Two lonely hearts.Just once, Alex Emmerling would like to be someone’s first choice.She’s strong-willed and spunky, but she’s left picking up the pieces from her ex’s lies and manipulations, and daydreaming about taking a scalpel to his scrotum.Flying under the radar is what he does best.He’s laid-back and loyal, but he wants the most off-limits woman in his world, and nothing will ever make that … most off-limits woman in his world, and nothing will ever make that a reality.
An arrangement of mutual benefit.
Two months, four dates.
Five, if things go well.
Five at the most.
But possibly six.
Definitely no more than six dates.
Only the appearance of a romantic relationship is required, and they expect nothing more from their time together. There will be none of those benefits involved.
One wild weekend.
After waking up in bed together—very naked and even more hungover—the terms and conditions of their arrangement no longer apply. Now they’re faced with something riskier than exposing their fake relationship: letting go of the past and zipping up the future.
Some things have to fall apart before they can be put back together.
more
Riley, Riley, Riley! He’s finally here. If this your first Walsh book, you will not be disappointed. Yes, you can read Preservation as a standalone, but why would you? If you are a fan, Riley was everything and so much more. He has matured so much, yet still spilled drinks/food on himeself and still kept his pants unzipped. His Special Someone was perfection. His Honeybee was funny and sassy and had just enough vulnerability to make her really likable.
Take your time reading Preservation, you want to savor this book like fine wine.
The Walshes have become like family and I didn’t want to stop reading.
Ms. Canterbary has outdone herself with Preservation!
Riley Walsh, RISD, guardian of all secrets, nicknaming extraordinaire, has a few secrets of his own. Suffering from unrequited love, he isn’t looking for anyone to take her place though he’s captivated all the same. Finally finding his niche within his family’s business, he longs for what his siblings have.
His Someone Special (some things need to be revealed timely) lacks self esteem though she has the perseverance to accomplish many things. She finds herself paying repeatedly for an error in judgment and succumbs to her friends’ suggestion to make the most of the arrangement presented to her.
This is the long-awaited (at least for me) book about the beautiful mess that is Riley. I think I fell in love with him in the first book in the series, Underneath It All, and every book since has endeared him to me more. His quirks and his uncanny knack for finding things out he’d rather not know have added to it. I can’t imagine a character who has been better developed than him. His Someone Special has her work cut out for her though she doesn’t let it dissuade her.
I have read many of this author’s works and with every new publication I’m amazed at how great it is. All of the books in this series should be read as there are many things addressed in the prior ones that are essential to the evolution of Riley. Do yourself a favor and read them! I highly recommend the entire series though Riley is truly my favorite, the other books are phenomenal. This book, this world, will stay with you for a while after you finish.
I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author. She is definitely one of my go-to authors.
I knew Riley’s story was going to be amazing! I loved his growly, bitey self. I felt like I got to watch Riley mature into this wonderful man who manages to be just as good (if not better) than his brothers. Once again, I was not disappointed. Kate’s writing is sharp and strong. I highlighted the hell out of this book. One of my favorite parts was the text exchanges. It feels kinda voyeuristic but I think it gave the reader a lot of insight into the characters. Of course, seeing all my favorite Walshes again was a great bonus. Nice to know that everybody is still happy.
Kate has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her writing and storytelling abilities never cease to amaze me and I’m never disappointed.
This review can be summed up one way: ALL the heart eye emojis, all of them. I’ve loved this series since the very beginning, right when Matt’s book came out and with each new story that’s told, I fall further and further in love with the Walsh clan and Kate’s writing.
Riley’s story just did not disappoint in any way. With its friends-to-lovers theme but so much more thrown in, you won’t be able to stop reading. There’s steam, humor, nicknames, LOVE, glimpses at past characters – it has everything. With this book I feel like we get the rest of the Walsh story, with lots of questions answered and Riley fully (mostly) grown up. Like all really great books, I’m actually sad to have finished reading it because there’s nothing like a great new book/first read
**5 Stars**
Stop what you are doing and CLICK BUY right now. Do not pass go and collect $200 without buying Preservation. This story can be read as a standalone, but I strongly suggest reading books 1-6 first since Riley’s story is woven around details you learn throughout the series. It isn’t necessary to read the other books first, but I know I am glad I did. Okay, now with that out of the way we can get to that good stuff.
Kate has done it again. She nailed Riley’s story. She delivered an amazing story and gave us the perfect person for him. I’m not going into details of who his special someone is because you have to read about her for yourself. I personally loved her. I loved who Riley was with her. I laughed so many times while reading this book because it’s Riley. I hurt for him though at times, but this is only because he learned what it means to love and what true love is. His story was absolutely perfect. I seriously couldn’t get enough of it. I couldn’t get enough of Riley and his woman.
Kate has a way of making me love all of her characters, but I think Riley and his woman are among my top favorites (I feel this statement changes with every book in the Walsh series). The female Kate chose for Riley is perfect. I loved her. She understood Riley, even when she didn’t want to. She answered Shannon’s question perfectly (I might have choked up during this exchange between them) and was accepted by all the females special to Riley. This was what made the story perfect. Riley got to be with someone who was perfect for him and his family agreed full heartedly.
I love this series. The Walshes have become one of my favorite go to novels because of how amazing each and every one of them are. The growth of each of them is amazing and captures your attention full on and has you loving them more and more every time you was them. I hope this isn’t the end of this amazing family and series.
I must begins by saying that I fall in love with this family more with each book that Kate gives us! Individually each family member is quirky, sexy , funny , interesting and intelligent, place them all together and you have never ending entertainment.
I have personally felt that Riley may be the most secretive, rebellious and intriguing of the Walsh clan and his book did not disappoint me ! Riley has led his own path whether it be academically , socially . sexually or family related, he marches to his own drum. He lived a crazy boisterous life while away at school but once he returned to the family business we found out quickly that he is dedicated, hardworking, intense and talented. I wasn’t sure how or who could be a worthy opponent in his romantic life but oh my as the story unfolded I soon realized that he had met his match. Her quick wit , brilliant mind , off kilter sense of humor , sassiness and quirkiness were a perfect fit !
I am truly grateful that we still get a glimpse into the lives of the entire Walsh clan as I love each and every one of them!
Amazing job !
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Preservation is Perfection!
Riley Walsh is one of those characters that intrigues you from the start. We met Riley way back in Book 1 of this series, Underneath It All, and there has always been something special about him. Riley is laid back, observant, quirky, loyal, and a disheveled man-child. Yet, he is also so much more than that. He is artistic, hard working, self aware, and sexy as hell!
Riley’s someone special is smart, witty, ambitious, salty, and a bit sweet. He meets his special someone under quirky circumstances, that are unequivocally the “Walsh way.” They both are fighting to stay afloat while their worlds appear to be in shambles. They make an arrangement that is mutually beneficial in order to preserve whatever they can salvage together. This arrangement sparks a fuse that burns slow and scorching hot!
Riley and his some special are a perfect match! The fun banter and sexual chemistry are a heady combination that will leave you begging for more! Their love is an adventure of discovering each facet and flaw that makes for a unique and wonderful journey. I love The Walsh world immensely and Preservation is “the cherry on top” of an already amazingly decadent series.
Kate Canterbary’s writing paints a vivid picture with texture and movement that draws the reader into the story. Once inside, you never want to leave the world that she has created. You can see it, feel it, and almost taste it. I can’t wait to read more of her work and fingers crossed we’ll get more glimpses into the Walsh world too!
I was given and ARC for an honest review.
What can I say…..I LOVE Riley!!! AND I absolutely adore Kate Canterbary’s writing!!!
This book was amazing. The wit and humor, the love and emotions, and the sex. OH MY……the sex.
Riley has always been the “screw up” of the family. The one expected to make mistakes or be less responsible than the rest. They love him and except him but they know his history. Well, he’s grown up and has finally found that someone special that wants him for him but in typical Riley fashion he does things in that clumsy awkward way and can’t articulate exactly what he wants.
She is nothing he is looking for but he can’t get her off of his mind. She is becoming his go to girl but he doesn’t know if the feelings are reciprocated.
They both feel more than they ever expected but neither is completely upfront with the other at first. They have their struggles while coming to terms with their feelings.
This book also does a great job of revealing the more complex sides of Riley. He is so much more than the man we meet in the other books. I love that it introduces new characters a little more deeply while also catching up with some of our favorites. I love the look back at our old friends and the insight to what I hope are more books down the road.
Makes me want to re read the entire series.
Riley Walsh. The keeper of all secrets. The king of worst timing ever. The sibling that forever has a stain on his shirt and his fly undone but has the most insightful words for his family whenever it’s needed. I was drawn to Riley from when he was first introduced in Underneath It All (Book One) and my infatuation with him has only grown over the course of this series. Riley is hilarious and loyal but after The Spire, book six in the Walsh series, it was obvious that Riley is also deep and hides a lot. When he meets his Someone Special and learns that she could use a man in her life to move forward from a past ‘mistake’, they enter into a mutually beneficial arrangement of several dates over two months. This fauxmance turns into friendship which turns into one of the hottest relationships I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. Riley’s Lady is absolute perfection: outspoken, direct, intelligent, successful but also flawed. She’s real and I loved her as much as I loved Riley, which I never thought would be possible since I have never come close to liking a character as much as I like him.
As usual, the writing is witty, funny, heartbreaking, and hot. I felt the gamut of emotions and both wanted to race through this story to find out the end and savor every single word because I never wanted the end to come. I am constantly astounded by the history and random facts that are included in each book that Kate Canterbary writes and always come away feeling a little bit smarter than before I started. I have loved every Kate Canterbary book more than the last but this book is going to go down as my hands down favorite book of all time. I have never anticipated a book more, never loved two characters more, and can’t imagine any book being able to replace this one.
100% spoiler-free book review
Although it’s the seventh book of my absolute favorite series, Riley Walsh and Dr. Alex Emerling’s story can be read as a standalone.
From far, Riley and Alex could pass as powerful, thriving thirty-something. She’s a surgeon, and he’s an accomplished architect. But if it was that easy to be successful, there would never be enough material for novels, and life would be too easy.
In this series, and in this particular book, the author elegantly describes how hard it is to struggle through our previous failed expectations. How our childhood disillusions impact our adult decisions.
I also relish the humor in which everything is wrapped. It’s always there to carry the reader through the emotional ups and downs. It also helped the steamy scenes differ from the multiple alike erotic romances that invade the bookshelves lately.
I can never get enough of the Walsh family.
Riley is totally worth the wait! Amazing!!
For those of us who have read the previous Walsh books, Riley has always come across as a bit of a goof, a fool, someone you don’t necessarily take too seriously. Over the course of the series, you’d get the occasional glimpse of Riley’s depth, and although he was always endearing, he often acted as the de facto court jester of Walsh Associates – good for a pratfall or showing up at an entirely inopportune time and adding a certain element of comic relief. However, in Preservation, once we get into his head you discover your prior perception of him couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, he’s still the guy who turns into a clutz in certain situations (explaining all those coffee stains), and now we know why his fly is down so often (OMG!), and he still rocks the nicknames, but he’s also incredibly sexy, charming, loyal and loving (oh, and so HOT in bed).
The anticipation over finding out who Riley’s Special Someone would be has been almost nail-biting for fans of the series. Without giving anything away, I can say that she is absolutely PERFECT for him. As per usual with Kate Canterbary’s female characters, she’s smart, sexy and utterly capable in so many ways but she, too, has some emotional baggage and insecurities that she brings to the table. These insecurities, in conjunction with Riley’s baggage culminate in an emotional climax that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.
Although I have to say that the reader would definitely get more out of their reading experience if they have read the previous books in the series, Preservation can definitely be read as a standalone. However, if you haven’t read the previous books, don’t let this turn you off!! (fair warning: I can almost guarantee that you’ll finish Preservation and immediately turn around and read the others if you haven’t already.)
*Although I was provided with an ARC, I loved it enough that I went ahead and purchased a copy anyway.
Preservation – The Walsh Series – Book 7 – by Kate Canterbary
Finally! Finally, finally, finally! Riley! I have been waiting for the all Riley, all the time book.
If you’ve ever had a huge crush on a person you have no right to have a crush on (like your older brother’s wife) you should check in with Riley.
Riley is pretty chill, but he hides a lot from the rest of the world. Riley has the ability to see things, while keeping those things secret. The one thing we know for sure is that if there are going to any kind of shenanigans going on, odds are high Riley is involved.
Riley, loves to get in there and use his artistic talents on the old homes the firm is well known for preserving and renovating. Which is how he actually meets Dr. Alexandra Emmerling, otherwise referred to as Gastro Girl, who works at the same hospital as Riley’s brother –in-law Nick. Riley managed to snag himself on a nail and ends up at Erin and Nicks on the same night as a dinner party they were hosting. Nick and Alex help sew Riley up and it is Nick who says since they both need help and don’t know anyone who can help them they should help each other.
Meaning, Alex needs a date to the Chief Chapelton’s Cocktail Party and Riley needs someone to go with him to RISD Weekend. Match made in heaven, no, not at all. Possibilities maybe. Just friends for sure, four maybe five dates to get through the little things they need a date for, sure that will work. It could work, Riley still has that crush on Lauren (his sister-in-law) that he is pretty sure he only knows about, but Alex is cute and she can be fun and they’ve already had at least 2 maybe 3 dates (to get to know each other).
Then during RISD Weekend there were those few hours drinking whiskey and oh hell, they had hot hot hot sex! Alex can remember some, but Riley oh son, it takes more than a few days for Riley to remember what happened and now he needs to straighten out a few things with Alex.
When all is said and done, Alex and Riley become a couple, a pair, a photo team! Oh yes, Riley likes taking pictures oh him and Alex during the “act.”
This story gets better, before the realization hits Alex as to who Riley has been trying to get over. In the meantime, the reader will be a part of numerous shenanigans, some x-rated pictures accidently sent to siblings, surgical talk that almost takes Riley out, hot texts, lots of sex and a realization. One realization by Alex and another one by Riley, we want our hero and heroine to figure this all out, but I promise you this when Riley is involved your are never ever going to short of a good laugh and a lot of smiles.
Kate Canterbary has continued to bring the wonderful Walsh’s to life and move them beyond the hell of their childhood. Highly recommend the entire Walsh series.
Riley and Alex are wonderfully adept and inept at the same time….kind of like most of us in real life.
The Walsh clan and their circle of friends, acquaintances, co-workers, and family members are truly a delight.
Well, I sure was not expecting Riley to be such a dirty, foul mouthed guy…….but you know what? I liked it…..a lot. And the combo of him & Alex – starting out fake dating and then realizing they both wanted something more, I just loved the development of their relationship. They definitely didn’t have the most conventional of relationships, but what they had together worked perfectly for them.
This really wasn’t the story that I would have pictured for Riley after reading the rest of the series, but everything about it fit him perfectly!
The entire Walsh series by Kate is wonderful. These are ‘can’t put them down’ ‘gotta read them all ‘books. The characters are wonderful. I want to be part of the Walsh family!!!
Brilliant dialog and characters you’ll love But who’s not already in love with Riley? The plot is not full of twists or drama however it’s full of emotion and funny, sexy real life. A wonderful read!
Sincerely, this IS my favorite book of the series. Not because it was the last one. Not because I fell deeper in love with Kate Canterbary’s storytelling. Nope, it’s because she saved the most complicated and emotional story for The End.
Riley is the goofy younger brother. The light in the dark moments. The eye roll when serious words are said. Consistently the Lou Costello to the entire family of Bud Abbotts. But lingering in the background, the reader knows there is more to RISD than unzipped flies and coffee stains. Ms. Canterbary does more than deliver. This is the PERFECT story delivery that you didn’t even know you wanted. You’ll have eye opening experiences with flashbacks to the previous POVs with delightful clarity.
And I haven’t mentioned the heroine. Let’s just say, you know it would take someone special. Someone who could meet Batman every step into a Happily Ever After. She is definitely found in this story.
Let me end with if you’ve read every single review for the Walsh series I’ve written, I saw repeatedly I’ve stated to read in order and read them all. To truly appreciate Riley’s story it is imperative this happens. Otherwise you are short changing yourself. If I could give this book 10 stars I would. It was every emotion laced together. Often readers are sad to see a series end, but what I send off Ms. Canterbary gave us. 5 out of 5 stars.
Preservation (The Walshes Book #7)
Kate Canterbary
My, oh my Riley Walsh is all grown up and what a treat he is. As per usual Kate sucks you right in and hooks you from the first sentence. This book is so fantastically written. The characters are so rich and deep that you can’t help feeling for them and rooting them on. Riley sure got lucky with his special someone, she is the perfect match for his wit, humor, and boyish ways. Her strength of character is a perfect fit for the Walsh women as well. I love how their relationship forms and mutates after their ‘wild weekend’. As a reader who has read the rest of the series multiple times, I truly couldn’t be happier with this book or Riley’s special someone. I can’t wait to see what Kate Canterbary has in store for us in the future. Bravo Kate, Bravo.
“There was a gravity associated with Riley. A pull. I couldn’t be near him without being drawn closer, and he never failed to take it a step farther. A hand on my waist, an arm around my shoulder. A leg pressed to mine.”
Oh, and does Riley ever draw you in! From the “No they didn’t, did they?” opening, to the picture perfect epilogue, this book was one fabulous ride seen through the eyes of the wonkiest Walsh & his lady.
Riley has always held a special place in my heart & this story draws upon all of his lovable quirkiness. What begins as a mutually beneficial arrangement to solve their dating dilemmas soon evolves into a delicious slow burn of a romance & kinky sexual shenanigans. Throw in a huge helping of the crazy but devoted Walsh clan, some wildly witty banter & enough sizzling sexual chemistry to keep anyone reading deep into the night and you have one spectacular read!
A whole hearted five star review!
After waiting what felt like an eternity for Riley’s story I had insanely high hopes and expectations for this book. Kate absolutely crushed those expectations and blew me away with her spectacular writing. I’m experiencing an epic book hangover and I love it.
Where do I even begin with Riley?
He is the goofy younger brother, the nickname giver, and the guy whose fly is always down. But he’s also the keeper of everyone’s secrets, loyal to those he loves, and hotter than the sun. He is an emotional hot mess but Kate takes us on a his journey of untangling that mess and what a journey it is!
Riley’s someone special is a lot like him in that she wants someone to love her and put her first. I love her heart and snarkiness and her description of her Batman. She is now my favorite Walsh significant other because I can relate to her so much. But then it’s one of Kate’s many talents creating genuine, perfectly imperfect characters.
The entire Walsh series is fantastic but Riley has a special place in my heart.