the entire book.
~SECONDARY CHARACTERS~
If I have said this once I have said it a million times, the best part of this series is the side characters. And again in this one, we have a fantastic cast of them. Ian’s brothers, along with the ladies of Iron Orchids. Every time these ladies get together I pee myself laughing at their antics. Ian’s mom (who he calls to save him from an OW *lol*). I will say I was a bit sad that we don’t see much of Ringo. I adore Ringo!
~HEAT LEVEL~
Mediumish. There were a handful of suitably sexy scenes in this one, but nothing over the top. The frequency felt organic to the story, and this couple had good on page chemistry.
~ANGST LEVEL – SEXUAL HISTORIES~
Story wise…medium. Relationship wise…low. Most of the angst in this one comes from the mystery of who is causing Leo all her problems. There are a couple bumps in the road relationship wise, but this couple stays pretty solid throughout. Neither were virgins. Ian didn’t come across as a manwhore either. In fact, there really isn’t any mention of their sexual pasts at all. There is some OW drama in the form of Ian’s secretary lusting after him, but he is never interested in her in the least. There was no OM drama.
~IN THE END~
Honestly, I breathed a sigh of relief when I finished this one. I was starting to think I would never fully love a book again. Especially with this picky slump I have been in. But this one was pretty much perfect. There were a couple small things here and there (hence me rating it 4.5 instead of 5), but for the most part this was a fantastic read. Well written. Well paced. Engaging plot. Humourous. Full of fantastic secondary characters, and two very likable main characters. I really don’t have much else to say about it. For me, it was the best of the series so far and now I can’t wait to see what this author has up her sleeve for Dr. Tristian!
Often is the 4th book in the Iron Orchids Series. I love this series. This book though was harder for me. This book hit so close to home. Leo is a strong independent woman who is living her life and doing well for herself. Unfortunately life finds a way to knock her down and people get involved in a negative way. I often relate to characters but Leo was so relateable. She fought as long as she could before it all took its toll. Ian is a real life example of what to want in life. Ian is the quintessential boy next door. They grew up together. The struggle to identify feelings when you have known someone forever is true. Ultimately the HEA is so worth it, because life really does its best to throw curve balls and mess everything up. As with all the Iron Orchids book, the cast of characters outside the heroine and her man are worth the read. Stella is back with her normally snarky self. Some people really should have been swallowed and that is one of the best ways to deal with the idiots of the world. “Often” is worth the read, as is the entire series, but this one is real hope for the future.