Welcome to the famed resort, The Hathaway at Dragonfly Beach, where newlyweds come to honeymoon, where anniversary couples celebrate milestones, and where broken hearts find a place to heal.Jilted bride Audra Montgomery wants to reset her life at the famed resort, The Hathaway at Dragonfly Beach. A good girl for far too long, Audra has penned a list of must-do experiences she’s sure will change … will change her. When the hotel’s maintenance guy, a “Mr. Jones,” knocks on her door, she wonders if the sexy handyman might just come in handy when enacting some of the spicier items on her agenda.
Kane Hathaway, general manager of the resort, didn’t set out to deceive his guest when he performed a minor repair. But it’s freeing to imagine life without the responsibilities of the family business. Then there’s the whole “Heartbreak Hotel” designation—cynical Kane doesn’t believe for a minute that a stay on site can heal the wounds left by bad romance. But every moment in Audra’s company sparkles with magic—can this be love?
About the Author
Christie Ridgway is the author of over 60 novels of contemporary romance. All her books are both sexy and emotional and tell about heroes and heroines who learn to believe in the power of love. A USA Today bestseller, Christie is a six-time RITA finalist and has won best contemporary romance of the year and career achievement awards from Romantic Times Book Reviews.
A native of California, Christie now resides in the southern part of the state with her family. Inspired by the beaches, mountains, and cities that surround her, she writes tales of sunny days and steamy nights.
more
Great story. I couldn’t put it down. A jilted bride and the general manager of the resort where she is supposed to honeymoon meet when he repairs her leaky faucet. She decides he’s the perfect man to help her with her list of experiences. Sparks fly. Can love be far behind?
This author writes such fun, sexy, and steamy stories! And she just makes them up! This series is a fun summer beach read kind of book. No intense scenes, no violence, just some seriously hot and romantic things happening!
This second story is about the jilted bride that ran away in the first story of the Heartbreak Hotel series. Audra eventually left her room and realized how horrible she looked. The hot repair guy who came to fix some minor things was really the billionaire owner/manager who just wanted to see this woman everyone talked about. Mr. Jones, aka Kane Hathaway, didn’t believe the rumor of the resort being a place where amazing things happened to couples.
Together they figure out that life isn’t so easy but you can work things out even with everyone else interfering. What an enjoyable HEA story that we can all end with a sigh.
I received an ARC from the author for an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was promised or received for this review.
Haven’t we all wanted to pretend be someone else for a little while, one time or another in our lives. That is exactly what happens in Me and Mr. Jones is book two of Heartbreak Hotel Series by Christie Ridgway. Don’t let the suggestive name fool you, this is a heartfelt wonderful emotional romance.
Audra Montgomery is the jilted bride from book one but turned out to be her best friend’s story. Now it is her turn. I thought of song, The Broken Road, as I read this book because surely Audra’s broken engagement lead her to this place in her life.
Kane Hathaway is also at a crossroads in his life. He has some serious misconceptions about his ability to love and be loved. I have never read a Christie Ridgway that didn’t have a happy ending but the journey to getting there is worth every minute spend reading Kane and Audra’s story. You can’t read this book without wanting to experience the magic of The Hathaway at Dragonfly Beach. At least we can see it through the eyes of the characters. Highly recommend to anyone who believes love is always possible.
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ridgway snags you very quickly with this one. The two characters meet when Audra opens the door to the Bungalow she’s staying in. She has been staying there since her fiance stood her up on their wedding day. She is still wearing part of her wedding dress with a pair of sweats. Kane has come to “replace her light bulbs”. (He was actually there to replace her light bulbs, but I couldn’t resist). Kane actually runs the hotel, but has on maintenance coveralls with the name of Jones on them. I wish a really rich stud would show up at my door to change my light bulbs…hence the quick snag on the part of Ridgway.
Me and Mr. Jones if not only funny, but it’s really hot! Kate decided to give her back her confidence in and out of the bedroom. He knows it can’t go anywhere, because an old girlfriend put a hex on him leaving him alone for the rest of his life. He also has a thing for spilled salt, black cats, walking under ladders and on and on. He’s sure that he’ll help Audra and she’ll go on her merry little way. But maybe he’s wrong. Maybe, just maybe she’ll break the hex on him…
I really like this series about the Hathaway Hotel in Santa Barbara since I used to live in Santa Barbara. Audra was left at the altar and has been holed up in the hotel for over a week. Kane runs the hotel and filled in for maintenance when he encounters Audra. He really wants to help her get out of the funk that she is in. She is still wearing sweats and part of her wedding dress. After Kane leaves, she realizes what a mess she is. As Kane tries to help Audra, she helps him too. Kane is a non-commitment kind of guy and knows that he isn’t nearly good enough for Audra. Audra thinks differently, but doesn’t know how to change his mind. As she is trying to get her life together, Kane is wrestling with a decision about his life. Can he be the man she deserves?
Favorite Quotes:
Jessie’s expression fell, looking as if he’d broken her favorite toy and stolen the last of her Halloween candy.
I have a cat. A white cat… Hildr, after a famous Viking shieldmaiden. She killed her enemies in battle and wore their dried penises on a belt around her waist.
He ordered them each beers from the female bartender who wore a Harley-Davidson tank top and jeans so tight they seemed to split her in two from behind.
“Married a jerk,” she said matter-of-factly. “Promised me the moon and gave me green cheese instead.”
My Review:
I’m enjoying this light and entertaining series featuring couples who have no interest in being a part of any couple, but by the end of the book, they have become one none the less. The premise and storylines were entertaining and easy to follow with an even balance of angst, sizzle, and humor. Although initially despondent after being abandoned hours before her elaborate wedding, Audra began to rejoin the land of the living before growing excessively crusty and devised two separate bucket list types of activities after taking stock of her Goody-Two-Shoes personality and “pleaser gene” tendencies. I enjoyed Audra attempting to locate and embrace her more daring feisty side with the assistance of a sexy hotelier.
Can two people who have solemnly sworn off ever falling in love find their soul mates in less than two weeks?
It would seem at first that Audra is no where near ready to start a new romance, but the emotional journey that the author takes her and Kane on is so intricately nuanced, so perfectly paced, that it seems entirely natural for their love to blossom almost overnight. If Audra learned one thing from her failed engagement, it’s that she now knows what she doesn’t want. Kane is as different than her ex as any man can be, and his determination to keep believing he is incapable of sustaining a long-term relationship gives her the freedom to explore her bucket lists without any emotional risk. At least that’s what she tells herself.
The writing is absolutely brilliant. The secondary characters add depth and continuity to the on-going stories at the Hathaway Resort, known as Heartbreak Hotel, and the author does a superb job of giving the entire setting a feeling of historical authenticity. I especially loved Audra’s confrontation with Tracy – “Sugar” indeed! The final two scenes are just priceless – the cure for the curse, the display in front of the family, the photo on the wall – it all was perfectly on point and a joy to read. The HEA was exactly what it should have been – no doubts left at all.
Every bit of this book was exquisitely written, and I’m looking forward to reading the next standalone romance in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I really loved Me and Mr. Jones by Christie Ridgway, the second book in her Heartbreak Hotel series. After being left at the altar, Audra is brought to The Hathaway at Dragonfly Beach in order to heal and figure out her new future. She has always been the good girl so she writes a list of items she thinks will help her change that image. General Manager of the Hathaway Kane was accustomed to getting his hands dirty making repairs as he ensures the happiness of the guests. Kane was also very superstitious and after being cursed by an ex-girlfriend, he believed he would never find love, let alone be able to love someone. In addition, he was in a rut and unhappy, contemplating a change in his job status. Helping Audra recover and move on, brings lightness to Kane, not just checking off some items on her “must-do” agenda. As Audra gains self-confidence and makes decisions that affect only her, and no one else, will she find that in healing herself that she also heals Kane? Can these two prove that a rebound relationship can be true love?
Ms. Ridgway is a wonderful story teller, making me feel as if I was right there. Her books draw me in, making me forget the world around me, not wanting to put the book down until I turned the last page. I highly recommend this book to other readers and look forward to the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Having read the first book in the series I was very excited to read Audra’s story. After being jilted at the altar, Audra’s best friend Lily took her to a resort, known as Heartbreak Hotel, because it is supposed to help people find true love, when they’ve had their heart broken. After Lily found love with the ex-best man, they leave to go back to work, leaving Audra with her torn up wedding dress, curtains closed, and looking like a fright as she hasn’t seen the inside of a shower cubicle since she came to the resort. Kane is coming to the hotel room to fix the plumbing and has such a look of pity that Audra finally looks in the mirror. Horrified, she gets herself cleaned up and when Mr. Jones (that was the name on his coveralls) comes to fix the light bulbs, the chemistry is palpable. What Kane hasn’t told Audra is that he is really Kane Hathaway, general manager of the resort. When he finds a list of things Audra want’s to do to get rid of her goody two shoes image he decides to help. Then he finds a second list, with definitely not goody two shoes suggestions on it. Kane feels that he can never be with one person only so tries to push Audra away, obviously not to good effect!! Great Story.
What can I say? Me & Mr. Jones is a sexy, witty, funny story about a bride left at the alter & the manager of the resort she’s hiding at. I enjoyed the characters. They were so well described that they were easy to identify with. Audra, the Goody Two Shoes that always did what she was expected to. Kane, the hot, arrogant resort manager that warned females he was a player & not to expect happily ever after. Audra needed the courage to go for her own wants & wishes instead of letting her over bearing, but well meaning, mother run her life. Kane needed to understand his past didn’t define him & he was just waiting for the right woman. This story had the right mix of emotions to make it a favorite!
Love is a gift everyone deserves. So why do we take for granted the blessing bestowed upon us? That is why I find The Heartbreak Hotel series so wonderful. Christie Ridgway points out something obvious that we all tend to forget. There is beauty buried within heartache. Love is a leap of faith that comes with flaws, but it’s the hope that blossoms from the painful that points us in the right direction. Me and Mr. Jones opens the heart to what love can be. If we never lose heart and keep the faith.
I received a free, advanced copy of this book from the publisher. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
In Book 1, Audra Montgomery is left at the alter, by her fiancee, in a text. Her BFF and maid of honor, Lilly Durand, whisks her away to The Hathaway at Dragonfly Beach, recently dubbed Heartbreak Hotel. While Audra locks herself away in her room, in the dark, watching horror shows, Lilly steps out and runs into, Alec, the best man, who is related to the Hathaway family, and is staying there for a fmaily celebration. Book 1 is their story.
Kane Hathaway is Alec’s cousin, and the general manager of The Hathaway. Kane and his two younger sisters were raised by a great aunt, since their parents were too selfish to care about their children. Alec’s parents provided the surrogate parenting. Kane was also mentored by the live-in handyman, who taught him the important things of his life, but was also very superstitious, and that also rubbed off onto Kane. Grown up, he is convinced that he is as selfish as his parents, is not the kind of man who can love and hasn’t cared about much of anything in a while. He is at a crossroads, having been offered a job at a chain of eco-resorts in Central America.
Before Alec and Lilly went back to LA, he suggested to Kane, that Lilly might need “an intervention”. He always makes it clear that he plans to remain relationship free, but there is something about Lilly. Lilly has always been a pleaser, so has made a list of things she wants to do to get out of her comfort zone. And Kane is going to be the man to help her knock the items off her list.
Ridgway’s books always have a HEA, but it is the journey to get there that is always a pleasure read. The characters are always captivating and the journey appealing.